Koukl, G. Tactics, Zondervan, 2019 Evangelism book summary by J. Tofflemire
P.32 One needs good skills: Knowledge, wisdom(tactics), and character(kind); p 35 academics often make mistakes in thinking; If Christianity is the truth, then no matter how convincing the other side sounds, they make a mistake in thinking somewhere p36; p40 We should use our minds and reason to separate fact from fiction. P 42 Handle the word of truth accurately 2 Tim. 2:15; Acts 17:2-4, 18:4 Paul used reason, Isa. 1:18; We plant seeds but God causes the increase 1 Corn 3:6-8 p47 The simple gospel is no longer simple because the world and culture(new generation) has changed. They don’t know or believe the Bible and that we are all sinners. P50 Without Gods work, nothing will work, not arguments, not love or the simple gospel. Love and reason are especially appealing to God as they are part of his nature. Jesus, Peter and Paul all used arguments and reason.
The Columbo tactic: ask questions; p62 1. to gain info. 2 to reverse the burden of proof, 3 to make a point. P 57 Lt. Columbo the TV detective used this, he played dumb and asked questions. He was polite and disarming. Examples:You only have 10 sec or less window to respond to the following challenges or the opportunity is lost: 1.at a church party a young person says- Its not rational to believe in God , there is no proof. Ans: What specifically is irrational about believing in God? Since your concerned about proof for God, what kind of evidence would you find acceptable? 2. Christianity is basically the same as all other religions, the main similarity is love, we shouldn’t tell others how to live or believe. Ans. How much have you studied other religions to compare the details and find a common theme? Why should the similarities be more important than the differences? What did Jesus say on this?( for a church person), 3. A student notices your bible and says, I’ve read the bible before Its got some interesting stories , but people take it to seriously, It was only written by men and men make mistakes. Ans. Do you have any other books you have read ? Do you find truth in those books, also written by men who make errors? Do people always make mistakes in what they write? If not why would you dismiss the bible? 4. your at a car dealer waiting rm and the TV highlights a religious group trying in influence moral legislation and says: Its wrong to force your views on other people, You can’t legislate morality, Christians involved in politics violates the separation of church and state. Ans. When you vote for someone aren’t you expecting your candidate to pass laws reflecting your point of view? Wouldn’t that be forcing your views on others? Is it your view that only nonreligious people can vote or participate in politics? Don’t most laws force morality of some sort? Can you give me an example on a law that doesn’t deal with some morality?
Step 1 to gain info. P65 The best 1st question: What do you mean by that? Example: He says -Do you believe in evolution? You ask- what do you mean by evolution, it has several meanings? At challenge 1 Pg 71 He says a believe in god is irrational. You ask – specifically, what is irrational about believing in God? Theism is not at odds with good thinking. A big bang needs a cause, a big banger. A moral law needs a law giver. A complex set of instructions as in DNA needs an author. Fine tuning needs a tuner. Challenge 2. pluralism, all religions lead to God. Religions vary widely in beliefs: In Buddhism, Gods existence is ill-relevant. In animism, love is not important. They can’t all be true. Challenge 3 Bible not true or inspired. It is false- that anything written by humans is full of error. Koukl challenges them to give the bible a chance like any book, and read John. Inspiration is difficult to prove but there are the many fulfilled prophecies. If God exists, couldn’t he have guided the authors to write correctly, even giving God’s guidance for us?
