Religion in the Public Arena and Failed Apologetics

"To be ignorant and simple now--not to be able to meet the enemies on their own ground--would be to throw down our weapons and betray our uneducated brethren who have, under God, no defense but us against the intellectual attacks of the heathen. Good philosophy must exist, if for no other reason, because bad philosophy needs to be answered."
-Attributed to C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory

One of the things that really goads the Toad is the constant attempts by the priests and priestesses of secularism and atheism to chase the faithful from the public square. I know, I know: you know all about it-you read First Things every month, than have a nice sherry and whinge about it at coffee hour whilst snarking down the tea cookies.
Well, pally, here’s a thought for the day: “Books like Richard Dawkins’ ‘The God Delusion’ and Dan Brown’s ‘The Da Vinci Code’ do not become best sellers in a society that understands what Christianity is all about.” These folks are out to steamroll you and other faithful, and mopping your moistened brow won’t carry the day.
Indeed, according to a Christian Post story, former atheist Anthony Horvath, a Christian apologist who works with young adults, says that churches are producing atheists by not answering the questions of young people and explaining why they believe in the Bible. Horvath goes on to explain that some of the recurring questions young adults struggle with but churches often fail to address include the formation and development of the Bible, the presence of evil and suffering in the world, and the question of inspiration and inerrancy. “In large part, it happens when the church leadership is completely unaware that their members – and not necessarily just the young members – have questions at all,” states Horvath.
The failure of apologetics comes at a time when proponents of secularism wish to exclude worldviews founded on religion because they are supposedly based on sources that are not reliable or are irrational. In a pluralistic society is it not sustainable, according to secularists, to introduce religious arguments because this is imposing elements of a religion on others who do not share these beliefs. Brendan Sweetman, a professor of philosophy at Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri, affirds an excellent analysis in his recent book Why Politics Needs Religion: The Place of Religious Arguments in the Public Square (InterVarsity Press). It’s a good read, but, what’s a Toad to do beyond barking?
A series of recommendations over religion's role in politics came last year in the form of a question-and-answer booklet authored by the Bishop Thomas Olmsted of Phoenix, Arizona. In his pamphlet, Catholics in the Public Square published by Basilica Press, he recommends the faithful to be respectful of the beliefs of others, or of those who have no faith. "Nonetheless, it is our duty to engage the culture, not run from it," Bishop Olmsted comments. People of faith, like others, have every right to bring their views and beliefs into public.
Yeah, right, but that ecclesia just isn’t militans enough for the Toad. How about this, from Benedict XVI’s statement of July 5th? The German Shepherd recommended, no hand wringing. Instead, give public testimony to your faith and not live two parallel lives: one which is spiritual; and another which is secular. Instead, the Pope urged, strive for coherence between your lives and your faith, thus providing an eloquent testimony of the truth of the Christian message. That coherence is only too often lacking among many active in public life.
It’s probably a coherence lacking in a more than couple of church leaders. The Toad isn’t naming any names, but offers only the following cryptic observation, “Ask not for whom the Eagle or the Grey Goose fly.”
Faith helps us to see our life and to judge right and wrong according to God's wisdom. And faith without works is…well…you know. So the Toad’s bark is to get busy-make sure your churches aren’t churning out mini-me Richard Dawkinses and Dan Browns or even lukewarm Christians. Train ‘em up and turn ‘em loose in the public arena. And yourselves be courteous (the secularists hate that), yet fearless in calling to account those in public live trying to lead that dual existence.
What’s the worst that can happen? They won’t let you in the club? Pally, if you are reading this blog, you either aren’t in the club, or you won’t be when someone (perhaps the IT trolls who monitor your company’s internet use) catches you out as a secret Christian.


Yr. Obed. Serv.,



R. Toad, DD, LSMFT
(NOT an Horned Frog-REALLY)