Ministry Profile - ‘Think Christianity’
Think Christianity is a not-for-profit Christian ministry based in Australia. The mission of Think Christianity involves advancing the Christian belief system to audiences throughout the world, on the basis that it is credible and true. Instead of being vague, boring and irrelevant, Christianity offers a comprehensive and detailed understanding of ourselves and our world, with deep meaning and significance for our lives. So not only is it intellectually satisfying, it’s also exciting and transformational — something really worth thinking about!
With Christians, Think Christianity promotes an understanding of the Christian faith at a more intelligent and meaningful level, so that believers are better able to articulate and apply it (both of which are our responsibilities). It is important for believers to be good ambassadors for Christ, living lives that are consistent with their beliefs. It is also important for believers to be competent to respond to sincere questions about Christianity.
With others, Think Christianity communicates the Christian worldview in an intelligent and coherent way, showing respect for sincere doubts and skepticism. In so doing, they aim to clarify the unique claims of Christianity so that they may be properly evaluated in the right contexts, and to demonstrate how Christianity is distinct and challenging to alternative views.
Following is an interview with Peter Grice, President and Director of Think Christianity.
FI - Please tell us a little about yourself
I (never really) grew up in a coal-mining town in central Queensland, Australia, and ended up at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music studying classical guitar after finishing school. Countless broken strings later, I took up graphic design and website development for about ten years before I was privileged to step into full-time Christian ministry. When I’m not working, I enjoy the simple pleasures of spending time with family and friends, studying, reading and making unconscionably bad puns. I love God, people and the endlessly fascinating universe God has made, so my overriding passion is the pursuit of understanding all these together.
FI - How did you become interested in apologetics?
Not everyone seems hard-wired to quest after knowledge of what’s true, and I put it that way because I don’t think necessarily it’s a virtue, yet to me it’s been both natural and extremely important. Growing up, I suppose I just couldn’t stop myself if I’d tried. When one comes to Christianity on that basis, it becomes critical to weigh the reasons for accepting it as true, over against competing claims. I also think we should go beyond that, pursuing Christianity’s ongoing relevance and application, so that our convictions have maximal integrity and expression. Apologetics for me became a very natural extension of this.
Like many others I cut my teeth on the works of people like C. S. Lewis and Josh McDowell, who made apologetics so accessible last century. The thing I appreciated about those authors early on was that they understood it was healthy to weigh all significant challenges. Discussions of the basis for morality really piqued my interest as well, which I guess was an early foray into philosophy. Over time, I came to enjoy the full range of disciplines associated with apologetic study. These days the motivations are intertwined: genuine interest and inquiry, preparedness for the apologetic task, love of people and the good things in the world, and an ever-growing respect for the Christian worldview and its central message.
FI - What was your purpose in creating the “Think Christianity” ministry and website? What kinds of feedback are you getting from both believers and unbelievers?
Together with my wife and some close friends of ours, I became very cognizant of a need for this kind of ministry in Christian churches, and a corresponding need in society for clear examples of rational, relevant Christianity. Unfortunately there’s some truth to the stereotype that we don’t engage our minds, and I see good biblical grounds for this being a challenge we must urgently address. Although there are encouraging signs of change, the nascent interest is yet to produce broad-based excitement and commitment to a clear cause. We see Think Christianity as a catalyst in that process. By understanding the areas of need we can respond with useful ideas, projects and resources.
When people encounter us for the first time, the reaction is almost always positive. Even if they have a problem with Christianity in general, they still seem to find our approach refreshing. Of course there are a few for whom maintaining the stereotype is critical to their own worldview, so will predictably scoff and dismiss the idea that faith can be reasonable. Some believers are unsure of what to make of that same idea, and their response is usually polite disinterest. Then there are the many Christians whose passion lies in this area. Harry Blamires wrote of “the loneliness of the thinking Christian,” and they are the ones who instantly appreciate what we’re trying to achieve. In general, people are very kind, but I also want to point out that we actively solicit constructive criticism, because we always strive to improve.
FI - What are the big apologetics-oriented questions people are asking about Christianity today?
The weightiest concern is the presence of suffering in the world, one surely exacerbated by a dismissal or trivialization of both God’s righteousness and human sin. Questioning the Bible in one way or another seems to be on the increase, and there’s nothing wrong with that if it’s done with healthy motives.
