Jesus is a man’s man: strength under control.
Meekness does not mean weakness.
Raised as a carpenter, Jesus was strong in body and mind.
How should we prepare for the tough questions that confront us?
Watch our Truth in Two to find out (full text below).
Christian apologists are prepared, gentle in response.
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from Comenius (here). Mark is President of The Comenius Institute (website). Dr. Eckel spends time with Christian young people in public university (1 minute video), hosts a weekly radio program with diverse groups of guests (1 minute video), and interprets culture from a Christian vantage point (1 minute video). Consider becoming a Comenius patron (here).
Picture Credit: Luke Renoe, Snappy Goat
FULL TEXT:
Jesus is no wimp. Growing up as a carpenter was rugged stuff in the first century. No fork lifts to transfer logs or electric saws to rough cut lumber. Hand-made meant hand-made. Jesus in human form is a man’s man: strong, muscular, physically tough.
And here is the surprise. Jesus said of himself in Matthew 11:29 “learn from me because I am gentle.” This is the same root word used for how Christians should respond with “gentleness” in apologetics.
Now Christian apologetics can be rough: it is no place for the faint-hearted. So when 1 Peter 3:15 says “we are to be ready with an answer to everyone who asks” some heavy lifting is assumed. One must know the questions to know the answers. One must study to be ready. One must be able to address multiple concerns from multiple vantage points. To be an apologist, one who defends the Christian faith, takes intellectual muscle.
But there is having strength and knowing when to use your strength. Christians are told to be gentle, encompassing attitude and behavior. Ephesians 4:2 commands gentleness be combined with humility. Paul tells Timothy we should strive for gentleness, meaning we may struggle to practice being meek and mild with those who question our beliefs.
But to be clear: meekness is not weakness. Perhaps the best word picture we can muster is from former president Teddy Roosevelt who made famous the line: I speak softly but carry a big stick. Understand, the “stick” does not advocate aggression but preparation.
At the Comenius Institute we believe when confronted with error or falsehood, our strength of intellect is at the ready, countering bad information, poorly formed arguments, or faulty assumptions. Muscle developed in the apologetic weight room, is used with a mild manner, gentleness, and humility in every room.
For Truth in Two, this is Dr. Mark Eckel, President of the Comenius Institute, personally seeking truth wherever it’s found.
An excellent post, Dr. Eckel.
We must remember that gentleness is a trait of the Fruit of the Spirit. Such an important, but oft overlooked, spiritual trait. Its value cannot be overstated.
Your post reminds me of 2 Timothy 2:23-26, which, as you know, reads thusly (ESV): “And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.”
I think William Lane Craig models this very well as an apologist. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen him become furious or lose control. I’ve worked hard to do the same when I engage people. No small task, nor is it easy.
Hope you’re having a fine autumn, Dr. Eckel.
Gratitude Joshua for your good word here! Your point is well taken and important! Yes, the 2nd Timothy passage is imperative with all, especially those who are not of The Faith. I love fall, my favorite season. Always grateful for comments!