Memorial Day!

Memorial Day!

Bodie Hodge, M.Sc., B.Sc., PEI

Biblical Authority Ministries, May 25, 2026 (Donate)

And the children of Israel fled before Judah, and God delivered them into their hand. Then Abijah and his people struck them with a great slaughter; so five hundred thousand choice men of Israel fell slain. (2 Chronicles 13:16-17, NKJV)

The Betsy Ross Flag at the founding of the USA

Throughout history, militaries have had units of soldiers sprinkled in death. Sometimes entire armies are put to loss. The Civil War (1860s) between the North and the South in the United States was by far the biggest loss of life for American wars.

In ancient Israel, the North (Israel) and South (Judah) also fought during their years of a “split kingdom”. In one battle, 500,000 warriors fell for just one side (Israel) dwarfing any single battle in the USA. The biggest battle in the American Civil War was Gettysburg, PA where a grand total of about 50,000 casualties were incurred between the North and the South over 3 days.

Stop for a moment and remember the brokenness of the families of these fallen soldiers whether in Ancient Israel or in the United States. That brings me to a special modern holiday in the USA—Memorial Day.

What Is Memorial Day?

Memorial Day is a national holiday in the United States set aside to honor and remember the men and women of the armed forces who died in military service to their country. It’s observed on the last Monday of May each year.

Unlike Veterans Day, which honors all who have served in the military, Memorial Day specifically focuses on those who gave their lives in battle, during war, or while serving in dangerous military duties. It is a solemn day of remembrance, gratitude, and reflection upon the sacrifices made for the freedoms Americans enjoy.

For many Americans, Memorial Day also marks the beginning of summer activities, family gatherings, and community events. Yet at its heart, the day is meant to direct the nation’s attention toward sacrifice, courage, duty, and the cost of liberty. Flags are flown at half-staff until noon, ceremonies are held at cemeteries and memorials, and many pause for the National Moment of Remembrance observed each year at 3:00 p.m.

When And How Did Memorial Day Originate?

Memorial Day originally developed after the American Civil War, when communities across America began decorating the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers and flags. Because of this practice, the holiday was first commonly known as “Decoration Day.” Many towns and cities claim to have held the first observance, but the federal government officially recognizes Waterloo as the birthplace of Memorial Day due to its organized community-wide observance on May 5, 1866.

In 1868, General John A. Logan, leader of a Union veterans organization called the Grand Army of the Republic, called for a national day of remembrance on May 30 to decorate the graves of Civil War soldiers. As a side note, there is a jr. community college in Southern Illinois named for John A. Logan and I’ve actually taken a couple of classes there.

Over time, the observance expanded to honor all American military personnel who died in service. In 1971, Memorial Day officially became a federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May.

Why Is It So Important To Military Families And National Leaders?

For military families, Memorial Day is deeply personal. Behind every fallen soldier is a grieving family: parents who lost children, spouses who lost husbands or wives, and children who grew up without a parent. And military personal lose their military “brothers” and “sisters” in combat. My father was a Marine who lost friends and fellow soldiers in war.

Fallen soldier being honorably laid to rest; Image requested by Bodie Hodge*

The holiday reminds the nation that freedom often comes with a painful cost paid by real people. Families visit gravesites, share stories, display photographs, and preserve the memory of loved ones who never returned home. Schools often bring in military personnel to speak to students and help them think more deeply about Memorial Day.

National leaders view Memorial Day as important because it helps unites the nation around remembrance, patriotism, and gratitude. Presidents, governors, military leaders, and local officials often participate in ceremonies at national cemeteries such as Arlington National Cemetery.

Speeches given on Memorial Day commonly discuss sacrifice, courage, service, as well as the responsibility of citizens to preserve the freedoms for which others died. The day also reminds nations that war carries terrible consequences.

While honoring bravery and heroism, Memorial Day also causes people to step back and reflect on the sorrow and suffering connected to military conflict. It is both a day of honor and a sober reminder of the price of peace. I have no doubts these same thoughts ran through the families and service members of ancient Israel too!

What Are Some Ways Americans Can Remember The Fallen?

Americans remember the fallen in many meaningful ways. One common practice is visiting cemeteries or memorials to place flowers and flags on graves—echoing Decoration Day. Communities often host parades, memorial services, concerts, and public ceremonies that honor military sacrifice. Some people wear patriotic colors or display the American flag at their homes.

Enjoying a Patriotic meeting; Photo by Bodie Hodge

Another meaningful way to honor the fallen is by learning and teaching history. Reading about past wars, listening to veterans’ testimonies, and studying the sacrifices of military personnel helps preserve their memory for future generations. Families may also pray together, observe moments of silence, or support military charities that assist veterans and surviving family members.

Christians may additionally use Memorial Day as a time to thank God for those willing to sacrifice themselves for others. Jesus Christ declared in John 15:13 (NKJV):

“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”

While this verse ultimately points to Christ’s own sacrificial death, many recognize a reflection of that principle in those who willingly gave their lives protecting others.

How Did The Bible Reveal How People Honored The Fallen Warriors From Battle?

