The Foundation for Adventist Education Institute for Christian Teaching Education Department – General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists GIVING A REASON FOR OUR HOPE: ADVENTISTS AND APOLOGETICS Humberto M. Rasi, Ph.D. Institute for Christian Teaching 3rd Symposium on the Bible and Adventist Scholarship Akumal, Riviera Maya, Estado Quintana Roo, Mexico March 19-25, 2006 1 GIVING A REASON FOR OUR HOPE: ADVENTISTS AND APOLOGETICS Humberto M. Rasi, Ph.D. Institute for Christian Teaching If anybody asks why you believe as you do, be ready to tell him, and do it in a gentle and respectful way. - 1 Peter 3:15, LB Scenario 1: In his first lecture for a science course your university professor presents an eloquent defense of evolution and speaks disparagingly of what he calls "red- neck creationists and misguided promoters of so-called Intelligent Design." You and your classmates keep taking notes as some snickers are heard. As you silently file out of the lecture hall, one of your fellow students asks, "What do you think of evolution?" Scenario 2: During a lunch break at a convention, a colleague notices your menu selection and asks if you're vegetarian. As you discuss the presentations, he asks what you think of a panel discussion that has taken place on Saturday. As the friendly discussion ensues, he observes, "I think you're a smart person. So, why do you believe in God?" Scenario 3: Your seatmate on a long flight is devouring the best-seller The Da Vinci Code. In the meantime, you've been reading and underlining a Christian journal. Your fellow traveler turns to you and asks, "Have you read this book? The author says Jesus married Mary Magdalene and that this fact was suppressed by Christian leaders. He also says the divinity of Christ was invented by the council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. This is amazing!" How would you respond to these questions? * * * * * * * 2 Over the centuries, God's followers have fought their crucial battles on the terrain of the human mind. It is in this arena that arguments are weighed, conclusions are reached, and crucial decisions made. This is where reason and will are engaged. Jesus was well aware of the tremendous potential for ideas to reach and change us. "You will know the truth," He said, "and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32).1 And he added, "I am the truth" (John 14:6). Adventists, particularly those who attend public colleges and universities or are engaged in professional careers, regularly face questions regarding their beliefs, convictions, and lifestyle. These queries are posed by fellow Christians as well as by atheists, agnostics, and adepts of other world religions. We usually respond to these questions by offering rational arguments, providing evidence, or quoting Scripture, depending on the circumstance. We also pray silently that the Holy Spirit grant us supernatural help in offering an answer that will eventually lead others "into all truth" (John 16:13). Whenever we give reasons for our beliefs, we engage in a 2000-year-old activity validated by believers through the centuries-Christian apologetics. In this essay we will seek to: (1) understand Bible-anchored apologetics as a valuable strategy for Christian witness; (2) examine the approach used by New Testament authors in explaining and defending core Christian beliefs; (3) outline the biblical mandate and method for doing apologetics, while acknowledging its limits; (4) review and evaluate Adventist involvement in apologetics; and (5) propose an agenda for the future. Toward a definition The word apologetics comes from the Greek word apologia, which originally meant a speech of defense or an answer given in reply to a legal query, usually during a judicial procedure. Adopted by the early Christians, the word was used eight time in the New Testament, mostly by Paul, either as a noun (apologia) or a verb (apologeomai) to 1 Unless otherwise indicated, all Bible passages are quoted from the New International Version. 3 communicate the sense of defense or vindication.2 At its core, this defense centered on the person of Jesus Christ--His divinity and humanity, His death and resurrection, His forgiveness and promise of eternal life beyond the tomb, and the certain hope of His return in glory. The New Testament provides several examples of apologetics in varied settings. For example, as a response to persecution (1 Peter 3:8-18), as a deliberate argument before a hostile religious audience (Acts 17:1-9), as a speech in front of an educated but skeptical group (Acts 17:16-34), as a humble spiritual demonstration (1 Corinthians 2:1- 5), as a personal defense of a consistent Christian witness ( 1 Corinthians 9:19-23), as a strong correction of spiritual error, misbehavior, and abuse of authority (2 Corinthians 10:1-6; Jude 3), and as a personal witness for the truth of Jesus Christ (1 John 1:1-4; John 20:30).3 During the second century of the Christian era, the noun apologia and the verb apologeomai began to acquire a more technical sense. The word apologists was then used to refer to a group of expositors who defended Christian beliefs and practices against various attacks, including the charges of illegal and immoral activities. Since the early 1800s, apologetics has been considered a discipline with various specialized branches, all defending the Christian faith from various perspectives--ethical, historical, philosophical, religious, scientific, or theological. In its broader sense, apologetics has three dimensions. It is (1) a rational explanation of core Christian beliefs and teachings based on arguments and evidence; (2) a defense of Christianity in response to objections and criticisms; and (3) a challenge to and a refutation of opposing systems or deviant ideologies. In its first dimension, 2 New Testament passages in which the worlds apologia or apologeomai are used include: Acts 22:1 "Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense." Acts 25:16 "...an opportunity to defend himself against their charges" 1 Corinthians 9:3 "This is my defense to those who sit in judgment of me" 2 Corinthians 7:11 "...what eagerness to clear ourselves" Philippians 1:7 "...whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel" Philippians 1:16 "...knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel" 2 Timothy 4:16 "At my first defense, no one came to my support" 1 Peter 3:15 "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you..." 3 See James W. Sire, A Little Primer on Humble Apologetics (Downers Grove, Illinois: IVP Books, 2006), pp. 14-25. 