5/24/24
Scholarly Reflections
Koukl, Gregory. (2019). "Chapter Fourteen: Steamroller." In Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions (updated and expanded). (pp. 192-201). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
Koukl evaluates four reasons that people might reject good arguments, then he attempts to provide a tactic to overcome that resistance (Koukl 2019, p. 192). His thesis is that the valid argument is always appropriate, but that it will not always compel change.
Sometimes resistance is driven by an emotional motivation (Koukl 2019, p. 193). Especially in response to the claims of Christianity, people who have had negative experiences with Christians, who are concerned about the possibility that loved ones will perish, or who face rejection by family, friends, or their culture will try to reject the claims of Christianity so as to avoid those possibilities.
Another cause of resistance is based on prejudice, especially due to a cultural or political bias. Denominational differences may also contribute to this difficulty (Koukl 2019, p. 193).
Koukl considers a third reason t obe mere stubbornness and rebellion (Koukl 2019, p. 193). Change of belief is a hard thing. Some people will be highly resistant.
To counteract the forceful responses which some people show to the invitation to life change, Koukl suggests the defense he calls "steamroller" (Koukl 2019, p. 194). The steamroller is the other person, who may throw objections quickly, often interrupting and using a series of diversions which could lead down various rabbit trails. While some instances of the steamroller are genuine and easily distractable, Koukl thinks it is usually a disingenuous practice (Koukl 2019, p. 195). They wish to win the day throguh aggressive intimidation. Koukl here recommends a forceful, though not a rude response.
A first move ist omake "a genial request for courtesy" (Koukl 2019, p. 195). Ask to make your point without interruption, possibly signalling with a raised hand as well. Do this, if possible, when there is a pause (Koukl 2019, p. 196). If possible, get the other person's assent to allow an answer in turn. If the person will not allow it, Koukl considers it fair to ask why the person brought up a question but would not allow an answer. Remaining calm is very important.
If the steamroller breaks the agreement to discuss one issue at a time, Koukl recommends a slightly more aggressive move of using the person's name while directly requesting civility (Koukl 2019, p. 197). It allows the other person to have a reasoned conversation or for the conversation to end because of his lack of civility (Koukl 2019, p. 198).
A third step is to simply move on. The conversation is ended and the other person was allowed to have the last (unconvincing) word (Koukl 2019, p. 199). Not every conversation is going to be successful. At some point we acknowledge that it is going nowhere. Koukl describes this in terms of Jesus' caution about giving pearls to swine, who will turn and trample them and you.
Productive conversations are great. Not all will prove to be productive. It is all right to end an unproductive one.
Scholarly Reflections
Koukl, Gregory. (2019). "Chapter Fourteen: Steamroller." In Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions (updated and expanded). (pp. 192-201). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
Koukl evaluates four reasons that people might reject good arguments, then he attempts to provide a tactic to overcome that resistance (Koukl 2019, p. 192). His thesis is that the valid argument is always appropriate, but that it will not always compel change.
Sometimes resistance is driven by an emotional motivation (Koukl 2019, p. 193). Especially in response to the claims of Christianity, people who have had negative experiences with Christians, who are concerned about the possibility that loved ones will perish, or who face rejection by family, friends, or their culture will try to reject the claims of Christianity so as to avoid those possibilities.
Another cause of resistance is based on prejudice, especially due to a cultural or political bias. Denominational differences may also contribute to this difficulty (Koukl 2019, p. 193).
Koukl considers a third reason t obe mere stubbornness and rebellion (Koukl 2019, p. 193). Change of belief is a hard thing. Some people will be highly resistant.
To counteract the forceful responses which some people show to the invitation to life change, Koukl suggests the defense he calls "steamroller" (Koukl 2019, p. 194). The steamroller is the other person, who may throw objections quickly, often interrupting and using a series of diversions which could lead down various rabbit trails. While some instances of the steamroller are genuine and easily distractable, Koukl thinks it is usually a disingenuous practice (Koukl 2019, p. 195). They wish to win the day throguh aggressive intimidation. Koukl here recommends a forceful, though not a rude response.
A first move ist omake "a genial request for courtesy" (Koukl 2019, p. 195). Ask to make your point without interruption, possibly signalling with a raised hand as well. Do this, if possible, when there is a pause (Koukl 2019, p. 196). If possible, get the other person's assent to allow an answer in turn. If the person will not allow it, Koukl considers it fair to ask why the person brought up a question but would not allow an answer. Remaining calm is very important.
If the steamroller breaks the agreement to discuss one issue at a time, Koukl recommends a slightly more aggressive move of using the person's name while directly requesting civility (Koukl 2019, p. 197). It allows the other person to have a reasoned conversation or for the conversation to end because of his lack of civility (Koukl 2019, p. 198).
A third step is to simply move on. The conversation is ended and the other person was allowed to have the last (unconvincing) word (Koukl 2019, p. 199). Not every conversation is going to be successful. At some point we acknowledge that it is going nowhere. Koukl describes this in terms of Jesus' caution about giving pearls to swine, who will turn and trample them and you.
Productive conversations are great. Not all will prove to be productive. It is all right to end an unproductive one.
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