Debating is a lost cause. Don’t believe me? Let’s debate it.
Once upon a time, I enjoyed finding another proof I could use to tear apart someone else’s beliefs. Eventually, I realized this had less to do with holes in their theology and more to do with gaps in my self-esteem. Even if I won the argument, the relationship suffered a loss. Apparently belittling people isn’t the best approach to evangelism or discipleship. Who knew?
Perhaps that’s why I’m excited about the new paradigm of apologetics that I see emerging. It elevates the journey of the person you’re talking with, but not at the expense of truth. Here are three refreshing characteristics:
1) Story/Dimension. In college, I was taught that the right way to preach a sermon was to use three points and an outline. That model can be effective, but so can a one-point sermon that explores a single biblical truth from several dimensions. Postmodern apologetics are more than just memorizing an air-tight presentation to spew like an open fire hydrant. We should know how to interact with people in ways that connect with their life stories.
For example, our culture has sharpened its questions, but we seem to be giving the same old answers. To talk about homosexuality, you may need to go further than merely quoting Bible verses. Exploring God’s truth should include how it plays out sociologically, biologically, relationally, emotionally and logically.
After all, Jesus said a growing relationship with God includes our heart, soul, mind and strength (
2) Journey/Pace. It’s possible the next conversation you have with someone will be the last one, and you should call him or her to a decision point with Jesus in case he or she gets hit by a car. Likewise, it’s possible the person will not die before your next meeting and will have more questions to pose.
If you can hold these two possibilities in tension, you won’t feel the need to scare people into the kingdom any more than you’ll put off offering Christ.
The key to finding this pace is to listen openly to where people are on their spiritual journeys so you can help them make the next step of surrender to Christ, whatever that step may be.
3) Bible/Authority. Every era in history has distinct characteristics we can recognize in hindsight, but postmodernism is still being formed and discerned. The infinite information of our global Internet culture can leave people wondering if concrete conclusions exist about anything, making even agnosticism more enticing than atheism.
Instead of merely observing this neutrality, let your life become the greatest apologetic to those around you by setting down your politics and opinions to embrace the authority of the Bible. When people see the credibility of a life marked by forgiveness, commitment and love, you can show them the source of Scripture to which you’re anchored. Otherwise, you’re just trying to answer questions your life hasn’t given others a reason to ask.
Each of these paradigm shifts can help us reconnect people to God, but only if we quit trying to win debates. The days of trying to be the intellectual giant in the room are quickly waning, whereas the opportunities to be the listening learner are earning us credibility we lost during our proof-texting.
Then again, is there really anything new under the sun? Perhaps we heard this once before in the ancient letters of a former debater…
“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander” (
