The Art of Apologetics

The Truth of the Truth

More than ever, we are in a society where the truth is hard to distinguish. Everywhere we turn, there is a question about what is true and what is moral. Booker T. Washington said, “A lie doesn’t become truth, wrong doesn’t become right, and evil doesn’t become good just because it is accepted by a majority.”

Isn’t that exactly what has happened? The majority has accepted a lie, wrong and evil and made them the standard for truth. As Christians, we are caught in a mess living in these times. However, God has called us to speak truth in love and defend that which He has already declared. We are to defend our faith. In theology, this is called apologetics. As a point of introduction, we are going to look quickly as the what, why and how of apologetics and then dive into Galatians 2:1-6 to show how Paul practiced apologetics in his letter to the Galatians.

The What of Apologetics

Let’s look at the WHAT of apologetics. As I put in our newsletter this week, apologetics, in Christianity, the intellectual defense of the truth of the Christian.  It is the evidence that proves the things of God are true and real.  It is not a pathway to declare a "better than you" attitude.  Rather, it is love demonstrated and love revealed.

The Why of Apologetics

So why should we be aware of apologetics? Shouldn’t this be left for the theologians? First and foremost, the brunt of the argument about truth is not taking place in the seminaries and the world of academia. Rather, the brunt of the argument is taking place in our friends and neighbors. It is taking place on our playgrounds and schools. It is taking place in our social media, our music, movies and television shows. The people of God need to be equipped in how to respond. So how do we go about this?

The How of Apologetics

The how of apologetics always begins with determining truth. Nabeel Qureshi was a devout Muslim that was raised in the United States. He earned a Medical Doctorate, a Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics, a Master of Arts in religion, and a Master of Arts in Philosophy. A very smart man. He grew up in the United States studying Islamic apologetics with his family and engaging Christians in religious discussions. One such Christian continued in discussions with him for many years. Eventually, through his studies and these discussions, Nabeel became a Christian. He authored several books and gave lectures to students at more than 100 universities. His life was shortened as he succumbed to stomach cancer at the age of 34, leaving behind a wife and young daughter. His quest for truth summarizes the how of apologetics. In one of his books, Nabeel wrote: “If truth doesn’t exist, then it would be true that truth doesn’t exist, and once again we arrive at the truth. There is no alternative; truth must exist.”

That will leave you scratching your head won’t it? Paul knew that truth existed and His Name was Jesus. He knew that the way to find Jesus was through faith and not any way else. Booker T. Washington and Nabeel Qureshi both knew the same and that faith propelled one to act on God’s behalf. In fact, it was Booker T. Washington that said, “No man can read the Bible and be lazy.”

As Paul continues this letter to the Galatians, look closely at how he teaches by example apologetics and defending the truth.

Galatians 2:1–6 NIV84

1 Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. 2 I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did this privately to those who seemed to be leaders, for fear that I was running or had run my race in vain. 3 Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. 4 This matter arose because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. 5 We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you. 6 As for those who seemed to be important—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not judge by external appearance—those men added nothing to my message.

Truth Moves (vs. 1-2)

First, we see that truth moves. Verses 1 and 2 have for us an example that begins with truth calling us.

Truth Calls Us

We see there is a time span to which Paul refers of 14 years. Scholars debate whether the 14 years is in about the length of time since Paul’s conversion or it it was the length of time in between ministry trips. Nevertheless, Paul recognized that he was called by Truth to minister on Truth’s behalf. This is exactly what Jesus did as Paul describes in Romans 15:8

Romans 15:8 NIV84

8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs

Truth Carries Us

We also see that truth carries us. Paul had a revelation about going to preach and teach. Truth gave him a purpose that carried him. Isaiah 40:31

Isaiah 40:31 NIV84

31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

That which carries us gives us the opportunity to mount up on it!

We see in this letter and throughout his writings that which carried Paul was the gospel of Christ and making others, religious and non-religious, aware of there was a Savior that loved them. Paul could not keep the truth to himself.

Truth Compels Us

We also see that truth compels us. Paul could not keep this truth to himself, but he also could not let the truth be distorted. He wanted to make sure that the truth shared was the truth and nothing but the truth so help His God! He was willing to meet with others privately to have serious conversations about his faith. What an example for us! We should also be willing to let truth move us!

2 Corinthians 13:8 NIV84

8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.

Truth Matters (vs. 3-4)

Why do you think we should be willing to let truth move us? Simply put, truth matters. I have listed that truth shoulders us.

Truth Shoulders Us

This means that truth carries us on its shoulders in a way that is sure and strong. I am reminded of a bedtime ritual with my grandson. I will give him a choice, to be carried upside by his feet or on my shoulders like a sack of “taters.” He prefers for me to carry him like a sack of “taters” because he feels more secure and safe. The truth of Jesus also gives us that security and safety.

Luke 15:3–5 NIV84

3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders

Aren’t you glad that truth shoulders you?

Truth Strengthens Us

Truth also strengthens us. When we turn to the truth, the truth strengthens us. The very reason Paul is writing the Galatians is because the truth had been tested. We have already read 2 Corinthians 13:8 and seen how nothing can be done against the truth. In fact, when truth is tested, it grows stronger. So do you and I! We our truth is tested, because it true, it will get harder prove wrong. See how that does? The we will see that truth sustains us.

Truth Sustains Us

Psalm 41:3 NIV84

3 The Lord will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness.

Isn’t that just like our God to give us His truth that will sustain us at the absolute worst times, even on our sickbed? Titus was not on his sickbed when he went with Paul but he was an outcast Greek that was not a Jew. He knew that the gospel had been given to him and it was faith based not ritual based. Don’t you know that sustained him?

Truth Manifests (vs. 5-6)

What else does truth do? Truth manifests itself to us. Manifest means to make clearly apparent of to show that which is obvious.

When we focus on the truth and we will see clearly that which is obvious. For Paul, Barnabas and Titus, we see how they demonstrated the truth.

Truth Demonstrates

The truth demonstrated by not giving in to the pressures of a watered down gospel. Remember the quote from Booker T. Washington that we started with? Booker T. Washington said, “A lie doesn’t become truth, wrong doesn’t become right, and evil doesn’t become good just because it is accepted by a majority.”

Truth demonstrates and it also directs.

Truth Directs

The reason that they were able to demonstrate truth because truth was directing them.

Psalm 119:35 NIV84

35 Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.

The truth helps guide us down paths that are pleasing to the Lord. Our world takes us down paths that are pleasing to one’s self. That path always ends in a dead end. Truth directs and it will determine your direction no matter how important one may be!

Truth Determines

I loved watching the Game Day festivities from our town this week. Have you ever seen a crowd of people cheer for a bus? I am so grateful for the notoriety that came with ESPN’s Game Day coming to town. We had some important folks come into town and lots of great stories could be told. Their bank accounts might be different than mine. They may be more well known than I will ever be. However, the blood that was shed on the cross covered my sin just as good as it covered theirs. I love that phrase in verse 6, “God does not judge by external appearance.” God judges what’s on the inside. 1 Samuel 16:7

1 Samuel 16:7 NIV84

7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

If you know the truth of our Lord, you will carry it in your heart. And guess what else that truth will do? It will set you free!

The Truth Delivers

Jesus said in John 8:32

John 8:32 NIV84

32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

The art of apologetics is understanding the truth of God’s love and how He gave up His one and only Son so that we can be free. It is not about an argument. It is about an attitude of worship. It is about Jesus being our all in all.