Article by Cameron Spink

 

Tactics is a book that brings apologetics back to its practical roots. While Greg Koukl channels the late Francis Schaeffer he presents the process of discussing our Christian convictions in an easy-to-understand formula.

 

The essence of Koukl's formula is the Columbo tactic. This allows someone to direct a conversation to the core of another's worldview in a gentle manner, without having to do any work. This is accomplished in three simple steps. First, we should gather information (i.e. "what do you mean by that?"). Second, we need to understand what evidence supports such a supposition (i.e. "how did you come to that conclusion?"). Finally, there may be a weakness or flaw to someone's philosophy that allows us to show them an inconsistency in their worldview.

 

This is a rudimentary comprehension of the Columbo tactic and a thorough reading of Koukl's book will bring significant enlightenment as to the particulars and snares that are involved in this tactic. It is also worth noting that to have any sort of impact with this tactic step 3 needs to be researched in advance. Sometimes it is a simple as picking out a fallacy in another person's logic but other times it requires an in-depth understanding of certain topics (like abortion, relativism, the historical accuracy of the Bible, evolution, homosexuality etc).

 

At times this book may seem to be stating commonsense. However, this provides us with a great place to start. Too many Christian young adults are blown away by seemingly superior arguments for secular humanism when they walk through the doors of university. Koukl shows us that we do not have to accept fronts on Christianity without responding. He even demonstrates how to represent in a disarming way.

 

Koukl constructs situations that he has been presented with through his evangelising and some of the pitfalls that we need to be wary of. These include professor's who will try and give you the burden to prove the validity of your faith; strong-willed individuals who will try and steamroll you; academics who will speak over you and even the Columbo tactic being utilised against you. Through understanding and practice we can avoid being trapped by those who are unwilling to budge from their fallacious worldviews.

 

This book is the beginning of the discussion, not the end. It encourages the reader to take an active involvement in the defence of Christianity and the enlightenment from naive thinking. One cannot walk away from this book feeling like they have all the answers. Koukl leaves it up to us to respond and to delve into the issues that face Christianity in our world today.

 

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Koukl's website - www.str.org