One of the dangers of apologetics is that we can get completely focused on winning arguments or bringing in converts to Christianity. There is nothing wrong with those things. We want both to happen. But when they are our complete focus, there can be a temptation to let our integrity slide.
How does that happen? We can feel the need to pad our arguments, relying upon quantity rather than quality. We can share stories and supposed facts without checking for accuracy, betting that those we talk to won’t check either. We can rely on the power of rhetoric rather than the simple Gospel. Unfortunately, some Christians have even been caught enhancing their own testimony to the point of making it more fiction than reality. Others toss out biblical texts without any concern for context, hoping that the sheer weight of biblical authority will carry the argument.
The Apostle Paul wrote: “But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:2 ESV) This is such an important reminder. Our job is not to produce results with our own impressive skills but to present the truth, to be faithful to God’s word. We must flee from the short cuts, even though that might make things more difficult in the short run. We must be transparent and proclaim the Gospel with a life of integrity. The moment we let go of our integrity, our ministry literally can disintegrate. What we need to do is be faithful to God, proclaim the truth and leave the results in God’s hands.
