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Historically, King Henry VIII of England was deemed a Defender of the Faith. The title derived from his written defense of the Catholic Church against Martin Luther’s reforms.
Ironically, Henry eventually sided with many of Luther’s positions and started his own Reformation in England, creating the modern-day Anglican church.
Even today, coins in England depict the famous title “Defender of the Faith” alongside pictures of the late Queen Elizabeth.
Can Christians serve as modern-day defenders? Absolutely, and they should always seek to defend Christianity’s doctrines and the infallibility of the Bible. A key verse regarding apologetics comes from 1 Peter 3:15: “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”
Christians need to know the Bible and the faith they practice to defend it. J. C. Ryle, an Anglican bishop, constantly urged his followers to live in prayer, study the Scriptures and attend church. He often remarked that if you continued these three habits, God would surely bless you.
Defending the faith can certainly correlate to apologetics, but it does not solely involve verbal debates.
Can Christians defend the faith in terms of commitment? Joshua serves as a great example and declared:
“And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).
19th Century church historian J.H. Merle D’Aubigne went even further:
If an audacious hand raise a sword against the Scriptures of God, or begin to dig a mine below them, then-citizens of the city of God,-then to arms! The enemy is at the door! Forward armies of the Lord! Pray, fight, and, rather than permit the ramparts of the Lord to be touched, die on the spot. We must defend the Scriptures or perish.[i]
Defending the faith should be a principle by which Christians abide. The literal definition of a Christian is one who follows Jesus Christ and His teachings. This suggests that Christians should be actively engaged in their faith, defending the Word of God and Jesus’ Gospel message and living a life of commitment always focused on Christ.
Taking Peter’s words seriously, we should defend the faith in gentleness and respect. Our religion is one of love, focused on God’s sovereignty.
Defending the faith allows us to show our admiration for the God who has redeemed us and providentially cares for us. Like the Christians before us, it allows us to live honorable Christ-filled lives, always prepared to defend our Lord and Savior and the Scriptures we hold dearly. Our standards and rightful home are not of this world.
[i] J.H. Merle D’Aubigne, The Authority of God: Four Discourses, (Harrisonburg: Sprinkle Publications, 2008), 179.