Bible Question (short): Are Christian apologetics unbiblical? |
Question (full): If we shouldn't use arguments to promote the Gospel--because it's leaning on human wisdom and not God--then what are we to say? I have been challenged a number of times recently on the use of intellectual arguments and rational persuasion in the defense of the gospel. In other words, the whole idea of Christian apologetics is called into question as being unbiblical. For example, one reader said: "don't resort to...arguments to evade the clear statements of truth in the Bible,...be guided by Bible truth and put our trust in it first and foremost." (On the surface, this sounds OK. However, if you read this quote in the context of the post in which it is written, it will be plain to you that there is more to it than is evident on the surface.) Another wrote: "I want to see Scripture not no (sic) mumbo jumbo from Strong['s] or any other different references. I want Scripture." Another asked: "Is this article inspired by revelation, or, the Spirit of the living God, or, is it man's wisdom?" The implication by both these readers seems to be: you must choose between the use of intellectual arguments and rational persuasion or Bible verses alone. It's either/or. The assumption here is that using intellectual arguments and rational persuasion on the one hand and using Scripture only while passively relying on God on the other hand are two mutually exclusive options. If we shouldn't use arguments to promote the Gospel--because it's leaning on human wisdom and not God--then what are we to say? How would you answer this question? Tell us why you answer as you do. Whatever your reasoning behind your answer, tell us what it is. |