We all should be aware that many people are very critical of the Bible and don't believe much of what it says. Of course, as Christians we are commanded to be ready to defend what we believe. We read in 1 Peter 3:14-16 (New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition):
I believe that particular passage is about sharing the gospel, not specifically about defending the Bible. I've had Christians quote that verse to try to goad me into arguing with them, and that's not what it's there for.
IMO, the Bible needs no defense. People should be encouraged to read it, if for no other reason than it has made such a large contribution to our society. But for someone who criticizes the Bible, their criticism is not of much value if they haven't even bothered to read the very thing they're critical of.
IMO, the Bible is self-authenticating. At least it was for me. What it teaches is obviously true. And even if one doubts the historical accuracy of its contents, there is much that peoiple would find true and helpful, such as the tend commandments, loving your neighbour, turning the other cheek, not going to bed angry, forgiving others, etc. etc.
As to the Bible contents, there are two aspects of trusting it. The first is whether it accurately reflects what was written 2000 years ago, and the second is whether what was written down 2000 years ago is factually accurate.
Concerning the former, we have far more manuscripts, 5800+ copies of part or the whole New Testament, from far closer to the original writing, than we do evidence of other ancient writings, such as Plato or Homer, some authors of which we may only have 1 copy dated centuries after the fact. If critics doubt the accuracy of the Bible, why do they not doubt the accuracy of other ancient works? I've always believed the Bible, but I have found that the science of "textual criticism", studying the manuscripts, has greatly increased my confidence that we have the original text. We also have a continuous line of Christians as a "chain of evidence", as it were, unlike something that was suddenly discovered, like the "gold plates" of the Book of Mormon, which has no tangible history (or even existence).
As to whether the Biblical accounts are factually accurate, there's no reason for anyone to doubt them, except perhaps for the miraculous accounts. We have testimonies from writers such as Josephus. But at the end of the day, only the Holy Spirit has the power to do that.
So regarding scripture we are to defend it with gentleness and respect.
You mean like when you responded to me with, "Evidently I know better than you"?
Do better.
Sadly, Peter's advice often goes ignored. Many Christians won't even bother to defend the Bible. If they do defend it, they often treat skeptics with scorn as if they are fools or idiots.
Well, obviously they shouldn't do that. But to be fair, it's usually because the skeptics brought that attitude to the table themselves.
I propose that Christians honor those who have made a good faith effort to read the Bible whether they agree with us or not about what it says or how credible it may be.
Agreed.
Concede that many Bible passages are difficult to understand,
... for the unstable and unlearned...
and nobody needs to be ashamed if they have problems understanding those passages. After all, we Christians encourage unbelievers to read scripture, and we betray their trust in us if we insult their intelligence over disagreements or what conclusions they come to.
I'm sorry, but I'm not going to lie simply get into an unbeliever's good graces.
If I don't find a passage problematic, but they think I should, then I'm not going to lie.
If unbelievers do cite difficult passages, share with them the difficulty we all have with such passages. Don't try to take easy way outs by trying to explain away those passages as metaphorical without good justification for that interpretation.
Again, if the interpretation IS metaphorical, I'm not going to lie.
If you do so, then the skeptic might see you as using a metaphorical interpretation as an ad hoc attempt to slip out of a sticky situation.
That's unfortunate.
But I guess that's the nice thing about being Reformed. I know that God is in control, and He will draw all the elect sheep to Himself. And I don't have to lie in order to try to get it to happen.
If you cannot resolve an apparent Bible difficulty, then it is probably better to simply admit that you are unable to solve the problem.
Agreed.