Reverse the Burden of proof. Spinning a convincing yarn or just so stories; They may begin with- Oh I can explain that. Don’t let them floor you. Ask questions for their reasons. The 2nd good question: How did you come to that conclusion? What are your reasons for this view? I’m curious why does that idea seam compelling to you? There is a difference between an opinion and an argument. An argument is supported by reasons. A theory must have some logical and evidential support to survive. (My interjection) Relative to the big bang, the Kalam cosmological argument by Craig is strong. A. Whatever begins to exist has a cause, B. The universe began to exist. C. the Universe has a cause. He also notes thatthat whatever caused the universe must be transcendent and beyond the universe. It must transcend space and time, because it created space and time. When they answer you, be alert to what is possible, plausible and probable. The way things appear are probably the way they are, unless you have a good reason to believe otherwise. Some truths are self evident like the general reliability of our senses and reason.p 84
Rescues for a professors or experts ploy: He may say- the Bible is just a bunch of fables and fairy tales. You ask – Do you think nothing in the Bible has any historical value? Ask the teacher, the one making a claim to defend it. Your could say- you don’t know my view, since I haven’t offered it. I’m just a student trying to learn and get clarification of your ideas. He may say- you prove me wrong. But don’t take the bait. You can say- It sounds like you know a lot about this. This is new information for me. Could you do me a favor of explaining your points more? Then say- thanks, let me think about it. This is a good out, when your are overwhelmed.
Narrating the Debate: He may dodge your point or question, change the subject, or call you a bad name. Then it is time to narrate what just happened. Before we move on to a new topic, can you provide a response to my question? I am interested in what you say, ok?. P93
Step 3 Using questions to make a Point: p96 the first 2 questions are more getting info and determining where the person is coming from. They also show interest. This one is to make a point or expose a flaw in reasoning and requires knowledge on your part. An example: a friend who is gay asks you- what do you think of my being gay? You may 1st ask- what do you think about it?- He says-I think its OK. You say- I am not an expert on this, but I think the bible says its a sin, but we are to love the sinner and were are all sinners. He may say- you are intolerant. Now use step 1-3. What do you mean by that and why do you think I’m intolerant? He says- because you think you are right and everyone who disagrees with you is wrong. You say- well you are right, I do think my views are correct, but don’t you think your views are correct also? He says-Yes of course I think I’m right, but I am not intolerant. You say- That’s what confuses me, when I think I’m right, I’m intolerant, but when you think you are right, your just right. What am I missing here? Pg 103gives a dialog on homologous features. Example: He says- I know the bible is a myth because it has miracles in it. You ask-Why does that mean the bible is a myth? He says- because miracles don’t happen. You ask-how do you know that miracles don’t happen? He says- because science says miracles don’t happen. You ask- Professor can you please explain exactly how the methods of science have disproved the possibility of miracles? Now he is stuck, because science can’t disprove the possibility of miracles, its an a priori assumption. P 105-6 gives a dialog with a Jewish person who sees no need for a savior, only being good and following the 10 commands. As Ray Comfort points out, no one can follow the 10 commands and not sin. On p 108 the moral argument questions are given. My notes. I like the moral argument of Craig, as he has debated the top atheists in the world and won on it repeatedly. You might start with a question like- Is it morally wrong to sacrifice babies to idols as was done in early history? Would you agree that if this is to be truly wrong forever, that the moral must be objective (outside us),( Craig defines this as independent of peoples opinions) and not relative (coming from inside us) and deriving from opinions? Here is the logical argument:
- If God does not exist, objective moral values and duties do not exist. B. Objective moral values and duties do exist. C. Therefor God exists. Also without objective morals or a purpose to life, its meaningless. You might introduce this with the question would you consider and alternative view of a great philosopher? He is Wm. Craig.
Atheist questions p 126-39 These are trap questions not questions for information. Dr. Chopra question: Are you saying that people who don’t belief in God like you, are going to hell? Koukl ans. No that’s not the point I’m making. If you say yes, it sounds very bad to non-believers. Peter Boghossian PB has written a book titled- a Manual for Creating Atheists. Examples; PB- If the universe always existed, then it wasn’t created. If it wasn’t caused, what would that mean? You -don’t say there is no God, it doesn’t follow. Ask him what he thinks. PB may say there is no God. You- Really, why does that follow?. Its not a tight logical argument. God could coexist with an eternal universe. PB- If there were no hell would you still be a Christian? The question is designed to diminish Christianity to a carrots and sticks issue. The carrot of Heaven to avoid the stick of hell. If there were no hell and also no sin, there would be no need for a savior. Still we would want the kind of friendship and love God 1st intended for us. You- I’m confused are you asking if I would still want to be with Christ forever if there were no hell? my ans. is yes. Other non questions: Who are you to say? What gives you the right? You- say The question is confusing what do you mean by that? Hopefully they will rephrase it into a statement, not an accusation.
