What is the difference between an apologist and a theologian?
The short answer
Roughly, like a science teacher and a scientist: an apologist explains and defends what is known about the faith; a theologian explores it and seeks to expand what is known. A theologian should be ready to act as an apologist, but an apologist need not be a theologian.
An analogy
A science teacher explains science; a scientist develops our understanding of it. Likewise an apologist explains and defends what is known of the faith, while a theologian explores the faith and seeks to expand on what is known.
In practice
A theologian should be prepared to act as an apologist, but an apologist need not be a theologian.
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