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About Jesus - Steve (Stephen) Sweetman Our
Defence Against Atheistic Deconstructionism Daniel 12:4 in the
Christian Standard Bible reads: "But you, Daniel,
keep these words secret and seal the book until the time of the end.
Many will roam about, and knowledge will increase." The angel Gabriel told
Daniel that throughout the course of history people will roam about and
knowledge would increase. Today
we roam across the world-wide web in search of knowledge that is
increasing exponentially, something that Daniel could never have
comprehended. This increase of
knowledge would include our ongoing discovery of ancient history,
cultures, and languages that helps us to understand the Bible better than
ever before. Not knowing this
up-to-date knowledge is causing many to forsake their faith in Jesus
because their outdated knowledge they use in defence of their faith fails
to withstand the challenge of today's atheistic arguments.
If we are to survive the
onslaught of atheistic attempts to deconstruct Christian faith, we must
build upon our historic apologetic foundation with today's up-to-date
knowledge to which Gabriel spoke. This
leads me to 1 Peter 3:15 where Peter encourages his readers to be prepared
to mount a reasonable defence for their hope in Jesus, something that is
just as much relevant for us.
"But in your hearts
revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone
who asks you to give the reason for the hope
that you have. But do this
with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who
speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of
their slander." Whether in Peter's day
or our day, as Christians we have our critics.
For this reason Peter shares three aspects needed for a good
defence of our hope in Jesus.
Our defence is a matter
of the heart, as seen in the words "in your hearts revere Christ as
Lord." Underlying our
defence must be a heart-felt assurance of our faith provided by the Spirit
of the Almighty God within us. Our defence is a matter
of the mind, as seen in the words "be prepared to give an
answer," or an apologetic as the Greek text puts it.
Our defence must be a well thought out rational defence with
up-to-date knowledge that can stand strong in the face of the atheistic
challenge. Our defence must be made
respectfully and gently, as seen in the words "but do this with
gentleness and respect." If
we are to gain the ear of the atheist our defence must be presented in a
way that respects the atheist.
We may not like to admit
it, but today's atheistic critics have challenging arguments.
With Daniel 12:4 and 1 Peter 3:15 in mind, I conclude that these
challenging arguments require from us a balanced, challenging yet
respectful, rationally up-to-date defence.
Underlying our defence must be a heart-felt, Holy Spirit assurance
of the reality of our faith in Jesus, and without it is why so many are
deconstructing their faith. In
the final analysis, ignoring any or all of what we learn from Peter and
Gabriel, makes our defence weak, ineffective, and puts us on the path of
atheistic deconstructionism.
Post
Script I
realize that many of us don't have the energy or ability to mount an
up-to-date knowledgeable defence that I've set forth.
I suggest, then, that we learn from those who have this knowledge
without sweeping them aside as being merely intellectuals.
My point is simple. Some
of us must help those who are about to throw away their faith because of
present-day atheistic arguments.
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