Ready to Give a Defense – Isaiah 43:8-13

William Lane Craig, a well-known Christian apologist, says, “Christian apologetics may be defined as that branch of Christian theology which seeks to provide rational warrant for Christianity’s truth claims.”  There has been a revival of Christian apologetics, with new spokesmen like Ravi Zacharias, Lee Strobel, Natasha Crain, Hillary Morgan Ferrer, Alvin Plantinga, Ben Witherington, Craig Blomberg, Craig Keener, Daniel Wallace, Douglas Groothuis, Gary Habermas and many, many more, giving able defense of Christ’s truth claims.  Isaiah challenges us to be able apologists.

Bring out the people who are blind, yet have eyes, who are deaf, yet have ears!  All the nations gather together, and the peoples assemble.  Who among them can declare this, and show us the former things?  Let them bring their witnesses to prove them right, and let them hear and say, It is true.  “You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he.

Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me.  I, I am the LORD, and besides me there is no savior.  I declared and saved and proclaimed, when there was no strange god among you; and you are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and I am God.  Also henceforth I am he; there is none who can deliver from my hand; I work, and who can turn it back?”  (Isaiah 43:8-13 ESV)

Apologetics is the defense of the faith.  Yahweh calls on the nations to defend their faith in their gods, to bring their witnesses together and make their case.  He’s asking the nations to do their apologetics while He does His.  These nations, however, have eyes, but they cannot see, and ears, but they cannot hear.  They are spiritually unsensing and cannot make a case.

The people of Israel are God’s apologetic, God’s  witnessess (plural) and God’s servant (singular), because He chose them to know Him.  He declares that there has never been a god before Him nor shall there ever be one after Him.  He is the uncaused cause of all things.  He is Yahweh (the personal name of God translated LORD in all caps).  There is no savior besides Him.

Israel knew this at one time and so He calls them again to be His witnesses to this truth.  We know this and we too must witness to this truth.  God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit is our Savior.  He is one God and three persons.  None can deliver from His hand or turn back His work.

Discussion Questions

1. Can you give an example of being presented with a rational defense of the Christian faith?  How did it impress you?
2. Why is God asking Israel (and us) to give our own apologetic, our own defense of Him?
3. What are the evidences you have seen for God being the only God?
4. Why does our faith need to be in more than God’s existence and include Him being our Savior?
5. Jehovah’s Witnesses take their marching orders from this passage.  Should we, and if so, how should we conduct this campaign?
6. Who do you know who needs to hear your testimony to God’s existence as Creator and Savior?