I was thinking today about the first time I ever encountered apologetics. I was a brand new Christian and pretty simplistic in my faith. I was convinced that you should only read Christian books, listen to Christian music, listen to Christian radio and watch Christian television. As a result, I watched according to the limited availability of Christian television. That means I was watching Trinity Broadcasting Network, since I thought that was what I was supposed to do. Usually it was pretty standard televangelist programming. But one night their guest was Hugh Ross.
I wish I could say that I heard Ross and instantly knew I was supposed to be an apologist. Instead, I was shocked that he was trying to explain Christianity rationally. It seemed somehow… un-Christian. I assumed you had to take everything on faith and had to dismiss all reason. I think I actually questioned his salvation. However, my simplistic faith could not keep me going for long. I eventually had to work through reason and truth to understand what Christianity was really about.
I wonder how many other Christians have experienced something similar. Apologetics is not something that goes against faith. Rather it is something that supports our faith. God wants us to use our mind and to think through our faith.
- Apologetics
- Hugh Ross
- Trinity Broadcasting Network