The Fruits in Apologetics

I have learned much in the Apologetics class offered here at Liberty. The material is challenging and covers a wide variety of different religious worldviews. There are a couple of questions that have come to light during this process of learning.

A big question is: Why am I extra sensitive (probably too sensitive) in disputing theological points with other faith denominations that main stream Christianity labels as a cult? I have always had a good defense, but have always been hesitant on the offense. Just talking about each other’s faith in terms of a football strategy makes me squirm. I think that I am taking a sacred relationship with God through Jesus Christ and treating it like a political debate.

But it is more than that. I come from a background that was very cynical of organized religion. One of the big issues that kept me from going to Church for a long time is noticing other Christians fighting each other. To me they acted worldly, self centered, and short sighted. People’s beliefs on God should not be debated at the same level as sports, or even politics. My perception was that Baptists going to Salt Lake City to convert Mormons was off balance—institutionalized and not personalized. To me it was more “Crusade” like and less Jesus like. I saw so many people that were one generation removed from the Church because they saw only religion (institution) at work and not Jesus Christ (personal) at work.

In this class, I have learned about myself. This learning is that I am sensitive to the person who loves God but is suspicious of organized religion. This is me. Sometimes this is a strength…but other times it is a weakness. It is weak when in the name of sensitivity I do not do what the Bible commands. God’s Word tells us to stand up for sound doctrine and refute faulty doctrine. Thank God, Paul wasn’t being extra sensitive when he stood up against attempts by early Christians to go back into Jewish legalism. The Bible records all of these things for our benefit. The truth of Jesus Christ and the coming together of his followers is challenged by conflict and falsehood. Otherwise the Bible wouldn’t have referred to the Galatians’ as being foolish and asked who has bewitched them.

Out of all this, I go back to the need for people (especially in our postmodern generation) to have strong points put across to them in a personal and loving manner. Christians should not shout from the pillars of an institution, being propped up by spiritual pride. When Christians talk and show others about God’s true nature; they need to do it with the loving, authoritative confidence of the Holy Spirit. When this occurs, these things are evident: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.