The Bible provides several examples of people honoring fallen warriors and leaders after battle. In 2 Samuel 1, David mourned the deaths of Saul and Jonathan after they died fighting the Philistines. David composed a lament known as “The Song of the Bow,” publicly grieving their deaths and praising their bravery. Rather than rejoicing over Saul’s fall, David honored the fallen and commanded that the lament be taught to the people of Judah.

The men of Jabesh Gilead also showed honor to Saul and his sons after their deaths in battle (1 Samuel 31:11-13). They courageously retrieved the bodies from enemy territory and then they gave them a respectful burial. Their actions showed loyalty toward their former king.

Another biblical example appears after the death of Abner in 2 Samuel 3. David publicly mourned Abner’s death, fasted, and walked behind the burial procession. The people recognized this as sincere honor toward a fallen military leader. Throughout Scripture, mourning, lamentation, burial, memorial stones, songs, and public remembrance were all ways God’s people honored those who had fallen.

These examples reveal that remembering the dead with dignity, gratitude, and respect isn’t foreign to the biblical worldview but instead flow from it. Scripture consistently portrays honoring the fallen as an act of respect and remembrance.

Conclusion

Memorial Day stands as one of America’s most solemn national observances. It is a day to remember those who sacrificed their lives in military service and to recognize the freedoms purchased through great cost. From its origins after the Civil War to modern ceremonies across the nation, Memorial Day continues to encourage Americans families and their respective losses.

For Christians, Memorial Day can also point toward deeper biblical truths about sacrifice, service, courage, and love for others. Remembering the fallen honors not only their bravery but also the principle that sacrificial love is noble and worthy of remembrance. As Americans gather with family and friends, it is fitting to pause and reflect on those who never returned home so others might live in peace and liberty.

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Bodie Hodge, Ken Ham's son in law, has been an apologist defending 6-day creation and opposing evolution since 1998. He spent 21 years working at Answers in Genesis as a speaker, writer, and researcher as well as a founding news anchor for Answers News. He was also head of the Oversight Council.  

Bodie launched Biblical Authority Ministries in 2015 as a personal website and it was organized officially in 2025 as a 501(c)(3). He has spoken on multiple continents and hosts of US states in churches, colleges, and universities. He is married with four children.

Mr. Hodge earned a Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC). Then he taught at SIUC for a couple of years as a Visiting Instructor teaching all levels of undergraduate engineering and running a materials lab and a CAD lab. He did research on advanced ceramic materials to develop a new method of production of titanium diboride with a grant from Lockheed Martin. He worked as a Test Engineer for Caterpillar, Inc., prior to entering full-time ministry.

His love of science was coupled with a love of history, philosophy, and theology. For about one year of his life, Bodie was editing and updating a theological, historical, and scientific dictionary/encyclopedia for AI use and training. Mr. Hodge has over 25 years of experience in writing, speaking and researching in these fields.

*Image generated through ChatGPT

 

Problematic Apologetics

Problematic Apologetics

Ken Ham and Bodie Hodge

May 21, 2026

“Problematic apologetics?” What does that term mean? The word apologetics comes from the Greek word apologia. It is usually translated “answer” or “defense” in 1 Peter 3:15 (NKJV):

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.”

If Christianity is true, and the Bible is the infallible, inspired Word of God, Christians should be able to defend their faith when asked skeptical questions. This doesn’t mean that Christians must have all the answers—but from a big picture perspective, they should be able to give a reasoned argument to counter attacks on the Christian faith.

Image in original publication

Unfortunately, we often see two major problems in Christian apologetics:

1. Most Christians have not been taught practical, basic apologetics, so they don’t know how to defend the Christian faith when it is challenged.

2. Some Christians use incorrect or problematic arguments in their response. Bad arguments then become a stumbling block once the hearer sees the flaws.

Problematic apologetics comes in different forms, such as promoting urban legends or taking quotations out of context. We hope to deal with some of these in coming issues. This article deals with one problem, which we call “eisegesis problematic apologetics.”

Here is an illustration. Consider a person making claims about how to interpret some scientific evidence and then quoted a Bible verse to justify his argument. But when the verse was checked in context, it did not support the claim. This is called eisegesis (a big word for “reading into the text”).

Instead of letting God’s Word speak to us through the style, grammar, and context of the passage (called exegesis), people try to force their own ideas into the Bible to justify their beliefs. Cults are masters at eisegesis, but it’s also a danger for Christians. In fact, every time a Christian defends A careful handling of the evidence…and text compromise ideas about earth history and evolution, such as the gap theory, theistic evolution, and progressive creation, they are imposing their own ideas on Scripture.

Then they claim that Scripture teaches their position. Such “eisegesis problematic apologetics” ultimately undermines the authority of Scripture and causes unbelievers to stumble. Let’s consider just three examples to see whether they slip into eisegesis problematic apologetics.

Shroud Of Turin

Is It Authentic? An amazing cloth shroud, about 14.3 feet (4 m) long and 3.7 feet (1 m) wide, first appeared in 1357 in France and is now stored in Turin, Italy. The cloth has a realistic imprint that looks like a man’s face.

According to tradition, the shroud was miraculously formed when it covered Jesus’s body in the tomb. Some people quote Matthew 27:59, Mark 15:46, and Luke 23:53 to justify the possibility of this miracle. These verses seem to indicate that a single cloth was used to wrap Jesus when He was taken off the cross. But was this same cloth wrapped around Jesus’s body when it was placed in the tomb?

