During my Air Force years (1970-1974) I became intensely interested in Christian apologetics — the ability to defend the claims, the teachings of the Bible. Indeed, Jude 3 says, “…I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.”
The apostle Peter gives a similar charge in I Peter 3:15: “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
I earnestly endeavored to arm myself with answers for folks I’d encounter who maintained Christianity’s claims were false; critics who argued that there was little, if any scientific proof, historical proof, etc. for the claims of the Bible and hence historic Christianity. I did my homework — and I willingly (and hopefully lovingly!) “witnessed” to these folks whenever an opportunity presented itself.
Well, guess what? After nearly 45 years of providing logical reasons for skeptics to at least consider, I honestly cannot point to even one critic-convert! So what’s going on here? I did what Jude and Peter said to do — and no-go!
There are actually many things going on here — far too many to flesh out in a devotional format such as this! So, let’s consider just a few possibilities.