Christian Life

What’s The Best Way to Defend Your Christian Faith?

by Dale Partridge

We live in a highly emotional world where arguments of morality and justice are built upon social topics like abortion, sexuality, gender, and culture. Additionally, the church is starting to experience resistance in the form of challenging questions and even threats for holding to the historic Christian perspective on these matters.

But what should our response be? How are we to defend our faith against the increasing hostility? Are we to learn how to defend our moral positions and form strong arguments for our values? Are we to persuade people to see truth by way of intellect and objectivity?

In this episode, pastor Dale Partridge argues that while those disciplines are helpful at times, our biblical mandate as Christians is not to defend every politically charged issue but to defend and present the Gospel. Join him as he breaks down the text of 1 Peter 3:15 and helps Christians understand how to invest their intellectual efforts for the most fruitful return.

This Episode’s Question

“Pastor Dale, recently I have been studying apologetics in an effort to give a defense for my faith as instructed in 1 Peter 3:15. However, there are so many issues to learn how to defend. Can you help me focus on which issues matter most?”

Luke -Gilbert, AZ.

Additional Resources

As an Amazon Associate, Relearn.org earns from qualifying purchases.

Scripture References

  • 1 Peter 3:15

    “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.”

  • John 8:44

    “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires.”

  • 2 Corinthians 4:4

    “In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ…”

  • Ephesians 2:1-3

    “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.”

  • Romans 3:11-18

    “None is righteous, no, not one;
    11 no one understands;
    no one seeks for God.
    12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
    no one does good,
    not even one.”
    13 “Their throat is an open grave;
    they use their tongues to deceive.”
    “The venom of asps is under their lips.”
    14 “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”
    15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;
    16 in their paths are ruin and misery,
    17 and the way of peace they have not known.”
    18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

  • 1 Corinthians 2:14

    “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.”

  • 1 Corinthians 3:6-7

    “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.”

  • John 3:3

    “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

  • John 6:44

    “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent Me draws him.”

  • John 6:65

    “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”

  • Romans 10:17

    “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

  • John 10:24-30

    “The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me. 26 But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”

What is Biblical House Church?

Learn more about the thousands of Christians who are gathering in intimate, missional, and biblical communities. Get started by downloading our free PDF titled "The Basics of Biblical House Church."

After watching or listening to this episode, what is your opinion? Do you have any questions or comments? Maybe you have something to add to the discussion? If so, let us know in the comments below.

View Comments
Eschatology
Part 5: Postmillennialism and the Kingdom Parables
Eschatology
Part 4: How God Gradually Saves the World

Popular Podcasts

Part 3: How the Gospel Ought to Shape Society
Real Christianity

Part 2: The Paralysis of Pessimistic Eschatology
Real Christianity

Part 1: The Paralysis of Pessimistic Eschatology
Real Christianity

A Biblical Definition of Glory
Real Christianity

Does God Care What We Wear to Church?
Real Christianity

Christ & Chronic Illness Pt. 4: A Theology of Pharmaceuticals, Supplements, Diets, & Tools for Wellness
Real Christianity

Christ & Chronic Illness Pt. 3: A Biblical Lifestyle for Healing
Real Christianity

Christ & Chronic Illness Pt. 2: Suffering like Christ
Real Christianity

Christ & Chronic Illness Pt. 1: My Story
Real Christianity

The Cultural Obsession of Pet Idolatry
Real Christianity

Book Reviews

Church Practice

Christian Life

Topics
Suggested Posts
Church Practice

The Allure and Danger of the Roman Catholic Church
Dale Partridge
8 Minute Read
Evangelism

The Loss of Your Soul: Urgent Reflections on Your Eternity
Relearn.org
8 Minute Read
Christian Life

Biblical Patriarchy vs. Complementarianism: a Quick Look at their Distinctions
Dale Partridge
8 Minute Read