Apologetics Week Seven

1. Weeks Six & Seven
World Views, Coherence, Logic
TH363 APOLOGETICS
RICK HARRELL

2. The Apologist’s Task
Week 6 & 7 Take-away from Tactics
 Who is this Columbo person?
 Columbo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNvzRnotGsY
 What do you do with the “10-second window?”
 Ask questions to:
 Clarify – and you may learn something that helps.
 Begin a dialog – preaching at a person doesn’t usually work.
 Add purpose to the discussion – no idle questions, no flippant
comments.
 Respect the personal view of the seeker

3. The Apologist’s Task
Week 6 & 7 Take-away from Tactics
 Reasons Columbo is a good model?
1. Pressure is off since the “ball is back in their court.”
2. Goal is not just to win, it’s to learn.
3. Question are less “pushy” – less offensive, or “preachy.”
4. Places you in the “driver’s seat” – you are guiding the
conversation.

4. The Apologist’s Task
Week 6 & 7 Take-away from Tactics
 The Columbo Tactic in brief:
 Begin with a question – can I ask you a question?
 Ask a question to clarify the person’s point.
 Just one more thing.
 Hewitt, from In, But Not Of, recommends half-dozen
questions.

5. The Apologist’s Task
Week 6 & 7 Take-away from Tactics
 Three Key Question Tactics
1. Gather Information
This is the “what” question – it’s easiest to “come up with” –
“What do you mean by that?”
This also helps understand and represent what he or she
believes.
And it may help the person discover he or she is not sure
what is meant or believed

6. The Apologist’s Task
Week 6 & 7 Take-away from Tactics
 “What do you mean by that?” – in action!
 It’s not rational to believe in God.
 What kind of God do you reject?
 Christianity is the same as all other religions.
 What makes the similarities more important than the differences
 The Bible was just written by men.
 Does this mean men can’t write down truth & God couldn’t use
men to do this?
 You can’t legislate morality. It’s wrong to force one views.
 Do you vote? Do you want your candidate to legislate good?

7. The Apologist’s Task
Week 6 & 7 Take-away from Tactics
 Three Key Question Tactics
2. Reverse the Burden of Proof
This is the “why” question – Ask “How did you come to that
conclusion?” “What led you to make this an important
belief?”
Consider these three things if they answer with a “second
explanation.
 Is it possible? Is it plausible? Is it probable?
Remember, the burden of proof is on the person making the
assertion. Don’t let him or her reverse it on you!

8. The Apologist’s Task
Week 6 & 7 Take-away from Tactics
 “How did you come to that conclusion?”– in action!
 It’s irrational to believe in God. There’s no evidence.
 What kind of evidence, then would you find acceptable
 Christianity is the same as all other religions.
 Did you decide this based on what Jesus said? What did he think?
 The Bible was just written by men.
 Is there a reason you think the Bible is less truthful than other
books?
 Christians involved in politics violate the separation rule?
 Do you think, then, that only non-Christians should vote?

9. The Apologist’s Task
Week 6 & 7 Take-away from Tactics
 Three Key Question Tactics
3. Lead the Conversation
This may lead to a real issue or away from a rabbit trail.
This can become confrontational unless you maintain a
position of compassion and humility.
This tactic moves from requests for understanding to
questions about validity, rationale, and the “consider this”
questions of proposition. It’s different from the “reverse the
proof” – it calls for change in belief.
Leading questions mean you are “going somewhere.”

10. The Apologist’s Task
Week 6 & 7 Take-away from Tactics
The Place of Persuasion in Apologetics
“Persuasion is the defense or presentation of one’s position
through logic, ethics, and passion in order to move another
toward a new understanding or belief in that position.” (Think
Aristotle!)
Confident in your position
Clear with your goal
Capable in your content
Composed in patience
Compassionate in tone and volume

11. The Apologist’s Task
Week 6 & 7 Take-away from Tactics
The Place of Persuasion in Apologetics
Persuasion has “fallen out of favor” – safe spaces, everyone
gets the trophy, no tears, no fears, no confrontation culture we
have allowed to develop.
We change our understanding
We grow stronger in our position and beliefs
 Persuasion in Apologetics does not use manipulation,
intimidation, or coercion.
 Persuasion in Apologetics does not use ridicule, name-
calling, or character assassination.

12. The Apologist’s Task
Week 6 & 7 Take-away from Tactics
Leading Questions take aim:
To inform or reveal flawed logic or arguments
To persuade to a specific point you want to make –
or even to refute a point indirectly
To redirect the conversation toward a ”next step” in
understanding, or set discussion “terms"
To set in place a bridge toward the Gospel
Koukl uses the image of the archer taking aim at a
target. Leading questions move from “general” to
”specific” issues or arguments.

13. The Apologist’s Task
Week 6 & 7 Take-away from Tactics
The Place of Persuasion in Apologetics
This is where the fourth element of Persuasion takes an
important role: we have noted logos, pathos, and ethos.
Kairos – the timeliness for change or action.
 The moment a new thread is woven on the loom.
 The moment best to release with the exact force and
aim the arrow toward the target.
 For the Apologist. How is this a part of our
Persuasion?

14. The Apologist’s Task
Week 6 & 7 Take-away from Tactics
 Apologetics and the issue of Tolerance
Everyone believes his or her position is right.
Intolerance is denying the privilege to this position.
Our culture assumes “the Christian is intolerant”
“You say ‘I’m intolerant.’ When I say I’m right, I’m intolerant. But,
when you say you’re right, you’re just right.”
 The logic of the “tolerance issue” is one of labeling
and character assassination. I’m not; you are.

15. The Apologist’s Task
Week 6 & 7 Take-away from Tactics
 What to do if you feel ”stumped” or “stalled”
First of all, “don’t feel compelled to force the
conversation.” But, before you do, try:
“Have you considered?” To redirect to your position.
Present it with truth and logic.
“Can you help me understand?” To see if there is
another direction you might pursue. Listen carefully.
“Let me suggest an alternative and see if you think it works.”
Or, if the person has dodged the question, narrate it: “Did
you see what you did? You dodged this!”

16. The Apologist’s Task
Week 6 & 7 Take-away from Tactics
 Columbo Refresher:
1. Gather Information
This is the “what” question – it’s easiest to “come up with” –
“What do you mean by that?”
2. Reverse the Burden of Proof
This is the “why” question – Ask “How did you come to that
conclusion?”

17. The Apologist’s Task
Week 6 & 7 Take-away from Tactics
 Columbo Refresher:
3. Leading Questions take aim:
 To inform or reveal flawed logic or arguments
 To persuade to a specific point you want to make – or even to
refute a point indirectly
 To redirect the conversation toward a ”next step” in understanding,
or set discussion “terms"
 To set in place a bridge toward the Gospel
 Kairos is that ”best time” to present “Here’s why Jesus came” - ”Would you
like to know why Jesus said he came?”