Scholarly Reflections
Koukl, Gregory. (2019). "Chapter Seven: Columbo Step 3: Using Questions to Make a Point." In Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions (updated and expanded). pp. 96-114. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
While Koukl has previously discussed using questions to gather information about a viewpoint and reasons for it, here he observes that questioning can also be used to move toward a particular outcome, as leading questions (Koukl 2019, p.96). Now, as the questions lead to a particular target, it is important to have a clear target in mind. In Koukl's view, questioning is able to "accomplish two things that a mere statement cannot. First, the person is telling you he understands the point. Second, he's telling you he agrees with it, at least provisionally, and is taking a step forward with you in the thinking process" (Koukl 2019, p.97).
Koukl describes lines of questioning which can be used to point out something a person already knows (Koukl 2019, p.98). This can be very helpful in dealing with a person who is holding a logically self-contradictory point of view. Questioning can help demonstrate that mutually exclusive views can't both be true, and to discard the view which is problematic.
Leading with questions can also be used to turn the tables in an uncomfortable conversation (Koukl 2019, p.100). For instance, in a conversation about sexuality, it may be very helpful to preface an answer with a line of questioning about whether the other person is intolerant of opposing convictions. When in a discussion with a politically correct person, it is possible to get that person to agree not to judge your conviction. If labeled as intolerant, it is fair to ask for a definition of intolerance (Koukl 2019, p.101). At the root of the disagreement is the fact that people with different views both think they are correct.
A third important way to use leading questions is to bring a weakness or flaw into the other person's view up for consideration (Koukl 2019, p.102). The line of questioning can, for instance, review someone's circular reasoning, question begging, or any number of other logical fallacies. Once the circle is completed, the person with the fallacy has little choice but reconsideration.
Leading questions can also be used to help a person lay ideas out clearly, putting the conceptual cards on the table for analysis (Koukl 2019, p.105). This line of questioning is especially helpful in opening a conversation about a sensitive topic, for instance, whether all people commit moral offenses. Often the other person in the conversation can gently be enlisted to make your case for you (Koukl 2019, p.107). This requires forethought. Koukl observes that you need to know how to answer the challenge you're facing. Then you need to think about what pieces you need to make your point. Finally, you need to formulate questions that invite your challenger to place those pieces on the table for you" (Koukl 2019, p.107). Understanding the likely points of view well in advance is very helpful in this process. With practice we become better at evaluating statements, understanding their nature and their weaknesses (Koukl 2019, p.108).
Koukl reminds his readers that even though questions take them on the offensive in a discussion, we want to avoid seeming pushy or offensive. Koukl suggests use of the phrase, "Have you ever considered" to introduce challenging questions (Koukl 2019, p.110). Phrasing a problem as a request for personal clarification is also a very helpful means of presenting yourself as non-threatening (Koukl 2019, p.111). Gaining the agreement of the other person is always a useful tactic in engagement of ideas.