After the crucifixion, Jesus’s body would have been bloody from Pilate’s whipping (Matthew 27:26), the crown of thorns (Matthew 27:29), and the nails driven into His hands and feet (Acts 2:23). More blood flowed from the spear wound in His side (John 19:34). So this cloth would have absorbed a lot of blood.

Now did this cloth remain on Jesus’s body as it was carried to the grave? From a cursory glance at the accounts in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, you might think so. However, John reveals more details (John 19:38–40). Joseph of Arimathea took the body prior to its placement in the grave.

Shroud of Turin; Public Domain

Later Nicodemus joined him, applying about 75 pounds of spices and wrapping the body in several strips of linen. To apply the spices, the caretakers must have removed the bloody linen covering Christ at the cross. We have no reason to assume that they reused this single cloth. Instead, we would expect them to follow Jewish customs of cleanliness.

Also, no Gospel author mentions a second single-cloth linen around Jesus’s body—only a small cloth wrapped around Jesus’s face and several other linen strips around the rest of his body (John 20:7). Jewish burial customs usually involved strips of linen and a burial cloth around the head. In fact, John indicates Lazarus was given the same kind of burial (John 11:43–44).

At Jesus’s resurrection, both John and Luke mention the strips of linen and the cloth on His face (Luke 24:12; John 20:3–7). They mention nothing else. We have no reason to assume any other cloths were present in the tomb.

To do so requires us to impose our ideas on the Bible, contrary to reasonable inferences, which is not the way to “rightly divide the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). The Bible, read carefully in context, rules out the Shroud of Turin as Jesus’s burial cloth.

Days Of Peleg

Continental Breakup? When looking at the surface of the earth, we find evidence that continental plates have moved great distances and are still moving (albeit slowly) today. If such major geologic change occurred in the past, wouldn’t it be recorded in the Bible?

Concerned about these scientific findings, Christians sometimes claim that the continents split apart during the days of Peleg, soon after the Flood.

They usually cite Genesis 10:25, which says “the earth was divided” in the days of Peleg. If you look carefully at the context, however, you see that this verse appears in the middle of a detailed account of the division of languages, when people were divided up and spread over the earth.

In fact, the Hebrew word translated “earth” in Genesis 10:25 is the same word used in Genesis 10:32 to describe the nations being divided. The same word appears again in 11:1, which says the whole “earth” spoke the same language. In each context, the word refers to the people living on the land, not the land itself.

Map by Bodie Hodge

Genesis 8:3–4 raises another problem. The Ark ran aground in the “mountains of Ararat” on day 150 of the Flood. These mountains in the region called Ararat appear to have been caused by the collision of the Eurasian plate, Arabian plate, and African plate.

If the mountains were formed by continental plates moving in the days of Peleg, then the region of Ararat couldn’t have existed when the Ark ran aground! It makes more sense to believe that these continental shifts occurred catastrophically during the Flood, prior to day 150.

Another problem is that a continental breakup at the time of Peleg would have resulted in a global catastrophe similar to Noah’s Flood, with devastating earthquakes, earth movements, and tsunamis wiping out all life on the land. The context of Genesis 10:25 is the division of nations. The context rules out the idea that the continents broke up at the time of Peleg.

Mt. Ararat

Have Remains of the Ark Been Found? If Noah’s Ark really landed on Ararat, shouldn’t it have been found? Many expeditions have attempted to locate the Ark on modern Mt. Ara- rat, and some people claim they have found remains. But is it really necessary—or likely—to find anything?

So far, no hard evidence has come to light, and if you look closely at the biblical text, it doesn’t even say that the Ark landed on Mt. Ararat.[1] The Ark landed on “the mountains of Ararat” (Genesis 8:3–4), which is a much larger range than just the one mountain known today as Mt. Ararat. The argument for Mt. Ararat as the Ark’s landing place is based on assumptions

about geology. Genesis 8:5 (NKJV) says, 

“And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month. In the tenth month, on the first day of the month, the tops of the mountains were seen.” 

Since modern Ararat is much larger than other mountains in the area, some Christians believe the Ark must have landed there.

However, they are assuming that modern mountains had reached their current height during the Flood, which is extremely unlikely. Mountains were still rising and falling long after the Flood, even as they are doing more slowly today.

You can see the debris flow from the volcanoes sitting on top of the rest of the Mountains of Ararat in this satellite image

In fact, Mt. Ararat is a very large volcano, which sits on top of other rock layers laid down during the Flood, so it was apparently formed at the end of the Flood. Since the volcano has continued to be active, up until 1840, we know the mountain has continued to change since the Flood.

Rushing to accept evidence of Ark remains, when there is no hard evidence, is not good  apologetics. In fact, it is probable that the Ark has been destroyed over the course of about 4,300 years (by natural or human agents), perhaps destroyed by the same violent post-Flood volcanic eruptions that built modern Mt. Ararat!

Caution And Hesitation In All Areas

The Shroud of Turin is the burial cloth of Jesus and proves His unique death.“ The earth was divided” proves that plate tectonics is recorded in the Bible. The discovery of the Ark proves that the Bible’s Flood account is true.

