I enjoy a good conversation with someone who does not affirm the Christian religion. Many of my friends and family are atheist or agnostics. On the other hand, I have noticed that I make for a terrible apologist! I have participated in several conversations throughout the blogosphere over the last couple of weeks that have left me mentally exhausted (e.g. see here, here, and here). There are some people who can go back and forth with a skeptic. I am not one of those people!
I think everyone should be a Christian but I am not very good at arguing for this end. I think the Genesis narrative is vague enough for one to affirm current scientific findings, especially in regards to evolution, but I cannot prove this to be true or false. I think the gospel is very, very believable, but I do not have enough training in philosophy to go toe to toe for very long in arguments over epistemology. I think that experiencing the Holy Spirit can be foundational to a confession of faith. I cannot prove that experiencing the Holy Spirit is any better than other paranormal religious experiences. I think the Scriptures are the Word of God inspired by the Holy Spirit. We could spend all day arguing but I probably cannot prove to you that the Qur’an is inferior.
Is this OK? I know we are told to “make a defense to anyone who ask you for a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3.15) but I am more than aware that my reasons often prove unsatisfying to most skeptics. I can spend all day studying Christian theology and biblical exegesis, but I cannot prove to you that you should think any more of these subjects than you do of reading Kant or Foucault.
If I had more time I would try to study these subjects more in depth, but I have this sneaking suspicion that it wouldn’t change much. In the end I would still be a Christian and in the end I would still be able to go so far with my argument before I had to agree to disagree. Is my attitude about this all wrong? Should I care about being able to defend my faith with better arguments in the fields of philosophy, history, and science?
You should definitely care about being able to defend your faith but you should also realize that this isn’t the same as convincing others of your faith. Apologetics is our reason(s) for believing and that can range from sophisticated philosophical arguments to subjective personal experiences. People are going to believe what they’re going to believe and apart from the Father drawing people to Christ and the Spirit convicting them of their sin they’ll never make a genuine decision for Christ. It’s our job to preach the Gospel; not make people believe it. This isn’t to say that we shouldn’t present rational arguments in favor of why people should believe like we do; we see Paul do this throughout Acts (e.g., 17:2-4; 18:4, 26:25-29); but all the rational arguments in the world won’t change a hardened heart (see e.g., Acts 28:24).
Fear not, brother, for you are not alone! I was once interested in listening to/reading leading apologists’ arguments for the existence of God, the assurance of the resurrection, etc. I then realized: “Hey–I don’t need to be convinced of this!” While I still enjoy listening to good debates between atheists and Christians, after a while you hear the same things over and over again. There are so many of my beliefs that I’ve not articulated to someone who doesn’t hold them also. I guess that makes me a bad apologist, too.
Ultimately, I would echo Nick’s sentiment–it’s our job to preach the Gospel, not to make people believe in it. Though there is certainly a place for apologetics, I am more concerned with discipleship.
You are most certainly not alone, I’m exactly the same, I simply can’t debate or argue well.
My questions is how many folks have been argued or debated in to the Kingdom anyway?
Thanks so much for this post, I don’t feel quite so alone.
In fact this is so encouraging to me, I would like to request permission to cross-post on our blog with a link to you. No worries if this is not acceptable.
@Nick,
This is a very good distinction to make. You are correct about our primary responsibility which is to preach the gospel while giving an apologia for why we believe. Thanks for weighing in!
@Jason,
True, discipleship is something that some of us are more gifted toward and interested in engaging. Discipleship seems to be always new; debate (as you said) often feels a bit circular.
@Stuart,
I’d be honored if you cross posted it and you are correct–very few are debated into the kingdom! As Nick said it is a work of the Father, Son, and Spirit.
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Brian, there is just way too much to read in all the areas essential to the conversation, and there are endless arguments that people can make. So, given that, I think you’re doing great as an apologist for what you have tackled. In the end, I echo Nick’s and Jason’s statements to proclaim the gospel first and foremost.