“…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…” 1Pt3.15
It is fascinating how these words, which encourage us to make a defense of our Christian hope, have evolved into that specialized endeavor we call Apologetics. It seems that on the whole, at least in the West, people have tendencies toward specialization. We see it in medicine, law, politics and not surprisingly religion. We move so easily from the amateur to the professional. There is undoubtedly room in the world for both.
The Church as an institution, as well as the individual Christian should be able to answer questions related to our faith. But whether we defend our faith in a public debate, a court of Law or simply answer our neighbor who happens one Saturday to ask us why we live the way we live, we are to always reply with gentleness and respect. We should take great care that we do not win the argument and lose our neighbor. The Christian message is best communicated by a Christian medium. That medium of course, is Christian love. The doctor must not only know his medicine, he needs good bedside manners. Our society may demand the skills of the professional but the soul looks for the spirit of the amateur. 3/10/07 ts
Just me trying to be honest with God.