Such claims have been used to “defend” the faith and supposedly uphold Scripture—but in doing so, they have actually undermined biblical authority. Each lacks significant support from the Bible and other evidence. When discussing such topics, we should always proceed with caution and hesitation, understanding not only the limitations of evidence but also what the

Bible states clearly in context. The Bible is the most defensible historical document of antiquity. So, we don’t need to confuse our friends and loved ones with problematic apologetics. Instead, let’s each work hard to use the best arguments that honor our Lord and “rightly divide” His Word of truth.

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Originally at Answers in Genesis; Edited; Republished by permission. First published in Answers Magazine, April-June 2009

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[1] For a refutation of popular claims that Noah’s Ark was found near Mt. Ararat, see Andrew Snelling’s “Amazing ‘Ark’ Exposé,” Creation (Sept.–Nov. 1992), pp. 26–38.

Doctrine Of Missiology (Missions And Evangelism)

Doctrine Of Missiology (Missions And Evangelism)

Bodie Hodge, M.Sc., B.Sc., PEI

Biblical Authority Ministries, May 19, 2026 (Donate)

Perhaps the greatest moment in our respective lives is when Christ saved us! Knowing that we will no longer suffer the everlasting wrath of God for our sins and an unbearable punishment for eternity.

Those who are unsaved, don’t realize what they are missing! But as Christians, we want to share the good news of Jesus Christ. We want others to receive Jesus Christ and have eternal life not eternal punishment. This is why it is so important to take the good news of Jesus Christ and His death, burial and resurrection to the world. Romans 10:15 says,

And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” (NKJV)

Missionaries preparing to go; Image requested by Bodie Hodge*

Why Is Missions So Important?

Missiology is the study and practice of Christian missions and evangelism. From a biblical perspective, missions are important because God has revealed Himself to mankind and has commanded believers to proclaim the gospel to the nations. After Christ’s resurrection, He gave what is commonly called The Great Commission:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19, NKJV).

The purpose of missions is not merely cultural influence, aid, or social reform (based on biblical morality), though Christians often help people physically. The central purpose is the glory of God through the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ so that sinners may repent and believe.

The Bible says that all people are sinners in need of salvation through Christ alone (Romans 3:23; John 14:6; Acts 4:12). Therefore, missions is an act of obedience. It is also an act of love and compassion toward the lost—because we were all lost at one stage and needed salvation.

When someone takes their last breath, they no longer have the opportunity to be saved. The Bible says that man dies once, then faces judgment (Hebrews 9:27). The early church understood this urgency. Jesus told His disciples,

“You shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8, NKJV).

By the power of the Holy Spirit, Christianity spread rapidly because believers proclaimed Christ despite persecution, imprisonment, hardship, and even death.

Early Christians praying in Jerusalem before evangelizing  in the mid-first century; Image requested by Bodie Hodge*

What Is Missions?

Missions is the organized effort of Christians to spread the gospel and establish disciples, churches, and biblical teaching among people groups and nations. Missions may occur locally, nationally, or internationally, but it generally done by taking the gospel and biblical truth to places where Christ is less known.

Biblically, missions include preaching, teaching, discipling, translating Scripture, planting churches, training leaders, and helping believers grow in sound doctrine. Missionaries hope to proclaim the truth of God’s Word faithfully while calling people to repentance and faith in Christ. Paul explained the missionary burden in Romans 10:14-15:

“How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? ... And how shall they preach unless they are sent?” (NKJV).

Missions should stand firm on the authority of Scripture while proclaiming the gospel. Then the next step is training in discipleship and learning how to defend of biblical truth against false teaching, compromise and all other opposition through apologetics (defense of the Faith).

What Is Evangelism?

Evangelism is the proclamation of the “good news” (gospel) of Jesus Christ. The word comes from the Greek term euangelion, meaning “good news” or “glad tidings.” Evangelism specifically deals with sharing the message of salvation with unbelievers. Consider verses from the Genesis-Romans Road (NKJV):

·       Genesis 1:1 – In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

·       Genesis 1:31 – Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

·       Genesis 3:17-19 – Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’: “Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, And you shall eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return.”

·       Romans 5:12 – Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.

·       Romans 3:23 – for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

·       Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

·       Romans 10:9 – That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

·       Romans 5:1 – Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Evangelism can occur publicly or privately. Individual methods can be through open preaching, conversation, literature, teaching, or personal testimony. While some believers are especially gifted as evangelists, all Christians are called to witness for Christ in some capacity. Jesus commanded believers:

“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature’” (Mark 16:15, NKJV).

Biblical evangelism is not merely emotional persuasion or entertainment. Rather, it is the truthful proclamation of God’s Word about the Gospel relying on the Holy Spirit to convict and save sinners (1 Corinthians 12:3).

Image requested by Bodie Hodge*

Where Did Each Apostle Of Christ Go And Evangelize?

