Apologetics is characteristically an intellectual exercise. Yet the leading causes of unbelief are relational. We focus on a well-articulated theological response to the philosophical issues of our day but tend to shy away from the pain and anger that suppress faith. Sometimes the heart serves as a barrier to the mind. Lament is an honest expression of pain or doubt that offers us an apologetic for the heart.
Expectations
Christianity has a firm foundation of reasonable belief. We might discuss extant manuscript copies, accounts of the resurrection, or coherence to the reality of the world around us. Why do people walk away or outright reject the Christian faith? Are they intellectually convinced that materialism is correct or post-modernism best coheres to reality? Possibly. Have they determined that the God of scripture has entirely missed their expectations? Probably.
If there was anyone who should have been doubtless about the divinity of Jesus, it was John the Baptist. Set apart from before birth to herald the coming of the Messiah and an eyewitness to the Father audibly stating that Jesus was His beloved Son in the Jordan River, John was the forerunner of Christ. He leaped in His mother’s womb in the unborn Savior’s presence. Yet, when imprisoned, he asked a question we might all utter in our moments of doubt: “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” (Luke 7:19).
Jesus’ response gives us a glimpse at reaching the heart and the mind. He instructs the messengers to inform John of the miracles He is performing, but He also proclaims a blessing for those not “offended” by Him. Our unmet expectations are always false expectations. Seeing that even those who should know better receive a reminder and a blessing from Jesus is remarkably comforting.
A Balm for the Soul
Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, mourned the state of his people when he asked, “is there no balm in Gilead?” (Jeremiah 8:22). Far too many churches today have neglected the consolatory nature of their ministry. Sermons may be theologically robust, philosophically sophisticated, and hermeneutically precise, but what about rest offered to the weary? Are the hurting, despairing, and ashamed only to receive an exegetically accurate talk?
Biblical literacy is a noble pursuit, and confessions are incredibly helpful. However, they must not supplant the tangible peace offered in the proclamation of Christ crucified for sinners. Defending the faith is a worthy endeavor. However, the brokenhearted are not reasoned into comfort, grace, or hope. When someone’s soul is cast down, we must not merely offer them an information prescription.
Jesus Christ ate, drank, laughed, wept, and sweat great drops of blood. He was tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sin. He went to the cross, died in our place, and rose triumphantly from the grave three days later. He did this for broken sinners like you and me. There is a balm in Gilead!
Sitting and Weeping
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). We need the wisdom of brothers and sisters to speak into our lives. There is “a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance” (Ecclesiastes 3:4). When a brother or sister is broken and hurting, what they need most is not a doctrinal diatribe on God’s sovereignty. Nor do they need a trite Christian catchphrase aimed at filing the pain away, out of sight and out of mind. They need the gift of our presence.
Our churches and our relationships have a default position to offer solutions. Read these Bible passages. Pray more fervently. Connect with these people in similar situations. There is a time for those critical aspects of faith and a time to sit in silence and ashes. All of those things have their proper place.
When might lectures and problem-solving need to be replaced by sitting and weeping? There will be a time for the former, but the latter is too often underestimated or neglected. If tears of sorrow stream down a struggling saint’s face, being there is more critical than quoting creeds and verses.
The Gift of Presence
Job cried out for an arbiter between him and God (Job 9:33). He yearned for someone to lay a hand on them both and bridge the gap. The gap may be intellectual or philosophical. Nonetheless, at its core, it’s one that only redemption, grace, and faith can mend. Job wrestled with his loss and the misunderstandings of who God was amid the pain. His brutal honesty and perseverance allowed him to continue striving for faith amid the speeches of his friends.
When the formula of disobedience and curse failed to address the crisis adequately, God’s presence and questioning simultaneously produced awe, true sight, and accepted prayer. God also rebuked Job’s friends for saying what was incorrect about Him, and in a twist, Job prayed for them. Ultimately, God Himself speaks and sets things right while providing the comfort Job needs: His presence.
Arriving at a place of realization took brutal honesty. Job had heard, but now his eyes had seen. God required an offering in the aftermath of lament, speeches, and His appearance. Beyond bulls and rams, how much more can we find comfort in the presence of God on account of Christ?
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:15-16
Instead of hot-wiring the process of wrestling with God, we must embrace the freedom to bring our sorrow to our Heavenly Father through lament. Ultimately, “canned” answers are insufficient and distract us from dealing with the root of our struggle. As we interact with weary sinners and saints, we must remember that our ultimate goal is not for them to pass a theological exam but to be connected to the living God through Christ. In Jesus Christ, we have an advocate with the Father (1 John 2:1). Jesus offers rest for the weary (Matthew 11:28), water for the thirsty (John 4:14), and hope to bruised reeds and smoldering wicks (Matthew 12:15-21).
Apologetics is a field of personal interest to me. It is a crossroads of two things I enjoy immensely: theology and philosophy. It helps “make a defense to anyone who asks for a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15). Yet, more than sound syllogisms, reasoned responses, or even exegetical explanations, the human heart needs the presence of God. The painful process of lament allows us to address the relational aspect of doubt. We must do the heavy lifting of loving the Lord with all our minds, but we must not neglect apologetics of the heart.