Old-School Apologetics
This post should come with a warning. I treat apologetic like underwear...I mean air filters or car oil.... I mean to say that I change them out regularly. I'm not persuaded one way or form is the ultimate sovereign of the apologetic universe. Instead I think of them all as options in a swiss army knife.
But to this sweet little Christian apologetic knife I'd like to add the apologetic of Saint Peter. Let's call it "The do don't say apologetic,"
5 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. (1 Peter 2:5 ESV)
1 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives (1 Peter 3:1 ESV)
15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. (1 Peter 3:15-16 ESV)
Perhaps I am overly simplistic but these verses seem pretty clear. And they aren't unique, there are a few New Testament passages to support these. The whole example of Israel was suppose to be an apologetic by lifestyle so it isn't out of line with the rest of the Scriptures. But return with me to my top point, I'm not claiming these verses command us to one apologetic method. But I'm shocked how often it seemingly gets ignored. This is the easiest apologetic method. Let me break it down,
- Get Saved.
- Live like you're saved.
- People who don't like you will be silenced.
- Some people will want to be saved like you.
So why should we neglect what Saint Peter says? Live a faithful life and people will take notice. We're character witnesses for the active salvation of Jesus Christ. Most of us are pretty poor cosmologists, biologists, chemists and <insert scientific thing>. Let's not add "poor Christian" to the list. Those who are studying apologetic methods should continue, God will bless it. But please spend an equal amount of time putting to death the sins of the flesh (Col 3:5). Let us follow through on the advice of Peter.
Ya know what's great about this apologetic method? It can be practiced by the illiterate, the young, the dying, the stay at home mom and the English major who couldn't care less about science. This is Old-School Apologetics. We've all been signed up for the course and we're all practicing it in the watching eyes of the world.
