Greatest of All / Guest Post by Dr. Ben Shaw

Who is the greatest ice hockey player of all time?

The answer is clearly Alexander Ovechkin, and for at least two reasons:

1. He leads the NHL in all-time goal scoring.
2. He is one of the all-time leaders in hits/checks.

Right now, I’m sure most of you are nodding your head in agreement with me. However, there may be a few—just a few—who are thinking about how entirely wrong I am and that someone else is a better player.

The point of asking the question was not to start a debate about who is the best. Rather, it is to show that the question and our answers to it are normal, natural, and commonplace. If it is this easy to do in sports, how much more can we do it with our Lord Jesus?

Of course, for us, we are not just talking about Jesus, but living faithfully for Jesus (Eph. 2:10). Being able to share with others why Jesus is not just the “greatest of all time” but also Lord is important. Giving reasons for Jesus as our hope is something we are commanded to do and is called apologetics (e.g., 1 Pet. 3:15).

While apologetics sounds like a strange word, it has nothing to do with apologizing, arguments, or academics. It is simply giving a reason or a response. Whether we are giving a reason for Ovechkin being the best hockey player or Jesus as Lord, both discussions involve apologetics.

So those of you getting ready to type up why I am wrong about the best hockey player in the comments—I’ll look forward to reading the apologetic you give for someone you think is better than Ovechkin (though I doubt you’ll have any).

Christians use the word apologetics because of 1 Peter 3:15, which says:

• We are to be “always” ready, not sometimes or occasionally. This means taking the time to train to have core reasons memorized so that you are always ready to share them. To be ready, we must be prepared.
• We are to be ready to share “everyone.” This includes believers, unbelievers, and even ourselves when necessary. 
  1. Believers: If John the Baptist can have questions about Jesus, it is more than reasonable that believers today will have them (Mt. 11:1-19). 
  2. Unbelievers: When we share with others, they will ask us questions, and we need to be ready to answer the core questions (Acts 17:18-31). 
  3. Ourselves: Sometimes in moments of doubt, anxiety, or temptation, we need to remind ourselves of these truths (Phil. 4:6-9).
• Sharing the hope we have assumes we know the hope we have. As believers, we do not check our brains out when we follow Jesus (Mt. 22:37). It is true that our faith is more than mere intellectual assent, but that does not mean that truth and reason are by any means irrelevant either!

Jesus explains why others may ask us about our hope in Matthew 5:13–16:


We should be living faithful lives of obedience that allow others to taste (salt) and see (light) that the Lord is good (Ps. 34:8). As they see the good works we do as faithful servants of Jesus, they may ask us why is it that we are doing these things? Why are you serving others? Why are you sacrificing your time? Why are you forgiving? Why do you give your money? These are all questions that are ultimately about Jesus. This also leads to the potentially convicting question of “Who is asking you?” If nobody is, why not?

One of the most important apologetics for Christians—not only as a starting point for sharing the gospel but also for giving a reason for our hope—is Jesus’ resurrection.
In 1 Corinthians 15:1–3, Paul says that it is:

• Part of the gospel
• Has the power to save
• Is of first importance

Paul then spends an entire chapter showing the reality and significance of Jesus’ resurrection.

But is it true? Did Jesus really rise from the dead and conquer death?

The answer is yes — and the resurrection remains one of the best apologetics for believers, despite nearly 2,000 years of critical inquiry and investigation. As Gary Habermas and Mike Licona point out:
In short, there are good reasons the resurrection has remained persistent for 2,000 years — and why alternative theories have repeatedly failed.

If you wanted to share with others:

1. The hope you have in Jesus and
2. The reason for the hope you have (1 Peter 3:15)

…how would you go about doing so? Would you point to the gospel, which has the power to save and is of first importance?

That’s exactly what Paul does in 1 Corinthians 15. Jesus’ resurrection proves that He is the good King and the coming Judge. Acts 17:30–31 reminds us that the resurrection is not just a past event, but has future significance:


At the end of the day, debating who the greatest hockey player of all time is may be fun, but it doesn’t change eternity. What truly matters is being ready to give a reason for the hope we have in Jesus.

That’s why I’m inviting you this fall to join me as I partner with Pure Encouragement for a 6-week live course on one of the most critical foundations of the Christian faith: the resurrection of Jesus.

Together, we’ll walk through the Minimal Facts Approach, developed alongside Dr. Gary Habermas, one of the world’s leading scholars on the resurrection. Each session will be recorded and available for replay for up to 90 days, so you won’t miss a moment.

CLICK HERE to learn more or sign up. Come ready to be encouraged, challenged, and equipped as we dive deep into the truth and life-changing significance of Jesus’ resurrection!