Apologetics

Those of us who like to defend the faith (it's called "Apologetics") take our cue from Peter. He told us to always be "prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you" (1 Peter 3:15). Indeed, that word "defense" is pros apologia (which gives us our "Apologetics" term). So we figure, "All Christians are commanded to be prepared to make a defense" and, frankly, "If you're not, you're not being obedient." Yeah, I know, sounds kind of arrogant, doesn't it? But you have to admit there is a seed of truth in there.

It is interesting, then, when you stop and examine the context of the statement. As it turns out, 1 Peter 3:15 isn't even a complete sentence. It starts with "but" and ends with a comma and is in the middle of a thought, not the primary point. So what is the primary point?

The chapter starts with the ever-unpopular "wives, be subject to your own husbands" (and, worse, "even if some do not obey the word") and meanders through "husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way" (1 Peter 3:7). So far, no good. Okay, good, but we don't really like it much. He goes on to say that we ought to have unity, brotherly love, and humility (1 Peter 3:8). He then tells us not to repay evil for evil (1 Peter 3:9). Payback is God's job. So Peter reasons, "Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?" (1 Peter 3:13). Peter knows there is actually an answer to that question, so he says, "But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed" (1 Peter 3:14). Good! And then he begins the thought that carries through 1 Peter 3:15 all the way into verse 17 and beyond:

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. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil" (1 Peter 3:14-17).

The topic, then, is not "be prepared to make a defense", but be prepared to suffer. Be model Christians, but know that you will suffer for righteousness' sake. Have a good conscience and be prepared. "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit" (1 Peter 3:18). Expect it.

How, then, are we supposed to prepare for suffering? Well, clearly we start by being good wives and husbands (in stark contrast to today's concept of "good wife" and "good husband"). We start by being united, loving, humble. We start be relying on God to repay while we "turn away from evil and do good" (1 Peter 3:11). That's how we start.

Then we need to be prepared to make a defense. Mind you, this isn't a legal defense. This isn't a "go to court and get your just due" defense. This is a defense aimed at explaining "the hope that is in you". This defense is first and foremost structured with "gentleness and respect". And the outcome we can expect is ... suffering.

We're not being asked to convince anyone. We're not being asked here to make converts. We're not being asked to build a logical argument based on science and philosophy and ... whatever. We're simply told to, with gentleness and respect, be prepared to explain why we have hope when people cause us to suffer for doing what is right. It is premised, then, on doing what is right with the expectation of abuse because our Savior was abused and that will be God's will.

Is that the kind of "defense" you're prepared to make? That's the defense we are commanded to prepare.