People, Not Play-Dough

A Fresh Perspective on Apologetics from Os Guinness

(This post was originally published on BreakPoint.org. Read it at http://archive.breakpoint.org/features-columns/articles/entry/12/27751.)

Nothing frustrates me more than an inability to communicate. And, in this highly secularized culture dominated by anti-Christian values, being an effective Christian communicator has likely never been harder in the history of our nation. I hardly know how to approach apologetics and evangelism anymore. The amazing biblical truths I have to share hold such weight, however, that failing to present them to those around me is one of the worst failures I could possibly make as a disciple of Christ. This frequently leads to a state of tension and a feeling of being stymied. No one seems to really care about truth anymore, and how can you explain the truth of God’s Word with people who think everything is up to opinions? No one wants to be preached at either, so how do you tell someone that their beliefs are wrong and that they need Jesus without offending them or scaring them off? And what if I’m an ineffective debater and can’t win any of the arguments? They’ll never come to Christ that way. It will only drive them away. Enter Os Guinness’ newest book, Fool’s Talk: Recovering the Art of Christian Persuasion. In this book, Guinness acknowledges the fact that Christians have forgotten the art of Christian persuasion, even though now—in the age of the Internet—effective communication is more crucial than ever to our witness. He urges a reunion of apologetics and evangelism, saying that they should never be treated as completely different entities. Rather, these two disciplines must go hand in hand, because our goal as Christ’s disciples is to win people and not arguments. Persuasion is an art that requires a lot more than a simple cookie-cutter approach. We’re dealing with people, not play-dough.

In this brilliantly articulate work, Guinness offers great insight into the elements that should contribute to Christian persuasion, reminding readers to keep the message of Christ at the center of their attempts to persuade people of the truth, and urging them to imitate Christ in His own methods of persuasion, emphasizing that both rational arguments and stories have their place in apologetics just as they did in Christ’s ministry. The trick is knowing which to use in a given situation.

At the same time, though, apologetics should never be reduced to purely a technique. Love should always be at the center of our conversations, and we must remember that we practice apologetics not to defend ourselves but to defend our God and to help people to come to Him. Guinness writes, “Christian advocacy is a lover’s defense, a matter of speaking out and standing up when God is framed unjustly and attacked wrongly. It is therefore anything but dry and far from sterile.”

This dynamic and innovative aspect of Christian persuasion becomes central to Guinness’ discussion. He draws on the truth of 1 Corinthians 1:18, which says, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” Asserting that Christ Himself became the ultimate fool bearer when he bore the sin of the world and its “cruel derision,” Guinness argues that the message of the cross aligns far more closely with the elements of a comedy than those of a tragedy. He proceeds to uncover the element of otherworldly joy that is central to the Christian faith.

Furthermore, Guinness astutely remarks that the truth of Christianity does not depend on our ability to defend it. Regardless of our effectiveness as Christian witnesses, the truth of God’s Word will remain eternally true. And this is the case even when we waver in our certainty or fail to communicate effectively. Ultimately, as Guinness concludes, we must recognize that we are Christ’s witnesses and that we therefore have the duty to witness to him in a way that represents Him and is worthy of bearing His name.

As a Christian who has personally struggled with knowing how to communicate with those who do not share my worldview, I recognize the need for the Christian community to relearn the art of winsome and effective persuasion. Os Guinness’ book addresses this need, presenting biblical wisdom in a way that is both intelligent and accessible. He traces the footsteps of apologists and evangelists who have gone before him, relying heavily on their examples, yet remaining firmly grounded in the Word of God. Although he often seems to repeat arguments, his emphasis surely drives home the important concepts he wishes to communicate and enables him to elaborate on each idea as the book progresses. Throughout the work, he pulls back each layer involved in Christian persuasion until his thoughts reveal themselves to form one, cohesive whole.

In the midst of all the brilliance displayed in this book, the only really frustrating aspect is the fact that Guinness offers no formula for the work of apologetics. But, of course, that’s the whole point. People aren’t projects. There is no formula for penetrating someone’s intellect with the truth of God’s Word. Guinness effectively communicates this concept to his readers throughout the discussion, even while reminding them that “[doing Christian persuasion] must always outweigh talking about it.”

If you, like me, have struggled to find your footing in the realm of Christian witnessing, I highly recommend this book. Throughout the book, Guinness reconciles a commitment to truth with the reality of Christlike love, showing that the two do not have to clash within apologetics, but rather, that they are firmly united within Christian persuasion.