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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
The classic verse promoting apologetics (the defense of the Christian faith) is 1 Peter 3:15, which says that believers are to make a defense "for the hope that you have." The only way to do this e...
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James Kraft
Supporter
Paul had been of the Jews religion where salvation was by law keeping. So he knew all about it and counted it as dung so that he could learn Christ. He was the great preacher of the gospel of grace for salvation and not law keeping. In fact he said any one that preaches any other gospel than the gospel of grace should be accursed. He made the argument that you cannot be made righteous in the flesh. That God only is righteous, which makes all men sinners, and no amount of law keeping can save a guilty sinner accept the finished work of Christ. He continued to preach the gospel of grace without works for salvation, and it was the only way to be acceptable to God. He preached that if we could be saved by works of the law then Christ died in vain. His whole life was that we could only be saved by grace without works of the law, and that any boasting in ourselves was a sin against God. He preached that we could only be accepted to God by Christ alone without works and again gave two verses that any one who preaches salvation by works of the law should be accursed. He was the greatest contender of the faith of Jesus finished work on the cross was all that was necessary for salvation. I wish we had more like him, because legalism has so crept into our churches that we no longer contend for the faith that was once given by Christ and Paul.
Andy Mangus
Supporter
"Stand up, stand up for Jesus...." as the Gospel song goes. We are instructed many times in God's word to "defend our faith, to stand strong in the face of adversity from the enemy while resisting his deceit and lies." We are "to go ye into all the world, spreading the good news of Jesus Christ, for the work of the Lord is Holy and just, for only He deserves to be praised." The work of the Lord is holy and just! --In His Service! AMEN-- *Andy*
Marshall Richbourg
Supporter
I believe that Lk 9:5, and 10:10-11 answers the question, the bible is not debatable! Christ on two occasions told his disciples that if the people didn't receive their word, they were to shake the dust off their feet as they left that town. On neither occasion did he tell them to argue their point. No where does the bible depict Jesus debating Gods word with anyone, He spoke with the authority given to Him and moved on, period!
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
I would much rather encourage the saints than declare war on the apostates. But when the enemy is in the field, the watchmen dare not go to sleep. The Christian life is a battleground, not a playground.-Wiersbe On Jude 3, the Faithlife Study Bible has this: to contend The Greek verb used here, epagōnizomai, occurs only this one time in the NT. The word comes from another verb, agōnizomai, which refers to ancient Greek athletic contests in which participants “contended” (compare 1 Tim 6:12). I believe it was Douglas J. Moo (born March 15, 1950) who is a Reformed New Testament scholar and who, after teaching for more than 20 years at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Illinois, wrote a commentary on Jude, which I who also went to school at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL, found and record for you: Yes, the Bible does call Christians to defend the faith / argue for the faith. "The truth [according to the NLT PARALLEL STUDY BIBLE] must not be compromised because it gives us the real facts about Jesus and salvation. The Bible is inspired by God and should never be twisted or manipulated; when it is, we can become confused over right and wrong and lose sight of the only path that leads to eternal life. Before writing about salvation, then, Jude felt he had to set his readers back on the right track, calling them back to the basics of their faith."
Jeffrey Johnson
Supporter
Does the Bible call Christians to defend or argue for the faith? 1Tim 6:12:ESV: "Fight the good fight of the faith, lay hold on the life eternal, whereunto thou wast called, and didst confess the good confession in the sight of many witnesses." What a Christian does is not argue for the faith but defend our faith. Before taking up arms, you must know whether it is morally right and what you are fighting for. The Bible explicitly calls Christians to defend and contend for the faith, presenting this as a normal part of Christian discipleship. 1 Peter 3:15 - Christians are commanded to "always be prepared to give a defence to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you… with gentleness and respect." Contend for the faith — Jude 1:3 - Jude urges believers to "contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints." This is not passive; it's an active call to protect the gospel from distortion. Destroy arguments raised against God — 2 Corinthians 10:5. Paul describes his ministry as "destroying arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God." This is an intellectual and spiritual confrontation with false ideas. Jesus Himself Used Evidence and Reason - Jesus appealed to miracles, fulfilled prophecy, and His resurrection as evidence for His identity (John 10:25, 10:38). The apostles followed this pattern, grounding faith in historical events and eyewitness testimony. Why the Bible Calls Christians to Defend the Faith - Across Scripture, defending the faith is tied to: • Protecting the church from false teaching (Titus 1:9; Jude 1:3) • Helping unbelievers understand the truth (1 Peter 3:15) • Strengthening believers (Philippians 1:7) • Honouring Christ as Lord in our hearts (1 Peter 3:15) • Standing firm against spiritual deception (Ephesians 6:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:15) Is arguing for the faith biblical? - Yes — when done with gentleness, respect, and truth. The Bible distinguishes between quarrelsome arguing and reasoned defence. Christianity is not about winning fights; it's about clarifying truth, exposing error, and pointing people to Christ. Paul repeatedly defends the gospel publicly (Philippians 1:7,16) and uses evidence, reasoning, and persuasion. Conclusion The Bible not only permits but commands Christians to defend the faith. This includes giving reasons, refuting false teaching, and standing firm in truth — always with humility and respect. The New Testament gives a very specific posture, method, and set of priorities for biblical apologetics, [ a systematic, reasoned defence of a specific belief, doctrine.] It's not about winning arguments; it's about faithfully representing Christ. Address the Heart, Not Just the Mind: The Bible teaches that unbelief is not only intellectual but spiritual (Romans 1:18–21). So Christians defend the faith by: • Answering questions • Exposing false assumptions • Appealing to conscience • Pointing to Christ Always remember, arguments alone don't convert, but the Holy Spirit does.
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