Peter on Apologetics

The word doesn't sound right. "Apologetics" is not the art of apologizing for what you did wrong. Before it moved to "I'm sorry", it originally was the defense of one's position. Plato wrote Apology, the record of Socrates defense at his trial. In 1531, Philipp Melanchthon wrote Apology of the Augsburg Confession, a defense of Lutheranism. Thus, in this context, "apologetics" is simply the system of defense of a position and Christian apologetics is the defense of Christianity. We get it from the Greek. Peter wrote, "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" (1 Peter 3:15), where "defense" uses the Greek apologia. Yeah, there it is.

This passage, in fact, has become vital to some. Indeed, I've actually seen people ask, "Can a person be a committed Christian while ignoring Apologetics?" (And, of course, by "Apologetics" it is meant the entire defense of the faith, often specifically without the Word or even personal works. It is by reason, logic, science, etc.) But is this what the verse suggests? Is Peter saying that every Christian ("committed Christian" to the previous questioner) be capable of defending the whole Christian religion by argument and reason on every point? I don't think so. Let's look again.

Who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 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, 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 3:13-16).

Note first the topic. Do good. Chances are if you do good there will be no one to harm you. Chances are if you do good that is sufficient defense. Or, as Jesus put it, "Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" (Matt 5:16). Thus, the first "defense" a Christian is to give is good works. Indeed, if you examine the 3rd chapter of 1 Peter, he lists many of them. "Wives, be subject to your husbands." "Husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way." "Have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind." "Do not repay evil for evil." Yeah, that kind of "good works". That's the kind of stuff for which the world has no answer. "She was subject to her husband? That jerk?" "Look, man, everyone knows you can't understand women. Why are you trying to live with her in an understanding way?" "Seriously, are you really going to return good for evil?"

Of course, Peter isn't blind. Bad things can happen anyway. It is entirely possible that we could suffer for righteousness' sake. What then? First, have no fear. Most importantly, "in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy". How is that accomplished? The concept is not to make Christ holy -- He is. The concept is to put Him in a sanctified place in your heart. He is set apart, the prime focus, the One deserving honor and praise, the whole point. Dwelling on His perfections and focusing on His glory changes your perspective when trials come. That is the central command of the passage.

Subsidiary, then, to that idea, is the notion of "make a defense". Notice, first, that it is not a corner you claim or a website you put up where you argue the fine points of science and philosophy to prove the existence of God and the truth of Christianity. First, the "defense" is "to anyone who asks you". Second, the question is not "Why do you believe?", but "anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you." And, third, it cannot be the battle you often see in Christian Apologetics where both sides are snide and angry because this defense is characterized by "gentleness and respect". Always at the base of this defense is "a good conscience" -- good works, again. Or, to put it another way, my question when I suffer shouldn't first be, "Why have they been so mean to me?", but "What did I do wrong?" And my "defense" in this case would include total disclosure if I, in fact, don't have a "good conscience" in the case in question.

I believe that we should always be ready to make a defense. I believe we should "contend for the faith" (Jude 1:3). I believe that some people have a special calling to do this in a special way. I believe that all Christians, on the other hand, should be ready to explain why they believe what they believe. Why is God uppermost in your life? It is not to be out of a fear motivation. Nor is it a superior position approach. Peter says "with gentleness and respect." And it isn't a matter of finely honed arguments and philosophical debate. What is the reason for the hope that lies within you? It's that Jesus died and rose again to pay for your sins. That was Peter's argument (Acts 2), Stephen's argument (Acts 7), and Paul's argument (Acts 17). It is the argument of Scripture. It is the beginning of the Gospel. We are called to be witnesses for Christ. Witnesses don't tell everything; they tell what they know. That is the beginning of Christian Apologetics.