I agree that our culture and the public square need "enlightenment, truth, and a godly perspective."

You also write: "I would add that we are also to be 'wise as serpents,' 'able to offer a reason,' 'defenders of the truth,' and we are to 'fight against wickedness and ungodliness.'"

The first two are clearly stated in Scripture. We have to be careful, I think, in how we word the second two.

Defending the truth is ultimately the job of the church and the Great Commission. Jesus IS the Truth. And by welcoming more people into a relationship with Him, we expand the truth in our world.

The church needs to be a beacon for the truth, so our front line of "battle" in that front is to guard the truth WITHIN the church.

"...I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." (I Timothy 3:15).

We are to resist and stand against "wickedness and ungodliness." Definitely. But...

"...the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds." (II Corinthians 10:4)