One of the most common "gems" of wisdom that we hear offered today can't be found within the pages of scripture, and it is for good reason: it goes against so much that is found in scripture. We're often told that we should never talk about politics or religion. It seems astounding to me that anyone would say that they think it's a wise thing to avoid discussing religion, but I've heard it before, and I know you have too--maybe even by those who claim to be Christians!
I'm sure there are other reasons as to why someone might come to this conclusion, but we'll consider what I think would be three of the most common.
The first reason that someone might avoid religious discussions is because they think, "we ought not to argue." I suppose that it is true that some have gotten downright mean when discussing religion; it can be a controversial topic. Why? Because it is so important to us! In general, no one likes to be told they're wrong; but being told they're wrong about religion is even more painful. What we believe regarding God determines how we feel about ourselves and others. If someone were to show us we were wrong, it could change everything--whether we think we are good and decent people, or whether feel that we stand condemned; whether our parents will be with God in eternity, or with Satan in Hell. It can change our whole outlook on life. It makes sense that there would be controversy when discussing religion; yet, that doesn't make it something that we ought to avoid.
Some might even go so far as to say that scripture condemns debate, because the word debate is found listed among sinful behaviors, both in Rom 1:29, and in 2 Cor 12:20; but the word that is used there actually means strife or quarrelling; it's not talking about a discussion of religious issues. Actually, the Bible doesn't condemn religious discussions; it supports them! Jude, in v3, wrote, "...while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints." He felt the truth of God was so important, that he urged his readers to contend, or fight, for it!
And we see examples of that very thing in the New Testament church: for example, in Acts 18:28, Apollos "...powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ." The apostle Paul behaved in the same way: At Corinth, he "...was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks" (Act 18:4); and at Ephesus, Paul "...entered the synagogue and continued speaking out boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God" (Act 19:8). They were willing to discuss religion.
Of course, the chief example that we should follow is that of Christ Himself. At no time do we find that He was afraid of controversy in religious discussion; in fact, when He was on trial, He stated, "I have spoken openly to the world; I always taught in synagogues and in the temple where all the Jews come together; and I spoke nothing in secret" (Jn 18:20). There are several accounts recorded in which Jesus responded to the questioning of his enemies with truth and reason, such as when he was asked whether one should pay taxes or not, in Mt 22:16-22, or about the marriage relationship after the resurrection, in Mk 12:18-27. Sometimes, Jesus would even ask questions in return, to get his opponents to think, or to expose their motives, as He did when He was asked where He received His authority, in Mt 21:23-27, or when He asked what David's relationship was to the Messiah Lk 20:41-44.
To be willing to bring up or join in a religious discussion doesn't mean that we're seeking to be quarrelsome. We ought not to be argumentative--in other words, simply looking for a fight; but there is nothing wrong with asking questions if we are honestly seeking an answer, and not merely trying to be divisive; if Christianity is about truth, it will withstand our questions and the questions of others. And there is certainly nothing wrong with sharing the truth of the gospel with others--if we don't, how will they learn?
Someone might ask, "But, what if I'm wrong? I don't want to teach something that's not true." That is a legitimate concern; we certainly wouldn't want to lead anyone astray. Yet, we really need to consider our motives for asking such a question. More often than not, I think the real reason isn't concern for the other; but that by getting into a religious discussion, we expose ourselves and our beliefs to risk. We might be made fun of; we might reveal our ignorance in some way, or we just might be proven wrong--but in any case, we don't want to do it. This is a second reason we might avoid a religious discussion: to avoid risk to ourselves or our beliefs.
But Christianity is not about fear and keeping secrets--God hasn't told us to hide the truth from others because we might not have it quite right. In fact, Peter wrote, "...sanctify [or set apart] Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you..." (1Pe 3:15) We need to know the scriptures well enough to be able to give that defense, or answer. As Paul told Timothy in 2 Tim 2:15, "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth." If we have diligently prepared ourselves, we have no need to be ashamed.
