Apologetics is a topic a lot of Christians seem to be passionate about. Not necessarily just Christians: Everyone seems to be eager to proselytise their personal beliefs (whether they admit it or not). But this particular article is aimed purely at Christians, and so I want to address what I perceive as an extreme weakness in popular strategy.
The comments section on social media, or indeed any open forum, is a notorious battle ground. Scores of jokes can be found about how even the most uplifting post can be spoiled by reading the comments section, or my personal favorite, "you don't need to do any real research, you simply have to post the wrong answer in the right place and let someone "school" you." Sadly, Christians are no exception to this rule. We (and I use this in a very personal "me too" kind of sense) often seem to take joy in winning arguments, to the extent where we often don't seem to care as much about winning souls.
This is not how Christians are called to behave. Firstly, because being right, or even being knowledgeable, is just not that impressive. Under the right circumstances, and given the right resources, anyone can draw the same conclusion as you. Even your intelligence is a gift from God, as is the faith with which you use it. Long story short, rather than boasting about your great knowledge, you should boast only in the God who gave it to you (Jeremiah 9:23-24).
Second, because the goal isn't to make yourself look like a jerk and your "target" feel stupid and bitter. The Great Commission isn't a seek and destroy mission, but search and rescue. It is tragic to me that so many Christians seem to take pleasure in defeating individual heretics and unbelievers. Almost as if they want to see these people suffer before God. Like "yeah, take that you heretic! You'll get your comeuppance in Hell!" *Bash bash bash*. Fingers fly across the keyboard and a smirk cracks open their snarky faces as they verbally abuse the lost and the broken, sometimes including people who are in the very same position from which Christ snatched them! All this for an adrenaline rush. A feeling of superiority, an opportunity to show off, a right good laugh.
But how clear is your conscience after such an encounter? You've come up with some childish nicknames for your opponents. You've thrown out silly slogans left right and center. You've spammed up the internet with "hilarious" memes which, let's face it, are only funny to you. Now what? Did you get your point across? Is your opponent likely to repent and be saved? Do you even slightly resemble Jesus? Of course not! If anything, you've likely put a stumbling block in this person's road to salvation! You may have even given anyone else reading the argument an extra reason to reject Christianity. As for bearing the image of Jesus, even if your opponent does realise the error of their ways having been lambasted by you, does he see Christ in you?
Peter gives us an alternative method. We are not to argue, but to reason. We aren't to battle like baboons, but to explain the truth respectfully, knowing full well that if we mess this up, that person may never escape Hell. This person, whom Jesus loves dearly enough to die for, may miss the train to Heaven and lose out on the chance of eternal life. Now, they might do that anyway. Giving the Gospel to some people is like giving pearls to a pig. They don't understand the gift you have given them on God's behalf, so they trample it, and may try to trample you, too. But Peter's advice remains the same: stay respectful and love them anyway. Let them be ashamed, not you. If you sink to their level, you are on their level. What good is that? But if you stay on God's level, where you belong, turning your cheek, going the extra mile, giving your cloak with your tunic, the scoffer will get what they deserve, and it will be far more fitting than a good ol' fashioned tongue lashing on a not-so-old fashioned computer device.
In apologetics, there is only one right attitude: Gentleness and respect. Recognise every single human being on this planet as falling under one of two categories: Saved and loved by God, or unsaved and loved by God. Failure to do so does not honor God, but aids Satan's agenda.