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Consistency ndAntithesis

The apologist is not simply tryingto overcome the n t e l l e c ~ a l a r g u m eof he unbeliever. It ,is the unbeliever'Sevil and ethically rebellious nature thatmust also be overcome. And while wemust destroy his speculations of mind(2 Cor , 10:5) with the truth of God'sWord, we must also press the truthhorne to exposethe l.lnbeliever's ethicalrebellion. Do not be overcome by evil,but overcome evil with good (Rom.12:21).

How do they each account for theirethical standards aswell as thetr ethicalperformance? Moreover, this ethical

Presuppositional apo ogetics 'point -of-contact may prove tobe moreshould emphasize the antithesis pow erful and useful in getu'ng t th' 0 e As the believer presupposes theb e t w e e n the , Christian and non- heart of he problem of unbelief, which truth of God's Word and becomes

more and more epistemologically selfconscious, his attitude and actions willreflect this maturing grace. .

The inner conflict between the old

Chiistianworldviews. ltseekstopoint ' is the unbeliever's ethical rebellionout the inconsiStency and arbitrariness against God, than a disc il' ;sion of theof both the unbeliever'S worldview ' origins of the universe. While both 'and how he lives his life in relation t6 topics provide legitimate pOints"ofhis professed ,world vie')". Likewise, contact with the unbeliever, the ethicalthe Chns tl'an anno 't put r th man and the new man

' producec ,or a issues are often 'more personal andcredible defen.se of the faith i either some degree of incoi1Sistency in thechallenging to sinners.

his words or his deeds undermine one believer' However, the 'overallanother through inconsiStency. The defetJSe of the faith requites behavior of the believer should make

, mote than aclaim to know God. Where hIS', posl'u'on apparent . ' Bv thlS theThe Christian worldview can ', is the teal defense of such a knowledge ' chilaren f God and the child ren f the

account fotthe presence of some sin in ~ ~the life ofa believer: If we say that we claim?, The' young or uneducated devil are obvious: anyone; who does not

hconvert may offer powerful proof of practfce righteousness is not f Goa (1

ave no sin/ we are decetving ourselves, ~and the truth is not in us" (1 ]ohnl:8) . his knowledge of God by means of a John 3:10).However; the Christian faith does not ' changed and godly conduct, while the The autonomous authority of theallow for gross sinful conduct on the Bible scholar may display a denial (by unbelie ver gives rise to the conflictingpart of he believer: No one who abides his attitude and conduct) of the very situation where he ~ t contend with

in Him sins; no onewho sins has seen Him thing he professes to know. they an actusingconsctehce ;' (Rom. 2:14cor knows Him. Littlechildren, let no one profess to know God, but by thetr deeds 15) that stands o v e ~~ g a i n s this own4ecetv e .you; the one who practices they deny Him, betng deiestable and autonomy . His conduct is nOt onlyrighteouSJ1ess is righteous, just as He is ' disobedient, and worthless for any good inconsistent with his own worldviewrighteous; the one who practices sin is of deed (Titus 1:16; .a1so]er. 5:2). , but he fuids it impossible (using histhe devil... (1 John 3:6-8a). As the apologist rightly pursues a worldview) to explain why, The

Every fact of he universe is a pOint- , greater understanding and knowledge . unbeliever Iivesinaschizophrenic flux.of-contact for the believer with the of the Christian faith, he must not This antithesis or inconsistencyu n b ~ l i e v e r . So too, every fact of the neglect the pursuitofa godly and holy , between the unbeli,eving worldviewb ~ l i e v e r slife, (Le., thought, attitude, life. It is only when these ' wo pursuits , and thefact that he does instinctivelya n d c o n d u c t a r e a 1 s o p o i n ~ f - C o n t a c t (knowledge and godliness) merge i i the things of the law is a vital point

