1 Thessalonians 2, 3 and Apologetics

I am not in this post seeking to formulate a total, exhaustive definition of apologetics. I am however, seeking to emphasize what is in my mind a clear part of apologetics that often gets missed, and that is its relation to reality, or in another way, its practice. What I am arguing for is that apologetics is both intellectual and practical and that Paul exhibited an apologetic for ministry by using his own as an example. He put his apologetic in the flesh. He communicated his apologetic through his ministry. You cannot divorce your apologetic from your life! Apologetics is, to borrow a term from Francis Schaeffer, “orthodoxy in the flesh” as much as it is intellectual.

It has been said Paul is not giving an apologetic (defense) of his ministry to the church at Thessalonica in 1 Thessalonians 2 and 3. I think that is true, I agree that he was not giving an apologetic for his ministry, but he was giving an apologetic nonetheless, an apologetic of Christian ministry in the flesh (in practice). Let me explain. Paul is not giving a defense of what he did as if he did something wrong, came under attack for it, and had to defend himself, but he is presenting an apologetic of how he did his ministry and hence how anyone else should do it! Thus Paul presents an apologetic of ministry in 1 Thessalonians 2 and 3 by giving example of his own ministry. This example of his ministry is a defense (or apologetic) of the proper manner by which ministry should be done. Not a “defense” in the manner of being on the defensive or under attack, not “defense” in the sense of justifying ones actions or words, but a “defense” in the sense of proving the right and proper manner by which something should be done or understood, in this case, ministry.

Apologetics is often described or discussed in relation to its being a "defense." This is certainly true, and this is certainly its primary purpose. However, in my honest opinion, for apologetics to be understood as merely a "defense" is to rob it of any effectiveness by keeping it merely academic or intellectual. Let me explain. It is important for one to be ready and able to give a defense of ones worldview, especially in the realm of Christianity because the Christian worldview proclaims itself to be total truth, total reality, or true truth. For such a profound and staggering claim then, those who hold to it must be able to defend its truth to all who would ask. But being able to defend something intellectually is not nearly the same as being able to live accordingly to it. You see, for something to be "true" it must correspond to reality, because reality reflects truth. Christianity as a worldview certainly corresponds to reality, and this is why it becomes tantamount in importance for believers to defend it intellectually, but also to practice their apologetic in the everyday rhythm of life! To intellectually understand and defend the credibility of the Christian worldview is one thing, but then to live another is no apologetic whatsoever. The way you live your life is an apologetic. The way you do ministry is an apologetic. The way you interact with people is an apologetic. The way Paul said he does his ministry is an apologetic. The way you live your life exhibits and effectively communicates a defense of your faith.

I do not think we can rip the practical part out of apologetics, because then what is the worth of even having an apologetic? Isn’t the nature or purpose of an apologetic to defend a position? But why defend that position if it is not even applicable to the reality of life! One cannot divorce from ones apologetic theory its day to day practice. So while Paul may not have been explicitly defending his ministry to the church of Thessalonica, he is certainly in my mind giving an apologetic for how ministry should be done by giving example of how he does ministry! In other words, his apologetic is being put into the flesh. Apologetics must be visible and observable. Apologetics must correspond to reality.

Apologetics can be understood as an academic study that teaches students to effectively defend the credibility of Christianity, but I ask you what is the value of such a system if it at the same time it does not teach you how to “live in the flesh” your apologetic? What value is it to know intellectually a worldview, if you cannot or do not think you must communicate it to the whole world through words and lifestyle? One's apologetic then must incorporate the intellectual and the practical. Any other apologetic might as well be thrown out the window or thrown into the trash receptacle. !Apologetics then is as much concerned with an academic, scholastic, intellectual defense of a system as it with the everyday fleshing out of it in life.

In conclusion, let me summarize with these two points. First, Paul is giving an apologetic. Not a defensive apologetic in that he thinks he has to justify to the Thessalonian church how he does ministry, but an apologetic in that he has provided a defense for how to do ministry. One is a noun, the other is a verb. One is reactionary, the other is setting the standard. Secondly, I am saying Paul has provided an apologetic that is life encompassing. It is more than intellectual, scholastic, or academic. The way Paul did his ministry exhibited and effectively communicated an apologetic of the proper mode of ministry. Apologetics then is intellectual and practical. Apologetics is much more than an intellectual defensive system that goes up every time one feels his or her worldview is under attack, it is a manner of life. It is incorporated into your lifestyle.

I hope this post has been helpful whether you agree or not.