4 apologetics shows that Christianity is reasonable. In its second dimension, it demonstrates that Christianity is not unreasonable. In the third dimension, apologetics shows that non-Christian thought is unreasonable. James W. Sire, an experienced evangelical apologist, offers this definition: Christian apologetics lays before the watching world such a Winsome embodiment of the Christian faith that for any and all who are willing to observe there will be an intellectually and emotionally credible witness to its fundamental truth.4 New Testament apologetics A careful reading of the New Testament books reveals that early on, in addition to proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ, "the infant church carried out her apologetical encounter with Judaism, with paganism, and with deviant tendencies that arose within the Christian community."5 Although the four gospel writers were primarily concerned with telling the story of Jesus, it is possible to detect in the background a desire to answer and perhaps even anticipate questions and objections from Christian believers, honest inquirers, and cynical opponents. These questions included: Wasn't the Messiah supposed to be not only a direct descendant of David but also a native and resident of Bethlehem? Did He really perform miracles that were witnessed by others? Why wasn't Jesus recognized as the Messiah even by His followers and why was He rejected and ultimately condemned by the religious authorities? Why was Judas chosen as a disciple, when Jesus knew he would betray Him? Why did Jesus have to suffer a common criminal's death on a cross? Is there sufficient evidence that the He actually died and came back to life on the third day? Where did Jesus go after His ascension and why did he go there? Why hasn't He returned as promised? Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John carefully provide answers to these and other key questions, taking into consideration the audience to which their writings are principally addressed. 4 Sire, A Little Primer, p. 26. 5 Avery Cardinal Dulles, A History of Apologetics, 2nd edition (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2005), p. 1 and following. 5 In the book of Acts, Luke depicts the apologetic approach used by the apostles and other early Christian leaders as the church begins to expand its reach during the second half of the first century. Stephen's defense before the Sanhedrin outlines the arguments used by the fledgling movement as it confronts the Jewish establishment. Peter's sermon at Pentecost and his speech in the house of Cornelius reveals a Christianity whose scope is broadening. As Luke accompanies Paul on his missionary trips that reach ever deeper into the Roman territory, Christianity engages the pagans of Lystra, the cultured Greeks of Athens and the pragmatic Romans. During these encounters and in repeated conflicts with Jewish believers, Paul emerges as a powerful apologist for the living Christ and the truth of the gospel. His epistles reveal a committed mind, a masterful use of language, and a deep understanding of Jewish, Greek, and Roman culture-all of which is used firstly, to explain and defend Christianity, and secondly, to offer a powerful critique of Christian heresies and non-Christian worldviews. He writes forcefully, The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). Finally, the letter addressed to the Hebrews presents an articulate defense of Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and as the perfect sacrifice and mediator between humans and God. Christianity thus becomes the true religion, superseding Judaism. Mandate and method A key New Testament passage provides the mandate and outlines the method for Christian apologetics. We find it in 1 Peter 3:15 and it is worth quoting it in the context of the previous and following verse: Do not be frightened. But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ 6 may be ashamed of their slander. Let's unpack the key components of this passage: • Be prepared: An essential part of our witness and proclamation of God's truth is to study, anticipate, plan, and be ready. Firmly anchored in God's Word, we must be familiar with the prevalent ideas of our time and the arguments that may be used against biblical Christianity. Before getting deep into the subject, we must know the background of the person or person we are addressing. • Give reasons: The Greek word used in the original is logos, which the RSV translates as "account for," implying a rational explanation that can be understood and evaluated. Our arguments must be consistent and based on reasonable evidence. • About our faith commitments: The "Christian hope" centers on the person of Jesus Christ, His divinity, the truth of His existence, and the reliability of His promises. • To anyone who asks: This includes the entire range of individuals, from the honest seeker to the critic, from the simple to the keenest mind. • But do it with gentleness: Convictions must be presented with respect. We must also be open to dialogue. Truth may be rejected simply because it is communicated in an arrogant or condescending manner.6 • Be consistent: In order to be effective, our words and our lives must match up. • Exalt Christ: The ultimate purpose in our interaction is to lead our listener or challenger to know and accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. A review of the examples found in the Bible reveals that the method used by the apologist varies according to the situation and the context. The explanation and defense of the truths of Christianity may take place in a private conversation, as a lecture in an educational setting, as a public debate or in writing. The audience may be friendly, curious, or hostile, or a mixture of the three. Thus, the argumentation and rhetoric employed will vary according to the circumstances. 6 See James W. Sire, Why Good Arguments Often Fail: Making a More Persuasive Case for Christ (Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2006). 