This is the final post of a three-part series. If you haven’t yet read Parts 1 & 2, I recommend you do so before continuing here. In Part 1, I submitted a biblical approach to how and when I believe one should enter into a debate. In Part 2, I started to unpack the art of Apologetics, and the proper response in how we defend our faith. In this post I want to discuss both debate and defend and how they both fit into the Kingdom Way, and yet not at all. This will unfold as we start to view these terms through the lens of what some have called the Upside Down Kingdom (Act 17:6).
For all intents and purposes for this blog, let me set some ground work. The Kingdom of God/Heaven is not necessarily a physical place per se. It embodies an ideal characterized by the King – His character and His will being established on earth both in and through humanity. Jesus made this point clear when he taught his disciples how to pray. “Your [God’s] Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matt 6:10). The Kingdom of Heaven should not be confused with Heaven itself. While Heaven can be considered part of The Kingdom, The Kingdom is not relegated or confined to Heaven’s realm, even though Heaven is the Kingdom’s source of origin (Jn 18:36). Jesus on multiple occasions spoke of The Kingdom as not being a place, but personified among us here on earth (Lk 10:9, Lk 11:20, Lk 17:20-21). This is known as Kingdom Now theology. There is so much more I could say on this. However, I will leave this alone for now. I don’t want to get too far off point.
OK, I’m probably going to go fast here and not talk in complete sentences, but try to follow my progression. Christ is the direct representation of God (Jn 14:9, 2 Cor 4:4, Col 2:9). We are being conformed into that image (Rom 8:29). Because of this, we are the light of the world and God’s ambassadors to the world bringing His Kingdom (Matt 5:14, Phil 2:15, 2 Pet 1:19, 2 Cor 5:20).
Yes, we are ambassadors of the King, so it is important how we represent the King and His Kingdom. At the risk of sounding cliché, we very well could be the only “Jesus” the world sees. To live a truly Christocentric life, we must view Christ as the full representation of God (Col 2:9), and emulate him as the ultimate example (Jn 20:21, Jn 14:12).
You may be asking: What does this have to do with how we debate or defend our faith?
As I set out to define a biblical view of debating and defending (as seen in Parts 1 & 2 of this series), I stated that both have their place in the right time with the right attitude. With that being said, I also believe that both debate and defend should be relegated by a Kingdom view as seen in the sacrificial love of Christ.
Let me explain. While I believe that both concepts of debate and defend are biblically supported as part of the Kingdom, I also believe them to be the exception and not the rule. They are to be isolated occurrences, and not the standard for Christ-living. The radical gospel Christ delivered was so counter-cultural in His day, and seemingly even more so in ours. Christ’s Kingdom way was infinitely simplified from the ancient well honored way, yet God’s people struggled with it then, and we as Christ followers, struggle with it now. This is none other than the Gospel of Love. Jesus was very clear naming the two greatest commandments – Love the Lord your God, and love your neighbor as yourself (Matt 22:36-40). He also adds clarifications as to the greatest kind of love – self sacrificial love (Jn 15:12-13). Jesus even goes to the ultimate extreme and lives out what he “preaches” (Jn10:11,18; 2 Cor 5:14).
Before Jesus debated the Pharisees with a strong rebuke, He was moved with compassion on the multitudes because of their need. Before Jesus defended His teachings to the critics, He sought to liberate the captives and heal the sick. Instead of responding according to the worlds way and aggressively advancing His Kingdom with a strong-arm wielding a sword, Jesus chose an upside down approach and started a revolution that was from a self-sacrificial love for others – considering the needs of others above His own (Phil 2:3-8). This revolution continues today. The question is, are we following suit? Are we following Jesus’ lead? Or, are we more concerned about our theological stance and our religious freedom, that we fail to reflect the heart of God?
Our theology will “save” no one. It’s the goodness and loving kindness of God that brings transformation (Rom 2:4, Titus 3:4-5). We should not be headstrong in an effort to debate or defend our faith at any cost. More times than not, the cost is the rejection of our proclamation, because it’s wrapped and delivered with a spirit of pride and condemnation. Rather, we must be heart-strong in an effort to reflect God’s redeeming love to others, even if it costs us everything. There may even be times when silence speaks louder than words (Isa 53:7, Matt 26:62). After all, isn’t that the standard that Christ set? The world will know us by the love we show (Jn 13:34-35).
May we continue to debate among others of like faith in order to sharpen and refine our character in Christ. May we also be ready to defend our faith to those inquiring as to the basis of our beliefs with the meekness of Christ. But above all, may we always be willing to share the self-sacrificial love of God as seen through the person of Jesus. Jesus is… He is the way, the truth, and the life! There is nothing we can add to Jesus to make His gospel any better. Jesus plus nothing is the good news of the Kingdom. Jesus alone is the gospel of The Kingdom – His way is The Kingdom Way!!
Dive Deep 