That would be too negative, eh?

You express the conclusion that I and others have reached as we struggle to understand the proper role of apologetics both historically and contemporaneously. I would not call it an interesting side-show, as apologia, like it or not, holds a high place in the Christian witness for Paul. I agree (for the moment) that the best expression of “making a defense” is precisely in the realm of the law. Even the most staunch apologists in our circles won’t give it the credit that faith is due. We’ve discussed this before with the expression of bringing one to the front door of faith as a full-blooded Arminian.

The JW Montgomery crowd demonstrates their role as harmonious with creating ascentia through reasonable defense, in contrast with fiducia. As such it has nothing to do with the Gospel but is merely preparatory. For the unbeliever, this so-called “breaking down of walls” is typically through natural law and various philosophical arguments. Whether they believe a lick of it is another story.

My post intended to deal with the other side of the equation, that is, the role of apologetics for the believer. Perhaps one ought to make a distinction between regenerate and unregenerate reason. Maybe not. Either way, being prepared to make a defense seems to have value for the apologist too. As long as he remains in sin, Satan’s lies can draw him away from fiducia. I have here in mind the radical Atheist crowd or generic universalists. Societal pressures may be at their core illogical but people seem to be persuaded by the ethic of our day. Here apologetics can serve some value to defend against the enemy’s attack via argument or lie.

Still, that being said, the role is still part of the daily dying to sin and thus, law. I don’t have any problem learning how to destroy faulty propositions. As you know, skillful law preaching is hard to come by, myself included. Too often I fall into moralism or generic application, rather than the precise use of the scalpel or hammer. Being able to see to the heart of the matter is one area where philosophy (and apologetics) can teach us something.

My Sunday ramble. Someday I will study ascentia in a bit more detail in the Lutheran fathers.

If the scandalous (and I would say an essential) aspect of faith is that it is so frequently contrary to reason, that doesn’t speak highly of the value of an enterprise devoted to bringing reason in conformity to it (to faith). The power of the Christian faith, as you pointed out, is the Spirit’s work through His chosen means. It is not the faith’s partial unreasonableness, historical grounding, or precision in claims. It’s still not clear to me how the apologetic enterprise is anything beyond an interesting side-show. It does not belong to the Gospel, and I sometimes wonder if it is truly Law. (If it were Law, it has to do with the tearing down and exposing of men’s unbelief and hatred toward God. You seem to be crediting that to the Spirit’s work in the means of the Word and Water, not to apologetics.) Thoughts?

1.I will know about the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia in theology and to who are
joint at organisation in the world?
2.I’m a pastor in Indonesia and graduated wisconsin evangelical lutheran synod seminary at Indonesia. I rejected the ordination woman pastor,oikoumene

God Bless,

Rev.Tumpak Sianturi STh

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