Are Christians supposed to defend the faith?

from the old testament

• A powerful defense of the faith for those who do not know Jesus would be pointing to Old Testament prophecies about Jesus’ suffering, dying, and being raised on the third day (Isaiah 53; Psalm 22; Psalm 16:10-11).
• The psalmist proclaims, “I will also speak of your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame”. He can be so bold because he finds “delight” in the Lord’s commandments (Psalm 119:46-47). Those who love the Lord want to share the truth about Him with others.
• Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down to an idol but showed the strength of their belief in God, though they faced death in a fiery furnace (Daniel 3:1-28). Their actions were a living defense of the faith and a powerful testimony to Nebuchadnezzar.

from the new testament

• All believers should prepare to answer why we believe in Jesus. First Peter 3:15 says, “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.”
• The apostle Paul provides such a defense in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8: "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me." Paul effectively points out Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, including post-resurrection appearances to himself and other living witnesses.
• In Acts 17:16-32 Paul presents a defense on Mars Hill with the sophists of the day.
• Jude 1:3 calls believers to stand against false teaching: "Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints." Believers are not to run away when confronted with false teaching but rather, to stand for what is true.

implications for today

“Defense” may bring to mind shields, weapons, martial arts, or military forces. We might also picture a court with a lawyer defending a client. But a Christian’s defense of the faith differs from all of those. Those defenses may save lives . . . but only temporarily. Christ saves for eternity. Through believers’ defense of the faith, we point others to the truth about Christ. We also strengthen our own faith; the best way to recognize a lie is to know the truth so well that we can present it to others.Today, the field of Christian apologetics provides information to answer unbelievers’ objections or believers’ lingering questions. Those who study this area can grow in their own faith and help others develop an understanding of Christian beliefs. Ultimately, though, arguments themselves don’t save; neither do our rhetorical skills. Jesus alone saves, and those who have an open heart to hear the truth will be receptive to the defense we provide.