Humility and Civility in Apologetics

Today, a lack of civility and humility often characterizes public discourse due to a functionalistic view of humanity and an epistemological arrogance. Unfortunately, at times this is true even among those doing apologetics and especially so when it comes to the science-theology debate. Many in both disciplines think that they have absolute certainty concerning their knowledge claims. Often this involves confusion between confidence and arrogance leading to uncivilized discourse. Unfortunately, this regularly leads to fractured relationships among those holding different views and/or the absence of civility in discourse. This is especially regrettable where truth is on the line. Francis Schaeffer and C. S. Lewis are models of doing apologetics with confidence, but with humility; with conviction, but with civility. The goal of this talk is to underscore the importance of civility and explain critical realism as a way to avoid epistemological arrogance. In a word, it is to promote both personal humility and public civility in the defense and presentation of truth – virtue apologetics.