The New Testament records where many Apostles went and did missions work to evangelize. The early church fathers and Christian tradition preserve additional historical details beyond this. Though not every tradition can be verified with certainty, many are widely accepted in early Christian history. In brief, here is where the Apostles ministered[1],

• Peter ministered in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, Antioch, and eventually Rome where he was crucified upside down. First and Second Peter likely reflect ministry among scattered believers in Asia Minor.
• John ministered primarily in Ephesus and surrounding Asia Minor regions. He later lived on Patmos during exile and banishment where he received the Revelation of Jesus Christ (Revelation 1).
• James the son of Zebedee ministered in Judea and was martyred in Jerusalem by Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12:1-2).
• Andrew is traditionally associated with ministry in Scythia, Greece, and regions north of the Black Sea.
• Thomas is connected in church tradition with missions eastward, especially Parthia and India. Ancient Christians in India long claimed Thomas as their founding missionary.
• Matthew is associated with ministry among Jewish communities and possibly Ethiopia or Persia according to various traditions.
• Bartholomew is traditionally connected with Armenia and regions east of the Roman Empire.
• Philip reportedly ministered in Phrygia and Asia Minor.
• Simon the Zealot is associated in tradition with Persia and possibly North Africa.
• Jude (Thaddaeus) is connected with Syria, Mesopotamia, and Persia.
• James the son of Alphaeus is traditionally linked with ministry in Jerusalem and surrounding regions.
• Matthias, chosen to replace Judas Iscariot, is associated by tradition with ministry near the Black Sea region and Ethiopia (Cush).
• Paul ministered extensively throughout the eastern Roman Empire including Cyprus, Asia Minor, Greece, Macedonia, and eventually Rome.

The apostles carried Christianity far beyond Jerusalem within a single generation with reports of the next generation reaching as far as Spain to England and Japan, fulfilling Christ’s command to take the gospel to the nations (consider: Colossians 1:6; 1:23; Romans 1:8, 16:26).

Paul’s Missionary Journeys

The Apostle Paul is often studied specifically for his missionary work. He traveled across the Roman Empire preaching in synagogues of the Jews, marketplaces, homes, and public gathering places. He established churches and later strengthened them through letters and return visits.

Some churches were already established by the time he got there (e.g., Rome), perhaps from those initial people at Pentecost who were from various nations or from the diaspora of the Christians out of Judea (e.g., Acts 8:1-4, 11:19-21).

Many distinguish Paul’s early Arabian mission work and his Syria-Cilicia missionary ministry from the later journeys in Acts. Because of Galatians 1, we know of Paul’s earliest ministry as having more than the traditional three journeys plus the voyage to Rome.

In Galatians 1:15-21, Paul explained that shortly after his conversion he did not immediately go to Jerusalem to learn from the apostles:

“But I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus” (Galatians 1:17, NKJV).

The Arabians were descendants of Abraham’s oldest child with Hagar (Ishmael). They would technically be the first of the gentile nations who are of Abraham. After three years, Paul briefly visited Peter and James in Jerusalem and then departed to his homeland and preached there:

“Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia” (Galatians 1:21, NKJV).

Paul spent time preparing, preaching, and growing before his later public missionary work recorded in the book of Acts. His ministry really began much earlier than Acts 13.

The ministry in Syria and Cilicia also matters greatly. Cilicia included Paul’s hometown of Tarsus. This likely involved evangelism and church strengthening before Barnabas later brought Paul to Antioch (Acts 11:25-26).

Because of these passages, some Christians outline Paul’s ministry journeys like this:

1. Arabia and Damascus ministry (Galatians 1:17)
2. Syria and Cilicia ministry (Galatians 1:21)
3. First missionary journey (Acts 13-14)
4. Second missionary journey (Acts 15-18)
5. Third missionary journey (Acts 18-21)
6. Voyage to Rome (Acts 27-28)
7. Possible post-Acts ministry after release from imprisonment (e.g., Spain)

Galatians preserves important early missionary activity that occurred before the traditionally numbered missionary journeys in Acts. Many treatments simplify Paul’s travels by beginning with Acts 13, but Galatians reveals that Paul had already been preaching and ministering for years before that formal commissioning from Antioch.

Paul’s missionary activity occupies much of the Book of Acts. His journeys spread Christianity throughout the Roman world.

First Missionary Journey (Acts 13-14)

Paul and Barnabas were sent from Antioch of Syria. They traveled through Cyprus, Perga, Pisidian, Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. This journey focused heavily on preaching in synagogues and establishing early churches among both Jews and Gentiles.

Second Missionary Journey (Acts 15:36-18:22)

Paul traveled with Silas and later Timothy and Luke. Key regions included Syria and Cilicia then Derbe and Lystra. After this he ventured to Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, Corinth, and Ephesus. During this journey, the gospel entered deeper into Europe particularly throughout Greece.

Third Missionary Journey (Acts 18:23-21:17)

Paul revisited earlier churches to strengthen believers and spent extensive time in Ephesus. Major locations included Galatia, Phrygia, Ephesus, Macedonia, Greece, Troas, Miletus, Tyre, Caesarea, and Jerusalem. Take note that Paul returned to some familiar places and this time whole regions or nations were mentioned along with certain cities. This journey hit discipleship, correction, and church strengthening.

“Fourth” Journey: Voyage to Rome (Acts 27-28)

Though Paul traveled as a prisoner, this journey still functioned missionally. The route included Caesarea, Sidon, Crete, Malta, Syracuse, Rhegium, Puteoli, and Rome. Even under arrest, Paul continued preaching Christ boldly.

