No Neutrality: Ramification for Apologetics
By Jimmy Li

Introduction

Is religious neutrality possible? In “A Brief Outline Against Religious Neutrality”, a case against religious neutrality is given. Further explanation on the impossibility of neutrality is also provided in “Impossible Neutrality: An Analogy from Humanistic Geography”. What are the ramifications of this then, when the Christian engages in apologetics? The following are two principles that the apologist must remember:

• I. THE NONBELIEVER IS NOT NEUTRAL
  • A. THE BIBLICAL CASE
  • The nonbeliever’s mind is hostile against God:
    “The sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.” (Romans 8:7)
  • The state of the nonbeliever’s mind is the result of rebellion:
    “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.” (Romans 1:21)
  • B. WHAT IS THE NONBELIEVER’S PRESUPPOSITION?
  • i. An important question to ask always, for this unmask the non-neutral nature of the Non-Christian world view
  • ii. Are these presuppositions against Christianity?
  • C. EXAMPLES
    • i. See“Oklahoma Atheist And Religious Neutrality”
    • ii. See “Barker Case Study: Moral Neutrality & Rejection Of God"
• II. THE BELIEVER CAN NOT BE NEUTRAL
  • A. THE BIBLICAL CASE
• Everything a Christian engages in ought to be for the glory of the Lord:
  “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1Corinthians 10:31)
• A Christian ought not to be captivated by non-Christian presuppositions:
  “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.” (Colossians 2:8)
• B. WHAT OUGHT TO BE THE BELIEVER’S PRESUPPOSITION?
  • i. The Christian presupposition and worldview ought to be directed by Scripture

Conclusion

These two principles must be remembered when the Christian engaged in defending the Christian faith. The believer ought to expose the nonbeliever’s false neutrality for what it is, namely a rebellion towards God and call the nonbeliever to repentance and forgiveness in Jesus Christ.

By Jimmy Li