The One Thing an Apologist Must Not Do
When we engage in apologetics the goal isn’t to show off our flashy intellectual prowess. As John Frame says:
It is important in apologetics to urge an inquirer toward a decision. That does not mean manipulating him or encouraging hypocrisy. It does mean, however, making clear to him the nature of faith. It means making clear that faith does not – indeed may not – wait on the resolution of all intellectual difficulties and that faith is expressed not only in intellectual or verbal fashion but also in all of life’s activities. If the inquirer is not ready to verbalize a confession of faith, he should nevertheless be encouraged (not discouraged, as in some circles) to seek after godliness and to make such a use of the means of grace as the church (under Scripture) will permit.
-John M. Frame, Doctrine of the Knowledge of God, 357
The goal of tearing down strongholds and every lofty thought that resists the knowledge of God isn’t to show off our good we are at philosophical demolition. The goal is to lead someone to Christ, to behold his beauty, to taste the sweetness of the gospel of grace.
Posted on February 25, 2013, in Apologetic Tips, John Frame and tagged apologetic tips, Apologetics, Doctrine of the Knowledge of God, John M. Frame. Bookmark the permalink. 2 Comments.
I agree…the foolishness of my younger days had to do a lot with not understanding this
I’m right there with you.