“Fifth” Missionary Journey (Possible Post-Acts Ministry)

Many conservative scholars and traditions hold that Paul was temporarily released after Acts 28 before later imprisonment and martyrdom. Based on the Pastoral Epistles and early church writings, possible destinations included:

• Macedonia
• Crete
• Nicopolis
• Troas
• Miletus
• Possibly Spain

While the New Testament does not directly record this entire journey, from passages in 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus we can ascertain that he continued ministry activity after the close of Acts. Can you see why do many people study Paul’s missionary work?

How Missionaries Prepare And What Do They Often Endure When They Go?

Missionaries often go through rigorous biblical study, theological training, discipleship, language learning, cultural understanding, practical ministry experience, and prayer. Churches commonly examine a missionary’s doctrine, character, spiritual maturity, and calling before sending them out.

The New Testament calls for earnest prayer and one must have dependence on God for missionary work. Paul constantly asked for prayer for boldness, protection, and open doors for the gospel. We should too.

Missionaries also commonly endure hardship. Jesus warned His disciples that following Him would involve suffering. 2 Corinthians 11:24-28 summarizes many of Paul’s sufferings. Paul endured beatings, imprisonment, shipwrecks, hunger, persecution, rejection, false accusations, as well as danger from robbers and hostile authorities.

Paul enduring a shipwreck; Image requested by Bodie Hodge*

Church history likewise records countless missionaries enduring disease, loneliness, poverty, imprisonment, and finally being put to death. Church history also affords that Paul was put to death the same year as Peter being beheaded.

Yet missionaries continue because they believe Christ is worthy to be proclaimed. This “blink of an eye” on earth is nothing compared to eternity. We want to see others saved. Many leave home, family, and good job in order to obey God and reach people with the gospel.

If I can speak personally for a moment, I left family, home, and good job to go into full time ministry and I’ve been attacked in many ways too! So, it does happen but I want to encourage you to continue to strive for Christ because that matters more.  

Conclusion

The doctrine of missiology is predicated on God’s command to proclaim the gospel to the world. Missions and evangelism flow naturally from biblical Christianity because we desire others to know Christ, be saved, and be reconciled to God. From the Apostles to modern missionaries, Christians have traveled across nations, languages, and cultures to preach salvation through Jesus Christ.

The New Testament presents missions not as an optional activity for a few believers, but as a central part of the church’s calling. Whether through local evangelism, supporting missionaries, prayer, teaching, or personal witness, all of us Christians are called to participate in spreading the truth of God’s Word.

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Bodie Hodge, Ken Ham's son in law, has been an apologist defending 6-day creation and opposing evolution since 1998. He spent 21 years working at Answers in Genesis as a speaker, writer, and researcher as well as a founding news anchor for Answers News. He was also head of the Oversight Council.  

Bodie launched Biblical Authority Ministries in 2015 as a personal website and it was organized officially in 2025 as a 501(c)(3). He has spoken on multiple continents and hosts of US states in churches, colleges, and universities. He is married with four children.

Mr. Hodge earned a Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC). Then he taught at SIUC for a couple of years as a Visiting Instructor teaching all levels of undergraduate engineering and running a materials lab and a CAD lab. He did research on advanced ceramic materials to develop a new method of production of titanium diboride with a grant from Lockheed Martin. He worked as a Test Engineer for Caterpillar, Inc., prior to entering full-time ministry.

His love of science was coupled with a love of history, philosophy, and theology. For about one year of his life, Bodie was editing and updating a theological, historical, and scientific dictionary/encyclopedia for AI use and training. Mr. Hodge has over 25 years of experience in writing, speaking and researching in these fields.

*Images generated by ChatGPT 

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[1] For more details on this I suggest the book by William McBirnie called The Search for the Twelve Apostles, by Tyndale Momentum Publishers, 1979, revised in 2008.

The Doctrine Of Biblical Apologetics

The Doctrine Of Biblical Apologetics

Bodie Hodge, M.Sc., B.Sc., PEI

Biblical Authority Ministries, May 18, 2026 (Donate)

Ever catch yourself in the middle of a little debate over some aspect of the Bible when you weren’t ready for it? Many times, it is with an unbeliever or someone adhering to a false religion that may claim to “respect” the Bible but really doesn’t believe what it says.

Of course, our hope is to point others to Christ and that might have been the initial conversation with the unbeliever—but in the midst of that discussion, you are suddenly talking about the truth of the Bible or defense of its authority.

Discussions about God often entail biblical apologetics; Image requested by Bodie Hodge*

When you end up in these confrontational spots, it means you’ve entered the realm of “apologetics”. Instead of just preaching the gospel or giving your testimony, you are now thrust into a position of defending God’s Word to those who are skeptical of it.

There are ways to defend the Bible while being loving and respectful. It is my hope that we can all learn to do apologetics the way the Bible does it, mimicking what God has done to answer the unbelievers and help them realize the error of the false worldviews that have taken them captive.

What Is Apologetics From A Biblical Viewpoint?

The word “apologetics” comes from the Greek word apologia, meaning a “defense” or “reasoned answer”. In Scripture, apologetics is our biblical duty of defending the Christian faith and proclaiming the truth of God against unbelief, false religion, and worldly philosophies. The classic text is 1 Peter 3:15 (NKJV):

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you…”

Biblical apologetics is not merely winning arguments or accumulating facts. It begins with God as the ultimate authority and recognizes that His Word is true from the beginning (Psalm 119:160). All of God’s Word was known and true before one word was penned! Don’t forget God is all-knowing. God created all things.

