Apologetics is an important and interesting field of study. Simply put, apologetics is the defending of the faith. Within the field of apologetics, there are different approaches. Some may believe that the best way to target someone is to seek to undercut their false notions, also known as their presuppositions. They may believe that apart from doing away with a person’s presuppositions, he will not accept the truth. The reason for this is that the evidence that is brought forth will be interpreted through the presuppositions of the other individual.
It is kind of like the atheist who believes that evolution is the answer to the complexity of life and, in essence, does away with the need of God as a result. The presuppositionalist believes that you could give the atheist all the evidence in the world, but it will do no good unless you cut out his feet from under him (which may be done by targeting some of the flaws in the atheistic belief or in the belief of evolution).
Another group of people would believe that it is important to first prove the existence of God. After this is adequately done, one can move on toward proving Christianity to be the most viable option. This style is known as classical apologetics. Arguments such as the cosmological argument, the teleological argument, and the moral argument are often used to prove the existence of God. After God is shown to exist (oftentimes based on deductive reasoning), then Christ is presented to the listener. At this point, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is a common argument for the validity of the Christianity.
Some would believe that all they must do is prove Christianity to be true or, at least, the greatest probable belief. In this approach, they would not bother to undercut the feet of the atheist (or whomever else). They also would not bother to prove the existence of God. They would go straight for the many proofs of the Christian faith.
Yet, while apologetics is a great and beneficial area of study, there is still a greater proof for the message to the world around us than deep logical arguments. This is a good thing, too, or many people would be left with their hands tied, unable to make much of a difference in the world. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 3:1-3 of a more excellent way.
Letters of recommendation
Scripture says, “Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?” (2 Cor. 3:1). Paul was not free from experiencing affliction and trial. He was a man that was constantly at war with the spiritual forces of evil. One of the ways that this manifested itself was through the lives of false teachers.
During Paul’s day, a common practice was for people to carry with them “letters of commendation.” If they had such a thing, other people may be more likely to listen to their message. Paul did this, as well (Rom. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 8:22-24). It is possible that when Paul said, “Do we begin again to commend ourselves?”, he is referring to a previous time in which he spoke about his own ministry. Paul seemingly knew that if he spoke about his own ministry, the false teachers, who had their own “letters of recommendation,” may find reason to tear down the ministry of Paul. But what did Paul use as proof for his ministry being valid? This is where this discussion turns back to the introduction. Paul did not use lofty words to validate his ministry (although this does not mean that there were never times in which Paul used apologetic arguments). What is important is what Paul chose to highlight as the proof of the validity of his message.
The life of the Christian is to be an apologetic to the world
Scripture says, “Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: For as much as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written in our hearts, known and read of all men: Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart” (2 Cor. 3:2-3). Paul did not point to a letter of recommendation to validate his message. Instead, Paul pointed to the Corinthians themselves.
Paul knew that the Corinthians were not perfect people. Nevertheless, they were saints who were growing in the grace of God. Paul said that their lives were being “read of all men.” At this point in time, Paul was saying, “You are my apologia; you are my defense; you are the defense of the message that I preach and the Christian faith.” One of the tragic stories that has a tendency to be all too common is that people are turned away from the church. The reason for this is that when they go to the church, the people within the church do not appear much different than those who are outside of the church.
The words of Paul must be heeded here. Paul went on to say that the people in Corinth were the “epistle” or letter of Christ. This means that, while the false teachers had their letters of recommendation, Paul had his, as well. The false teachers’ letters of recommendation came from other people. Paul’s letter came from Christ Himself. The false teachers’ letters were written with ink on external documents. The letters of Paul were real people, written upon their hearts and written with the Spirit of God. The contrast here is an external versus an internal, a transient versus an eternal, and a human versus a divine.
Paul was not concerned about the letters of recommendation. He did not need such documents to support his ministry. The favor of God was upon Paul. Instead, Paul pointed to the work that was being done in the lives of the people at Corinth. Once again, they were not perfect people, but sanctification was taking place. They had not reached the prize, but like Paul, in increasing measure, they pressed on to take hold of that which had taken hold of them. How can this be known? Because they were saints. Why does that matter? Because saints will grow in godliness; there is no other way. Paul did not point to a bunch of unrepentant Christians. He was not saying, “Look at these Christians who are wallowing in their sin; look at how they validate my message.” Paul saw the work that was being done in their lives. He witnessed the miracle of regeneration. He knew that this was the greatest apologia that he had to offer. Jesus Christ Himself had given Paul a letter of recommendation. The letter of recommendation was the Corinthians themselves. It was written on their hearts, not with ink, but with the Spirit of God.
Application
Paul’s words must be heeded in this day and age. The Christian is the letter of recommendation for the validity of both the message and the faithful messengers. People are turned away from Christianity when they see “Christians” who do not do what the Scriptures tell them to do. The people of this world do not need people who are just like them; they need something different. The lost need to see that there is hope in this world.
Know that today, if you are a Christian, you are a letter of recommendation. You have the ability to be an apologia to the world around you by the way that you conduct yourself. This does not mean that you should never use words. What it does mean is that your words will fall flat if you do not practice what you preach. The Christian needs grace, too; he is not perfect. There will be times in which someone may see your shortcomings. Repent, confess, ask forgiveness where it is needed, and get back on track. The message of the Gospel is that sins are forgiven. You need not make yourself appear perfect, for that would be a lie. The Gospel is also a means by which the Christian is enabled, by grace, to do what the Word says. Defend the faith with your very life.
Final prayer
Father, I pray that You would help me to take my calling seriously. Much is at stake. The eternal state of those around me is at stake. Teach me how to be a vessel for honorable use for You this day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.