3/1/24
Scholarly Reflections
Koukl, Gregory. (2019). "Chapter Two: Reservations." In Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions (updated and expanded). pp. 38-51. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
Koukl deals with reservations we might have when considering a game plan for engagement. First, we are shy of arguments. However, an argument can be made without provoking anger (Koukl 2019, 38). Koukl maintains that if anyone gets mad, we lose. An argument which works in a principled way to find truth is a very good thing (Koukl 2019, 39). Knowing the difference between truth and error is important. Koukl emphasizes that proper use of our minds is critical even in the work of God's Word to protect us from evil and error (Koukl 2019, 40).
Koukl discusses the reasons we tend to avoid arguments. Some Christians are afraid to break with unity (Koukl 2019, 41). Other Christians consider any opposition to a point of view as hostility rooted in malice (Koukl 2019, 42). On the contrary, fair and charitable discussion is a positive feature of learning. Therefore, Koukl lays out a case for the use of clear and fair argument for learning (Koukl 2019, 43ff).
In our argument for the Gospel, Koukl views our responsibility as being kind and honest, but God's responsibility as creating receptivity and drawing a person to himself (Koukl 2019, 45). He therefore sees his goal in modest terms. "All I want to do is put a stone in someone's shoe" (Koukl 2019, 46). He wants the other person to have something which cannot be ignored.
Since Koukl sees the gardening metaphor in the New Testament to apply directly to the work of evangelism, he is comfortable with different people having different roles in the process. He views much of what he does as preparation of soil, planting, watering, and cultivation, while someone else may do the harvesting (Koukl 2019, 48). Much of the work, as Koukl views it, is incremental in nature. When the time of harvest comes, the fruit is easily picked.
Scholarly Reflections
Koukl, Gregory. (2019). "Chapter Two: Reservations." In Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions (updated and expanded). pp. 38-51. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
Koukl deals with reservations we might have when considering a game plan for engagement. First, we are shy of arguments. However, an argument can be made without provoking anger (Koukl 2019, 38). Koukl maintains that if anyone gets mad, we lose. An argument which works in a principled way to find truth is a very good thing (Koukl 2019, 39). Knowing the difference between truth and error is important. Koukl emphasizes that proper use of our minds is critical even in the work of God's Word to protect us from evil and error (Koukl 2019, 40).
Koukl discusses the reasons we tend to avoid arguments. Some Christians are afraid to break with unity (Koukl 2019, 41). Other Christians consider any opposition to a point of view as hostility rooted in malice (Koukl 2019, 42). On the contrary, fair and charitable discussion is a positive feature of learning. Therefore, Koukl lays out a case for the use of clear and fair argument for learning (Koukl 2019, 43ff).
In our argument for the Gospel, Koukl views our responsibility as being kind and honest, but God's responsibility as creating receptivity and drawing a person to himself (Koukl 2019, 45). He therefore sees his goal in modest terms. "All I want to do is put a stone in someone's shoe" (Koukl 2019, 46). He wants the other person to have something which cannot be ignored.
Since Koukl sees the gardening metaphor in the New Testament to apply directly to the work of evangelism, he is comfortable with different people having different roles in the process. He views much of what he does as preparation of soil, planting, watering, and cultivation, while someone else may do the harvesting (Koukl 2019, 48). Much of the work, as Koukl views it, is incremental in nature. When the time of harvest comes, the fruit is easily picked.
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