Hallmark Corporation has built a reputation as a first-rate greeting card company by consistently producing cards with pictures and artwork whose beauty is only matched by their poetic prowess. In other words, we purchase their greeting cards because they sum up our sentiments and we hardly trust our abilities to express our feelings so well. When a husband or boyfriend needs to say, "You were right" or "I messed up" or even "I’m sorry," he’ll often turn to Hallmark and flowers for help apologizing rather than trust his own words (it was probably his "own words" that got him in trouble in the first place).

However, greeting cards and flowers aren’t the kind of poetic apology referred to in the title of this article. While we often us the word "apology" as synonymous with "sorry," it is also defined as, "a formal justification: DEFENSE" (Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary). There is a branch of religious studies know as Apologetics which is an aspect of theology devoted to the defense of the Divine origin and authority of Christianity (Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary). Those preachers and scholars who spend their time in researching, writing, debating and preaching about the differences and superiority of Christianity among other belief-systems would rightly be termed apologists. Paul wrote by inspiration, "I am appointed for the defense of the gospel" (Phil. 1:17). Furthermore all Christians should be prepared to answer in this respect, as Peter wrote, "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear" (1 Pet. 3:15).

A powerful defense that God exists and that He is knowable is found in the lyrical Psalm 19. This is a poetic apology for the existence and revelation of God. You can know there is a God for His creation testifies of Him.

"The heavens declare the glory of God;
And the firmament shows His handiwork.
Day unto day utters speech,
And night unto night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech nor language
Where their voice is not heard.
Their line has gone out through all the earth,
And their words to the end of the world." (Psalm 19:1-4)

The beauty of nature declares an Artist. The order of nature declares a Designer. The processes of nature (cause and effect) declare an Uncaused Cause. The creation declares a Creator. "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse" (Rom. 1:20).

It is awesome to consider the God that the heavens declare. But this same Creator has not left us ignorant of His will nor groping for answers about our purpose. He has revealed Himself. He desires to be known, loved and obeyed. The next portion of the Psalm serves as an apology that God is knowable. He has given us special revelation.

"The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
And in keeping them there is great reward." (Psalm 19:7-11)

God has given us His word whereby we may know Him and have an abiding relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Also, "as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, for by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust" (2 Pet. 1:3-4).

While Christians may have no trouble affirming that there really is a God and He gave us the Bible, this apology is not without consequence. As Fritz Ridenour wrote:

"To say that God has communicated uniquely through inspired Scripture – the Old and New Testaments – denies the claim that all religions are equally valid. To say this also accuses some belief systems of being full of lies and falsehoods; it flies in the face of skeptics and agnostics who say no one can really know anything; it grinds at materialists who believe that the physical world is the only reality and everything else is just superstition; it denies the claim of mystics who label anything said about ultimate truth as inadequate and totally misleading; it offends those who have chosen pleasure or power as their gods." (So What’s the Difference?, p.12).

We live in a world created by God but that is in many respects hostile toward God and the ways of God. We must stand firm, boldly declaring the Truth of God almighty, His existence and His gospel of grace for sinful mankind. This defense we must make, without "apology."