In this episode, we introduce Camden Bucey’s new book, Defending Our Hope: An Introduction to Christian Apologetics, and trace its development from an adult Sunday school class at Hope Presbyterian Church to a twelve-lesson Reformed Academy course and now a beautiful hardcover volume. Camden and Ryan Noha explain why the book is intended as an accessible on-ramp to a distinctly Reformed approach—one grounded in the doctrines of God, revelation, and humanity rather than an imagined realm of neutral reasoning.
The conversation returns again and again to the living hope of 1 Peter 1:3 and the call of 1 Peter 3:15. Christian apologetics is not chiefly about winning arguments or mastering a script; it is about bearing faithful witness to Jesus Christ, who lived, died, and rose for our salvation. Because the power belongs to God and works through his Word, ordinary believers can speak the truth in love with gentleness, respect, and genuine confidence.
Chapters 00:00 Introduction * 01:04 Introducing Defending Our Hope* * 02:12 Upcoming Reformed Forum events * 04:03 The story behind the book * 04:28 The book and course as an accessible on-ramp * 07:58 Formed through the local church * 13:28 Apologetics in the community * 21:57 Friendship, community, and everyday witness * 24:31 Ordinary Christians and the hope within us * 27:09 The apologetic context of 1 Peter 3:15 * 30:04 Always prepared—with gentleness and respect * 31:37 The living hope of resurrection * 33:39 Apologetics and evangelism * 34:39 Why doctrine determines apologetic method * 41:28 Scripture as the self-attesting Word of God * 50:09 Starting anywhere in God’s world * 52:36 Faithful witnesses who tell the truth * 60:56 Using the book with the free Reformed Academy course * 62:30 Further study and ordering information * 65:42 Closing remarks
Resources Episode resources and Defending Our Hope * Free Reformed Academy course: Defending Our Hope* * Reformed Forum bookstore
Mentioned in this episode:
Join Us In Person: Four Upcoming Reformed Forum Events
Before today's episode, Camden Bucey shares four opportunities to gather with Reformed Forum in person over the coming months:Apologetics and Evangelism Seminar — August 4–5, 2026, Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Taylors, SC. Camden Bucey and Carlton Wynne lecture on apologetics and evangelism for the pastor at the GPTS Summer Seminar. Details: https://reformedforum.org/event/apologetics-and-evangelism-seminar-greenville-sc/Discovering Christ in All of Scripture — August 28–29, 2026, Cahaba Park Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, AL. A Friday evening and Saturday morning seminar exploring how every part of Scripture reveals God's redemptive plan in Jesus Christ. Details: https://reformedforum.org/event/birmingham-alabama-seminar/2026 Annual Theology Conference — September 25–26, 2026, Lakeland Church, Gurnee, IL. The Covenant of Grace: One Savior, One People, One Purpose, featuring Dr. G. K. Beale. Early-bird pricing ends August 31. Register: https://rf26.reformedforum.org/Christ the Center 1000th Episode Celebration — February 19–20, 2027, Hilton Austin, Austin, TX. A live recording of episode 1,000, a shared dinner, and conversations with longtime friends of the ministry. Details: https://reformedforum.org/event/christ-the-center-1000th-episode-celebration/Seats are limited — register today at https://reformedforum.org/events