Page 157 - Advanced Apologetics and World Views Revised

Chapter 22: How do we Deal with People?

Connect …

As we come to the last study section, we want to remember how Paul taught the believers to defend
their faith. He told them to be ready to defend their faith yet do it with gentleness and respect. It’s one
thing to know what to say, but it is equally important to know HOW to say it so that the person hearing
you will be receptive. In this lesson, we will learn how to help a person learn how to set aside their
presuppositions and listen to another view. We also would like to give you several tips in how to deal
with people who may disagree with you. If you pay attention to these suggestions, your work as an
apologist will become much more productive. So, let’s dig in……

Objectives …

1. The student will learn how to help a inquirer to deal with their presuppositions so that they will be
open to differing views.

2. The student should be able to take a person through the logical sequence of what the consequences
of belief and unbelief will have in his life.

3. The student should be able to share several tips that would benefit him in his defense of God’s Word.

The Lesson …

How do we deal with such people?

In dealing with people who seems to reject observation data or the Bible, probably the first thing you
must do is challenge their presuppositions. Before we can discuss the Biblical facts, we need to discuss
their world view and seek to change the very foundation of how a person perceives facts. Have them
define their views first and approach them on this basis - then they are much more ready to follow your
argument because you present to them what they need most. Here is an example of how this works
(taken from www.carm.org)

Allen:
I am an atheist and evolutionist. Prove to me there is a God.
Paul:
I do not think I can with your presuppositions.
Allen:
Why not?

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