| 
What is Apologetics?
From FAIR, the Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research
Apologetics is the defense of a belief. The English word is a transliteration of the Greek word apologia , meaning "speaking in defense." Apologetics has a long and noble history in Christian writing, dating as far back as the early apostles. Peter told the early Saints to "be ready always to give an answer [ apologian ] to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you" (1 Peter 3:15).
As can be seen, far from apologizing for the Church, LDS apologists are seeking to defend the Church, as is clearly expressed in the FAIR mission statement:
FAIR is dedicated to standing as witness of Christ and His Restored Church. Our mission is to address the charges leveled at the doctrines, practices and leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with documented responses that are written in an easily understandable style. FAIR will use current scholarship, scripture, Church doctrine, historical literature and sound logic in constructing solid answers.
Or if you prefer a sound byte, a FAIR apologist can be defined as a “defender of the faith.”
To answer the second question, we find a statement in the Church News (18 Dec 1983, p.2)
Today, as in President Young's day, General Authorities usually do not comment on negative information about the Church. Their responsibility is to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. Their primary work is to “bear testimony of the restoration of the gospel and that Jesus is the Christ.”
When members of the Church listen to the General Authorities, they want to hear a message that is uplifting, and one that tends to build up their faith. Most charges leveled by critics are meant to do nothing but tear down: there is little of honest truth seeking in them.
We might rightly ask, “If the General Authorities do not generally answer the critics, then why has FAIR taken upon itself the mission of doing so?” One reason is because, as observed by Elder Neal A. Maxwell, critics and enemies of the Church should not be permitted to make “uncontested slam dunks.”
Because the leaders of the Church rightfully spend their time in fulfilling its threefold mission, this does not mean they discourage gospel scholarship or the search for truth. In the words of Gordon B. Hinckley, “Fundamental to our theology is belief in individual freedom of inquiry, thought, and expression. Constructive discussion is a privilege of every Latter-day Saint.”
This is where FAIR comes in. Through its Web site, FAIR provides resources for those searching for the truth about a wide range of gospel topics. The FAIR website may be accessed at http://www.fairlds.org
The full wiki article condensed here is found at
http://www.fairlds.org/FAIR_Brochures/AboutFAIR.pdf
If you have any topic or question you would like to see addressed pleased contact Carolyn Wright at http://www.fairlds.org/contact.php Just check the box for the Meridian Article Editor.
Return
to Top of Article
Click
here to sign up for Meridian's FREE email updates.
Copyright 1999-2008 Meridian Magazine. All Rights Reserved |
