In an on-line search for the noun
apologetics, a definition is given; “Reasoned arguments or writings in justification
of something, typically a theory or religious doctrine.”1 A Christian website gives this definition of apologetics, “Apologetics is the branch of Christianity that
deals with the defense and establishment of the Christian faith.”2 Now
to the verse often sighted for Christian apologetics, “but sanctify Christ as
Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks
you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and
reverence.” (1 Peter 3:15)
Some
have taken this to mean debating atheist on a stage in front of an audience
about the existence of God. I am not writing to discredit that enterprise, but
rather to give a philosophy of apologetics based on what has been written in 1
Peter. The on-line definition from google as well as the definition from the
website quoted would indicate debate, but I do not think that this is what
Peter had in mind.
The epistle of 1 Peter can be
structurally divided into three parts. The first part (1 Peter 1:1-2:10)
focuses on the readers; identifying the readers as God’s people. This is based
on their being born again; thereby, having a hope of salvation in Christ Jesus.
The second part (1 Peter 2:11-4:11) exhorts the readers to have a focus on
reverence towards God, love for the brethren, and loving those outside of the
church as oneself. The third part (1 Peter 4:12-5:11) reiterates what has been
said in the second part, but with a focus on the elders of the church.3
The first step in having a
philosophy of apologetics based on first peter is that you must have been born
again; according to the foreknowledge of God, by the sanctifying work of the
Holy Spirit, through the seed of the living word of God to a living hope
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (cf. 1 Peter 1:2-3, 22-23)
Now that you have this living hope you are putting away all malice, deceit,
hypocrisy, envy, and slander. You are longing for the word of God and are
seeking to grow in your salvation. (cf. 1 Peter 2:1-3)
The next step in a philosophy for
apologetics based on 1 Peter is that you are seeking to live according to the
example and teaching of Jesus Christ. Peter first tells the readers to honor
authority and lastly he tells the readers to live Godly lives. (cf. 1 Peter
2:13-20 and 3:1-7) In between these two he exalts Christ as our example;
saying, “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered
for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps.” (1 Peter 2:21)
He then uses Isaiah 53 (Christ being the suffering servant of the Lord in
Isaiah 53) to demonstrate that Christ committed no sin or lies, when reviled he
did not revile, when suffering he offered no threat in return, but trusted in
God. Then he describes how Christ died for the ungodly and bore our sins in his
body on the cross while we were yet sinning. (cf. 1 Peter 2:22-25 and Isaiah
53:4-9)
The next step after honoring
authority and living Godly lives is to “sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts,
always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an
account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and
keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those
who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.” (1 Peter
3:15-16)
This is implying that when
someone sees the way that you are living; respecting authority, being kind to
everyone, when reviled not reviling in return, when suffering not offering threats.
When someone sees this, they may ask about the hope that is in you, because this
sort of behavior is strange to the world. So when they ask, tell them about
Jesus Christ. It is this living hope that the first century Christians had
within them while being martyred.
1 “Apologetics,” Google, accessed December 1, 2016, https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=Apologetics.
2 Matt Slick, “Apologetics,”
CARM, accessed December 1, 2016, https://carm.org/apologetics.
3 J. R. Michaels, “1 Peter” in Dictionary of the Later New Testament and
Its Developments, eds. Ralph P. Martin and Peter H, Davids (Downers
Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 1997), 917-918.
