A Christian apolgist is someone who defends Christianity. The base word is apologia, which is a greek word that means defense. So people that say they are Christian apologists are defenders of the faith.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with defending the faith. This is very biblical and something that more Christians should do. I Peter 3:15 says, But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason for the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.
Clearly, we are to defend the faith. Personally, I am not ashamed of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I will gladly talk to anyone at anytime about Jesus. But I really dislike the word apologist. I don’t know about you, but every time I hear the word apologist, the first thing I think of is apologize and then I think; apologize…not me! I don’t apologize for Jesus my Lord and Savior. I know that’s not what the word apologist means, but it is what I think of.
So I implore any apologist out there, keep witnessing and keep defending the faith! But please, call yourself an ambassador for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:2) or call yourself a defender of the faith. We worship the one true God. We don’t need to be ashamed or apologize for that.