Cheryl Schatz

Mark,

Finally, your 1 Peter 3 text if you look in the context is telling Peter’s readers (who are being persecuted and suffering) to be ready to give an answer to their hope. That is, their hope during suffering may give an opportunity to express their hope- they should be prepared for that. Unless you think i am persecuted and suffering i fail to see why you quote that at me. That’s an aside anyway.

So the moral of the 1 Peter 3 text is only give an answer to those who ask you when we are asked because of persecution and suffering? I think not. No answer is ever going to come from you is it? You run away from your obligation to provide answers for the hope that is within you to everyone (not just persecutors) who ask you for your reasons. You fail the test.

And the thing that really makes me wonder is that you are studying to become a pastor or missionary aren’t you? Are you going to take this attitude into the congregation or mission field where you go? If so, you need to think about your inability to answer and to change your ways and follow the mandate of Scripture. Who are you really trying to please? Your own agenda or your precious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?