“Defend the Faith!”

Tony Shorter couldn’t wait to graduate from high school and attend Treyton University. Even though Tony was a student athlete for four years, he remained laser focused on academics and accomplishing the goals that would help him to get a scholarship to Treyton University to play on the men’s lacrosse team.

On May 27, 2010, Tony attended his high school graduation. With his parents, family members, and friends in attendance, he walked across the stage and received his diploma and recognition as an honors student. Shortly after graduation, Tony’s parents drove their son to Treyton University, where Tony would major in computer programming. Before they departed the campus and headed back to Mobile, AL, Tony’s parents reminded him of his Christian values. His father said, “Son, this college was not our first choice for you. We wanted you to attend Redeemer College. In addition to helping students obtain their degree, administration, staff, and faculty members work tirelessly to help students develop a Christian worldview that can withstand erroneous views that reject or oppose the Christian worldview.”

Tony smiled and said, “Dad, I told you I will be fine attending this college. You know I got saved and baptized when I was twelve years old. Furthermore, you and mom made sure I attended church every Sunday. So, don’t worry about your son. Nobody at this college can change my view of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, heaven and hell, or the Bible.” Tony’s father responded, “Well, son, I’m glad to hear you say that. It makes me feel better about you being at this college.” Tony looked at his father and said, “I will keep in touch and let you and mom know how I’m doing.”

The next day, Tony attended his first class, Philosophy 101. After professor and student introductions, professor Cantor quickly challenged his students through a philosophical construct called “The Euthyphro Dilemma.” Professor Cantor asked two juxtaposing questions: Is something good because God wills it? Or does God will something because it is good? Since it was close to the end of class, Professor Cantor said, “I want you to wrestle with this question and be prepared to share your answer in our next class session.” But even before Professor Cantor challenged his students to ponder both questions, Tony had already considered the outcome of both queries.

In his mind, Tony thought, “If something is good because God wills it, then what is good becomes arbitrary. Thus, God could will that hatred is good, and humans would be morally obligated to hate one another. If God wills something because it is good, then what is good or bad is independent of God. As a result, moral values and duties would exist independently of God, which contradicts premise 1.” Even though Tony knew the outcome for both questions, he didn’t have an answer for either one. As soon as class was over, Tony called his father and posed both questions. His father said, “Tony, I can’t help you with those questions, and I’ve never heard of The Euthyphro Dilemma. Why don’t you call Pastor C. and pose those questions to him? I’m sure he knows the answer.”

Tony called Pastor C, and after he shared the two questions, Pastor C asked, “Tony, did your professor call these questions ‘The Euthyphro Dilemma?’” “Yes, Pastor C. How did you know that?” “Tony, I’ve taken several philosophy and apologetics classes, and I had to write a paper on The Euthyphro Dilemma. Sometimes, people who do not believe in God will present The Euthyphro Dilemma to challenge Christians in their belief about God and to prevent others from considering God as an objective reality.” “So, Pastor C, how would you refute either of the two horns of The Euthyphro Dilemma?” “Tony, you don’t have to refute either of the two questions because both pose false premises. Your professor didn’t tell you this, but there’s a third alternative, which says God wills something because He is good. Thus, God’s nature is the standard of goodness. Therefore, moral values are never independent of God.”

Pastor C commended Tony for reaching out for help. Before the conversation ended, Pastor C said, “Tony, I know your parents wanted you to attend a Christian college, and I commend them for their guidance. But since you chose another college that does not promote Christian values, you will be confronted with beliefs and ideologies contrary to your Christian worldview. On some occasions, you will be challenged to defend your faith and what you believe as a Christian.”

Pastor C’s challenge to Tony is the same challenge that Peter issued to all Christians when he wrote, “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Pet. 3:15). The word “defense” comes from the Greek word apologia, and it means a defense, as in a court of law. Christian apologetics involves making an argument for the truth of the Christian faith. When we present our case for the Christian faith, it does not mean being argumentative. We are to give our defense of the Christian faith with “gentleness and respect” (1 Pet. 3:15). According to Paul, we are to “speak the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15).

Moreover, we cannot present a defense of the Christian faith without dedicating time to reading and studying God’s Word and developing the apologetics skills that allow us to combine faith and reason like the apostle Paul did when he “reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the market place every day with those who happened to be there” (Acts 17:17). Defending the faith is not something that is limited to pastors and Christian scholars. The challenge to defend the faith is for all believers. Thus, all believers should grow and develop to the extent that they can defend the Christian faith.

In Defending Your Faith, R.C. Sproul wrote, “Defending the faith to the best of our ability is not a luxury or an indulgence in intellectual vanity. It is the task given to each one of us as we bear witness to our faith before the world.” Whenever we defend the Christian faith, it is never about us. It is always about our attempt to fulfill the divine mandate and directives established by the Lord Jesus Christ and His apostles (Matt. 28:19-20; 1 Peter 3:15; Jude 1:2). I challenge all believers to defend the Christian faith, as you become a vanguard for truth in an age of falsities.