God is the truth (John 14:6) and so all truth is God’s truth and cannot contradict Scripture when it is rightly understood. If you or I ever think God made a mistake, then the mistake is really with you or me in our faulty understanding. Instead, we need to look at all things in light of God's Word as if it is a set of corrective lenses in glasses. 

Image requested by Bodie Hodge*

Apologetics, therefore, involves exposing false ideas, defending the Christian worldview, and calling people to repentance and faith in Christ. Good apologetics is done when you respect the person and lovingly reveal to them that they have been deceived into holding to a false worldview/belief.

The Bible has numerous apologetic encounters. Moses confronted the Egyptians about their false gods of Egypt through God’s mighty acts. Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. Jesus answered the Pharisees, Sadducees, and scribes with divine authority and Scripture.

Paul reasoned in synagogues and marketplaces, confronting idolatry and worldly philosophy (Acts 17). Jude 3 urges believers to “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” These are just a few examples.

Apologetics is ultimately about worldview foundations—God’s worldview vs. man’s worldview. Every person interprets evidence through presuppositions. Christians begin with the truth of the triune God revealed in Scripture, whereas unbelievers suppress the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18–25) by their own man-made fallible and sinful opinions. Thus, apologetics is not neutrality between belief systems; it is the defense of the Christian worldview as the only basis that makes knowledge, morality, science, and logic possible. More on this in moment.

What Methods Of Apologetics Have Christians Used Throughout The Ages?

Throughout church history, Christians have used several broad apologetic methods—some are not the best methods, but they were used nonetheless.

Classical Apologetics

Classical apologetics attempts to establish God’s existence and the reliability of Christianity through logical arguments and natural theology before presenting Scripture as authoritative. It starts with man’s reason as supreme and absolute and then tries to build on that foundation.

Common arguments include the cosmological argument, teleological argument, and moral argument. Thinkers associated with aspects of this approach include Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, and later Protestant philosophers.

Classical apologists often argue that reason and evidence can lead a person to a general belief in some sort of deity and afterward hopefully to the truth of Christianity specifically. Though cultists or adherents of other world religions use this same method to point to their respective “gods” like Islam’s Allah, Jehovah’s Witnesses’ unitarian god, Mormon gods, Hindu’s Brahman, Greek Mythos’ Zeus, etc.

Evidential Apologetics

Evidential apologetics operates identical to classical apologetics but the focus is different. Where classical looks more specifically at the existence of God, evidential looks more at historical and scientific evidences for Christianity, hence the name evidential. All apologetics methods except fideism uses evidence by the way.

Because it operates like classical, it too uses human logic and reason as the supreme authority to look at historical and scientific evidences to then build a case that the Bible might be true in some areas. Hence, it is a probabilistic apologetic. In other words, the best an evidential apologist can argue is that the Bible might be true or probably true. By the method, they can never say that it is certainly true. This doesn’t mean that individual evidential apologists don’t believe the Bible is true, it’s just that the method cannot say that.

Because this metho looks at scientific and historical evidences, this often includes arguments surrounding the resurrection of Christ, fulfilled prophecy, manuscript evidence, archaeology, design in nature, and scientific critiques of evolutionary naturalism. Many modern apologists love discussing evidence, especially in debates over creation, the resurrection, and biblical reliability.

Fideism

Fideism emphasizes faith over rational demonstration. Some fideists argue that Christianity is believed primarily through blind faith and personal commitment rather than logical thought or philosophical defense. Certain theologians moved in this direction, pushing subjective or arbitrary faith experiences. Hence, there is no logical basis for it.

While fideism rightly points out the importance of faith, it is not a logical position and fails to do apologetics—as we are commanded to do in the Bible—but tries to sidestep it. Fideism also falls short because Christianity is not irrational. Biblical faith is trust in the true and living God based upon His self-revelation. Christianity is not a blind leap into the dark but faith grounded in God’s certain Word.

Experiential or Testimonial Approaches

Some Christians defend the faith mainly through personal testimony, changed lives, answered prayer, or inward experience. While testimonies can be powerful, personal experiences alone cannot serve as the ultimate standard that the Bible is true because experiences can be interpreted wrongly and are found in many religions.

If anything, testimony and experience can be used as a confirmation of the outworkings of the truth of the Bible but not the basis to do apologetics. In fact, it is due to many of these conversations that one is pulled into a discussion that involves apologetic defense of Scripture.

Presuppositional Apologetics

Presuppositional apologetics, unlike other views, went back to the Bible to see how apologetics was done in the Bible. Then tried to emulate it.  

So presuppositional apologetics method is that every worldview begins with foundational assumptions, or presuppositions. The Christian must start with God’s revealed truth in Scripture as the ultimate authority. Rather than placing God on trial before human reason, presuppositional apologetics argues that human reason itself depends upon God and His Word being true.

So instead of staring with human reason as the absolute authority and starting point, God and His Word—the Bible—is the absolute starting point which then gives us a basis for why logic, knowledge, truth, etc. exist in the first place. So scientific, logical, or historical evidence are seen as confirmations of Scripture, not the basis for its truthfulness.

