Seek to Understand Before You Respond

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Seek to Understand Before You Respond

Alan Shlemon

Seek to understand before you respond.

Too often, we respond to a challenge to our view or a concern in our culture before we've taken the time to accurately understand it. We end up mischaracterizing the other position, also known as creating a straw man—not addressing the real concern.

That’s why we should take time to slow down, listen to the view, and ask thoughtful questions so that we understand the other position.

While the other person is explaining their view, don't think of your response. Just focus on their view and their explanation of it. They'll appreciate the effort you make to understand them, and you'll create a more winsome environment for engaging each other's ideas.

Arguments Don't Have to Be Argumentative

Alan Shlemon

Arguments don't have to be argumentative. An argument is composed of two things: 1. Your point of view 2. Evidence or reason to back up your view We make arguments all the time about everyday cases we want to make—what we want to eat, or what couch to buy—and usually, we're not being argumentative when we make them. We're just explaining our view and giving a reason for it. Arguments about morality and religion should be exactly the same. We can make a case for our moral or religious convictions by stating our view and providing evidence for it, and we don't have to be aggressive, harsh, or mean about it. That way, we come across as winsome and gracious ambassadors for Christ.

Don't Be Confused by the Two Definitions of Science

Alan Shlemon

Don't be confused by the two definitions of science: 1. Science is a methodology: observation, experiments, testing, and discovering facts about the natural world. 2. Science is the philosophy of naturalism: The idea that nature is all there is. The second definition is controversial because it allows the person defining it that way to disqualify Christian beliefs as unscientific, since our faith accepts the reality of an immaterial world. So, whenever you come across the word “science,” be aware that they could be smuggling in the definition of naturalism to gain an unfair advantage in their case against your faith.

Focus on the Gospel, Not on Apologetic Arguments

Alan Shlemon

Focus on the gospel, not on apologetic arguments. Sometimes we're so eager to try out our arguments that we initiate discussions about an apologetic subject as if that's the most important thing to discuss. It's not. If you have the opportunity to bring up the gospel, that matters more than any other subject. If they reject the gospel for some reason, then you can use your apologetics to address their concern. Remember, apologetics is not an end in itself. The end is the gospel, and apologetics is simply a means to that end. Apologetics can help you remove obstacles that keep people from accepting Christ. So, if you're in a conversation, and you can lead the discussion in any direction, lead them to understand what Christ has done for them.