The Burden-Free Step in Discussing Christian Beliefs

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The Burden-Free Step in Discussing Christian Beliefs

Greg Koukl

When we think about the tactical game plan, or how we thoughtfully engage someone while staying relaxed and keeping our risk level low, I have in mind a multi-step process.

The first step is to gather information. We can use the question “What do you mean by that?” The second step I call “reversing the burden of proof.”

The burden of proof is the responsibility someone in the conversation has to give reasons or evidence for a view. Here is the burden of proof rule: The one who makes the claim bears the burden.

If somebody says, “The Bible has been changed,” or, “God doesn’t exist,” or “Jesus didn’t exist,” or, “There are no miracles,” it’s not your job as a follower of Christ to show where the other person is wrong. It is that person’s job to show why he or she is right. After we ask some questions to get more clarification, we will have a clear picture of what they believe.

We want to know why they believe their view. This is where some form of the question “How did you come to that conclusion?” comes in.

“What are your reasons for saying that?”

“How do you know that’s the way it really happened?”

“Do you have any evidence for that view? I’m interested in finding out.”

In the second step, we’re gathering a different kind of information than the first step. First, we get clarity on their point of view. Now we want clarity on why they believe what they believe. Just like the first step, there’s no pressure on you.

It’s relaxed. You’re being a student. You’re just listening to what the other person has to say. The other person has to clarify their view and their reasons for it. Don’t be surprised when you get silence in response to your questions because most people have not thought through their views.

You have no obligation to go any further into theology, apologetics, or philosophy. All you’re doing in the first two stages of the game plan is gathering information, getting an education, and deciding whether you’re in a position for the next step. No stress on you.

Which Kind of Evangelist Are You?

Greg Koukl

In evangelism, before there can be a harvest, there has to be a season of gardening. If we go to the field looking for a harvest, we may be frustrated because the fruit may not be ripe yet. In other words, before someone comes to Christ, there is first a season of considering Christ. I’m not a harvester. I’m a gardener. Someone comes into my garden after me and harvests my fruit. Do you think that bothers me? No, I’m glad. Jesus confirms this point in John 4. He says to the disciples, “You are about to reap where you did not sow.” He’s identifying one field, two seasons—reaping and sowing—and two kinds of workers—harvesters and gardeners. I think the gardening job is harder than harvesting because when the fruit is ripe, it falls into the basket. Jesus is telling the disciples they’re about to get the ripe, low-hanging fruit after someone else did the heavy lifting. Then He says, “So that the one who reaps and the one who sows can rejoice together.” I want to put a stone in someone’s shoe. That’s my approach. I want to create a doubt in their mind about their own view so they move a little closer to Christ. If more Christians thought of themselves as gardeners and left the harvest up to God’s sovereignty, more Christians would be willing to get into play. The book Tactics is a game plan that will allow you to do that effectively. Tactics help you to garden, and gardening is the biggest thing that’s needed right now.

Want to Share the Gospel? Start with This Question

Greg Koukl

Having a tactical game plan in place allows you to engage somebody in a productive way for Christ without taking a lot of risk on yourself. Don’t worry about the harvest, but think more about the gardening. If we garden effectively, the harvest will take care of itself. Trying to win someone to Christ is daunting for a lot of people, so they sit on the bench instead. I want to suggest how you can get in the game. First, gather information. What does that do? It gives me a lay of the land. I might find out if they are a Christian, if they used to be a Christian, whether they’ve thought about Christianity, or whether they’re hostile to Christianity. These are all things that are really valuable to know before you move forward. You don’t need to hurry. Do not worry about winning them to Christ. Just think about gathering information. I have a model question that will help you: “What do you mean by that?” You can use it different ways, under different circumstances, with different people. This is especially helpful when people are raising objections or challenges against Christianity. Examples: A: Friend: “Everything is relative.” You: “What do you mean by relative?” B: Friend: “I believe in evolution.” You: “What do you mean by evolution?” C: Friend: “I believe the Bible is filled with errors.” You: “Why do you believe the Bible is filled with errors?” It is always in your favor to ask more questions. You don’t have to answer the objection at this point. Just get more information. The more information you get, the better. The more you understand that person, the better you’ll be able to decide which direction to go or whether to go in any direction at all. This first question, “What do you mean by that?”—meant to help you gather information—is going to get you started, and that’s all we want to worry about at this point in the tactical game plan.

The Unexpected Way to Effectively Make Your Point

Greg Koukl

The tactical game plan helps you have conversations with people who don’t share your convictions by maneuvering carefully and productively in a relaxed, friendly way that provides safety for you. The first step is to gather information by asking some form of the question “What do you mean by that?” The second question reverses the burden of proof. Once you learn what a person’s view is, you want to know why they believe it. They made the claim, they bear the burden. Ask them, “How did you come to that conclusion?” If you want to go further, the third step of the game plan is to make a point using questions. You never want to abandon using questions during the tactical game plan because they give you latitude, liberty, and effectiveness without requiring you to take any responsibility on yourself. You want to enlist the other person as an ally. Assemble your pieces by having that person help you put them on the table. If they put the pieces there, it’s going to be difficult for them to take the pieces off. Here’s an example: Somebody once said, “Prove to me that God exists.” I said, “First of all, do you think that things exist?” He said, “Yeah, of course.” He’s just put a piece on the table—things exist. Second question: “Have things that exist always existed?” In other words, is the universe eternal? He said, “No, I don’t think the universe is eternal. It came into existence.” Then I asked the third question: “What caused everything to come into existence?” There are only two options: Either something or no-thing. I made an argument for the existence of God based on the cosmological argument. The universe came into existence. What caused it? It’s a very usable argument. Notice how I got there. Instead of just throwing it out there, I am setting it up by asking questions so the other person gives me the pieces I need. Before I make my point, I ask questions to get the pieces on the table. You may also want to exploit a weakness or a flaw. Use questions to do that. A young man once told me that I was judgmental. I asked the question “What do you mean by that?” He said, “It’s wrong to judge. It’s wrong to find fault with somebody else.” Now he’s made another statement. I got a piece on the table and asked him, “If it’s wrong to judge, then why are you judging me right now?” I could have said, “Well, you’re judging me!” That’s a claim. That’s an accusation. That’s a fight. But if he says, “It’s wrong to judge,” then I hold him responsible for his own ethical view. A little later he said, “I think it’s wrong to push your views on other people.” Then I asked him a clarification question: “Is that your view?” He said, “Yes.” I said, “Then why are you pushing it on me right now?” Another question that keeps me safe. I’m not making a claim. I’m not advancing my argument, I’m using questions to point out a weakness or a flaw in that person’s view. There are dozens of ways to do this that you’ll find out through practice. Start with your game plan and ask questions about the person’s point of view: “What do you mean by that?” Then ask questions regarding the reasons that they have for their view: “How did you come to that conclusion?” If you decide you want to go further, use questions to make a point. That is the most powerful and effective way of moving forward. There’s no risk to you at this point. You are asking questions almost the whole time. You’re engaging in a friendly way. It is a wonderful way to powerfully make your point as a follower of Christ.