Why Do All But Presuppositional Fall Short?

Presuppositional apologists argue that non-presuppositional systems fall short because they unintentionally grant autonomy to human reason. That is human reason apart from God; and so human reason is seen as the highest authority even greater than God—which defeats the purpose of arguing that God is the highest and greatest authority!  

Instead of beginning with God’s revelation as absolute truth, the other methods often attempt to reason from supposedly neutral ground between believer and unbeliever. However, the Bible teaches there is no neutrality. Proverbs 1:7 states, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.”

Colossians 2:3 says that in Christ, “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Romans 1 teaches that unbelievers already know God internally through creation but suppress that truth.

From the presuppositional perspective, evidences do not interpret themselves. Two people can examine the same evidence yet reach different conclusions because they begin with different worldviews. For example, secular scientists may interpret fossils or starlight within evolutionary or billions-of-years assumptions, whereas biblical creationist scientists interpret the same data differently through the framework of Scripture.

Image requested by Bodie Hodge*

Logic, science, morality, and uniformity in nature only make sense if the biblical God exists. The unbeliever borrows from the Christian worldview while denying its foundation. There is no neutral ground but there is borrowed ground. All the ground was God’s in the first place!

Classical and evidential methods may provide useful information and confirming evidences, but presuppositionalists argue they become inconsistent when they imply that human reason stands above God’s Word as judge. Scripture never presents God as merely the “best explanation” among alternatives. Rather, God is the necessary precondition for knowledge itself.

What Is Presuppositional Apologetics Defended?

Presuppositional apologetics teaches that the truth of Christianity must be presupposed because without the Christian worldview, knowledge itself becomes impossible.

Philosopher and Professor Cornelius Van Til, who systemize this method, argued that the triune God of Scripture is the necessary foundation for logic, morality, science, and rationality. Since man is created in God’s image, we can reason and understand the world. Yet fallen mankind suppresses the truth and attempts to interpret reality apart from God because of our sinful nature.

Dr. Van Til pointed out the “antithesis” or “total disagreement” between belief and unbelief. Christians and unbelievers do not merely disagree on isolated facts; they interpret all facts through competing opposite worldviews.

Philosopher and pastor Dr. Greg Bahnsen further developed Van Til’s approach, especially through the transcendental argument for God(TAG). TAG argues that the Christian worldview is the necessary precondition for intelligibility. In other words, without God, one could not account for logic, morality, induction, conclusions, knowledge, or meaning.

Bahnsen earned the title “the man most feared by atheists” due to his debates that kindly decimated hardened atheists. He famously argued that unbelievers rely upon Christian principles while denying the God who makes those principles possible. In other words, Bahnsen shows where unbelievers (whether Muslims, atheists, etc.) would borrow from God’s Word to just to try to make their case. For example:

• Laws of logic are universal, immaterial, and unchanging.
• Moral absolutes are predicated an absolute moral standard.
• Science depends on the uniformity of nature.
• Human dignity depends on man being made in God’s image.

The Christian worldview consistently explains these realities in God’s revealed Word because God is rational, sovereign, and faithful.

Image requested by Bodie Hodge* 

Presuppositional apologetics stands on the authority and self-authenticating nature of Scripture. The Bible is not proven by a higher authority because no higher authority exists. The laws of logic are tools based on God’s Word as the ultimate foundation for truth.

This approach does not reject evidence. Rather, it insists that evidence must be interpreted within the proper worldview. The resurrection of Christ, fulfilled prophecy, six day creation, morality, and history all stand first and foremost on the Bible’s truth.

Final Remarks

The doctrine of biblical apologetics is ultimately about honoring God as the supreme authority and proclaiming Christ faithfully in a fallen world. Christians are commanded to defend the faith, destroy arguments raised against the knowledge of God (2 Corinthians 10:4-5), and proclaim the gospel boldly.

While many apologetic systems contain useful observations and evidences, presuppositional apologetics is based firmly Scripture by beginning with God’s Word rather than autonomous human reasoning. The Christian worldview alone provides the necessary foundation for reason, morality, science, and truth itself.

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Bodie Hodge, Ken Ham's son in law, has been an apologist defending 6-day creation and opposing evolution since 1998. He spent 21 years working at Answers in Genesis as a speaker, writer, and researcher as well as a founding news anchor for Answers News. He was also head of the Oversight Council.  

Bodie launched Biblical Authority Ministries in 2015 as a personal website and it was organized officially in 2025 as a 501(c)(3). He has spoken on multiple continents and hosts of US states in churches, colleges, and universities. He is married with four children.

Mr. Hodge earned a Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC). Then he taught at SIUC for a couple of years as a Visiting Instructor teaching all levels of undergraduate engineering and running a materials lab and a CAD lab. He did research on advanced ceramic materials to develop a new method of production of titanium diboride with a grant from Lockheed Martin. He worked as a Test Engineer for Caterpillar, Inc., prior to entering full-time ministry.

His love of science was coupled with a love of history, philosophy, and theology. For about one year of his life, Bodie was editing and updating a theological, historical, and scientific dictionary/encyclopedia for AI use and training. Mr. Hodge has over 25 years of experience in writing, speaking and researching in these fields.

*Images generated by ChatGPT