Was Spurgeon Right, That the Bible Is A "Lion" You Just Let Out?

19th century Baptist preacher Charles Spurgeon once said you don't defend the Bible, just like you don't have to defend a lion -- you just let it out. Okay, I understand his intention to honor the power of God's word. Problem is, the Bible itself tells us to defend it. We're supposed to defend the Gospel, which is inseparable from defending the Scripture from which we learn the Gospel. Peter said to be ready to give an answer for the hope that is in us, and Paul said in II Corinthians to tear down every argument that exalts itself against the truth of God. God has assigned to us the task of defending the Gospel and the Bible from which it springs.