Pearls before swine and apologetics.

I know I have been here for only a short time, and it seems I am starting a new thread constantly. But, I am in the middle of reading "The Cost of Discipleship" by Bonhoeffer. I have run across a reference to Matthew 7:6, "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.", and it got me to thinking.

In light of this verse, what is the implication on apologetics?

I can attest to seeing some forums and watching debates in which I have questioned, "Is this really being productive?". "Is the debater truly trying to lead his opponent to the truth or is he trying to win an argument and prove his point?"

Now, I will be honest and say that I have not given this verse much thought. I have also engaged in apologetics with unbelievers and have found that even if you have an answer for whatever objection they may produce, most will still remain indifferent or even hostile to the faith. At times such as these, I have chalked it up to having either sowed or watered, with the Holy Spirit working later on down the road.

Any thoughts?...

James,

This is an issue I often think about - that of casting your pearls before swine.

It helps me a lot when I visualize what hogs would do with pearls. They love to root, wallow in mud, have only one goal and that is to be the first one at the feed trough and get the most before any other hog and if one gets in the way, will snarl, push him out of his way. They are not courteous, nor polite to each other - it is not even on their radar. They have only one goal and that is to please themselves with no regard for any other hog except their piglets if it is a sow. Knowing well the behaviors of hogs, I know what they would think of pearls: have no respect, honor, no concept of their history or importance. If you can't eat it it is only good to stomp in the mud! (Yes, I grew up on a hog farm.)

Knowing full well the behaviors, the characteristics of hogs I am aware of people who have the same regard for holy things and would treat them just like a hog would pearls. Any incidents that the LORD has given you that is sacred to you, will be mocked by an ungodly person. So, then the point of this verse is that it is useless to share these precious gems with a person who has no regard for the sacred or the holy.

As one converses with a profane person, you will in your spirit quickly be able to discern the limitations of your testimony because he is like a a hog that will mock and scorn you. So, then, do not share what is holy and precious to you.

I have seen comments on the web of people that did share the sacred with profane persons and I cringe every time the mocking that follows.

My thoughts...

ginnyrose

since we are part of the kingdom of God, we should say,
"My Father doesn't cast his pearls before swine and neither should I".

Ginnyrose,
I think you gave a beautiful illustration!
We probably all have had at least one experience with trying to convey something so precious as something of the Spirit- something the Lord has intimately revealed to us, to have it received with flippancy or contempt. This is what I apply that verse to, although I know that James is speaking about apologetics.
Apologetics are meant to speak to the intellect, which is useful because it may renew the mind and can sink down into the heart and have its way provided the individual allow it, but ultimately it's the word of God that does it's work, not the the argument. The Lord has to be drawing a man for him to hear, and I mean hear the word of God. Some people cannot fully understand or digest some apologetics but are by no means excluded from the things of God!
I agree that sometimes we just have to know that God will use what we've said to either plant a seed or water it.

1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God...

13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

1 Cor. 2

QUOTE:
"Apologetics are meant to speak to the intellect, which is useful because it may renew the mind and can sink down into the heart and have its way provided the individual allow it, but ultimately it's the word of God that does it's work, not the the argument."

True.

Ravi Zacharias has a ministry using apologetics to the intellectual Indian. As an observer looking on, listening, I find much inspiration in his speeches. There is no other radio preacher that has influenced me as much as Ravi has and therein lies a problem - I tend to put him on a pedestal but God will sure work to break it if I persist. He also needs a Savior and is dependent on Him for everyday life.

God bless.

To the contrary, apologetics is very important. It can be a great source of encouragement for believers. But I think we should stay away from debating apologetics with unregenerate people.

Apologetics is a calling. It is a gift from God. Not everyone can take it. One name that stands out is Ravi Zacharias. If anyone has listened to him, you will clearly understand that this man has God's Gift to apologetic. He goes to extremely valued Universities and debates with students. Many of his debates are found in youtube. Very useful and very fruitful. One of the recent survey among students in various universities in US proved that Ravi was attributed by many students for both coming to faith and sustaining their faith in Jesus irrespective of Peer pressure.

For a normal man like me to evangelize to an unbeliever I first pray that God has to bring a longing in their heart to know the truth. Without that I don't think my debate is of any value.

Brother Frank, agreed. You have very well stated what I have been thinking.

I think in the past I have attempted to appeal to an unbelievers' head as opposed to his heart. And have thrown facts and theology at them to no avail, thinking I would somehow make an inroad. When what they needed was a pure transparent presentation of the gospel.

This has been foolisness on my part.

I have since learned to answer an objection when it arises and then immediately turn it back to the gospel. I do not want to engage in a debate. I have found myself chasing rabbits in the past. People will raise one objection after the other and I have come to the conclusion that many of these are not honest questions but merely a delay tactic or a game for them to see if they can stump you.

ginnyrose,

You are right when you say that you will be able to discern these people. Sometimes I have been stubborn. There comes a point when you have to realize this isn't taking. And if I continue to try and force, then I begin to rely upon my own intellect and flesh and attempt to usurp what only the Holy Spirit can do.

