1. Praying/worshipping God
2. Discussion/argument about whether or not Christianity is true
3. Christians who are persecuted because of their faith
4. History
5. Language, culture.

The ones that leap out at me as places to begin are numbers (2) (Apologetics) and (3) Persecution. Where are Christians being persecuted because of their faith today?

North America: I guess we could say that in some North American contexts Christians are finding it hard to be accepted or popular due to the general swing away from admiring Christianity to a pluralistic and relativistic stance. I would guess that on many campuses professors enjoy "Christian bashing." Here is a place for a well educated Christian who has a sense of history (4) and is sensitive to cultural dynamics (5) and can express himself clearly (5) could winsomely show a viable alternative (2) By the way, note what Peter says in 1 Peter 3:15 (see below). It is important to underscore that his counsel for apologetic encounters is that one should speak with "gentleness and respect." But to be effective one must spend generous amounts of time in the Lord's presence to find His wisdom and mind (1). The Christian faith always needs to be represented by proficient scholars in the university scene.

Overseas: Now let's change the scenario. With your study of persecuted Christians you no doubt recognize that the places that are the most difficult are lands dominated by Islam. Persecution in these contexts is more than "Christian bashing." It is prison and even death. In a place like Saudi Arabia, for example, open Christian witness is impossible. They'll kill you, imprison you, or at least deport you. However, other countries, like those in Central Asia or even moving westward from the Islamic heartland, persecution is still present but the opportunity of an apologetic is still possible.

Since you like language [though you haven't told me exactly what you mean by this term] I could see you teaching English in a university say in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. This means you would probably have to learn Russian as well as Uzbek. Your interest in culture (5) would enable you to fit more easily into this foreign context. Your love of history (4) would enable you to appreciate how these peoples have had a varied religious heritage over the last 3,000 years. The more you know of their cultural heritage (4 and 5) the more they will respect you.

You might like to read the biography of Mateo Ricci, the Italian Jesuit who spent his adult life in China and who became so proficient in Chinese and the Chinese classics that he could debate with the scholars. In fact, in his apologetic he showed that originally the Chinese worshipped one God before they become polytheists. He could tell them that he was in effect bringing back to them what their ancestors originally had and which they had lost. When he died he left 1,000 Christians among the intelligentsia. ( I'm writing this in a hotel far from home so I can't consult any reference books, but if you want to know more get back to me.)

Once again, your ability to defend the Christian message (2) would be greatly strengthened by a thorough knowledge of the Koran, to show the Muslims how much the Koran has to say about Jesus. (If you really like languages, this would mean you would probably have to get a working knowledge of classical Arabic.) You might like to read the biography of Raymond Lull, the first Christian who dedicated his life to prepare an apologetic to win Muslims. He made repeated trips to North Africa to argue with the mullahs and scholars and often left them silent, but in the end, as a man in his eighties, was stoned to death.

But conversion is not just proving that your convictions have good arguments. In fact, as we are all aware, people in the U.S. are less and less interested in proving anything, or even looking for truth. This was part of modernism, and we are now in a decidedly postmodern culture. This does not mean that we abandon all apologetic, but it indicates that what will convince people that Jesus is the Son of God is the evidence of His life in His followers and then their own experience. (As Gandhi was reputed to have said, "If Christians lived like Christ, I would have become a Christian.") The power of the Gospel comes from the Holy Spirit which fills our lives as we spend time in His presence and obey Him (1).

If you have read some of my answers in this column you will have discovered that I spent 20 years working with university students in Colombia. For 8 years I was professor of English in the National University in Bogotá. I could hardly think of anything more rewarding. Given your interests, I think you would discover the same thing.

So, Tim, this is the best I can say with the scanty information you have given me. If you want, let's continue the discussion.

You have asked for suggestions as to who else might be able to help you with this quest. Have you tried:

1. Your parents?
2. Your pastor?
3. Your staff worker (if you are a member a university student group, like InterVarsity)?

May the Lord bless and guide you. HE is the only one who can really answer your question!

Jack

We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).

In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer 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 (1 Peter 3:15, 16). (Note the balance between argument (reason) and life (good behavior).