This is a guest post from "Miss Sword". She wanted me to run it on one of my Weblogs. Her preference is the King James Version, so I had to put "KVJ" after each link so the default RefTagger version did not pop up. We both hope that you find it encouraging and edifying.
—Cowboy Bob
Apologetics
is the branch of Christianity that deals with
the defense and establishment of
the Christian faith.
— CARM
As much as I love apologetics, I
think there is a danger in it and all Christians should beware. 1 Cor. 1:20-21 KJV
reminds us that all the wisdom of this world cannot help us to know God (see
also 1 Cor. 3.19-20 KJV).
Our primary weapon should be the
two-edged Sword that pierces to the very soul, spirit, and heart of man (Heb. 4.12 KJV). It is what the Lord Himself used when Satan came to tempt Him in Luke 4.
The Bible is the Word of God (2
Tim. 3:16 KJV). It is eternal (1 Peter 1:25 KJV, Psalm 119:89 KJV). It is "quick" (Heb. 4.12 KJV), which means alive. No
man's word has the power that God's words have. When defending our faith, His words
should be our main defense. Why use dead (and dying) men's words when we
have the living Word?
I know the story of Polycarp is very
moving and I'm thankful that it's still being told. I also know that it's very
interesting, particularly to secular historians, that Tacitus mentioned our
beloved Christus. But we must remember that these things are not the true faith
builders. These things are historical, not eternal.
We are instructed to "walk by
faith" (2 Cor 5:7 KJV). "Facts", "evidences", and
historical documents are not necessary,
only supplemental. (That includes
arguments about science! 1 Tim. 6.20-21 KVJ) Wouldn't that be walking more by
"sight"? "Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet
have believed" (John 20:29 KJV). Faith comes through the Word (Romans
10:17 KJV), not these other means. Without faith, we can't please Him (Heb 11:6 KJV).
By grace we are saved through faith, not of works (Eph 2:8 KJV) and certainly not
of worldly knowledge or wisdom (1 Cor 1:25 KJV). One could be
'highminded' but never come to the knowledge of the truth (2 Tim 3:4 KJV, 2 Tim 3:7 KVJ).
Bible believers should never allow neither
history nor science to interpret God's Word. History is subject to flaws,
viewpoints, and opinions. Science viewpoints change. The Word of God is the
same, forever (1 Pet 1:23 KJV, Isaiah 40.8 KJV).
If we subject ourselves (and the
Scriptures) to these human courses of study, we will find ourselves having to
'add to' or 'take away' from the Word of God in order to make them fit; as in
the case of old-earth creationists vs. young-earth creationists.
The weapons of our warfare are not
carnal (of the flesh or physical world), but mighty through God (2 Cor 10:4 KJV).
Our faith can't stand on the wisdom of men or the wisdom of this world, but in
the power of God alone (1 Cor 2:5-6 KJV). James 1:21 KJV tells us that it is the Word
that saves our souls.
1 Peter 3:15 KJV tells us to be ready to
give a "reason" for the hope that is within us. In Acts 17:2 KJV, we
learn from Paul's example that "reasoning" comes from the Scriptures.
In 1 Cor. 2.2 KJV, Paul tells us that he
determined to know nothing save Christ and that he didn't come with
"enticing words of man's wisdom" but rather with the Spirit and power
(of God) so that their faith would not be based on men's wisdom but rather on
God's power. He goes on to say in verse 13 that they didn't speak "in the
words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth.."
Worldly ''proof'' makes for
interesting conversation and makes us appear as intellectuals (knowledge
puffeth up 1 Cor 8:1 KJV), but it will not save the lost.
Christ came to seek and save the
lost (Luke 19:10 KJV). He is the Word (John 1.1 KJV, John 1.14 KJV). He alone is sufficient
for that battle (2 Cor 3:5 KJV).
Sola Scriptura — It stands alone.
— Miss Sword