CAN YOU DEFEND YOUR FAITH?

 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,

1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)

                I just finished reading “Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus” by Nabeel Qureshi. I was struck by Nabeel’s determination to defend his faith in Islam. He was well schooled in the classic arguments for Islam and against Christianity. Often, as he engaged Christians regarding their faith, they were unprepared to defend what they believed. Many of them were basing their faith on second hand knowledge. God brought a young man by the name of David into Nabeel’s life who was able to effectively engage Nabeel. After a number of years of back and forth, Nabeel surrendered his life to Christ.

                As I read this young man’s story, I couldn’t help but ask myself, how prepared am I to defend my faith in Christ? Peter wrote that we should always be prepared to give people an answer for the hope we have in Christ. If you were confronted by a Nabeel, could you effectively engage him in spiritual dialog?

                If we are going to effectively defend our faith, we need to be diligent students of the Bible. The Bible is foundational to everything we believe. It is not enough for us to know the basic facts from the Bible. We need to understand how the Bible is put together. We need a clear understanding of the truths of the Bible, that means we need to do the hard work of studying theology and doctrine. We also need to be able to defend the authenticity and authority of the Bible. As Paul writes in 2 Timothy 2:15, Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)

                Not only do we need to be students of the Bible, we also need to be students of other faiths and other cultures. Many Christians are afraid to study other religions for fear that it might weaken their faith. If we are going to effectively proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we need to understand how other people view the world and spiritual matters. Without an understanding of other faiths, we do not have a basis for a meaningful dialog.

                We also need to have sound instruction from others. One of the assets of our faith is the body of Christ, the church. As we come together for worship and instruction, we can encourage and strengthen one another. As it says in Proverbs 27:17, As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. We are always stronger together. When we get discouraged, others can lift us up. When we don’t have the right answers, others can help us to find them. When we feel alone, other can assure us that we are not. As our society becomes more and more secular, our need for one another increases.

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)

                But we also need the courage to engage others in spiritual conversations. When I was doing my research for my Doctorate, I discovered that many international students were surprised that Americans are reluctant to talk about their faith. First, many international students are under the misconception that all Americans are Christians. In other countries, religious faith is so integrated into the social and political fabric of the country that there is not separation. Internationals students are surprised when this is not so here in America. Second, international students think that it is only natural that a person should talk about their religious faith, because it is a part of their culture. If we were to visit them in their country, they would automatically share their faith with us. So when Americans are reluctant to speak about their faith, it is confusing to them.

                The first step toward being equipped to defend our faith is to go back to the source in prayer. We need to ask God to give us insight, discernment, and wisdom. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, He will equip us to be what He called us to be, witnesses of His glory.

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Colossians 4:5-6 (NIV)