A Reasoned Defense.
In today’s culture, the Christian faith has been under assault from every direction. We are shamed, misrepresented, screamed at, and in some cases excommunicated from our families. The responses and assertions we can have thrown at us, seem to come from so many different angles, I fear we often close up and remain silent. Are we intimidated by what the “unbelieving world” thinks about the existence of God? Do we spend a lot of time attempting to convince people of God’s existence? We must not remain silent. I’m hoping that we can see some of the answers to these questions in Paul’s letter to the Romans.
Reflecting on one of Pastor Greg’s recent sermons, Romans chapter one plays a huge role in understanding something crucial. The apostle Paul is very clear about his description of the nature of God’s revelation to all mankind. If we start at verse 18, Paul explains God’s wrath being revealed from heaven against all unrighteousness. He says by man’s unrighteousness, man suppresses the truth of God. I want to stop here and suggest that man’s problem with the existence of God is not lack of evidence or information about God, but the willful suppression of truth about Him. If we suppress the truth about something, that means we must have the truth first.
As we read further, how do we and everyone else, know of God and to what extent? Paul says it is plain. Why? Because God himself has MADE IT PLAIN to everyone. May I suggest that whatever God makes plain…we don’t need to make “plainer.” Paul continues with the evidences of God’s nature having been CLEARLY PERCEIVED in the things that have been made, ever since the creation of the world. To what purpose is this revelation? It is so they/we are without excuse. Verse 21 says that “For although they KNEW God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks…they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.”
First Peter 3:15 calls us to set apart Christ as Holy, always being prepared to give a defense of the faith. The word used for defense in the Greek is “apologia.” This is where we get the term “apologetics” from. What is interesting is that in Romans chapter one, Paul uses another form of this word for those that are “without excuse” or in the Greek, “anapologetos.” We are called to give a reasoned defense in 1 Peter, but in Romans, Paul explains those who suppress the truth of God are WITHOUT a reasoned defense. It seems clear that any attempt at arguing against the existence of the living God is not only impossible, but also complete foolishness!
What are some applications that are meaningful to us in our efforts to win people to Christ? First, set apart Christ as Holy. We should believe what our Lord has already revealed about those whom we wish to engage with. Recognize the truth about them – they know God. Humankind knows with certainty that God exists. Let me take this one step further and suggest that everyone not only knows God, but they know THE God. Paul does not offer a generic deity; he does not propose that people have some sort of fuzzy idea that something is “out there” up in the sky. They know with certainty the true and living God, being made crystal clear by the revelation of that self-same God such that they are without excuse.
Secondly, let our “methodology” be consistent with our theology, or better yet, Paul’s theology. Does this change our outlook on how we respond to folks? Does it change our “strategy ” in evangelism? How much different would our witness be knowing that everyone knows this God? Are we spending too much time trying to convince people of something that God has already made plain and clear?
As we seek to win people to Christ, it’s my hope and prayer that we, as redeemed sinners, engage in a way that is obedient to and consistent with God’s revelation. We serve a mighty God! Let Paul’s words strengthen our defense as we go out into the world. Let us strike straight blows to the sinner’s heart that bring about conviction, repentance, and faith.
With love and prayer
Andy.