Number Ten:  Keep the Right Attitude—or Risk Being a Failure at Apologetics and Evangelism

Two Mormon missionaries knocked on my door some years ago, and I invited them in. The discussion did not go well for them, and they asked if they could return with a more experienced person. I agreed, and the four of us met about a week later. As they were leaving the second time, one of them turned to me and said, “You know, you’re the nicest person we’ve ever talked to!”

People who know me well will probably chuckle when they read this. I have a reputation for being upfront and, at times, somewhat assertive. In this case, however, I was being polite and respectful as any Christian should be when sharing with unbelievers.

But their flattering comment brings to mind how rude and even self-righteous Christians can be when challenged by non-Christians. One can only imagine how many stories cult evangelists can tell about unfriendly, even belligerent, Christians. The lesson here is being discourteous or rude does not create an environment that encourages the work of the Holy Spirit. I could have gotten frustrated and argumentative, but that would only reinforce their conviction that Christianity is in error. When people get rude and defensive with us, don’t we assume it’s because they know they’re wrong and can’t admit it?

One of the key apologetic texts in Scripture is 1 Peter 3:15: “Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense [Greek: apologia] to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence (emphasis mine).

Apologetics gives a reasoned defense of Christian truth claims, particularly the authenticity of the Bible and the deity and resurrection of Jesus Christ. For a trained apologist, it’s not difficult to thwart most arguments skeptics raise against Christianity. Unfortunately, this does not automatically result in a willing listener. A “reasoned defense” should never include quarreling or arguing. This attitude usually results in a win/lose situation: we may win the argument but fail to get a fair hearing for the Gospel. We must always avoid being hostile, quarrelsome, or argumentative.

Christians have religious truth and the evidence to prove it. The problem is, no one likes to lose an argument. So good apologetics is convincing without being offensive. How do we “argue” and not cause people to lose face? The Apostle Paul gives us the answer in Col. 4:5-6 and 2 Tim. 2:24-25. By following his advice, Christian apologists and evangelists will seem not only interested in sharing truth but genuinely interested in the unbeliever as a person. This is the surest way to earn the right to share the Gospel.

Beginning January 3, 2022, I will start a new blog series provisionally titled “Will Our Pets and other Animals Join God’s People in Heaven? I’ll provide compelling biblical, apologetic, and other evidence that the answer to this is a resounding yes!