with the unbeliever. The 'Christian the believerthat we see him become an where the unbeliever can be exposed,standsiricontinu 'alconfrontationwith ' able apologist for the faith - only However, the believer who fails tothe unbelieving world as he interacts : then is the unbeliever disarmed and demonstrate an ethical consistencyand responds to challengestohis a i t h exposed. In all things showyourselfto with his own worldview is in noThe believer has a pbint of-contact be an example ofgood deeds, with purity position to confront the unbeliever.with the unbeliever as they discuss the in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech As the believer ' grows inway i i which each of them live and ' which is beyond reproach, in orda that sanctification the antithesis widensconductthernselveSin relation to their ' the opponentmay beput t shame, having between himself and the 'unbeliever,respective presuppositions. nothiilgbad to say abtiutus (Tit. 2:7-8). The mote the Holy Spirit applies the

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Word of God to the believer the morethe believerthinks God's thoughts andassumes God's ways, resulting in anantithetical relationship to the thoughtsand ways of the world. The believer 'sethical senses are keen, having beentrained to discern good and evil (Heb.

5:14). Moving in the direction ofgreaterunderstandingandapplicationof God's Word to his own life, thebeliever 's revelational perspective ofhimself and the world grows more andmore, and the chasm between himselfand the unbeliever expands. Drawingsuch dear distinctions

in opposition, i perhaps God Ulygrantthem repentance leading to the knowledgeoj the truth, and they may come to theirsenses and escape Jrom the snare oj thedeVil, having been held captive by him todo his will (2 Tim. 2:23-26). Such agodly attitude manifests the fruit of theSpirit (Gal. 5:22) and providescredibility to our verbal and intellectualdefense. t also tends to dismm someof the hostility of our opponents whenwe do not return evil for evil andwhen we bless those who persecuteus (Rom. 12: 14 , 17).

their presupposition - theirworldview - then the unbelievingworld must sacrifice their primaryweapon and the defense of the faith ismade easier. Keep your behaviorexcellent among the Gentiles, so that inthe thing in which they slander you asevildoers, they may on account oj yourgood deeds, as they observe them, glorifyGod in the day oj visitation (1 Peter2: 12). A little knowledge can be adangerous thing when it is possessedby one who also possesses little grace.Such a believer, though perhaps weU-

intentioned,may comebetween believer andunbeliever provides theopportunity fora collisionof worldviews.

Attitude andConduct

II proper boldness mustnot be confused with

rrog nce nd pushiness.

across as harsh andarrogant in the eyes of thosewith whom they aredealing. The shame we

seekto

produce in theunbeliever is a proper

The Christian mayconceivably produce avalid verbal defense of thefaith while projectingattitudes and conduct thatare more consistent withthe unbeliever's presuppositions. The believer may

The ttitudes op tience nd gentlenessdemonstr te not only aknowledge o God, but

lso the gr ce o God.

shame before God. We arenot out to humiliate,ridicule or embarrass theunbeliever into submiSsion . We must rememberto speak the truth in love(Eph.4:15).

Paul showed proper

be tempted to approach the unbelieverwith the attitude that unbelievers arefoolish and ignorant: so '1et's blow

them out of the water. A properboldness must not be confused withanogance and pushiness. The attitudesof patience and gentleness demonstrate not only a knowledge of God,but also the grace of God. We knowGod only by His gracious dealing withus when we were yet in unbelief.

The Lord reqUires that theChlistian's attitude reflect His ownlongsuffering character:

LetyourJorebearing spirit be knownto all men. The apostle Paul instructsTimothy: And the Lord's bond-servantmust 11 tbe quarrelsome, but be kind toall, able to teach, patient when wronged,with gentleness correcting those who are

Paul again couples the verbaldefense of the faith with attitude andconduct as he insnucts the Colossians,Conduct yourself wtth wisdom toward

outSiders, making the most oj theopportunity. Let your speech always bewithgrace , seasoned, as itwere, with salt,so that you may know how you shouldrespond to each person (Col. 4:5-6).What a shame for a Chlistian tologically win the argument only to losethe battl e wi th an uncharitable spilit.The nuth itself may offend, yet thebeli ever should not conduct himself inan offensive manner.

