When people first hear the word apologetic, they usually think about the modern use of the word apology [1]. They often conclude that the task of apologetics is to apologize for the Christian faith, as if we were to say that we regret having our faith. However, the word apologetic derives from the Greek term apologia, which means “to give an answer?”or “make a defense. ” Apologetics isn’t an excuse, is it an answer, a defense of what we believe. In his first epistle, Peter writes: “Rather, to sanctify Christ, as the Lord in your heart, always being willing to answer to all those who ask you the reason for the hope that is in you, doing so with meekness and fear?(1 Peter 3. 15-16). In his commentary on 1Pedro, Dr. RCSproul writes:
Is it our preparation for us to be ready to give a defense and a reason for the hope in us?If our neighbor says, “I realize you’re a Christian. What do you think, but also why do you believe?Teaching this text. The only act of faith we will have will be darkness in the light. When we become Christians, we don’t leave our minds in the parking lot. We are called to think according to the Word of God, to seek the thought of Christ, and to understand the things set forth in the Holy Scriptures.
- God calls us to be prepared to defend the hope that is in us.
- But know that He calls us to do so with meekness and fear.
- Apology is not only for some Christians.
- It is for all Christians.
- If we all know what we believe.
- Why do we believe.
- How to live what we believe.
- How to defend and how to proclaim what we believe?and we must do it with sweetness and fear.
[1] The term apologia, from English apology, means “apologies”. That’s the only way to understand what’s said below in the article. Since there is no way to convey the accuracy of the term in Portuguese with the same meaning as in English, it was decided to transliterate the term.
This article is part of the January 2016 edition of Tabletalk magazine.
Translation: Joel Pedro Cavani Review: Yago Martins © 2016 Faithful Ministério All rights reserved. Website: MinisterioFiel. com. br: Apologetics with sweetness and fear
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