Biblical Apologetics (Class): Week 5

Now, you can take Biblical Apologetics at your own pace! Download the class workbook (below) and then go week by week watching the class recordings and following along with any other content provided.

Watch the Class: Week 5 Session

FAQ's & Common Misunderstandings

Session Content

Week 5 Content: Tactics by Gregory Koukl

1. Step 1

  • Ask questions…obviously! 
    1. Build a relationship if possible.
    2. Look for important information.

  • Example: Personal story about my friend “John” Joey – After several minutes of discussing God and faith, he finally said, “My dad was a believer, but he acted like an idiot and would go back and forth in the faith, so I don’t believe.”
    1. That is important information to know because now I can steer the convo in that direction. 
    2. I can also more clarifying questions in order to go deeper and avoid hazards. Instead of preaching, we listen. 
    3. When we remove the ambiguity, we can have a very concise discussion and contrast reality with 

  • In this method, we have a great first question.
    1. “What do you mean by that?”
    2. It's clarifying, it's innocent enough, it’s genuine, and it's simple.

  • Example: I believe in evolution. What do you mean by that? Can you clarify what kind since there are different types of evolution? 

  • Example: Do you take the bible literally? It depends on what you mean by literally. What do you mean by that?

  • Example: Abortion is okay because a fetus is a human but not a person. Really? What do you mean by that? What’s the difference?

  • This is a punch, block, and counter punch.
    1. The objective is always to get people to think critically about their positions.


2. Reversing the Burden of Truth:

  • The second question: How did you come to that conclusion?
    • When someone makes an assertion about an idea or a position, a great question is, how did you come to that conclusion?
    • Now, the burden of truth is on your opponent.
    • You could then simply ask, “Why do you believe something you have no reason to think is true?”

  • Three follow-up questions to consider are:
    • Is it possible? Is there any way possible something could happen or exist?
    • Is it plausible? Even though something is possible, it doesn’t mean that something is plausible. Is it possible that I would have duck eggs for Dinner? Yes, but not plausible because I hate duck eggs.
    • Is it Probable? Is this the best option considering the other options? Scrabble letters falling out of the Scrabble bag making a sentence.

  • If you ever get outgunned, simply take back control by raising more questions and asking the person to explain their position in further detail. 
    • This will by you time so that you may regain control of the conversation. Don’t be afraid to put the burden of truth back on them. 

  • Further follow-up: 
    • If someone starts to quote sources or makes a statement from a resource, you can ask, “What specific thing or things about that information led you to agree with their conclusions? 
    • What are you basing your assumptions on?

Congratulations! You've completed this class.

If you'd like to review a specific week or retake the class, use the sessions listed below.
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