But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. [1 Corinthians 15:12-20]

Paul imagines what reality would look like if Christ had not triumphed over death. Faith would be useless. Faith in a dead messiah is pointless. Worse still, Paul would be a misleading preacher who misrepresented God. Moreover, the problem of our wrong-doing, our sin, would remain unaddressed. Anyone believing this stuff is to be pitied. The very fact that Paul can envisage an alternative to Christ actually rising from the dead ought to caution anyone suggesting that the Apostle was a one-eyed fanatic for his faith. My experience of the ideologically driven is that there are no alternatives to the platform they advocate.

What is clear from this part of the New Testament is that people aren’t told simply to believe without questioning. Paul’s readers are not called to embrace an unexamined faith. Paul is not the only writer in the New Testament who sees the need for argument. This is what Peter wrote to some Christians living in what is now modern Turkey (1 Peter 3:13-17):

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?  But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.”  But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer [defense] to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

Peter knew that his readers were facing hostility from their neighbors and needed to know how to conduct themselves under pressure. He reminds his readers of the importance of lifestyle (“eager to do good”), and insists that tone is important (“gentleness and respect”). Live down criticism with a clear conscience. Doing evil is a no no. Importantly, be prepared to mount a defense of your faith, and “give the reason for the hope that you have.” To make a defense (lit. “apology”) in this sense and to give the reason (logos) for one’s hope is an appeal to the mind.

The book that understands me recognizes my need for argument and reasons.