It is Christians themselves whooften prov e to be the greatest obstacles- the greatest arguments against theChristian faith. When believersconduct th emselves consistently within

respect to his audience at

the Areopagus in Athens as he madehis defense before that body (Acts17:22-34). s he addressed the angrycrowd at Jerusalem he likewiseaddressed them with respect: BrethrenandJathers, hear my deJense which Inowoffer (Acts 22:1). Again, as he madehis defense before King Aglippa, Paulshowed godly gentleness and respectfor the king: In regard to all the thingswhich am accused by theJews, considermyselfJortunate King Agrippa, that I amabout to make my deJen.se beJore youtoday; especially becauseyouare an expertin all customs and questions among theJews; thereJore beg you to listen to mepatiently (Acts 26:2-3). Even inresponse to the hostile attack of Festus(Acts 26:25 , Paul reacted withgentleness and reverence.

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Credibility: Reputationand .Engagement

The Christian must reflect thecllaracter of his heavenly Father andprovide ,a,godly example. Moreover,the Christian himself is ademonstration of God's work, which

we are to saybutHehasa lso in,structedthe believer concerning how he is tosay it.

Problem of Self-Confidencehe believer's attitude and conductshould provide the essential credit (te. ,credibiliry) he needS to back up biswords as he defends the tru th of the

faith. , As the bank account supportsthe check that is written, so the l;ife dfthe believer detennines the l i d i t yofhis own 'words. In that sense, t h ~

believ ,er should be conCinually aMingto his account for future use.

is a ,pa n , of God.'s reve14tion to the AstheChrist iangrowsinhisabilityunbeliever. Ephesians 2:10 says that and confidence to offera defense of hewe are His workmanship, created in faith to the unbeliever he runs the risk

Christ]esus . : As new men God's of placing confidence in himself ratherredemptive work is revealed in our than in God. The apologist may findlives. Letyaur light shine beJore men in that he can handle the intellectualsuch a way that they may see your good challenges of the unbeliever withoutworks, and glortJy your Father who is in much difficulty by employing goodheaven (Malt. 5:16). presuppositional apologetic methods

It may be useful to divide the , T\le ,Christian apologist needs also and tech)liques. ' He may, 'however,behavior of the apologist into t Wo i o ' realize that, while he may have a f o r g e t t h a ~ E z e k i e l h a d tcategories. First, the ,..-'-- -:-0,,-- ,-,, '' ' ' ' ' ~ ; ; ' ~ speak to the dry bones; he

apologist must consider his J',F 0 : (he C,hriSt,, an apologist to ; , also had to call upon thepast conduct in terms ofhis Spitit to breathe ' life into

geheralreputation. Second,geta"gry't t the unbeliever for those bones (Ezek, 37:7-the apologist m u s t l s o l i o r s u b m i t t i n g to the Christian 10). 'consider his particular faith is the equivalent o one When the apologistconduct when heis engaging . ' trusts in himself ratherthanthe unbeliever in a verbal who W O u tl ge ,t angry a t a e > God, he no longerand intellectual ' defense of : man (or , ot living; it is to cease p r e ~ p p o s e sthe truth ofthe faieb.. The neglect of h God's Word - he ha? puteither category of behavior p r e s u p o s m ~1 f " e C e s ~ ' t y0 a ' ' his confidence in the fleshmay effectively nullify the ' , worko( d,vmegrace m the and contradicts that whichcredibility of the apologist. heart of he ,unbeliever. he seeks to defend, Richard

A reputation is acqUired - - - - _ _ ..;...._ _ _ - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ -1 L P ]over a period of time and isd e t e n n i n e ~by the judgment of those ' good overail repuMion s it relates towho are in a position to observe our his past' conduct, he may jeopardiZeconduct . The believer's primary his defense of the faith if he fails toconcern must be that he maintains maintain i godly attitude and conductfaithfulness before God. When the dUring his . confrontation with thebeliever walks in a manner that is unbeliever. The defense of the faith ispleasing to God, he then may proceed often emptied of its impact when thet6 deal with the unbelieving world believer acts in an arrogant mannet orwith a clear cOnscience l Peter 3: 16). looses hi temper'with the unbeliever.The Christ ian should then be When the Christian acts in this way heconcerned that his reputation among haS denied the r d s h i pof Christ and

fellow believers is such that the house- the grace of God. For the Christianhold of faith holds him in high esteem. apologist to get angry atthe unbeliever

