The Compleat Apologist

Written by Scott Pruett

Without a doubt, the most common verse cited in support of apologetics is 1st Peter 3:15. This certainly makes it clear that we are to be ready with justification for our beliefs, but it says so much more that is often overlooked in the fervor to make this point. Let's start by taking a look at the entire passage.

"but set apart the Messiah as Lord in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you. However, do this with gentleness and respect, keeping your conscience clear, so that when you are accused, those who denounce your Christian life will be put to shame."

There are at least 5 important points being made here that should be noted. Let's break them out point by point.

Set apart the Messiah as Lord in your heart

When Peter says we should set apart Christ as Lord in our heart, he is not saying that we are to feel it, or just engage it emotionally. The heart is the very core of our thinking, desires, and being. In Hebrews 4:12 we see support that this involves our conscious minds in the phrase, "the ideas and thoughts of the heart."

First, we need to be well versed in the object of our faith — the Messiah. In order to do this we should know what this means, and what it means for us. We need to understand our theology in order to do so. Theology is not just some academic exercise reserved for pastors and professors, it is the currency of discipleship (2 Ti 2:15). No one will argue the importance of Bible study, but few realize that when they are doing it diligently and systematically they are practicing theology. Christianity may consist of a relationship with Christ, but an ignorant Christian makes a stranger of Him.

Next, this truth that we profess to believe should be integrated into our lives (Ro 12:2; 2 Co 10:5; Ep 4:23). And if it is indeed the truth, we will do best to conform our thinking, affections, and lifestyles to it, not only for the glory of God but for our own benefit. The Christian worldview should saturate our thinking and inform our perspectives on issues as diverse as parenting, careers, ethics, politics, and entertainment.

Christianity is a coherent, self-consistent worldview that makes sense of, and provides a grounding for, such things as logic, morality, order, consciousness, freewill, personhood, and human rights (Ps 111:10; Pr 9:10). If we are to stand firm in our faith, and defend it in a rationally compelling way, we have no other hope than to first build on the only solid rock available (Mt 7:24).

Be ready to give a defense

Apologetics is not just a job for the professional debaters and philosophers; we are all charged with the task of standing up for Truth wherever we find ourselves. If you make your beliefs known, or attempt to witness, you will encounter resistance (Jn 15:19), and if you are not prepared or equipped to handle this it may be quite intimidating. While we do best to seek out those who have "ears to hear," (Mk 4:9; Jn 10:27; Mt 7:6) we should not shy away from an earnest challenge, or a thoughtful question — even believers will raise these.

Since this verse is saying that you should "be ready to give a defense . . . for the hope that is in you," you should start by reflecting on the unique grounding of your own faith. Exactly why is it that you are a Christian? It is not sufficient to say to the non-believer that you were simply raised in this faith, since any number of followers of alternative religions can say the same. What has caused you to take personal ownership and exercise faith in the Christian claims?

While you most likely did not come to faith by way of a detailed survey of the world religions and the evidence for the reliability of the Scriptures, the world will often look for this type of justification. You cannot expect to have all the answers, but it is possible to anticipate many of the questions. The list of common objections to the Christian faith turns out to be remarkably small. Knowing in advance what these are helps to minimize the surprises and helps to focus your study in the most fruitful direction. For those issues where you don't yet have an answer it is perfectly appropriate to admit your deficiency and say something like, "I don't have an answer to that question yet, but if you're genuinely interested I'll look into it and get back to you." In fact, this tactic has the added advantage of both showing the sincerity of your commitment to their concerns, and demonstrating whether or not they are actually interested in hearing an answer or just presenting a smokescreen.

Even if our beliefs are ultimately acquired in a more intimate, subjective manner there is still a reason for them. For example, I might say that Christianity resonates with my deepest intuitions; that it fits the way the world and human nature appear to be, and offers real objective meaning and coherence to my life. Whatever your reasons, it will be valuable for you to equip yourself with answers (or at least identify a source of acquiring these as needed) for the unique concerns of the people who you hope to reach for Christ.

