SEE the heart of apologetics

When I took up motorcycling, I made sure I was prepared.   One of the best ways to do that is to take a course from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.   I still think every day about the safety principles I learned from that course.  I use the safety check and start-up procedure they teach.   I feel prepared for every ride, while knowing that unexpected things can still happen.

One of the acronyms I was taught in the beginners course I took is S.E.E.   I think if it on every motorcycle ride.  It stands for:

Scan  -  Evaluate  -  Execute

This acronym makes me think about my life verse, which is 1 Peter 3:15.  It reads, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…” (NIV)

“S” for scan means we need to scan our world, our country, our state, our city, our neighborhood, our schools, and our workplaces for opportunities to make Jesus Christ known.   We also need to scan for false teachings and false worldviews that put roadblocks in front of people getting to the “foot of the cross.”   This scanning process takes discernment, which is given by the Holy Spirit.

“E” for evaluate means we need to evaluate how to share with people.   A couple of key words in the verse is “gentleness” and “respect.”   Nobody likes being confronted with the possibility that their worldview is false.   They feel like they are “being judged.”   A winsome tactical approach is needed.  Christians need to prepare for effective conversations with people who need Christ, which takes work and preparation.   That’s why the verse says to “always be prepared.”

The final “E” stands for execute.   In the end, after the praying and preparing, Christians need to get out and “do.”   They need to be people of action.   The verse talks giving an answer.   That implies taking the knowledge from the scanning and evaluating and executing it.   The person who puts all of these elements together is the person who understands the heart of apologetics.  

As a student of apologetics, it’s easy to feel good about gaining philosophical knowledge and learning how to defend the Christian faith.  But the best student is the one who puts the knowledge into practice.  You don’t need an advanced degree for that.  You just need (spiritual) eyes with which to SEE and (spiritual) feet to bring the message to those who need it.