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?”