SHAREFAITH.COM – On the battlefield of evangelism, people soon realize that it's not always as easy as it should be. The Gospel message is simple, and quite frankly attractive. Mankind is fallen, God loves His children, and they can be forgiven of sins if they believe in Jesus...easy.
Unfortunately, Christianity is not always viewed in such simplified terms. As a matter of fact, God is often seen as a big meanie in the sky who tallies up wrongdoings so He has an excuse to throw people into hell. To top it all off, God requires mankind to follow a strict rule book, which is unreasonable and not very fun at all. So why the misconception? Those who don't believe in Jesus often do not have college degrees in theology. Those who are uninterested in a subject rarely take the time to study up on such things. Judgment is made solely on what information is available with the least amount of effort required. This is where many fall into error. It is the job of the apologist and evangelist to attempt a correction of this error.
Christians are interested in the subject of God but don't take the time to study up on apologetics, doctrine and theology. This is to fall into the same error as the non-religious. Apologetics takes time and effort. Believers are commissioned by Christ to make disciples of the nations and to bring the truth of the Gospel to unbelievers. Apologetics is not simply a specified subject that only apologists are required to know; apologetics is crucial to evangelism which is required of all Christians everywhere. God paints a sobering picture of the error of willful ignorance. "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me." Hosea 4:6
The Bible is clear about the subject of knowledge. Knowledge of God and His ways are tools that Christians need to become effective evangelists and preachers. Apologetics are used to correct faulty thought processes and beliefs, they are used to present evidence of the truthfulness of the Gospel message and are also used to solidify personal faith. Christians present Christ in an intellectual satisfying discourse, simple yet beautiful.
"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
"For it its written, 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.'"
"Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God. It pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe."
"For the Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are being called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." (I Corinthians 1:18-25)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Enthusiastic and charismatic are words often used to describe Roberto (Joey) Perez. When asked about his silly personality he said, "Being raised in Santa Cruz, California, you have to have a sense of humor...or at least your parents do!" Roberto has served at his church faithfully since he received Christ in 2002. In 2004 he joined a college internship called the Armor Bearers. He graduated from the program in 2006 and in 2007 received a Bachelor of Theology Degree.
Before receiving Christ, Roberto played in a Ska-Punk rock band. He attributes his rude boy years as a time of formation. "I just remember how badly we wanted to change the world. We were on a mission!" While Joey's life since Christ has changed dramatically, his motivations haven't. His mission remains the same -- to change the world. He uses wit, humor, knowledge and love for his fellow neighbor to present the Gospel of Christ and to help lead the lost to repentance.