Defending Whose Faith?
We are a people who are constantly ready to fight, argue, and defend what we believe are our rights, beliefs, and liberties. Americans especially always seem on edge.
Think about it: When was the last time you were flipped off in traffic? When was the last time you watched two adults argue (red in the face) their viewpoint on a “news” show? When was the last time you had a polite conversation about politics where neither side was getting agitated (and I don’t mean faking like everything is okay)?
This kind of “readiness to fight” often takes center stage in the Church as well. We are told that we need to “defend the faith,” and this command is undertaken with vigor. Far too often it begins with name-calling and labeling. At this point the conversation cannot go forward with any honesty. Because once someone has been made anything less than an image-bearer of God the conversation gets lopsided.
Most times both sides stop listening. No one wants to be called a name, and those calling the names are not interested in hearing anything more from the person that is now something other than a person. In the minds of many, this is okay, because they are just “defending the faith.” Which at this point causes me to ask, “When did God (or the Bible) ever ask us to defend the faith?
In Genesis 1, the writer starts his narrative by saying, “In the beginning God …” In Hebrew, God is the second word of the Scripture. The Scriptural narrative does not take a long time to simply state the reality of God. This is in contrast to other ancient creation narratives, in which there was always a back-story to the gods. However, for the God of Israel, no explanation was needed. He was and is and will always be.
Not much defense there. Throughout the Scriptures God speaks unapologetically to humanity. And what about Jesus? He always sought to affirm what was true, even though it went against the popular religious and political systems of his day. He did this all without a defensive attitude. Even when he stood before those who wanted him dead he exhibited grace, love, forgiveness that has proven elusive to most people throughout history. He did not defend; he simply affirmed what was true.
It was those who believed they were the guardians of religion that wanted him dead. It was the religious elite who defended the faith. It was the religious who were angry at his assertions. It becomes apparent in the Gospels that the religious were not so much interested in defending the faith as they were in defending their faith.
Has anything changed today? Many religious leaders make bold claims about their inside track to the truth of the Scriptures. They go on attack, they label, they attempt to destroy reputations, and chalk it all up to “defending their faith.” Maybe it’s that they are defending their faith. Maybe this explains the anger, vitriol, and unnecessary jabs that are taken at those who think differently.
Many times those who are truly representing Jesus do so with much more love and humility than those who have influential platforms today. How many martyrs have died with words of love on their lips? How many have been imprisoned only to sing hymns? Yet today, men and women living free lives cloaked in privilege and wealth get angry when someone disagrees with their theology? A little odd isn’t it?
Many may want to quote Peter who says in 1 Peter 3:15, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” This has been the clarion call for defenders to step up and defend. But this is only the first part of the verse. The rest says, “… do this with gentleness and respect.”
In the verses preceding this, Peter instructs his recipients to do good in the face of evil. He tells them to “repay evil with blessing.” He tells them to be compassionate and tells them to “love one another.” The assumption is that if we, as the people of God, do these things that people may want to know what makes us tick. Then, when they ask, tell them why you have hope.
Is it possible that when those who are not a part of the church see God’s people yelling names at each other, shouting accusations, and sounding more like political adversaries than brothers and sisters that they have no desire to ask us anything, much less about the hope we have?
In his letter to Timothy, Paul gives him firm instructions. He tells him to command others to stop teaching false doctrines. Once again the defenders mount up and are ready to ride. Remember, Paul is giving instructions to a young pastor who is leading a young, fragile community who has been inundated with teaching from Gnostics and Pagans. There were all sorts of teaching that were not consistent with Jesus. They needed more instruction.
Paul does not tell Timothy to “defend the faith.” No he tells him how to handle his leadership of those in his care. Paul then tells Timothy that “The goal of this command is love …” (1 Timothy 1:3-7). Even in explaining what we believe then, it is not to be done in a posture of defensiveness, which is the norm today, but with gentleness, respect, and the goal should be love.
Perhaps our defensive attitude comes from the American culture which we are all much too steeped in. The attitude of America going back to the Rebellion (that was for my British friends) has been one of defensiveness. This is one of the legacies that has been given to us – the legacy of fighting and violence. There are even those who identify themselves as Christians who carry a flag around that says, “Don’t tread on me!” We carry on this cultural legacy quite well.
We so often carry our American culture and our religion closer to our heart than the loving, liberating, freeing good news of Jesus. Maybe this is why we are so defensive, because we have been influenced more by a nation and religion than by a loving God. Maybe we are not defending God, the Bible, or even the Gospel at all. Perhaps we are more on the offensive than defense because we are interested in building our kingdoms. Few things are more powerful than ego, and few things are more defended than our false self.
Whenever people become angry enough to start calling names, labeling others, and making bold accusations I always wonder, “What are they hiding? What are they scared of?” After all, if it’s true it will be what lasts. If those who are defensive are right, then why get so defensive? If you must respond, do it well. If you are asked why you have hope, give and answer, but always with gentleness and respect, and may our goal always and forever be love.