Why Members of the Body of Christ Should Not Use Apologetics
A Pauline review from Scripture only, King James Bible
Introduction
Apologetics is commonly presented as a reasoned defense of the faith. Many collect facts, craft arguments, and attempt to win people by logic. Paul gives a different priority. He determined to preach the cross so that faith would stand in the power of God and not in the wisdom of men, 1 Corinthians 1 verse 17 through 25 and 1 Corinthians 2 verses 1 through 5. This article explains why members of the Body of Christ should not use apologetics as a ministry model and why the Pauline pattern is to preach the gospel of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection with Scripture in front and human wisdom in the background.
What apologetics tries to do
Apologetics tries to defend Christianity by philosophy, evidence, and debate. At best, such tools may remove a few misunderstandings. They cannot give life. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth, Romans 1 verse 16. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God, Romans 10 verse 17. When argument replaces the cross, the message is emptied of power, 1 Corinthians 1 verse 17.
Seven biblical reasons the Body of Christ should not use apologetics
1. It shifts trust from Scripture to human wisdom.
Paul warned that faith must not stand in the wisdom of men but in the power of God, 1 Corinthians 2 verses 4 and 5. He also warned, Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, Colossians 2 verse 8. Apologetics invites confidence in cleverness. Paul insists on confidence in the word of the cross.
2. It can empty the cross of Christ.
Christ sent Paul not to baptize but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect, 1 Corinthians 1 verse 17. When persuasive technique becomes the draw, the cross becomes a detail. Paul preached Christ crucified, 1 Corinthians 1 verse 23.
3. It confuses our mission.
Our stewardship is the ministry of reconciliation, not the ministry of debate, 2 Corinthians 5 verses 18 through 21. We are ambassadors, not philosophers. We beseech men to be reconciled to God by believing the finished work. We are not commissioned to win contests of intellect.
4. It breeds unprofitable striving.
Paul says, strive not about words to no profit, 2 Timothy 2 verse 14. He says, avoid foolish and unlearned questions, knowing that they do gender strifes, 2 Timothy 2 verse 23. He says, avoid foolish questions and contentions, Titus 3 verse 9. Apologetics often multiplies disputes rather than producing faith.
5. It invites science falsely so called to sit in judgment over Scripture.
Paul warned Timothy to avoid profane and vain babblings and oppositions of science falsely so called, 1 Timothy 6 verse 20. Creation declares the glory of God, Psalm 19 verse 1. The invisible things of God are clearly seen in the things that are made, Romans 1 verses 19 and 20. Yet we do not let the ever changing claims of men govern the text. Scripture governs everything we say.
6. It blurs Israel’s program with the Body of Christ by misusing 1 Peter 3 verse 15.
Many defend apologetics by quoting, be ready always to give an answer. Peter writes to the circumcision scattered abroad, 1 Peter 1 verse 1, in the kingdom program that concerns Israel’s hope. Paul is the apostle of the Gentiles, Romans 11 verse 13. He received the revelation of the mystery for the Body of Christ, Ephesians 3 verses 1 through 9 and Colossians 1 verses 25 through 27. The Body’s pattern is learned in Paul’s epistles. Borrowing Israel’s commission creates confusion.
7. It mistakes persuasion for regeneration.
Weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds, 2 Corinthians 10 verses 3 through 5. Arguments can expose a weak idea. Only the gospel believed gives life. God saves those who believe the preaching of the cross, 1 Corinthians 1 verse 21 and 1 Corinthians 15 verses 1 through 4.
What about Acts 17 and Mars Hill
Some point to Paul in Athens and say he used apologetics. Read the whole account. Paul’s spirit was stirred because the city was wholly given to idolatry, Acts 17 verse 16. He reasoned from Scripture in the synagogue, Acts 17 verse 17. In the marketplace he identified their altar to the unknown God and corrected their ignorance by declaring the true God as Creator and Judge, Acts 17 verses 22 through 31. Then he preached the resurrection, Acts 17 verse 31. When he reached the cross and the resurrection, some mocked, others delayed, and a few believed, Acts 17 verses 32 through 34. In Corinth right after Athens he resolved to know nothing save Jesus Christ and him crucified, 1 Corinthians 2 verse 2. Athens is not a license to substitute argument for gospel. It shows the limit of argument and the necessity of the message of the cross.
Why the Body must follow Paul’s method
Paul says the gospel he preached was received by revelation, not learned from men, Galatians 1 verses 11 and 12. He defines that gospel with perfect clarity. Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, He was buried, and He rose again the third day, 1 Corinthians 15 verses 1 through 4. He teaches justification by faith without works, Romans 3 verses 24 through 28. He teaches peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, Romans 5 verse 1. He commands us to hold fast the form of sound words, 2 Timothy 1 verse 13, and to preach the word, 2 Timothy 4 verse 2. The Body of Christ is a new creature with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places, Ephesians 1 verse 3 and Ephesians 2 verse 15. Our commission matches our identity. We preach reconciliation, not rhetoric.
Common objections answered
Objection. We still need apologetics to get a hearing.
Answer. Scripture itself creates the hearing. Faith comes by hearing the word of God, Romans 10 verse 17. Open the Bible. Quote it. The word of God effectually worketh also in you that believe, 1 Thessalonians 2 verse 13. Arguments can clear a small obstacle. They cannot produce faith.
Objection. First Peter 3 verse 15 commands apologetics.
Answer. First Peter addresses the circumcision in the kingdom program, 1 Peter 1 verse 1. The Body learns its commission from Paul. Be ready to answer with Scripture and with the gospel. That is different from running a program of debates and philosophical proofs.
Objection. People today demand reasons.
Answer. God grants repentance to the acknowledging of the truth, 2 Timothy 2 verses 24 through 26. The Spirit convicts by the word. Your best use of reason is to put Scripture in front of the conscience and get to the cross as quickly and as clearly as possible.
Objection. Apologetics keeps young people from leaving.
Answer. What keeps saints is the word of Christ dwelling in them richly, Colossians 3 verse 16. Spiritual stability comes from sound doctrine believed, Ephesians 4 verses 11 through 15. Entertainment and argument cannot feed the inner man. Scripture can.
What to do instead of apologetics
1. Preach the gospel plainly.
State 1 Corinthians 15 verses 1 through 4. Explain Romans 3 verses 24 through 26. Call sinners to believe the finished work. Avoid formulas and ceremonies as conditions.
2. Open the Bible and rightly divide it.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, rightly dividing the word of truth, 2 Timothy 2 verse 15. Keep Israel’s program and the Body’s mystery program distinct. This protects the message of grace.
3. Use Scripture to answer questions.
Let the word answer. Hold forth the word of life, Philippians 2 verse 16. Bring every thought to the obedience of Christ, 2 Corinthians 10 verses 3 through 5.
4. Guard tone and conscience.
Be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 2 Timothy 2 verses 24 through 26. A soft answer turns away wrath, Proverbs 15 verse 1. Kindness is not compromise. It is obedience.
5. Disciple new believers in Pauline truth.
Ground them in assurance, Ephesians 1 verses 13 and 14. Establish them in identity, Romans 6 and Ephesians 2. Teach them to walk by grace, Titus 2 verses 11 through 14.
Conclusion
Apologetics offers clever speech. Paul offers the cross. Apologetics seeks to win minds first. Paul preached to hearts and consciences with Scripture and the gospel. The Body of Christ does not need a program of debate. It needs clear proclamation of Christ crucified and risen, with the Bible opened and rightly divided. Let the word of God have the first and final word. Keep the cross in the center. Trust the Spirit to do what human wisdom never can, to bring sinners to faith and to establish saints in the grace of God.