Popular Myth Number 6: Apologetics - Debate - is the Key!

Apologetics (from Greek απολογία, "speaking in defense") is the discipline of defending a position (usually religious) through the systematic use of reason.
From Wikipedia

Well, that’s reasonable isn’t it? There are scriptures that point to this:

While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.
Acts 17:16-17

Well, Paul was well educated wasn’t he?

Even Peter says something similar...

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
1Peter 3:15-16

There are some great Christian apologists around who debate against leading atheists. For example, I admire Josh McDowell.

So let’s get studying! Logic, psychology, archaeology, history, debating skills.... A Levels, Degree, MA, PhD... See you in 8 years, then we’ll get going...

Not quite! Can you argue somebody into the Kingdom?

I began to have difficulty with this view when I used to listen to a weekly local radio programme some years ago which discussed religion. The presenter had a mocking tone, and he was good at making nice religious people look foolish (something that is not really difficult), yet he had no shortage of people to come on the programme to talk about their faith. I was reminded of the scripture:

Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.
Matthew 7:6

The best way of explaining how I view apologetics is this. In military terms, it is hand to hand fighting. But in ancient warfare, an army would begin with the archers to fire arrows at the enemy first. Or the cannons. Then the foot soldiers went in - only after wreaking havoc on the opposition. In more modern times, the aircraft are sent in first to destroy the enemy’s infrastructure, and perhaps the tanks. Then in go the foot soldiers.

Before we start debating the gospel we need to fire in the cannon, the arrows, the missiles of God’s holy Law to devastate the enemy. Then we start the discussion. When we do that, many people don’t even get into debates. When we don’t do this, we end up spending pointless energy trying to win over minds when hearts are still hard.

When a tsunami occurred in South Asia in 2004, there was a lot of discussion in the media asking the question, “How can a God of love allow suffering?”. I got annoyed at this because nobody ever seemed to ask the question, “How can a God of holiness and righteousness bless us so much when we constantly sin against him, blaspheme his name and fail to thank him?”

The Archbishop of Canterbury wrote a very lengthy article in the Times to explain why God allowed the tsunami. I couldn’t help contrasting this with the very short words of Jesus following a disaster in his day:

Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” Luke 13:4-5

There is a place for apologetics. But most people have a naturally hostile attitude towards the Lord and argument alone rarely wins people. We need to use the Law, and warn people concerning sin, righteousness and the judgement to come first.