If there’s one book I wish I had read before entering public university as a Study of Religion major, it would have been Greg Koukl’s excellent book, Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions. It doesn’t say everything that could be said about apologetics and evangelism and logic and winsome conversations—but it is the best introduction I’ve read on these issues.
Here’s a brief overview of one of Greg’s tactics on taking the lead in conversations and making unbelievers defend and explain their views:
Using simple, leading questions is an almost effortless way to introduce spiritual topics to a conversation without seeming abrupt. At STR we call this the “Columbo” tactic, named after the bumbling and seemingly inept TV detective whose remarkable success was based on an innocent query: “Do you mind if I ask you a question?”
“Columbo” is most powerful if you have a game plan for the conversation. Generally when I ask a question I have a goal in mind. I’m alerted to some weakness, flaw, or contradiction in another’s view that I want to expose in a disarming way.Other times the question is an open-ended “What do you mean by that?” delivered in a mild, genuinely inquisitive fashion. The general topic can be anything broadly related to spiritual things. Then begin to probe with questions, gently guiding the conversation in a more spiritually productive direction.
The follow-up question, “How did you come to that conclusion?” graciously assumes the non-Christian has reasons for her view and is not just emoting. It gives her a chance to express her rationale (if she has one), giving you more material to work with.
Here’s a talk by Greg where he explains more:
