In 1 Pet 3:15, all christians are commanded to be ready to make a "defense" for the reason of their hope in Christ. The word "defense" is from apologia (Greek), which means "a speech in defense of what one has done, or of truth which one believes." The formal use of this word is used by Paul in Act 22:1; 1 Cor 9:3. Peter, however, uses the word in the context of an informal inquiry by a friend or neighbor, for example someone asking "Why are you a christian?" To such Peter says that we should be ready to give reasons why we believe.

Notice that the christian faith is an intelligent, rational faith. It appeals to the mind as well as to the heart. God expects us to use our minds - Matt 22:36-38; John 8:32. We do not have to stop using our minds in order to have christian faith! This is important, for as one person said, "My heart cannot rejoice in what my mind rejects!" A "weak faith" may be the result of the heart trying to believe in something the mind cannot accept but the "strong faith" God requires involves both the mind and the heart. Therefore it is important that we have reasons why we believe in an intelligent and rational manner.

Does this mean we can offer 100% proof? No, but there is virtually nothing of which we can be 100% sure. Yet, we often make 100% commitments with less than 100% proof such as riding in a car or flying on an airplane when we know not all airplanes nor all cars arrive safely at their destinations. We cannot be 100% certain that we will have a safe journey but the statistical evidence is strong enough to convince us that we will be safe so though we may not have 100% certainty of arriving safely, when we step on the plane or get in our car we make a 100% commitment! So the question becomes: is there enough evidence or proof to convince us to make a 100% commitment to Christ? I believe that there is enough evidence to commit myself 100% for Him, rather than be 100% against Him!

There is no other alternative, read Matt 12:30. Jesus is like an airplane; either we get on board totally, or we get left behind! So the christian faith is to be an intelligent rational faith. As an example, consider that the christian faith is a historical, factual faith.

Christianity appeals to history and to the facts of history. "The facts backing the christian claim are not a special kind of “religious” fact. They are the sound, tangible facts upon which all historical, legal, and ordinary decisions are based. These historical facts then demonstrate that the christian interpretation is more logical than any other. To briefly demonstrate that christianity is based upon actual historical facts consider Luke 2:1-5; 3:1-2. Notice the appeal to time, places, people and events that really existed in history. The christian faith then is a historical faith that appeals to certain facts of historical occurrence. It is not a philosophical faith appealing to philosophies of men nor is it a faith based upon myths and legends. This is very important.

As we consider the evidences for the christian faith, it is also important to bear in mind that the christian faith is an objective faith. It is a faith in an object: Jesus of Nazareth. Faith in who He was: the Christ, the Son of God, and faith in what He did: He rose from the dead on the third day. It does make a difference what we believe! The old cliche "It doesn't matter what you believe, as long as you believe in something" is inconsistent with the christian faith. Consider John 8:24; Rom 10:9. Note that it is not faith in or of itself that is important but in whom (the object) our faith is based and the fact that He raised from the dead.

The Clintwood Church of Christ, POB 746, Clintwood, Va. 24228. E-mail bryanwa@ntelos.net Our web address is clintwoodchurchofchrist.com