The Christian’s Defense

“Martyrdom of St. Stephen” by Bernardo Cavallino (c. 1645), Prado Museum (Accession No. P07466), Source Web Gallery of Art (PD)

There is a popular series on the History Channel called “Vikings”.  Historical fiction, the series attempts to re-create the Viking worldview, as it existed before the adoption of Christianity.

The series treats the pagan beliefs of the Vikings with respect.  It goes to great lengths to portray pagan rituals (including human sacrifice) accurately, and in a positive light.   By contrast, scripts tend to portray Christian characters as weak, hypocritical and/or corrupt.

Interestingly, Ragnar, a central character, privately describes himself as an atheist toward the end of his life.  This is far outside the Norse sagas from which the series claims to derive.

It should come as no surprise that Christian beliefs are often attacked by non-believers.  On the scale of offense, “Vikings” barely registers.  We are routinely labeled as ignorant, backward, foolish, and deluded; our beliefs as derivative, misleading, even cruel [1].

Our Existence an Offense

Why should it matter to atheists what Christians believe?  What would it matter, if we believed in “little green men” [2]?  Yet our very existence is offensive to atheists.

“For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:  To the one we are the savor of death unto death; and to the other the savor of life unto life” (2 Cor. 2: 15-16).

The answer, of course, is simple.  Satan attacks the truth.  He does not bother to attack the lies he, himself, has fostered and spread.

The Reason for Our Hope

Many of those responding to such public attacks on Christianity are knowledgeable; their arguments, intelligent and well-reasoned.  All this is to the good.

We should be ready to defend our faith, when needed:

“Always be prepared to articulate a defense to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.  But respond with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you will be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ” (1 Peter 3: 15-16).

A Superior Attitude

Unfortunately, a superior attitude often creeps in.  This may feel justified, in human terms.  There may be Christian readers cheering on the sidelines.  But that is not how it should be.

We are to be examples of humility to the world.  Our defense of the faith can be vigorous without being snide.  Our stance should be pity and unfailing love.  Our goal is not to trounce our opponents.  It is rather to save lost souls – souls as lost as we once were.

Love Over Oratory

Scripture is a powerful tool for evangelizing:

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb. 4: 12).

Love must, however, take priority over oratory:

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal…and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing” (1 Cor. 13: 1 – 2).

Stephen, the first Christian martyr, is described as “full of faith and the Holy Spirit” (Acts 6: 5).  Stephen preached what is recognized as one of the greatest sermons in Scripture to an audience so hostile they killed him for it.

Yet Stephen genuinely loved his listeners.  With his dying breath, he – like Christ – prayed that his persecutors would be forgiven.  When we defend our faith, we must remember that this is our example.

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[1]  This statement does not take into account the outright persecution of Christians outside the United States, or the Christian lives deliberately taken by terrorists here and abroad.  In such cases, Christians are generally accused of blasphemy and idol worship.

[2]  Some atheists actually seem to be taking this route, crediting an unknown alien civilization with the origin of life on earth.

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