In this video, Luke and Dr. Cynthia discuss A Christian ATTITUDE for Apologetics.
They describe the common feeling that they and others share when they are verbally attacked by unbelievers and scoffers. Both experience the natural human reflex of wanting to strike back.
How do they handle this? They give these PRACTICAL TIPS:
- Don’t get angry or distracted by their responses. Sometimes that is exactly what they want. Keep CALM, focused on the point, not the emotion.
- Remember that God LOVES the person. Your response to them should REFLECT that. The discussion is not about winning but about revealing God to them.
- Listen well to them. WAIT before responding – don’t give a kneejerk reaction. Think about what you are going to say.
- If you are in a written debate and get a hostile comment, SKIM it the first time to diffuse some of your indignation. Then come back later when you are calm to read it more thoroughly and rework it.
- Perhaps leave your written response OVERNIGHT and reread it in the morning to be sure it is not too harsh.
During the discussion, Luke makes a startling statement, “Sometimes our job is to take a beating.” (Luke speaks figuratively, but it can become real!)
That shows the kind of humble, loving attitude we should have while using our powerful weapons of apologetics, polemics and the Sword of the Spirit – the Word of God.
