Southern Seminary Magazine (Vol 90.1) The Light of Truth: Apologetics in the 21st Century

tom schreiner
don’t be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, or of
me his prisoner. Instead, share in suffering for the gospel,
relying on the power of God” (2 Tim. 1:8).
Don’t Detract from Truth
That leads me to the next point, which is related to the
first one. Living like Jesus is the only way also means that
we will be humble. Our Lord calls on us to courageously
and boldly testify to the truth, but sometimes the way we
testify to the truth detracts from the truth.
I remember when I was a young scholar, and some of
the most prominent defenders of evangelicalism were
known for their brilliance and their boldness in fighting
error. But they were also known for their arrogance
and egos. There is no excuse for departing from the
truth of the gospel, but surely some have left evangelicalism
behind because of the spirit with which we have
defended the truth.
When we are contending for the truth, we must not
forget Paul’s admonition to Timothy:
The Lord’s slave must not quarrel, but must be gentle
to everyone, able to teach, and patient, instructing
his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will
grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge
of the truth (2 Tim. 2:24-25).
It is hard for people to hear the truth that Jesus is the
only way if we speak with an arrogance that suggests
that we are the only way. We must be firm in contending
for the truth, but Paul also commands us to be gentle
and patient and to proclaim the truth with gentleness
to those who disbelieve. Gentleness doesn’t mean
that we are wimpy. There is a gentle firmness, a gentle
sternness. But we must beware of anger, for it so often
stems from the flesh.
And those who oppose us are watching us, wondering
if we are genuine or if we pontificate about truth to exalt
ourselves. If they see anger, they conclude that we are defending
ourselves rather than the Lord. They suspect that
we defend certain positions to advance ourselves rather
than Jesus. So, we may proclaim that Jesus is the only way
but actually live as if we are the only way.
Proper Thanks
My third point reveals itself when we draw attention
to ourselves rather than the way, Jesus. We aren’t living
as if Jesus is the only way if we focus on ourselves in
conversations. Like everything else in life this is a matter
of spiritual wisdom. There are no formulas here. If you
have opportunity, it isn’t wrong to talk about your writing
projects and speaking opportunities. In fact, not sharing
what we are working on may be a form of false humility.
But we aren’t living as if Jesus is the only way unless we
obey Colossians 3:17: “And whatever you do, in word or
in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving
thanks to God the Father through him.”
If we are promoting our own name, we are not doing
“everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.” If we are living
to impress others, we are not living for the glory of
God, and we are not honoring him by depending upon
him. If you dominate most conversations and don’t really
listen to others, then you aren’t living as if Jesus is the
only way. If in most situations, you are the big cheese, and
you are critical, cynical, and negative, then your pride is
motivating you rather than the glory of God.
Do we listen—really listen—to others? We demonstrate
our love for God as 1 John says by loving our
brothers and sisters. We don’t truly love others if we don’t
listen to them respectfully and seriously. One of the dangers
of being Christian leaders is that we may listen to
fewer and fewer people as we get older. And we may fall
into the trap of having all of our prejudices confirmed, so
we don’t really see ourselves as we are.
That’s one reason it is a good idea to listen to our critics,
for even if they exaggerate their critiques, they almost
always see something that is true about us, something
that we need to repent of.
Finally, we live as if Jesus is the only way if we are
thankful people. As Psalm 36 says, those who know God
“feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them
drink from the river of your delights.” Believers drink
from the living water that Jesus gives us; we feast on the
beauty of God; we find him to be our joy, our meat and
drink; we are happy and thankful because of his love. We
know that there is nothing greater than knowing Christ.
Everything else is dung in comparison.
And you know what? People will know, no matter your
personality, if God is your portion. That can’t be hidden.
It will be evident. And they will be reminded by your joy
and contentment that Jesus is the only way.
Tom Schreiner is James Buchanan Harrison Professor of
New Testament Interpretation and Professor of Biblical Theology,
and Associate Dean of the School of Theology.
Editors’ note: This article was originally published at The Gospel Coalition.
38 the southern baptist theological seminary