To anyone who asks you

We often think of apologetics in terms of a full frontal assault on the gates of Hell — debating atheists, deconstructing evolutionary arguments, formulating proofs for God's existence. Or we think of it as rear-guard defensive work — answering the problem of evil, charges of exclusivity, or the "atrocities" in Church history. But, this verse implies that something more subtle should be happening in our relationships with non-believers.

People understand at the deepest existential level that Truth should be applicable — that Truth should work. Ideally, those you hope to win over should be approaching you with genuine curiosity about the core of your convictions. Your life should be lived out in such a way that they have reason to wonder at it (Mt 5:16). The Christian truth and principles rightly applied should yield the kind of marriage, children, social accord, and personal harmony for which even the pagan heart yearns. They should be able to watch you in work and play, under stress and in leisure and say, "I want what they've got, whatever that is!" Your own life is the greatest apologetic and can be more effective with your peers than the best efforts of a host of philosophers, theologians, and evangelists.

In addition to being like bread to the hungry, a well-lived Christian life can accomplish two things. First, it dispels the myth that being a Christian means you must surrender everything "fun" in life for a slavish, barren piety. If they can see joy in your life and the conspicuous absence of the consequences of a life of indulgence, then you will lead them to doubt the legitimacy of this objection.

Second, it gives the testimony of your mouth credibility. If you do not respect your own conviction enough to apply it, or if it doesn't appear to bear fruit in practice, then why should they be compelled to buy your wares? I think it is not insignificant that Jesus waited until later in His ministry to make His claim to divinity clear. Among other things, Jesus' years spent with His disciples demonstrating His character, wisdom, and power confer plausibility to His astonishing revelations (Jn 3:12). As even the atheists say, "extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." Though we cannot provide the same kind of power and authority to underwrite our claims, we can at least give experimental evidence of their applicability.

Do this with gentleness and respect

It is quite common for believers, especially new believers, to share their convictions with great zeal and offend or spook the intended audience. Presenting a Truth so evident and vital to us that cannot or will not be grasped by others can be taxing on our sympathies. And the more we learn about the evidences for our claims the more brash and contentious we may risk becoming (1 Co 8:1). We mustn't forget to exercise the same grace that God has shown us, and we mustn't forget the objective in our encounters. Remember that it is possible to win a debate, yet lose the audience. The Gospel is "offensive" enough, don't compound the problem in the presentation.

We risk being labeled "intolerant" or "narrow minded" in today's society with our exclusive claims, but we must not compromise the Gospel in pursuit of a "seeker friendly" presentation. As arrogant as it may appear, we contend that some ideas are superior to others in the world of philosophy and religion. If Truth were all about preferences and opinions, then it would hardly be worth evangelizing for. Yet we must succeed in showing respect for persons, regardless of the strange and spurious ideas they may hold to. We should demonstrate tolerance in the classical sense of the word. (The post-modern culture has redefined tolerance as accepting all views as equally valid. This is a departure from the traditional understanding that assumes disagreement, yet calls for a civil response.) As philosopher Peter Kreeft says, "Be egalitarian regarding persons, be elitist regarding ideas."

While the truth we confess is objective and universal, those who apprehend it come to terms with it in unique, subjective ways. Different people have different intellectual capacities, exposure to alternate religions, and experiences with the Church. But most importantly, different people are entrenched in different besetting sins. And since resistance to the Gospel is ultimately a problem of volition, these roadblocks will need to be considered in any approach. For example, someone sexually active, or multiply divorced, or gay, or a liberal activist will have a huge agenda to be surmounted, which will handicap their esteem of biblical authority. For this reason, you may need to become fluent in the areas of their concern and help them to discern the flaws on purely rational grounds before they will be open to receive and assimilate biblical teaching.

