How does incarnational apologetics impact the way evangelism is taught and acted out in daily life?
I think understanding incarnational apologetics should transform the way we do and teach evangelism, not because it is a new doctrine but because it takes us back to the basics, back to what Christ called us. Christ came not to be served but to serve. As his followers, we were called to follow in his example.
An effective evangelism toolbox must contain a combination of incarnational apologetics and informational apologetics. Neither incarnational or informational apologetics alone is sufficient. In his article titled, “Incarnational Apologetics”, Dr. Wheeler says, “Christians must understand that an unbelieving world will not believe what we say about Christ and our faith, until they first see the truth manifested through us. In short, this is ‘incarnational’ apologetics at its best!” This incarnational Christlike approach to the great commission is amazingly effective. I think in our culture today where millennials value authenticity very highly, it would be a great approach to use.
As we teach and disciple those in our sphere of influence, we should emphasize that these two aspects are indispensable to a proper imitation of Christ in evangelism. As Dr. Wheeler said, they represent both sides of the same coin. Of course, this should not be limited to our teaching alone, we should adopt it as our own practice and then model it for those around us. Medical students are often taught to “see one, do one, and teach one”. That’s to say they should observe a medical procedure, learn from it, and be prepared to perform it on the next patient with the supervision of a more senior physician. After that, they should be ready to teach that procedure to another learner. I think that approach would work here.
John 9:24-34 came to mind when I read the article on incarnational apologetics. This is where Jesus healed the man born blind. By healing the man, against the opposition of the Jewish leader, Jesus’ incarnational apologetics radically transformed the man born blind into a radical believer and defender of Christ. If you read that passage you see how a blind and helpless beggar is transformed into a courageous follower who not only confesses but defends Christ to the face of the Pharisees and Jewish leaders in spite of their threats of excommunication from the synagogue of anyone who acknowledged Christ as Messiah. This man acknowledges him to their face and with a little bit of spite. Yet, there is no indication that he knows much about Jesus. Why? When someone puts himself on the life to help you at your greatest point of need, there is something visceral in us that responds to that, understands it and reciprocates that kind of love.
When there is a mismatch between our informational apologetics and our incarnational apologetics, people are turned off, especially in this culture with millennials who are big on authenticity. In Romans 2:17-24, Paul rebukes the Jews because of an informational apologetics and incarnational apologetics mismatch. They taught that people shouldn’t steal, yet they stole in even more egregious ways. Paul concludes citing scripture that, “as it is written: ‘God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.’” Unfortunately, I think that sometimes Christ is “blasphemed” among unbelievers because of how we behave. It’s not just the offense of the cross. Our actions are contributing to it.
How do you balance “incarnational” and “informational” approaches to evangelism?
I think one’s primary vocation shapes the approach their evangelism takes. Missionaries, pastors, and other full-time clerical workers may have more opportunity to demonstrate a much higher degree of informational apologetics just by virtue of their calling and work. I, (and most believers), do work that is not strictly clerical in nature. For me, even though I know that informational apologetics is absolutely crucial, my line of work calls me to focus on incarnational evangelism while at work. In my spare time off work, I get to practice both depending on the leading on the spirit, the season of my life, my relationship with the lost person and my assessment of their immediate needs. As James says, “Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?” James 2:15-16. As such, I try to assess the situation and meet the needs that are most pressing on their mind. Hungry people probably won’t be focused on the salvation of their souls.
Is there a connection between “incarnational” and “informational” approaches?
I think there is a connection. Incarnational apologetics would often open the door for us. It may get people to ask us why we do what we do. And that allows us to share Christ with them. Even when they don’t ask, when we talk to them about their long-term goals (salvation of their souls), we would have won their trust and permission and shown them that we care by helping them with their short-term goals.
Do you struggle relating to people on an “incarnational” level; or are you afraid on an “informational” level that people might ask a question that you cannot answer?
In the U.S. I struggle with relating to people on an “incarnational” level because the culture is very independent. It took us a long time to get my neighbors to connect with us. Sometimes people are suspicious of someone helping them. For example, after nearly two years of trying to connect with my current neighbor and them not very interested, we finally connected and became friends. Well, a couple of months ago, they called me with their sick child, and I helped them save hundreds of dollars in Emergency room fees. He was the one regretting how much money he had lost to co-pays on unnecessary ER visits while my wife and I were in the next block, less than five seconds away. In Cameroon, where I grew up, people aren’t so independent and so easily accept help.
Because of my previous training and experience with the scripture, I’m generally not afraid on an informational level that people might ask me a question that I cannot answer. If it ever happened, I would see that as an opportunity to get their phone number and schedule a second date and not as a problem.
Bibliography
[1] Wheeler, David. “Incarnational Apologetics.” Assigned reading for EVAN 525, Liberty University, February 2019.
[2] Earley, David and David Wheeler. Everyday Series: Evangelism. Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2016.
**I wrote this for an evangelism course that I took.