It's OK to ask questions (sx.hu)
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear."
1 Peter 3:15
Q: “Isn’t apologetics simply making excuses?”
A: ‘Apology’ is from the Greek and simply means to ‘make a defense’ in a law-court—so, it is used in the sense of giving a reasonable explanation for why you believe in Christ.
Q: “Why apologetics?
A: The first reason is because God says so (see above verse); secondly, this should be learned so that you yourself will become confident in the things of the Lord; thirdly, it is only natural that you would defend your friend from slander and lies—how much more should you know about Christ and His Word so that you can defend Him? Fourthly, it can be used by the Spirit to convert your fellow students to the Lord.
Q: “Is that not the pastor’s job?”
A: This is not an uncommon question. And the short answer is “NO”. Comparing the above passage with verse one, chapter one readily shows that the book of Peter was written to all the dispersed Christians of Asia Minor. And you are a dispersed Christian as well.
Q: “Don’t I have to go to school for this?”
A: No, not at all. There is no requirement in the Bible for such an idea. However, you do need to know the basics of the Word so that you can give a simple answer. If a foreigner asked you why you’re an American, hopefully you can give a basic answer—how much more for such a vastly important question as: “why are you a Christian”?
Q: “Doesn’t this require logic and thinking?”
A: Unfortunately, I cannot say “no”. Christians are commanded by God not only to employ our will and emotions but also our mind, which is to be “transformed” (Rom. 12:2). Does not the Lord ask: “ ‘Come now, and let us reason together,’ says the LORD…’” (Is. 1:18)? (cp. Paul Acts 9:22; 19: 8, etc.). You can use the normal everyday reasoning without having to take an entire course in logic.
Q: “Doesn’t it involve esoteric argumentation?”
A: It can, but normally it does not. It simply follows Proverbs 26:45: “Answer not a fool according to his folly”—don’t defend Christ with the tools of the enemy; “Answer a fool according to his folly”—show, using the unbelievers assumptions, that their own system of thought leads to foolishness if consistent with itself.
Q: “Isn’t this simply about arguing and being divisive?”
A: It should not be. If a believer cannot answer a question, instead of arguing (in the bad sense of the word), say as much and come back later after more research. It is not a game about who can win the argument but should reflect a genuine desire to bring people to Christ and to defend His honor.
Comments
You would be surprised how many people think that it's the pastor's job to defend the faith outside the church. It is every Christian's responsibility to share and defend the faith as much as possible and to the best of their ability. Last time I checked, nowhere in the Bible does it say that evangelism is the pastor's job and the pastor's job only. Jesus made that clear when He commanded to go into all the world and share the Gospel not once, but twice in two different Gospels. It's also not surprising that some Christians don't share the faith because of the lack of knowledge they believe they have about the questions that are asked. It's fine to not know all the answers to all the questions when they arise. I find it best to get an email address from the person who asked the question which I don't have the immediate answer to and let them know that the answer will be given to them once they feel that they've done enough research to give that person the answer.
You could ACCEPT that there are MANY paths to GOD and that NO WAY is wrong & LET PEOPLE FIND THEIR PATHS.
I am not Christian in ANY sense of the word, but am very soulful, spiritual and fulfilled. I have my own way, and in my peace I do not feel the need to 'go out' and CONVERT people to MY WAY-even though in my mind it is much more complete than the narrow mindedness that comes with Organized Religion.
As more & more folks discover the magic of realizing ONENESS with SPIRIT and leave behind the mis-conception that God is OUTSIDE ourselves...you will find Christianity changing-it must change if it is to survive...get used to it.
Dear OR: Perhaps I could turn the tables to make you re-think your position: (Upon your premises) You could Accept that my path is one of many and let me find my way. And you could stop trying to Convert me to your way.
If you are truly open minded then my way is just as good as your way and you should accept my approach. In fact, your narrow-mindedness is showing when you denounce the concept of God as outside of man--I thought that "no way is wrong"?? Your entire thinking here is self-contradictory and self-defeating.
Only God through Christ outside of you can bring you the unity you crave and that begins with acknowledging the indwelling sin of man. There is no God in man and no good either. The history of brutal wars, rapes and destruction should teach you that. Please think on that.
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