P 143-56 He discuses views that self destruct: There is no truth.; Pantheistic monism teaches that reality is an illusion- maya of with each of us is apart. Theistic Evolution also has problems. They suggest that God used evolution to design the world. Koukl asserts that it doesn’t make sense to be both ways, either careful design or random evolution. Only science gives reliable truth. Pluralism: all religions are equally true. P 157-64 continues the same theme. A relative moralist saying its wrong to condemn anybody for anything. If you believe in freedom of speech, why not share your view with those of a different view. P 172 A moral rule should entail a command along with a duty to obey it. Both require minds. A duty is owed to some person. P174 Scientism is the view that science it the only reliable method of knowing truth. The rules of logic and mathematics may not fit with this, along with the reliability of our senses. P179 Schaeffer taught taking a test drive of a view to see where it leads you. Human nature remains the same; ideas change but ultimate reality does not. For example those who practice relativism, never want it practiced towards them.
P 192-201 Here the way to deal with a steamroller is discussed. Some people are overconfident n there beliefs and overbearing, some don’t even want to listen to rebuttals and new info. They may ask a question and as you start to give and answer, interrupt you and ask a different question. 1. stop him.- Raise your hand and say I am not quite finished yet in answering you. IS is ok if I take a moment to answer your question, before ou ask another? I will give ou a change to respond then, Is that Ok? If that doesn’t work try step 2. remind him. Can i ask you a favor? I’d love to respond to our question, but you keep breaking in. Could i have a few moments to develop my point. Then you can tell me what you think. Is that ok with you? Step 3. Leave him.
P 202-11 Sometimes a person will quote a major scholar to support their point. The scholar may inform by giving his position, but unless he also gives the reasons for what he is supporting the case is weak. Also often scholars my have a bias and even speak beyond their area of expertise. There are two definitions of science: One uses observation, experimentation and testing. The 2nd uses the philosophy of naturalistic materialism. However sometimes the observed evidence points to prior design, but in the case of creation, that is automatically ruled out by the 2nd definition.
P213-14 Religion has not caused more wars and bloodshed than anything in history. The Encyclopedia of Wars states there were 1763 wars in the last 5000 yrs and only 123 or 7% were due to religion. Religion played no part in World War 1 and 2. The Guinness Book of World Records states that under atheist communism 66 million soviets were killed by Lenin, Stalin and Khrushchev. In China 32-61 million were killed under communism since 1949. Jesus did not condemn all judgments, only hypocritical ones. Paul and Peter remind us to judge.p 224 Inside to feelings: we often feel guilty because we are guilty.p-226 Nervelessness we know we are special.
P242 Pit the challenger against Jesus and his word. When they call you a nasty name: 1. ask for a definition,2. ask why it applies to you. 3 ask why he does this rather than giving an argument. P247 some objections you can move toward and party agree. Substitute words: Faith= trust or convictions; Bible= Jesus of Nazareth; belief= convictions or what I think is true. Sin=moral crimes; Also use so? Response. P255-67 the more you work and practice the more you succeed. 8 tips: 1. Be ready 2 Keep it simple, 3. avoid religious language and pretense. 4. Focus on the truth of Christianity. 5. Give reasons, 6 Stay calm, 7. If they want to go let them, 8. Don’t leave them empty handed.
Find some people who like to reason, learn, witness. Form a group: Practice, role play study these tactics, know your bible, be pleasant and listen. 10 point creed: 1. ready, 2. Patient, 3. reasonable, 4. tactical, 5. clear, 6. fair, 7. honest 8 Humble, 9. attractive, 10 Dependent on God