Here we go again. This time we’re in the field of apologetics and looking at passages that are taken out of context.
I 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” (ESV)
Here’s is where the evidential apologists mistake the meaning of the passage. They say that we’re supposed to use reason to describe the basis for our faith and hope. Look at the evidence, present it clearly, and persuade people that it is true. But is that what the passage, Peter’s letter, says?
What is the source for our hope? It’s all throughout this letter. The God who owns us, the One who redeemed us, is trustworthy. He is just. He is consistent. He is secure. And so much more. The last thing it could ever be about is reason and historical artifacts.
Luke 19:40
“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”
Are the stones crying out? Are we now not overwhelmed with massive amounts of archaeological evidence for the life of Jesus and all of the history surrounding His presence? That may be so, but that’s not the meaning of this passage. Besides, that interpretation would lead to the conclusion that we are being silent about Christ’s work so that we are being judged for our silence. Not a good take.
But this is about judgement for our silence. Just a different type of judgement. The stones are not evidential but they are a metaphoric witness to our failures when we remain silent. A number of OT passages describe stones crying out. Habakkuk 2 is notable. But I think Joshua 4 comes closest. Stones are witnesses. They are markers. They sit as placeholders in people’s lives. They don’t literally speak. In the Joshua case, the mizpeh markers that were set up spoke of God’s faithfulness and, when they forgot God’s faithfulness, were their judge.