When engaging in apologetics, you will generally run headlong into other competing beliefs and worldviews. Seldom will you meet with an open mind and empty hands; people generally possess something they'll first need to be persuaded to discard. But not all will welcome a principled debate on issues of values and religion. For one thing, few have bothered to reason out their perspectives to the extent that they will be comfortable defending them. And the mere act of calling someone's beliefs into question has increasingly come to be seen as an expression of arrogance and intolerance. For this reason, you may need to try a subtle approach when challenging someone's beliefs. The "Socratic" method is perfectly suited for this.

In theory, through the Socratic approach one should be capable of leading someone to a desired conclusion by way of a chain of carefully framed questions. But it may be enough simply to ask the kind of probing question that can break the spell of plausibility that pervades many popular beliefs. For example, "that's an interesting idea, what evidence do you have to think it is true?" If you are not prepared for a fully reasoned argument, you can at least put a stone in their shoe. Apologist Greg Koukl has labeled this the "Columbo Tactic."

And finally, when all else fails — if you are completely at a loss as to how to interact with their ideas — the best thing to do is just listen. This is the least threatening approach of all, especially since most people enjoy talking about themselves. But be sure to ask questions for clarification and elaboration, always keeping an eye out for gaps and inconsistencies that you can later exploit. Since few people have ever been challenged to lay out their beliefs in a detailed fashion, sometimes the mere act of articulating their views will cause them to fall into the cracks inherent to it.

Keeping your conscience clear

Hypocrisy is one of those common charges leveled against the Church, and by association, Christianity. The apparent logic is that Christianity claims moral superiority and calls its people to upright behavior, and if its people are found acting in a contradictory way then Christianity must not be effectual and, ultimately, true. There are many problems with this line of thought, but these are beyond the scope of this article. Still, it does raise an important point. The world is watching us. It takes special note of our weakness and inconsistencies, but we cannot expect to be shown the same grace that seems to be granted every other religion.

As this passage goes on to say, "...so that when you are accused, those who denounce your Christian life will be put to shame." This characterizes the idea of slander, which is only a warranted label if the charges turn out to be false. Our task, as far as our lives are concerned, is to defuse this argument through the faithfulness to Christ to which we have all been called (Jn 14:15). Where we can silence this criticism, we may then focus on the truth and message that inspires this charge.

Like it or not, we are ambassadors for Christ. We cannot say, as some sports or pop stars do, that we don't want or deserve the burden of being a "role model." We have been called out of the world; we are citizens of a different Kingdom. If we are identical with those of this kingdom (watching the same TV shows, gossiping with the girls, cursing and drinking with the boys), how will people, or our King (Mt 7:23), identify us? It's hard to be different — peer pressure doesn't end with adolescence — but if you aren't, the world will smell the fraud.

Christian apologetics should be an integrated approach, as nicely summarized by 1 Peter 3:15. Conviction, knowledge, preparation, tact, and character should all be a part of our spiritual inventory. This passage would seem to suggest that the diligent, mature Christian would yield a natural apologist, and an earnest, well-rounded apologist would naturally develop Christian maturity.

Scriptural References:

Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as to divide soul, spirit, joints, and marrow; it is a judge of the ideas and thoughts of the heart.

2 Timothy 2:15 - Be diligent (sometimes rendered 'Study') to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn't need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth. (While the epistles to Timothy are specifically pastoral in nature, Christian leadership is certainly not held to a different standard, only to higher exemplary expectations.)

Romans 12:2 - Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

2 Corinthians 10:5 - and every high-minded thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

Ephesians 4:23 - you are being renewed in the spirit of your minds

Psalm 111:10 - The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His instructions have good insight. His praise endures forever.

Proverbs 9:10 - The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Matthew 7:24 - Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on the rock.

John 15:19 - If you were of the world, the world would love {you as} its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, this is why the world hates you.

Mark 4:9 - Then He said, "Anyone who has ears to hear should listen!"

John 10:27 - My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me.