英國牛津大學的蘇格拉底俱樂部成立於1941年。這個俱樂部的成立，是為了鼓勵基督徒與無神論者或不可知論者之間相互辯論。

宗教辯論在一般世俗大學中，並不少見。但令人驚訝的是，擔任蘇格拉底俱樂部主席長達15年之久的人，竟然是偉大的基督教學者魯益師。魯益師樂於讓自己的想法接受挑戰，因他相信基督信仰經得起細細檢視，並且他深知有可靠、合理的證據可以相信耶穌。

從某方面來說，魯益師實踐了使徒彼得給信徒的建議。彼得囑咐那些遭受迫害而四散的信徒說：「只要心裡尊主基督為聖。有人問你們心中盼望的緣由，就要常作準備，以溫柔、敬畏的心回答各人」（彼得前書3章15節）。彼得提到兩個關鍵：我們有充足的理由信靠基督，而且必須以「溫柔、敬畏」的態度，說明我們的理由。

信靠基督並非以宗教逃避現實，或一廂情願的想法。我們的信仰是基於歷史事實，包括耶穌的復活，以及受造萬物也見證了確實有一位造物主。願我們仰賴上帝的智慧與聖靈的能力，常作準備，與人分享信靠這位偉大上帝的緣由。

In 1941, the Socratic Club was established at England’s Oxford University. It was formed to encourage debate between believers in Jesus and atheists or agnostics.

Religious debate at a secular university isn’t unusual, but what is surprising is who chaired the Socratic Club for fifteen years—the great Christian scholar C. S. Lewis. Willing to have his thinking tested, Lewis believed that faith in Christ could stand up to great scrutiny. He knew there was credible, rational evidence for believing in Jesus.

In a sense, Lewis was practicing Peter’s advice to believers scattered by persecution when he reminded them, “In your hearts revere 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” (1 Peter 3:15). Peter makes two key points: we have good reasons for our hope in Christ and we’re to present our reasoning with “gentleness and respect.”

Trusting Christ isn’t religious escapism or wishful thinking. Our faith is grounded in the facts of history, including the resurrection of Jesus and the evidence of the creation bearing witness to its Creator. As we rest in God’s wisdom and the strength of the Spirit, may we be ready to share the reasons we have for trusting our great God.