Be Like Jude

We live in a generation with a lot of questions, a lot of doubts. There’s a lot of cynicism, especially where religion is concerned. How do we help people answer those questions or soothe those doubts? How do we, like Pascal said, make Christianity attractive so that good people wish it were true?

One thing we can do is become Jude 3 apologists.

I sympathize with Jude. He wrote, “although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints” (v3). Think about that. He was “very eager” to write something like Romans, or at least Ephesians, but he “felt compelled” to give them this charge instead: “contend for the faith,” that is, defend the faith.

I feel the same way. I’d rather be reading and talking about the grace of God, about our adoption by the Father, about the hope we have in Christ. Even when I read apologetics, I don’t want to collect zingers for arguments with atheists; I want to marvel at God’s fingerprints in creation and join with David in crying

The heavens declare the glory of God;
   the skies proclaim the work of his hands. (Psalm 19:1)

But we live in this world, surrounded by people who need Jesus — people who have built bulwarks against the gospel. We live in an age when the institutions of our society promote naturalism, Christian leaders are publicly “deconstructing”, and people actively look for new ways to attack Christianity from within and without. For the sake of our neighbors, for the church, for the sake of our children and their children, we have to face up to this challenge and contend for the faith.

In Jude’s charge, let’s look at two different messages for two different groups. Then I’ll offer some suggestions to help you get going.

First, to those who don’t want to contend for the faith:

Defending the faith is not optional. People need it. So many people have so many questions. Skepticism abounds on the internet. Believers can be led to doubt, and unbelievers can be taught that Christianity is ridiculous. If we do not help them, we’re leaving these people like sheep to the wolves.

Also, the scriptures command it. Besides here, we have Peter’s instructions that we “be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1Pet 3:15). One of our roles in this world is to “demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God” (2Cor 10:5).

That sounds violent to a lot of people. Angry, even. It’s not. It’s one of the most loving things we can do. Contending for the faith isn’t being argumentative; it’s helping people see the truth. Don’t think of it as being a boxer or a soldier; think of it as being a crossing guard. Prepare yourself to watch out for those less mature in the faith.

I hope you practice and enjoy the spiritual disciplines like prayer, study of the scriptures, meditation, and charity. Knowledge is also a spiritual discipline. Putting in the time and effort to learn the facts and shaping them into a coherent explanation is good for your mind, good for your soul, and good for your neighbor. So with Jude I urge you, “content for the faith”!

Second, to those who already do this eagerly:

Some people just love this stuff. They have shelves full of apologetic books, and their playlists are largely apologists, skeptics, and apologists debating skeptics. If that’s you, I want to remind you that knowledge isn’t the only spiritual discipline. Make sure you’re practicing the others.

You know how to show Christianity is true; remind yourself that it is beautiful. Step away from the arguments for the existence of God for a bit and just enjoy God. Instead of thinking about defending the resurrection, spend some time reflecting on all we are and have in Christ.

Chesterton said a good soldier fights “not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.” Remind yourself what it is you love, what you’re defending. Neither our society nor the church needs another angry arguer, but we deeply need passionate defenders.

Now let me suggest some reading to help you get started:

Those who need to learn to contend for the faith need to learn the information and then how to use it. Let me suggest a beginner book to get you started on the content: The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel. It’s not a perfect book, but it’s easy to read, introduces you to the major topics, and most importantly tells you how to go deeper on the issues that catch your interest.

But how do you use this stuff? I recommend you follow that book with Tactics by Greg Koukl. Really, the book is about how to be a better conversation partner. The techniques he shares are useful not only in evangelism and apologetics but also in everyday life.

For those who love apologetics, let’s make sure we also enjoy God. JI Packer’s Knowing God is considered a modern classic for good reason. If you haven’t read it, put it at the top of your list. If you’ve read it, read it again. Follow that with Union with Christ: The Way to Know and Enjoy God by Rankin Wilbourne: “Nothing is more practical for living the Christian life than union with Christ. The recovery of this reality provides the anchor and engine for your life with God—for your destiny is not only to see Christ, but to actually become like him.” In working for Jesus, let’s don’t forget to love, enjoy, and follow him.

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (Jude v24-25 ESV)

Image by Lewis Clarke via Creative Commons