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Discover how to effectively treat new challenges to the Christian faith. From emotional detachment to scholarly consultation, this article offers a well-rounded approach for believers seeking to defend their faith confidently. Embrace patience and trust in God’s Word as you navigate these challenges.

The Christian faith has been subjected to challenges and scrutiny since its inception. Yet, it has not only endured but also flourished across cultures and time periods. The resilience of the faith can be attributed to the solidity of its Scriptural foundation and the intellectual rigor of its doctrines. However, with the advent of the internet and the proliferation of information, new challenges emerge, often sensationalized to grab public attention, especially during significant Christian holidays like Easter. This article aims to offer some constructive suggestions on how we should treat these challenges to the Christian faith.

Divorce Our Emotions from the Challenge

It is crucial to approach challenges to the faith with a level-headed attitude. This means divorcing our emotions from the challenge at hand. While the claims may seem unsettling at first, it’s essential to remember that the Bible has withstood numerous attacks over the centuries and has emerged unscathed. Emotional turmoil often clouds judgment and prevents a rational evaluation of the evidence. Instead, it’s important to recall the long-standing resilience of Scripture and proceed to a more systematic evaluation of the challenge presented.

Assume the Bible is True

When encountering criticisms, it is pivotal to approach the situation with the presupposition that the Bible is true. This is not a blind assumption but one built on the historical and existential robustness of the Christian Scriptures. Such a stance enables the believer to engage with criticisms constructively, allowing for thorough evaluation rather than immediate dismissal or unwarranted skepticism. This perspective also instills a sense of patience and calmness, indispensable traits when wading through often complex allegations against the faith.

Carefully Analyze Each Critical Allegation

Too often, believers rush to counter a claim without sufficiently understanding its basis or the worldview of the critic. This hurried approach rarely yields fruitful dialogue and often perpetuates misunderstanding. Instead, each criticism should be dissected carefully. The critic’s assumptions and presuppositions should be understood so that any underlying biases can be identified. This helps in weighing the strength of the challenge. Distinguishing between well-supported arguments and mere assertions is crucial for an honest evaluation.

Consult Christian Scholars

The Christian academic community is rich with scholars who have devoted their lives to the rigorous defense of the faith. It is wise to consult these scholarly works when faced with challenges to Christianity. Often, what is portrayed as a “new” criticism has already been substantially addressed, debunked, or even refuted by seasoned Christian intellectuals. Their expertise provides valuable insights that can equip believers with robust answers to challenging questions.

Be Patient

One of the virtues that Christianity teaches is patience. When it comes to dealing with criticisms, instant answers are not always available. But the lack of immediate answers does not equate to a lack of answers altogether. Time and again, challenges that initially seemed formidable have been resolved, further validating the reliability of Scripture. Even while awaiting answers, the believer can rest assured in the inherent truthfulness of the Christian faith, confident that even if we don’t have all the answers, God certainly does.

Conclusion

To navigate the ever-emerging challenges to the Christian faith, a balanced and systematic approach is required. Emotional detachment enables a clearer analysis, and assuming the Bible’s truthfulness sets the stage for a constructive engagement with criticisms. Rigorous analysis of each criticism is essential for a fair evaluation, and consultation with Christian scholars provides invaluable insights. Above all, patience and trust in God’s Word will sustain believers as they defend their faith in the face of new challenges. Because in the end, if our faith is based on the eternal and unchanging God, then it is as unshakeable as He is.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).