7 A case study: Paul speaks at Mars Hill In Acts 17 we find a useful example of a Christian apologetics address given by a leading missionary and intellectual. Although recorded in summary form, the passage provides an outline (vv. 16-34) for any believer given the opportunity to present the message of Jesus Christ to an educated, curious, and possibly hostile audience. Around the year 60 A.D., Paul and his companions entered Europe bringing the gospel to Jews and non-Jews. After addressing various groups in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea, they had arrived in Athens. Although no longer the Western world's undisputed center of art, letters, and philosophy, the city was still a thriving commercial and intellectual metropolis. Paul's presentation may be outlined in the following manner: 1. Background • The motivation (v. 16): Paul is touched by the many evidences of idol worship in the city and the need of its inhabitants to hear about the true God. According to a contemporary source, there were more than 3,000 deities worshipped in Athens. • Getting acquainted with the cultural context (vv. 17, 18): After addressing the Jews in their synagogue and other believers, the apostle goes to the marketplace to interact with the common people. • In contact with the intellectual elite (vv. 18-21): The Epicurean and Stoic philosophers debate him and become curious about his unusual ideas. So they extend an invitation to present his philosophy to a select group of educated Athenians with very different worldviews. 2. The address • Building a bridge of understanding (vv. 22, 23): Paul establishes contact with his audience by praising them for their interest in religious matters and awakens their curiosity by referring to the altar devoted to an unknown god. • Characteristics of the true God (vv. 23-28): This unknown god is the Creator of everything that exists in the universe. He made all human beings as part of one family, sustains them with His power, and has delimited their habitats. He is 8 accessible to anyone who wants to find him. In fact, some Greek poets referred to this God. • Implications of these facts (vv. 29-31): This living God does not need to be represented by material objects. He understands our condition and one day will judge all humans through a person He brought back from the dead. 3. The audience's reaction • Some scoffed (v. 32), rejecting the preposterous idea that a person could be resurrected. • Some were willing to hear more about the subject at another occasion (v. 32). • Some were persuaded by the arguments and became Christian believers (vv. 33, 34). The value of apologetics At its best, apologetics seeks to eliminate obstacles, open avenues of understanding, and persuade people of the truth and credibility of the Christian faith. Ultimately, the believer engaging in apologetics wants to help non-Christians commit their lives to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and behave in ways consistent with that commitment.7 Biblical Christianity's claims set itself apart from non-Christian theists, such as Jews and Moslems. The differences center mostly on the person of Jesus Christ. They find it difficult to believe that He is God the Son, the second Person of the Trinity, who became incarnated in Jesus of Nazareth, who died and resurrected, who offers salvation to those who accept Him, and who will come again in glory to this world. Agnostics and atheists, on the other hand, not only deny that God exists, but also that He created the universe, communicates with human beings in various ways, performs miracles, and will grant eternal life to those who believe and trust in Him. 7 See Kenneth D. Boa and Robert M. Bowman Jr., Faith Has Its Reasons: An Integrative Approach to Defending Christianity (Colorado Springs, Colorado: NavPress, 2001), pp. 17-22. 9 Obviously, Christian apologetics is not for the soft-minded or weak-hearted! It demands deep reflection, continuing study, and humble courage. In addition, rational arguments that provide support for biblical faith are also valuable for Christians whenever they have sincere intellectual questions about core Christian beliefs. And this is a common occurrence among thoughtful Christians. Such arguments, however, are not proofs or demonstrations that would compel all rational people that God exists or that Christianity is true. Nonetheless, they provide evidence that the Biblical-Christian worldview is coherent, believable, and more reasonable than its competitors. In summary, engaging in apologetics helps establish the faith of Christian believers and provides them with arguments to explain and defend their convictions as they interact with seekers, skeptics, critics, and followers of other religions. Apologetics compels Christians to master the biblical worldview, to understand and be able to critique the culture that surrounds them, and, in a foreign missionary setting, to become well acquainted with the culture and worldview of those to whom they wish to bring a saving knowledge of the gospel. Adventists and apologetics Christian apologetics has not been a popular word or concept among Seventh-day Adventists. It is not taught as a subject in our colleges, seminaries, or universities. Yet in our 140-year history as an organized Christian movement, we have been engaging in apologetics all along, in the broad sense of the word. Our history begins as we attempt to understand the application of Bible prophecy regarding the end of time. The Millerites, our immediate spiritual ancestors, applied rational methods to interpret God's Word, comparing Scripture with Scripture. We inherited from them a tendency to interpret the Bible logically, seeking to apply its implications to real life. This attitude led to sustained internal discussions, which caused our pioneers to modify some of our initial understanding of the Biblical message. Whenever we conduct public evangelism or engage in personal Bible studies, we use apologetic methods to explain and defend the reliability of the Scriptures as God's revelation and the historicity of Christ, with an attempt to lead our listeners to accept Him as Savior and Lord. When we hold formal meetings with theologians and leaders of other 10