6/14/24
Scholarly Reflections
Koukl, Gregory. (2019). "Chapter Seventeen: Inside Out." In Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions (updated and expanded). (pp. 226-240). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
Koukl calls "inside out" "not so much a specific maneuver as a frame of mind, an insight to help you maneuver confidently, even creatively sometimes, in conversations" (Koukl 2019, p. 226-227). The basic premise is that people will eventually tend to reveal inside information. You may well be able to identify it before they are willing to admit to it.
The classic application of the inside out mindset is that even people who publicly affirm a naturalistic worldview in which there is no clear morality eventually act as though life contains meaning, morality, and order (Koukl 2019, p. 228). From the point of view of Chrsitian theology, everyone has an innate beauty, knowledge of God (on some level), and inherent value. This nature eventually shows in words, actions, and human conviction (Koukl 2019, p. 229). One sign of the inner nature appearing on the outside is the fact that we think there is such a thing as an untimely death (Koukl 2019, p. 230). Another is the sense of moral obligation. In a world in which nature is ultimate, there is no place for morality. Yet it is perfectly normal to feel guilt or obligation (Koukl 2019, p. 231).
Koukl goes on to describe the world as broken, hence the presence of evil, which is within us and also influences us from outside (Koukl 2019, p. 233). The biblical account of sin entering the world explains this reality, which all humans recognize to some extent. We are all aware of trouble in the world. We are also all aware of some of our failings individually.
The cure for the guilt we have, says Koukl, is not denial but forgiveness (Koukl 2019, p. 235). The Christian message is that forgiveness comes through Jesus, not through any of our efforts. Koukl discusses the need for and the nature of redemption and forgiveness at some length. He concludes that a philosophy which denies God has no answers for our deepest problems, but that God in Christ is able to deal with all of them (Koukl 2019, p. 239).
Scholarly Reflections
Koukl, Gregory. (2019). "Chapter Seventeen: Inside Out." In Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions (updated and expanded). (pp. 226-240). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
Koukl calls "inside out" "not so much a specific maneuver as a frame of mind, an insight to help you maneuver confidently, even creatively sometimes, in conversations" (Koukl 2019, p. 226-227). The basic premise is that people will eventually tend to reveal inside information. You may well be able to identify it before they are willing to admit to it.
The classic application of the inside out mindset is that even people who publicly affirm a naturalistic worldview in which there is no clear morality eventually act as though life contains meaning, morality, and order (Koukl 2019, p. 228). From the point of view of Chrsitian theology, everyone has an innate beauty, knowledge of God (on some level), and inherent value. This nature eventually shows in words, actions, and human conviction (Koukl 2019, p. 229). One sign of the inner nature appearing on the outside is the fact that we think there is such a thing as an untimely death (Koukl 2019, p. 230). Another is the sense of moral obligation. In a world in which nature is ultimate, there is no place for morality. Yet it is perfectly normal to feel guilt or obligation (Koukl 2019, p. 231).
Koukl goes on to describe the world as broken, hence the presence of evil, which is within us and also influences us from outside (Koukl 2019, p. 233). The biblical account of sin entering the world explains this reality, which all humans recognize to some extent. We are all aware of trouble in the world. We are also all aware of some of our failings individually.
The cure for the guilt we have, says Koukl, is not denial but forgiveness (Koukl 2019, p. 235). The Christian message is that forgiveness comes through Jesus, not through any of our efforts. Koukl discusses the need for and the nature of redemption and forgiveness at some length. He concludes that a philosophy which denies God has no answers for our deepest problems, but that God in Christ is able to deal with all of them (Koukl 2019, p. 239).
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