The Greek word apologia means "to give a reasoned defense for what you believe to be true." It is used 19 times in the new Testament. 1 Peter 3:15 (Amplified) is one such instance.

"But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defense (apologia) to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully"

We, as followers of Christ, are mandated to defend our faith in every area. This section is dedicated to answering the questions of many as to the authenticity of our faith as Christians. Though it will not give detailed answers, it will attempt to convey some core truths about Christianity.

Why did God make us?

God did not create us as some believe, but He made us. Creating speaks of bringing forth something from nothing. God created the universe as stated in (Colossians 1:16) “For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him” out of nothing, but He made man “in His image and likeness” from the dust of the earth and breathe life into him. He did all of this purely for His pleasure. (Revelation 4:11) says, “Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.” He did not make us because He needed us, for God is a perfect being complete in Himself. He needs no one. He simply did what gave Him pleasure and making us gave Him great pleasure. His ways are perfect and everything He does is perfect. He makes no mistakes. Thus, making man and the universe was a very good thing. (Genesis 1:31) says “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” God made us because He wanted us and loved us. The word of God says we are the crown of His creation, He delights in us, and He has crowned us with honor and glory.

Knowing some would go to hell?

God made man with the ability to reason and feel and express complex emotions. The most complex of which is love. Love is a voluntary emotion. It cannot be demanded or commanded. It has to be freely given for it to be love. It has to be a choice. Without the ability to choose we could not be human, but robots. God wanted to make a perfect being. In order to do this, He had to give us free will. But with the freedom to choose comes the possibility of wrong choices.

God did not make hell for man. He made hell for Satan and his fallen angels. (Matthew 25:41) speaks of hell as “everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.” Yes because He is omniscient, God knew before He made us, that some would exercise their free will to choose evil and so end up in hell. But should this have prevented Him from making all of mankind? Would it have been fair for God to not grant life to any of us because of the ones who would willingly choose to rebel against Him and end up in hell, even after He has given them every opportunity to choose what is right and good? (Romans 1:20) says “For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” Should none of us be given the opportunity to enjoy eternal life with a loving, perfect God in Heaven because of those who would willingly choose evil? Should we all be deprived of eternal life basking in the glory of the One who “ wraps himself in light as with a garment?” (Psalm 104:2), in whose presence “is fullness of Joy”, and at whose right hand there are “pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11) because of those who want to go their own way.

Some may even question, why did God make those who would end up in hell, when He foreknew that they would? Why did He not just make only those He knew would choose Him? Life is a gift from God. To choose whom to give life to would have been a violation of man’s free will right from the start.

God made man in His image and likeness out of the perfection of His love. He could do no less. He gave man free will for He desired to make a perfect being who would freely choose to love Him and be with Him, knowing man would sin. He used this foreknowledge to provide a way back for man, out of sin and death, and into eternal life with Him. He sent His only begotten son to pay the penalty and die a torturous death on a wooden cross for the sins of man from the beginning of time. (Revelations 13:18) speaks of "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." He made this provision before man was created and before man sinned. God does not desire anyone to go to hell, even though we all deserve to go there. (Psalm 103:10) says, “He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.” In (Ezekiel 33:11) He exhorts man “As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die...?” In (2 Peter 3:9) the word of God says, “The Lord is...longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” It is entirely man’s choice to go to hell or heaven. For God has made every provision for man to be redeemed and enjoy eternal life in Heaven. He says all those who seek, shall find; and to all who knock, the door shall be opened. Anyone who goes to hell chooses to go there. As C.S Lewis said, there are two kinds of people in the end; those who say to God “thy will be done” and those to whom God says in the end “thy will be done.”