Yet hallow the Lord Christ in your hearts, ever ready with a defense for everyone who is demanding from you an account concerning the expectation in you, but with meekness and fear.
Peter To The Disposition (1) 3: 15, Concordant New Testament
I have been learning more and more to check into the meaning of different ancient words or phrases as I do my writing. Sometimes this provides for some interesting revelations for some. Then there are times where all which that which I had believed needs another look. Which brings me to this mornings topic, which is the Christian practice of apologetics. Now, many believers see apologetics as that vehement defense of all which they believe. Buty I would disagree on this. The apostle Peter proclaims that we be ever ready with a "Apologia," a defense of the expectation we know to be true {Peter To The Disposition(1) 3: 15}. The reason that I disagree with the modern Christian practice of apologetics is not for what Peter spoke to, but what we have made of it. Like everything in Christianity which bears mankind's fingerprints, the original intent has seemingly been lost. The Greek word Apologia refers to a defense of ones opinions, position or actions. So far so good. However, if we take the words of Peter to heart, the idea of a "Vehement" defense of the faith is not spoken to. What the apostle does tells us is to be ever ready with a defense, yet with meekness and fear. I do not see this as carte blanche for a knock down, drag out argument with anyone and everyone who disagrees with what we believe. Yet that was the way I used to see things. Whenever someone would question the gospel, I was ready with a pro church argument at all costs. That was what I was taught. That is what I did. I can imagine that my actions drove far too many potential believers away. To me it didn't matter, I was defending the faith. In my mind, Jesus would be proud of me, or so I thought. I was a Christian soldier! Of course, that was not what I was called upon to do.
For the anger of man is not working the righteousness of God.
James To The Twelve Tribes 1: 20, Concordant New Testament
So, my question to the modern believer is this, how does an argument based in anger and vitriol show the love of the Lord? If our goal is to spread the word of Jesus in a loving way, how are we doing that by arguing our way from one person to another? Jesus calls upon us to love one another, not to demean them in His name {Johns Account 13:34}. But consider this, how is it that God needs us to defend Himself? God, the creator of the universe, is more than capable of defending whatever He does. How is it that we are showing meekness through arguing? Again, this is not the intent of Peters defense of the gospel, but the result of mans interpretation of it. I have a friend of the Eastern Orthodox faith whom I cannot discuss religious issues with as it often leads to a heated conversation. He is where I was some years ago. He is a soldier of the faith. When did Jesus speak of the love of the Father by arguing? As far as I'm concerned, arguments bring shame and condemnation, and in Christ I am no longer condemned {Paul To The Romans 8:1}. Nor should we condemn anyone else in the name of Jesus. Paul speaks to the beauty of the feet of those who bring an evangel of good {Paul To The Romans 10:15}. This is why when it comes to proclaiming the gospel of the Lord, I say that there are no apologetics necessary.
~Scott~
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