Apologetics and Apology

 

 

Apologetics and apology:

Don’t mix up the two,

Some treat them as synonyms

According to their view.

 

Alas, they are not;

They are vastly different

And to show this in this poem

Is my intent.

 

One is a defence

Of a biblical doctrine

Like for example an examination

Of universal sin.

 

 

The other is a regret

For something said or done

With the intention in the future

It would be shunned.

 

Apology is the word

Used for either case

But let me hasten to explain,

To scoff, don’t haste.

 

For some are quick

To pass searing judgment

On matters they haven’t research

But stoutly resent.

 

 

Thus, the need to apologize

For poor apologetics

And misleading the uninformed

With an erroneous mix.

 

On the other hand

No apology is required

By any apologist whose position

Is the Word, God-inspired.

 

So, don’t mix the two,

They are clearly distinct,

Be clear in you presentation

Even when succinct.

 

 

Two meanings of apology

But don’t mix up the two,

One could be a poor presentation

Of an unresearched view.

 

 

As an apologist

In the practice of apologetics,

Be wary of so-called apologists

That are up to tricks.

 

 

 

Stand on the Scriptures

And not on apology,

For that which pertains thereto

Touches eternity.

 

Stewart Russell © December 16, 2024

 

The Burden of Proof

 

 

If I claim what I am not

Am I telling the truth?

And if I say, that’s how I feel

Is that acceptable proof?

 

If the truth is what it’s not

Then what is a lie?

A lie would be the truth

Can’t you see why?

 

They would be synonyms

Words that mean the same

Hence, right now you think

That I am insane.

 

This kind of argument

Is prevalent these days,

We have gone stark raving mad

In so many ways.

 

 

Truth is a feeling

That burns deep inside

And once I sincerely feel it

That truth cannot be denied.

 

There is a truth for you

And a truth for me,

And though diametrically opposing

It is the truth that we see.

 

I see it as black

While you see it as white,

We are both correct

The two are alike.

 

 

 

Similarities in differences

Difference in similarities

Truth and falsehood

Are established parities.

 

Established in the sense

That it was not always so

But given our recent knowledge

It’s a fact we now know.

 

I fear for our children

I hope you can see why,

The goalposts have been moved,

On what can we rely?

 

 

What will our teachers teach

If a lie is the truth?

Hence the title above:

That is the burden of proof.

 

Stewart Russell © October 2019

 

Be Wary Though Weary

 

 

 

I know we’re COVID weary:

It’s been around a while

And it continues to wreak havoc

For many a human mile.

 

As for me, I am tired

And wish it would go away

But even though I get COVID weary

I keep my guard up every day.

 

Stay COVID wary!

Be always on the look-out!

That COVID will be around a while

I have not the slightest doubt.

 

Stay COVID wary, I repeat,

Do not be weary in well doing,

Protect yourself and your fellowman

This advice is worth chewing.

 

There is doubt about vaccines

But little about the masks,

Therefore, adhering to this protocol

Should not be a difficult task.

 

I seldom hear a cough or sneeze

When I am out in public,

It appears that the common cold

Has speedily taken its exit.

 

 

One doctor explained to me

It’s because we are wearing masks

Therefore, because of this behavior

Flu viruses will not be passed.

 

He also highlighted hygiene

As in the washing of the hands,

As we continue to do this regularly

It will upset COVID’s plans.

 

Physical distance is not as easy

As the afore-mentioned two

But it’s an absolutely critical protocol

For each one of us to do.

 

I do believe these protocols

Indicate how wary we should be

And regarding their constant practice

Please do not grow weary.

 

 

These two words are synonyms

And they really sound alike

But please do not confuse the two

As we continue this COVID fight.

 

For if we weary in being wary

Then COVID will dominate

But if we be wary while being weary

COVID will disintegrate.

 

A word to the fully vaccinated:

Continue to wear your mask!

There is still a lot about COVID-19

That we are yet to grasp.

 

Stay COVID wary, I admonish,

Adhere to the protocols!

And until we are out of the woods

Put risky behaviours on stall.

 

Stewart Russell © August 17, 2021

 

My “D U I”

Driving under the influence?

No, nothing like that, rather,

Discomfort, unease, inconvenience,

Let me tell you the facts.

Discomfort, unease, inconvenience,

This is my “D U I”

 And, if you had my experience

You would probably cry.

You may want to argue

That these three are synonyms

But the subtle shades of meaning

Is what I shall be highlighting.

In terms of cause and effect

Each comes out of the other,

This I observed just recently

When dealing with a matter.

It was one that I created

Since I was feeling rather fit

And while running up some steps

I inadvertently slipped.

It was a horrible experience

One I will never forget

But there were consolations too,

Not all of it was regret.

At first I could not stand

My foot wouldn’t bear my weight,

I thought it had been broken…

O what an awful state!

Fortunately, it was not so

But the pain was quite intense,

Then, a minor slip…

And now a major offense.

So by now you surely know

The cause of my “D U I”,

I should have walked instead run

You must have heard me sigh.

  

Now there is acute discomfort

Walking has become a struggle,

And this is only just one-third

Of my overall trouble.

One-third is the unease

In achieving the simple things,

Those everyday normal practices

That our daily living brings.

One-third is the inconvenience

 Of heavily depending on others,

Inconveniencing those around me

Only makes me a bother,

Discomfort, unease, inconvenience,

Not driving under the influence,

This is the “D U I” of mine

That threatens to make me a nuisance.

Stewart Russell (c) August 2019