(This is the beginning of an occasional series on apologetics, doctrine, and why it all matters.)
If you are a generally healthy person, and a nutritional supplement salesman stopped by your house to peddle their wares, would you be interested?
Do you get regular oil changes on your car?
If, while getting auto service, you are told another unplanned service is required, would you believe them?
There are a lot of people standing in line to liberate me from my money. Should I just give it to them? How do I decide what people, products, services or causes are worthy of my money and time? See – I’m not that easily impressed. It used to be a big deal for someone to have a business card and a tri-fold brochure. That doesn’t seem so impressive anymore - I get them from Vistaprint all the time. I also place little value in the testimonials of people who “loved the product so much they became a client”. Well, of course you did – you’re getting paid!
I’m a skeptic. I don’t make major decisions on someone else’s say-so, or because of the documentation they have that supports their position. It’s too easy to fake. So why should I think that my Christianity is so compelling?
To be honest, the “Christian witness” I see most often is underwhelming. Believe me – bumper stickers on your car, magnets on your refrigerator, and the farewell “God bless!” do not alter the trajectory of people’s lives. They’re not bad, but they don’t do anything either. Some people may go the next step and tell others how much “God has changed my life” and “this passage became so real to me today”. But that doesn’t go very far either. You know why? It’s because we are speaking a foreign language, and we’re saying things that make no sense to unbelievers. Does God change lives? Absolutely! Can a familiar verse take on special meaning at times? Sure! But if you are talking to someone who does not believe in God or who thinks the bible is an ancient book of irrelevant mythology, you will gain no traction at all (1 Cor 1:18).
There is a saying that is incorrectly attributed to St. Francis of Assisi: “Preach the gospel at all times – if necessary, use words.” It sounds nice, but the problem with this saying is that it is idiotic. Sure we should we live honorable lives, but when I silently return someone’s lost wallet, are they instantly convicted by the realization of what Christ did for them on the cross? I don’t think so.
Peter said “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.“ (1 Pet 3:15) My experience is that many Christians are not familiar with this verse or its concept, and even fewer could carry it out. You see, I think he is intending that you say more than “Jesus loves me” when people ask why you are happy. I believe he is arguing that each of us should be able to state a compelling argument for the faith. After all, if you can not give a compelling answer, you have not given an answer at all, and you have lost an opportunity.
Here is what you must realize: Unless you can make an solid argument, you are merely stating your opinion. And – let’s face it – opinions are relatively meaningless. They are a dime a dozen. If I know you and respect you, I might give your opinion a little more weight. But if you can prove that your opinion is credible by use of objective truths (like my mechanic), you will have my attention. See, I know my car was designed and made for a purpose. I can demonstrate objectively what company made my car. There is no doubt that they exist. I know that they have published manuals for me and training materials for mechanics. I know my mechanic is certified in those materials. I know that my mechanic also has logic and skill to implement the necessary instructions. Can we build as strong a case for God and Christianity, or do we fall back on blind faith?
The days of people taking our word for things on our authority alone are long gone. People don’t trust anymore because there are simply too many opinions. But our message is too important to get lost in the noise. If you are unable to use objective truths and appeal to a higher authority than your opinion, you have lost the battle before you even began.
And before you think you can write this topic off and leave it to missionaries and pastors, consider this. If you have children, you are a missionary. If you have children, you are an apologist. Children will ask questions. If your answer is “because God said so” or “it’s in the bible” or “I have faith”, then start to get used to the idea of having unsaved children. Whether now, or when they start school, or when they go to college – they will not continue in your tradition. It will not be because they stopped believing in God. It will be because they were never convinced he existed in the first place.
So realize now that you are an apologist, and you must “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” Because like it or not, you live in a mission field. And your answers will determine whether the next generation will believe.
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