Christians(Apologist) First Question- 07/3/08-RZIM

I have little doubt that the single greatest obstacle to the impact of theGospel has not been its inability to provide answers, but the failure onour part to live it out. I remember well in the early days of myChristian faith talking to a close Hindu friend. He was questioning theexperience of conversion as being supernatural. He absolutely insistedthat conversion was nothing more than a decision to lead a more ethicallife and that, in most cases, it was not any different from other ethicalreligions. I had heard his argument before. But then he said something I have never forgotten: “If this conversion istruly supernatural, why is it not more evident in the lives of so manyChristians I know?” His question is a troublesome one. In fact, it is sodeeply disturbing a question that I think of all the challenges to belief,this is the most difficult question of all. I have never struggled withmy own personal faith as far as intellectual challenges to the Gospel areconcerned. But I have often had struggles of the soul in trying to figureout why the Christian faith is not more visible. After lecturing at a major American university, I was driven to theairport by the organizer of the event. I was quite jolted by what he toldme. He said, “My wife brought our neighbor last night. She is a medicaldoctor and had not been to anything like this before. On their way home,my wife asked her what she thought of it all.” He paused and thencontinued, “Do you know what she said?” Rather reluctantly, I shook myhead. “She said, ‘That was a very powerful evening. The arguments werevery persuasive. I wonder what he is like in his private life.’” Because my Hindu friend had not witnessed spiritual transformation in thelife of Christians, whatever answers he received were nullified. In thedoctor’s case, the answers were intellectually and existentiallysatisfying, but she still needed to know, did they really make adifference in the life of the one proclaiming them? The Irish evangelistGypsy Smith once said, “There are five Gospels. Matthew, Mark, Luke,John, and the Christian, and some people will never read the first four.” In other words, the message is seen before it is heard. For both the Hinduquestioner and the American doctor, the answers to their questions were notenough; they depended upon the visible transformation of the one offeringthem. 1 Peter 3:15 gives us the gives us the defining statement: “But in yourhearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer(apologia) to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hopethat you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” Notice thatbefore the answer is given, the one giving the answer is called to acertain prerequisite. The lordship of Christ over the life of theapologist is foundational to all answers given. Peter, of all thedisciples, knew well how to ask questions and also how fickle the humanheart is. He knew the seductive power of the spectacular in momentaryenthrallment. He knew what it was to betray someone and to fail. He knewwhat it was to try to explain the Gospel--as he did at Pentecost. Peter’sstrong reminder of the heart of the apologist is the basis of allapologetic attempts. With character in mind, there follow two immediate imperatives: thequality of life lived and the clarity of answers given. The way theChristian’s life is lived will determine the impact upon believers andskeptics alike. This is a defining line because the claim by the believeris unique. The claim is that of a “new birth.” After all, no Buddhist orHindu or Muslim claims his or her life of devotion to be supernatural, yetthey often live a more consistent life. And how often does the so-calledChristian, even while teaching some of the loftiest truths one could everteach, live a life bereft of that beauty and character. In apologeticsthe question is often asked, “If there is only one way, how is it thatthere are few in all of creation who qualify?” That question is actuallymore potent than the questioner realizes. It should further be raised,“Out of the few who actually qualify, why are even fewer living it out?” The spiritual condition and character of the apologist are of immenseimportance. This call to a life reflecting the person of Christ is theultimate call of everyone who wishes to do apologetics. When Jesus spoke to the woman at the well (John 4:1–26) she raised onequestion after another as if that were really her problem. It would havebeen very easy for the Lord to call her bluff with some castigating words. Instead, like a gentle and nimble-handed goldsmith he rubbed away themarkings of sin and pain in her life until she was amazed at how much truegold he brought out in her. He gave her hope, knowing all along who shewas on the inside. Likewise, we cannot simply vanquish the person in anattempt to rescue the message. The value of the person is an essentialpart of the message. This means the apologist’s task begins with a godly walk. One ought totake time to reflect seriously upon the question, Has God truly wrought amiracle in my life? Is my own heart proof of the supernaturalintervention of God? That is the apologist’s first question.


Excerpted from Beyond Opinion: Living the Faith We Defend (ThomasNelson, 2007), ed. by Ravi Zacharias. Ravi Zacharias is founder and president of Ravi Zacharias InternationalMinistries.