I think apologetics are an important part of theology. As they do serve to reinforce our faith. And it can be helpful to be armed with this knowledge as an answer to a legitimate question. But as the primary vehicle for a presentation of the gospel, not so much.

hi, when i first got saved , imet a man who taught apologetics at the new orleans baptist theological seminary whose name was clark pinnock. he lived at 1111 bourbon st. in the middle of all the action in the french quarter and every saturday night he and his wife would have 20 to 30 people in his home for a bible study and coffee(seeker sensitive 50 years ago)we had people of all faiths and backrounds and all levels of society. he would start with a subject and this was talked over for about 2 hours and then he would answer mostly all of the questions on that subject. it was mind blowing for a new believer but he became a dear friend and poured the knowlege in me for a few years. he has published a few books and the last i saw him he was at trinity evangelical divinity school in ill.many souls were influenced for Christ in those home meetings.jimp

Apologetics is a calling. It is a gift from God. Not everyone can take it.

I think the real problem is in doing bad apologetics. You just lose your audience’s respect, and you make a mockery of the gospel. Better to be silent than to offer a half-baked pie. But, that’s not of course the “Pearl” Jesus is talking about. And the swine are not merely unbelievers who have no ability to discern (we may assume).

In Jesus’ day the swine-ish types were the hard-core legalist. They had a remarkable way of trampling over the tender pearls of the kingdom. I see a place for boundaries among God’s people.

Even today, sometimes it’s best not to spill out everything - like at sharing time in church. At least that’s what I learned by experience. Later someone comes along and repeats back something you never said at all. They interpret you as pitiful and messed up, and they miss entirely what Jesus is doing. So Jesus gets completely trampled over. Sometimes it’s better to share with a few friends (even unbelievers) who will honor your testimony.

Here’s another thought: Certain words related to God get trampled on simply because they have been distorted in the minds of our listeners for so long. There are words I avoid when I know that the people will hear them differently than I am using them – and then trample over the “Pearl”. There are plenty of effective alternatives. Jesus himself used stories with the crowds.

I see reckless trampling with some of the blatant use of the spiritual ideas in the media. Viewers have no idea what is being said, and so they interpret it as ridiculous. Why create a set up for the public to trample over God’s treasure. The words “born again” is a good example.

We have a responsibility to guard the treasure and hold it in high esteem through our life testimony and our ise use of God’s gifts – and not indiscriminately throw it away to swine to mistreat.

It’s better to be persecuted for the right reason than the wrong reason.

Diane

QUOTE:
"Certain words related to God get trampled on simply because they have been distorted in the minds of our listeners for so long. There are words I avoid when I know that the people will hear them differently than I am using them – and then trample over the “Pearl”. There are plenty of effective alternatives."

So true.

I have learned that when speaking to the public, and especially Jehovah's Witnesses, to not use any theological terms. If one could use two, three words to describe an idea it is far better to discuss the idea using two dozen common words lest you be misunderstood. The key is communication: how well do I communicate the idea that I think is important for him/her to understand. Once again, one has to listen with his spiritual ear to what the Holy Spirit is leading you to say.

ginnyrose

Folks,

I was won by intellectual answers to all my questions. My rebellion was one of ignorance. Once the Holy Ghost began to tug at me I committed myself to seeking answers to all my questions.

My faith now is solid as a result.

Please never underestimate the necessity of apologetics. All the more in the modern era (I Pet 3:15)

P.

Phillips Matt 7.6 "You must not give holy things to dogs, nor must you throw your pearls before pigs — or they may trample them underfoot and turn and attack you.\t

In this verse I do not believe that Christ is talking about sharing the gospel with sinners at all here but to those who name the name of Christ, so my answer is geared towards Christians..

We know from other references that ‘dogs’ were called Samaritans, half blooded Jews (Matt 15.26-27); so ‘dogs’ could be referred here as half-hearted believers, someone who was not sold out to Christ? Give not that which is holy to a half-hearted believer? I don’t believe that understanding is too farfetched. I support this by the many people that followed Christ and yet He only took aside his disciples to share the weightier matters. I think the same stands true for today with God and who He shares what with.

And I also find it interesting that Christ used pearls (not only pearls but He used swine and pearls in the same sentence!!), two things that are NOT valued by Jews. Pearls because they don’t have fins or scales to move in the water (Leviticus 11.10), because they eat whatever falls to the bottom of the sea (like crab, lobster and shrimp) that has died and God deemed them to be unclean. Have you ever seen a Jewish woman with a string of pearls around her neck? Just saying but I could be wrong!

In conclusion, there are things that the Lord gives us through fasting and prayer vigils that He won’t give to other people and we are not to share these with everyone; because even though they might be believers, they might not be MATURE believers. In their immaturity, they don’t understand why God would show you something that He hasn’t shown them.

So actually, we do them a disservice by sharing the pearls (valuable things God has given us), with them, thereby giving them an opportunity to trample them under their feet and then use it against you. But most of us are like Joseph; we get excited by our dreams and visions and want to show them off to everyone. WE NEED TO BE WISER.

Mary held things in her heart and didn’t share that her son was the Messiah with anyone. Can you imagine holding in your heart for years and years that your son was the long awaited Messiah? But she did and we need to as well – hold the things that God gives us UNTIL He gives us permission to share them.

But that’s just my two cents!! God bless,
Lisa