Man’s Apologetics:
“The Allure of Gentleness: Defending the Faith in the Manner of Jesus” (Dallas Willard)

God’s Apologetics:
Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple. He drove out the sheep and cattle, scattered the money changers’ coins over the floor, and turned over their tables. Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, “Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!” (John 2:15-16)

Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent. He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. (Mark 3:4-5)

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Defending the faith “in the manner of Jesus”? Which Jesus? The “allure” is in conforming to the world’s standard of polite conversation. The “allure” is in inventing a different Jesus, a Jesus that you prefer, and then tell people to follow that one. Our apologetics must defend against this kind of apologetics. If we want to be “gentle” in the defense of the faith, then go heal the sick with miracles. That’s defending the faith “in the manner of Jesus.”