'Finally, the belieVer must be above for not SUbmitting to the Christianreproach in the eyes oftheworld, his faith is the eqUivalent of one whodoes not mean that they will not slander would get angry at a dead man for nothim (cf. 1 Peter 3: l6), but tha t the living; it is to cease presupposing theunbeliever Will have no justifiable necessity of a work of divine grace inreason for speaking evil of the the hean of the unbeliever. God hasChristian . not only revealed in His Word what

16 ~ THE COUNSEL of Chalcedon ~ April, 1994

, ratt, T., wrote:

,Too often, Christians studyapologetics and gain confidence inthemselves . This self-confidenceexhibits itself in that they approachthe non-Christian without the slightestacknowledgment of their need forGod's help in the situation. Thoughthey may be oonfident and work hardat defending the faith , it is seldom thatsuch Christians see much fruit fromtheir labor. They may confound theunbeliever but they will not convenhim by their own power. We must beconsistent in prayer before weapproach our opponents and after wehave spoken with them that we maybeconfident in Christ alone. 7

The Christian apologist needs togrow in both the knowledge and graceof God . It is the grace of God that

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enables us to acknowledge where ourknowledge of God comes from andproduces the necessary humility in thebeliever and dependence upon God.t s God's grace that convicts us of our

sins, and grants us repentance, andenables us wIollow Him in obedience.In our pursuit of knowledge we maynot leave off the pursuit of God's grace.Only when we possess both knowledgeand grace are we adequately equippedfor the apologetic task.

Conclusion

Presuppositional apologetics canieswith it ethical implications. In fact itdemands that our attitude and conductconform to our profession ofsubmission to every word of God.

It is only when words of truth areconnected with the capital of godlinessthat the words of he apologist becomeeffective and powerful to accomplishtheir purpose. Just as God's words andactions consistently bear witness tothe truth, so too the believer's wordsand actions must conSistently point to

the truth and leave the unbelieverwithout excuse.

When our attitudes and conductreflect our presuppositions in aconsistent way, then we will findourselves to be more effectiveapologists. This is accomplished inseveral ways.

First, it establishes credibility forour words when we are ethicallyconsistent with our worldview.Second, it makes the antithesis betweenthe believer and unbeliever moredistinct and brings the Christianworldview into collision with theunbelieving worldview.

Finally it gives us a clearconscience before God and puts theunbeliever to shame.

Our ultimate responsibility isfaithfulness to God. We might notplease, impress, defeat, or even repelthe unbeliever as we defend the faith,but we can all, by the grace of God,defend the faith in a manner that givesglory to God and pleases Him.n

Tapes By Judy Rogers

Footnotes:4. Cf. Romans 7:14-25. We should

note that this conflict between old andj'new man also provides a biblical andrational explanation for the limitedinconsistency that does remain in the lifeof the believer; though the believer maynot use this as an excuse for ungodlyconduct. The unbeliever's worldviewcannot account for his own ethicalconsistency.

5. A man must not only believe thetruth, he must also practice the truth inorder to understand it. If any man iswilling to do His will he shall know theteaching, whether it is of God" (John 7:17).

6. The truth of the Christian faith itselfdoes not rest on the credibility of theindividual believer but rather upon thecredibility of God Himself. However, asthe believer speaks to defend the credible

Christian faith, his own words may lackcredibility due to his failure to demonstratea life that is a godly example.

7. Pratt, Richard L., Every ThoughtCaptive, Presbyterian and ReformedPublishing Co., Phillipsburg, NJ: 1979, p.64.

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