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Apologetics Class 1/7/2018

Today in the Apologetics class, we watched a video by Alan Shlemon called “Tactics for Defending the Faith”:

Here is the note-taking form I created and handed out:

Tactics for Defending the Faith – Alan Shlemon (1/7/2018)

Conversation with a Hindu, who was a “religious pluralist” (believes that all religions are t____).
What Alan didn’t do in that conversation:
1. Didn’t tell him he was w__________
2. Didn’t tell him religious pluralism was f_________
3. Didn’t d___________ any aspect of his own Christian convictions
Was able to convince him that he should a_____________ the idea of religious pluralism
The only thing he did in that conversation was ask q_________________
Learning how to use questions in order to make your case.
We are all a______________________s for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20)
3 characteristics every ambassador for Christ should have:
1. K______________: an accurately informed mind
2. W_____________ : an artful method
3. C______________: an attractive manner
If you learn tactics, you will be able to
1. P_______________ the truth clearly and cleverly.
2. Choreograph your i_________________.
3. S_____________ an aggressive challenger in their tracks and turn the tables.
4. Recognize someone’s b_______ t______________ for the purposes of guiding them to the truth, yet remaining g______________ and c_______________.
Tactics should not be used as.
1. T_______________.
2. Empty rh_______________.
3. Clever Pl____________.
4. Attempts to belittle or h______________.
These tactics are powerful and a__________________ quite easily.
The goal is to guide people g___________ to the truth while remaining gracious and charitable.
When I think about talking to non-believers about my Christian faith:
1. I relish the encounter.
2. I’m willing, but nervous, uncertain, or scared.
3. I tried to avoid it.
If you are a number two, what are some of the reasons?
1. I’m not k______________________ enough.
2. I’m afraid of r___________________.
3. I might l__________ my job.
4. Not enough t___________ to address what I really want to address.
5. Concerned about physical th______________
The Columbo tactic, at its very core is about using q______________ rather than st_____________ in order to be able to make your point, or to respond to an objection.
What are some of Benefits of using questions in conversations?
1. Questions are e_______________g.
2. Questions allow you to have c___________________.
3. Questions don’t paint people into a corner, making them feel trapped, but rather allow them to e________________ their opinion.
4. You l_________________ a lot about the person you are talking to.
There are 2 applications of the Columbo tactic.
1. The first kind of question helps you g_______ information. “What do you mean by that?” This question tells you what a person thinks. Consider the following assertions:

“All religions are basically the same”
“The Bible isn’t reliable”

“I’m pro-choice”

“Evolution is a well proven fact.”
“Stem-cell research should be allowed”

1. The 2^nd Columbo question helps you r_____ the burden of p____. “How did you come to that conclusion?” Tells you why they think the way they do. Consider these statements:

“The Bible has been translated and re-translated…”
“Jesus taught reincarnation after travelling to India”

“The universe came into existence by itself”

“The Bible is full of fables and myths”
“Every living thing came from a single-celled life form”
“Science has proven the Bible wrong”

How do you define an a________? A claim with evidence or reasons to back it up. Like a house.
Burden of proof: the responsibility someone has to give e___________ or reasons for their view. Rule: whoever makes the cl___________ bears the burden of proof.
The “Professor’s Ploy” – reverses the burden of proof back on you…
Don’t Worry If You Don’t Know Where To Go Next (like if you meet an “expert”):
1. Acknowledge their p__________________
2. Ask if you can get b_____________ to them
3. R_______________ the question (e.g. www.str.org)
4. Get back to them: “I was th_______g about what you said and it occurred to me that…”
“The more you sweat in tr____________________, the less you bleed in battle”
Don’t be discouraged by “outward ap_________________”
Don’t feel compelled to present the Gospel in e______________ conversation
Make it a goal to “put a st____________ in their shoe”
“God has not called me to be S__________. He called me to be F__________.” – Mother Teresa

Discussion Questions

What are the main reasons you don’t share your faith more often?
What is the best way to start a spiritual conversation?
How will using the tactical approach change your interactions with unbelievers?
What are the 3 characteristics an ambassador for Christ should have? Why are they important?
Are Tactics just clever ploys or tricks? Why or why not?
Explain “reversing the burden of proof”. Why is it important that we do this?
What objection have you heard against that Christian faith that you couldn’t answer? How could you apply a tactical approach to that challenge?
Have you encountered an “expert” (e.g. evolution) where you couldn’t counter the argument?