A number of honest questions lie behind statements that seem at first blush to be insincere. For example, there’s widespread confusion and anxiety over how to process an overwhelming number of perspectives out there. This often leads to statements reinforcing the preference that all beliefs be considered equal, which might imply arrogance on our part. Yet I tend to think most people still hold that there is objective truth, so I take it as an inquiry rather than a conversation-stopper. We also find that since 9/11, there’s been a marked increase in equivocation regarding “faith” and “religion,” which we see as a potentially urgent matter for Christian apologists to clarify.
FI - In your view, what role does apologetics play in evangelism? What advice do you have about using apologetics in sharing the gospel?
I immediately think of the Apostle Paul’s introduction when he wrote from prison to his supporters at Philippi. The way he portrays the cause of the gospel is fascinating! We learn that there is a conflict (Phil 1:30) with opponents (v28) of this message about Jesus. Yet we need not be intimidated (v28), but can have courage in difficult situations, which really serve to advance (v28) the gospel. Partnership (v5) and striving side by side (v27) is important to this cause, and prayer and the Spirit’s help (v19) are vital. There is a proclamation (v18) of the gospel – that’s evangelism. Secondly, the gospel has a confirmation (v7), which I understand to be the miraculous circumstances (sensational or otherwise) surrounding its advance. Finally, the gospel has a defense (v7,16) – our word “apologetics” actually derives from the Greek word used here.
These various facets seem intertwined, and we get the impression that apologetics comes to the fore whenever it is needed. In this dynamic partnership we could perhaps regard apologetics as “co-evangelism.”
I also think that in our less turbulent circumstances (if you are reading this from prison as an “ambassador in chains” please disregard that) apologetics functions as “pre-evangelism.” There is a lot to be said for a clear, unambiguous statement of the core gospel message about Jesus Christ. Most of the time, however, that message is either lost in translation because people can’t readily appropriate it into their existing conceptual framework, or clouded out by various moral and intellectual objections. Apologetics in this capacity is therefore essentially a persuasion and translation project, tasked with clearing away obstacles that prevent the precious message from being properly understood and considered. It not only defends, but commends as well. The gospel is the core, while apologetics protects the core and facilitates its delivery.
My advice in this connection is to cultivate sincerity, and prepare well. Sincerity means that we say what we believe and don’t project a false confidence. We are interested in what’s true, not whether or not we can win an argument. Learn when debate is appropriate and when it isn’t. If it is, use tactics and even some rhetoric if it enhances a point, but never without substance, never to gain undue advantage. Manage the terms of engagement (for example, in the matter of burden of proof). Avoid triumphalism.
If the context is more interpersonal, ask people what they believe, rather than trying to impress them with how much more you know about it than they do. Listen to others first, and in the process you’ll earn the right to share your perspective. Avoid pat answers. Allow people the dignity of clarifying what they mean. Be willing to admit where you are wrong, and even that you could be wrong overall. Be willing to admit when you don’t know the answer. Hold others accountable to similar standards if you can. Good preparation entails practicing good critical thinking and communication skills, staying abreast of contemporary challenges, reading widely on related subjects and intentionally, prayerfully cultivating the right motives and attitude.
FI - What is the apologetics “scene” like in Australia? How does it differ from apologetics in the US, UK or elsewhere?
It’s quite localized. Since Australia has a relatively small population and only a handful of large cities, notable apologetics activity is often restricted to those few locations where there are enough resources and interest to sustain it. This is lamentable, although there are some encouraging signs of nationwide coordination, which should strengthen the movement here. We have benefited greatly from materials and resources developed in North America and the UK to a lesser extent, but there is a growing need for locally developed materials targeted to local sensibilities. Australians can be cynical, but this is not necessarily a disadvantage, since it cuts both ways regarding the anti-Christian element.
FI - What are your future plans for “Think Christianity”? Are there any new directions or developments you can share?
Yes, this year we are launching a program to develop our secondary school-level curriculum to cover a full three years, and to roll it out nationwide. As part of this we’re planning to run week-long camps for those who’ve done the material, to help transition them into adult life with a robust Christian faith. We believe this is something Christian teachers and youth leaders can really get excited about, and would love to hear from those who’d like to know more. Apart from that, we are looking to firmly establish the ministry in different locations around the country, and always love hearing from supporters and potential partners and representatives.
To find out more about Think Christianity and their resources visit their website here.