I’m a Horrible Apologist. Is that OK?
This is a cross-post by Brian LePort over at the Near Emmaus blog, which I found delightfully honest and refreshing:
I’m a Horrible Apologist. Is that OK?
I enjoy a good conversation with someone who does not affirm the Christian religion. Many of my friends and family are atheist or agnostics. On the other hand, I have noticed that I make for a terrible apologist! I have participated in several conversations throughout the blogosphere over the last couple of weeks that have left me mentally exhausted (e.g. see here, here, and here). There are some people who can go back and forth with a skeptic. I am not one of those people!
I think everyone should be a Christian but I am not very good at arguing for this end. I think the Genesis narrative is vague enough for one to affirm current scientific findings, especially in regards to evolution, but I cannot prove this to be true or false. I think the gospel is very, very believable, but I do not have enough training in philosophy to go toe to toe for very long in arguments over epistemology. I think that experiencing the Holy Spirit can be foundational to a confession of faith. I cannot prove that experiencing the Holy Spirit is any better than other paranormal religious experiences. I think the Scriptures are the Word of God inspired by the Holy Spirit. We could spend all day arguing but I probably cannot prove to you that the Qur’an is inferior.
Is this OK? I know we are told to “make a defense to anyone who ask you for a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3.15) but I am more than aware that my reasons often prove unsatisfying to most skeptics. I can spend all day studying Christian theology and biblical exegesis, but I cannot prove to you that you should think any more of these subjects than you do of reading Kant or Foucault.
If I had more time I would try to study these subjects more in depth, but I have this sneaking suspicion that it wouldn’t change much. In the end I would still be a Christian and in the end I would still be able to go so far with my argument before I had to agree to disagree. Is my attitude about this all wrong? Should I care about being able to defend my faith with better arguments in the fields of philosophy, history, and science?
I’m exactly the same, I simply can’t debate or argue for toffees.
My questions is how many folks have ever been argued or debated in to the Kingdom anyway?
Tags: Christian Life
April 8th, 2010 at 10:48 am
A note of comfort to Brian lePort and anyone else who feels the same:
Atheist Humanists like me don’t set out to be converted, and our “faith” is perhaps every bit as strong as yours. Putting the boot on the other foot, I’m sure I’d not be able to “convert” you even if I wanted to.
What you will nearly always achieve, provided your discussion is temperate, and is with someone who is prepared to listen, is a greater respect and understanding of your faith – and this can surely only be a good thing. For example, I’ve been reading this particular blog for a while now. I don’t think I’ve changed my mind, but I have been humbled by the strength of argument displayed by some believers, and I have great respect for many devout Christians.
I think there are some people for whom belief in God is almost as natural as breathing, whilst there are some, who may never get it. So don’t feel you’ve falen short if I stick to my side of the fence. Even though I might not admit it at the time, I do learn from our discussion, and I do not dismiss all together the possibility that at some time in the future I might change.
April 8th, 2010 at 10:50 am
Thanks for that encouragement Jim.
April 8th, 2010 at 6:02 pm
To me faith is like toothache. I can’t demonstrate my toothache to others, share it, or convince them of its reality. I, however, can’t avoid knowing it’s there!
Like many other Christians, I’m fairly ecumenical. I’m sure there’s more than one path: the divine is so much larger than we can possibly imagine. God delights in all that is noblest in human endeavour, regardless of the faith of the individual.
As I’m sure God is far more interested in our acts and aspirations than our religious observance, Jim not believing in God doesn’t stop God believing in Jim.