TacticsA GAME PLAN FOR DISCUSSING YOUR

CHRISTIAN CONVICTIONS

…but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it

with gentleness and respect.1 Peter 3:15

Paperback: 208 pagesPublisher: Zondervan; 2009Language: EnglishISBN-10: 0310282926

Part One: The Game PlanDiplomacy or D-Day?ReservationsThe Columbo Tactic

Part Two: Tactics to Find the Flaws Suicide: Views that Self-DestructPractical SuicideSibling Rivalry & InfanticideTaking the Roof OffSteamrollerRhodes ScholarJust the Facts, Ma’amMore Sweat, Less Blood

Road Map

Google Says:reasoned arguments or writings in justification

of something, typically a theory or religious doctrine.

Apologetics

Any stories from this week?

Matthew 10:16I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of

wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves

Ambassador ModelMore friendly curiosity & relaxed diplomacyLess confrontation

The witch in WisconsinPg 20-23

Diplomacy or D-Day?

Pg 28:If Christianity is the truth, no matter how

convincing the other side sounds at first, there will always be a fly in the ointment somewhere – a mistake in thinking. . .

Koukl Says (pg 38): It may surprise you to hear this, but I never set out to convert

anyone. My aim is never to win someone to Christ. I have a more modest goal, one you might consider adopting as your own. All I want to do is put a stone in someone’s shoe. I want to give him something worth thinking about, something he can’t ignore because it continues to poke at him in a good way.

Paul Says (I Cor 9):Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a

slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law.21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

Three Questions1. What do you mean by that?

WHAT2. How did you come to that conclusion?

WHY3. Just one more thing. . .have you considered. .

.?Or: Can you clear this up for me. . .?Or: Can you help me understand this. . .?(read pg 84)This is the first tactic that requires knowledge &

skill

Getting in the Driver’s SeatThe Columbo Tactic

When statements fail to meet their own criteria of validity, they are self-refuting:There is no truth.

Is this statement true?There are no absolutes

Is this an absolute?No one can know any truth about religion

And you, exactly, did you come to know that truth about religion?

You can’t know anything for sureAre you sure about that?

You can only know truth through experience?What experience has taught you that truth?

Never take anyone’s advice on that issue.Should I take your advice on that?

Finding the FlawsSuicide: Views that self-destruct

Religious Plularism is self-destructingPg 118When someone dies, they might go to Heaven

or Hell, or they might be reincarnated, or they might simply turn to dust, but they can’t do them all at the same time.

Finding the FlawsSuicide: Views that self-destruct

Practical Suicide (pg 121)Simply can’t work in real-life application“It’s wrong to say that people are wrong.”

Sibling Rivalry & InfanticideWhen two objections are at odds with each otherWhen a concept turns out to disqualify the view

itselfPg 132

Finding the Flaws

Taking the roof offPg 143Three steps

Reduce the point of view to its basic argumentGive the idea a test drive to see if any absurd

consequences resultInvite the person to consider the unusual implications

of her viewPg 146

Trotting out the ToddlerPg 151 & 154

Finding the Flaws

Why do people ignore arguments?Emotional reasonsPrejudiceCultural influencesJust plain pigheaded

Why arguments don’t work

Because steamroller are so aggressive, you must manage them aggressivelyStep One: Stop Him

That’s not a simple issue. I need a moment to explain myself. Is that okay?

Step Two: Shame HimCan I ask you a favor? I’d love to respond to your concern, but

you keep breaking in. Could I have a few moments without being cut off to develop my point? Then you can tell me what you think. Is that okay with you? (wait for a response)

Step Three: Leave HimWhen facing an aggressive challenger, I often give him the last

word. Not only is this gracious, it’s also powerful, conveying a deep sense of confidence in one’s own view. Simply say: ‘I’ll let you have the last word.’ Don’t break this promise. Grant him his parting shot, and then let it rest.

Steamroller

Popular articles always inform, but almost never educateWhen an article tells you WHAT a scholar

believes, you have been INFORMEDWhen an article tells you WHY he holds his

view, you have been EDUCATED

Rhodes Scholar

1. Be aware that many challenges to Christianity are based on bad information. These objections can be overcome by a simple appeal to the facts.

2. You need to know the facts

Just the Facts, Ma’am

More wars have been fought and more blood has been shed in the name of God than any other cause. Religion is the greatest source of evil in the world.True or false? Pg 117

Our Founding Fathers were not Christians, but deists.True or false? Pg 178

Two Questions:What’s the claim?Is the claim accurate?

Just the Facts, Ma’am

1. Be ready2. Keep it simple3. Avoid religious language and spiritual

pretense4. Focus on the truth of Christianity, not

merely its personal benefits5. Give reasons6. Stay calm7. If they want to go, let them leave8. But don’t let them leave empty handed

More Sweat, Less BloodEight Quick Tips

An ambassador is. . .ReadyPatientReasonableTacticalClearFairHonestHumbleAttractiveDependent

The Ambassador’s Creed

Pg 114 – to err is human

Other Good Schtuff

God doesn’t take sidesPg 113

Other Good Schtuff

Theistic Evolution: Designed by ChancePg 117

Other Good Schtuff

Only Science gives reliable truthPg 117

Other Good Schtuff

Moral Relativism Self-DestructsPg 124

Other Good Schtuff

Proselytizing ProhibitedPg 127

Other Good Schtuff

That’s all, folks!