In Acts 18 we find the example of Apollos. In verse 25, we see that he, "...had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John; and he began to speak out boldly in the synagogue." Apollos wasn't afraid to discuss the truth with others; he wasn't ashamed, but was fervent in spirit. He was teaching, and doing a good job of it--but apparently, he didn't fully understand the truth. That being the case, when some other disciples, "...Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately." They corrected him. Now, did Apollos curl up in a fetal position out of embarrassment, never to discuss religion again? Did he decide that he had better stick to something less controversial like politics? No; he apparently continued right on, because we find in v18, that later, when he had gone to a place called Achaia, "...he greatly helped those who had believed through grace, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ."
We can't allow ourselves to avoid religious discussions because we might risk being proven wrong. If someone shows us through the scriptures that we are wrong in our beliefs, we need thank that person and change!
A final reason that we might avoid discussing religion might be because we don't want to alienate anyone. We might not be so concerned with the controversy, as much as what might result from it.
Now, while no one wants to lose friends, or make enemies, there is a very good reason why we ought to put that concern aside. Why did Apollos, Paul, and Christ discuss religion? Was it because they had nothing else to do--sort of like why we might talk about the weather? No, they knew the truth of God, and wanted to share that with others. They had the good of the other in mind. You see, the stakes in life are so incredibly high as to be worth the risk of alienation! Our neighbor's soul is too precious for us to ignore; it is as if they are running toward destruction, but they just don't know it. Should we keep that warning to ourselves, simply because they might not like what God has to say about something?
Unfortunately, some may not like what scripture reveals. In Acts 9:28,29 we find that, Paul was in Jerusalem, "speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord. And he was talking and arguing with the Hellenistic Jews; but they were attempting to put him to death." They didn't like what he was telling them--and yet, we can have confidence that he was teaching the truth, and that he had their best interests in mind!
But that isn't always what happens when someone is faced with the truth. Later on, in Act 17:1-4, we find that Paul went to the synagogue at Thessalonica. "And according to Paul's custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, 'This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.' And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of the God-fearing Greeks and a number of the leading women." Some will be persuaded by the truth--but we will never know what their reaction will be, unless we enter in to a discussion with them.
"But," you may ask, "what if, for some reason, they do become angry and reject me?" Well, really, if you are teaching the truth, they're not rejecting you; they're rejecting God. Speaking to the seventy that He was sending out, Jesus said, "The one who listens to you listens to Me, and the one who rejects you rejects Me; and he who rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me." (Luk 10:16) Now, that's serious business. If we are teaching the truth of God's word, we're just planting the seed; if they reject it, they are rejecting God, not us.
So, when we do get into a discussion of religion, how should we behave?
First, we need to act from the proper motives. Jesus pointed out that the old covenant was based on love for God and for fellow man, Lk 10:25-37. Really, this is what God has asked from the beginning of time. If we have that love, we will take the time and effort that it takes to teach our neighbor the truth--and we will demonstrate that love in our behavior.
You remember that earlier, we read that Peter wrote in 1 Pet 3:15, "...sanctify [or set apart] Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you..."? He continued that we should make that defense "in gentleness and reverence." We are to approach our neighbors gently, yet without compromise; and with reverence for the message that we carry. This will be the case by far for most of the religious conversations we may have.
Yet, when someone stands in direct opposition to the truth, we can't sit idly by. Jesus didn't do that; so when we do stand against error, we should follow His example there, as well. Jesus did not lose his temper when teaching--although he did show righteous indignation and zeal by driving out the moneychangers from the temple both at the beginning and at the end of His work on earth, Jn 2:15; Mt 21:12. We, too, should remain calm when opposing error, and not lose control of ourselves. Remember Prov 15:1, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger."
Some, when they realize they are unable to refute their opponents, will begin to attack their reputations instead. Jesus didn't attack the reputation of His opponents--although he did expose their hypocrisy, warning them and those that might follow them, such as in Mt 23. We need to keep our discussion narrowed to the issue at hand. If we are on the side of truth, we won't need to try to support our arguments by criticizing our opponents themselves.
Friends, we ought not to be quarrelsome; yet, we can't be afraid of controversy. It's good, and in fact, necessary, to engage in religious conversation with people of other beliefs. We need to be willing to accept the risk of being shown to be incorrect--and be willing to change if it happens. We need to recognize the importance of talking about religion; souls are at stake! And we must always remember that in a religious discussion, the goal is to further the cause of truth, and to bring God glory; and we can't do that if we behave as an enemy of the truth would.
