One More Question...

Over this past week, I've been reading Tactics by Greg Koukl, in which he explains various methods for defending one's faith. I found it to be a fascinating read, as instead of delivering countless facts to counter countless attacks, it teaches one to respond to questions with questions of one's own.

Have any of you seen that old tv show called Columbo? What makes the show so different is its method. From the beginning, you see who did it, how he did it, and why. What you don't see, is how the police are going to catch the criminal. That's where Lieutenant Columbo comes in.

Hat askew, pencil tucked behind his ear, he strides in, practically radiating ineptitude. However, behind the unassuming exterior, lies a brilliant mind. Starting off with a single question, he slowly leads up to a barrage of inquiries, each one exposing another flaw in the victim's story.

That's what Christians should be doing when tasked with apologetics. What really intrigues me is how many Christians believe themselves to be inadequate for His task to defend our faith. Rather than taking the offensive, Christians often let themselves be asked simplistic or even absurd theories to which there is no reasonable answer. Others drown in the enormity of the facts that they feel must be learned.

Simply put, the Columbo method entails answering questions with questions to expose flawed thinking and even more flawed logic. Rather than let others throw question after question at us and watch us squirm, respond in kind with a question of your own. You'll be surprised how few people actually think about their beliefs. Learn it, live it, use it.

-Paul