Expert Apologist

Negatively…

The expert in apologetics is not necessarily the one with the best philosophical arguments. The expert in apologetics does not necessarily know all of the relevant facts. The expert in apologetics does not necessarily always have an intellectually satisfying answer on hand. The expert in apologetics is not constantly trying to defend his or her own name. The expert in apologetics is not constantly after opportunities to make his or her name known. The expert in apologetics does not withhold knowledge from others. The expert in apologetics does not use language no one can understand. The expert in apologetics is not trying to impress anyone. The expert in apologetics is not rude.  The expert in apologetics is not arrogant. The expert in apologetics has not forgotten what apologetics are for.

Positively…

The expert in apologetics is not troubled but fearless. The expert in apologetics honors Christ the Lord. The expert in apologetics regards Him as holy. The expert in apologetics has a hope in him or her. The expert in apologetics is asked about the reason for hope. The expert in apologetics is prepared to defend the reason. The expert in apologetics respects others. The expert in apologetics is gentle. The expert in apologetics has a good conscience and keeps it. The expert in apologetics gets slandered. The expert in apologetics has good behavior in Christ. The expert in apologetics is reviled because of good behavior. The expert in apologetics puts the enemies of Christ to shame through the aforementioned expertise.

While our lips are essential our lives are emphasized.

Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 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, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 1 Peter 3:14-16 (ESV)

From all my lame defeats and oh! much more
From all the victories that I seemed to score;
From cleverness shot forth on Thy behalf
At which, while angels weep, the audience laugh;
From all my proofs of Thy divinity,
Thou, who wouldst give no sign, deliver me.

Thoughts are but coins. Let me not trust, instead
Of Thee, their thin-wore image of Thy head.
From all my thoughts, even from my thoughts of Thee,
O thou fair Silence, fall, and set me free.
Lord of the narrow gate and the needle’s eye,
Take from me all my trumpery lest I die.

– C.S. Lewis