Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

 At Radcliffe Road Baptist Church we have been working our way through 1 Peter, and, most recently, the verses that speak of giving a "reason for the hope that is in us" (1 Peter 3:15). 

In many, if not most cases, the opportunities we have to tell people the message of the Christian faith come as we respond to questions asked (see also Colossians 4:6). In Peter's time, and in our time, those questions may be asked less than sympathetically. Indeed, when the Apostle says "be ready to give a defence (apologia)", in many cases he meant just that: Christians might have to defend themselves in court (e.g. Acts 26), or in a court-like setting (e.g. Acts 17). 

Apologetics (the defence of the faith) is about responding to such questions or objections. In the second century there was a whole cohort of Christian teachers, such as Justin Martyr, called the Apologists, who engaged with the questions and objections of those around them, presenting the Christian faith to the Greek-speaking world in which they lived. Later, Christian thinkers such as Tertullian and Origen continued this tradition. There have been many Christian apologists since, such as, for example, C S Lewis in the 20th century, or John Lennox and William Lane Craig today. 

Last night at the midweek meeting at church, I asked each person present to write down for me questions that are often asked, and also a difficult question to answer. 

Some questions were familiar, and many of these came up several times: 

1. Why does God allow evil, injustice and suffering? (We attempted an answer to this together as a group.) 

2. Alleged errors and contradictions in the Bible 

3. Who created God? 

4. Isn't being a good person good enough? 

5. Why Christianity over other religions? Don't all ways lead to God/salvation? 

6. What about those who have never heard or responded to the gospel? 

7. What happens when you die/after death? 

8. Why do you believe in God? How do you know yours is the right faith? 

One or two questions were unique: 

1. How does God have a son? (A very relevant question for those from a Muslim background)  

2. Who will I be with in heaven: my first husband or my second? (cf. Matthew 22:22-33)

3. Why is the Bible not clear on areas that cause division? 

It would be interesting to hear what other questions people are asking. Exercises like this one prompt us to listen more carefully to those around us. Sometimes, as Christians, we can be out of touch with the real issues and questions people ask, and we need to make sure we are