Are You a Pure Apologist?
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Purity is a fascinating thing. Perhaps you’ve never thought about it in terms of a definition, but according to one dictionary something that is pure is “without any extraneous or unnecessary elements.” Think of how important purity is in everyday life. What would we do without pure water, or, to think of it in a negative way, would we want to drink impure water? What about pure air? Impurities in the air cause serious problems, don’t they? On and on I could go with examples of the importance of purity in everyday life, but I want to think with you for a moment about purity as it relates to apologists. Right away, you might ask how the two relate. You likely think of purity in the moral realm, at least I hope you do, but what about purity in other areas? What about the intellect, the method, the vision of an apologist? Is there anything important to consider in these areas? I think there is, and with this in mind, I want to consider what it means to be a “pure” apologist by focusing on four areas: 1) intellectual purity; 2) methodological purity; 3) visional purity; and 4) moral purity.
Before we go further, a quick qualifier is in order concerning how I will use purity in these instances. I realize, as I am sure you do, that we all carry the vestigial remains of our fallenness in each of these areas and that absolute purity is not something we can achieve in this life. Also, I am not trying to impinge on the individuality of each apologist, deny freedom of expression and the uniqueness each of us possesses in conducting our work, or mandate an inflexible and wooden black-and-white/either-or approach. I do, however, want to challenge every apologist to consider how they might avoid, to hearken back to the definition of purity given above, bringing “extraneous or unnecessary elements” into their practice of defending the faith.
Intellectual Purity
Intellectual purity for apologists means two things, as I see it. First, making sure that we know the facts of a particular argument or position and guarding those facts by not allowing unrelated matters or secondary concerns to come into our considerations. For example, when arguing for the veracity of the New Testament, make sure to stay with the germane and reliable evidence in our favor. Don’t chase rabbit trails, fun as that may sometimes be. Staying intellectually pure in this way helps focus the argument and such focus gives it greater power. Second, intellectual purity for an apologist can relate to the discipline of regularly feeding the mind with good apologetic material. I make it a regular habit to read and reread the books by Dave Baggett, keeping my mind fresh on the details of his immensely helpful approach to making a moral argument. Remember, apologist, our commitment to ongoing intellectual development and purity is one of the ways the Lord continually renews our minds.
Methodological Purity
Methodological purity for apologists is, first, to learn and apply the basic skills of argumentation without becoming argumentative and divisive. My preference is to argue abductively (most of the time), and to do so in a very gentle and giving manner. Nothing turns a questioner away from us and our Lord more quickly than a heavy-handed, dogmatic approach when making our case. Further, if you are an evidentialist, then be an evidentialist. If a classical apologist, then be a classical apologist. Rarely is an apologist able to move in and out of different apologetic methodologies without diluting their presentations and confusing their hearers. Pick a camp and, if possible, stay in it. This helps your skill as a defender, and we all should want to be skilled. Please don’t fall into the trap of thinking your method is the only or best method. Choose your approach and hold it lightly. Do hold it, but remember the method is the vehicle, and there are numerous ways to get there.
Visional Purity
Visional purity speaks to the need to stay focused on the goal, which is the person and the glory of God. We are not given the high calling as apologists to win arguments. We are called to win people. Don’t confuse the two, or you will find yourself, as one of the elders in a church I served years ago said, “right but alone.” Also, keep your vision as an apologist rigidly fixed on the glory of God and showing Him love by loving others in the process. It’s easy to miss this last point, especially if we reduce those we engage to the status of opponents. You’ve never met an opponent; not really. You have, however, met those for whom Jesus died and for whom He longs to have a relationship. Keep that at the forefront of your minds and hearts, friends.
Moral Purity
If the enemy of our souls cannot corrupt our intellect he will go after our morals. This is axiomatic in the apologetic realm, and there is no more direct route to ineffectiveness and disqualification as an apologist than to compromise yourself morally. Seek holiness above all else and you will be far less likely to disparage the message and dishonor the Savior. Because apologists spend so much time in the rational and objective realms of evidence and logical discourse, it can be easy to neglect the development of the heart. Don’t fall prey to the sin that wants to dominate you and silence your witness. In the end, it doesn’t matter how smart you are if you are morally impure.
In closing, I hope you will consider a bit from C. S. Lewis’s third letter from Screwtape to his nephew, Wormwood. In giving counsel on how to best manage the unfortunate effects of Wormwood’s charge having recently converted to Christianity, Screwtape reminds him to “aggravate that most useful human characteristic, the horrors and neglect of the obvious.” Apologists I trust it is obvious we need to guard purity of intellect, method, vision, and morality. May God help us do so.
Dr. Thomas J. Gentry (aka., TJ Gentry) serves as the pastor of First Christian Church of West Frankfort, Illinois, the Executive Editor of MoralApologetics.com, and Executive VP of Bellator Christi Ministries. Dr. Gentry is a world-class scholar holding 5 doctorate degrees and 6 masters degrees. Additionally, he is a prolific writer as he has published 7 books including Pulpit Apologist, Absent from the Body, Present with the Lord, and You Shall Be My Witnesses: Reflections on Sharing the Gospel. Be on the lookout for two additional books that he will soon publish. In addition to his impressive resume, Dr. Gentry proudly served his country as an officer in the United States Army and serves as a martial arts instructor.
