Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (1 Peter 3:13-16)

Just a short post this morning. I’ve been asked to speak to a Bible-study group on the topic of “Apologetics,” and I’m scrambling to be ready by 10:00.

I’ll post more on this tomorrow, but for today I’d like us to think about the idea of “defending faith.” There are people who go to a lot of time and trouble developing “arguments” that are designed to tear down belief systems other than their narrowly constructed religiously evangelical approach to Christianity.

For now, I’ll just share this one thought. What if we are never “asked to give the reason for the hope that we have?” What if we’re all argument and no living hope?

That, you see, is my concern when it comes to the presentation of the Good News in 2013 and beyond. The early church – as described in Acts Chapter Two – “had the goodwill (the favor) of the people.”

Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

There was something about the kind of life these Jesus-followers lived that communicated, well, hope. It’s no wonder they had the opportunity to share.

So my bottom-line approach to the idea of “apologetics” is this: Let’s live into hope in such a way that if any words become necessary, they’re simply words of clarification:

“Oh, yes, I’d be happy to tell you about the joy and peace that’s evident in my life. It’s because I follow Jesus! All I can really tell you about is what I’ve seen and heard (Acts 4). I see God’s love poured out, both in my own life and in the faith community where I worship. Why don’t you come and see (John 1)…?”

In joy, and in hope, and in the context of God’s faithful promises – DEREK