Johnson - How to talk to a skeptic: an easy-to-follow guide for natural conversations and effective apologetics

2013 by Donald J. Johnson

Published by Bethany House Publishers

11400 Hampshire Avenue South

Bloomington, Minnesota 55438

www.bethanyhouse.com

Bethany House Publishers is a division of

Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan

www . bakerpublishinggroup . com

Printed in the United States of America

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

ISBN 978-0-7642-1122-5 (pbk.)

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

Scripture quotations identified KJV are from the King James Version of the Bible.

Scripture quotations identified NASB are from the New American Standard Bible, copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations identified NIV1984 are from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations identified NRSV are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations identified RSV are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Cover design by Dan Pitts

Author is represented by D. C. Jacobson & Associates, LLC.

This is one of the most practical books of apologetics I have ever read. It is also one of the most profound.

Peter Kreeft, professor of philosophy at Boston College and Kings College, author of over 70 books, including Handbook of Christian Apologetics and Jacobs Ladder: Ten Steps to Truth

This is not just another apologetics book. How to Talk to a Skeptic is a compelling synthesis of worldview training, Bible teaching, and practical discussion tips. You dont have to be a philosophy student to use it; believers in all walks of life will benefit from Johnsons help to answer skeptics with truth, gentleness, and respect. He shows how vestiges of bad theology end up maligning the character of God causing skepticism for the nonbeliever, and why good theology is important in the task of conversational evangelism. The insights on how to ask good questions and frame evangelistic dialogue are refreshing and are born from Johnsons many years of experience with Christianitys critics. This is a significant book; it uniquely probes important questions that are usually left behind in the apologetics discussions. I encourage you to read it!

Rick Schenker, president, Ratio Christi

Don Johnson has been making the case for Christianity for many years now here in Southern California. As a skeptic and late-believer myself, I am grateful that Don has carefully crafted a book that will help believers understand the issues, frame their discussions, and intelligently interact with nonbelievers in their midst. Don uses many personal examples and has created a resource that is accessible, informative, and engaging.

J. Warner Wallace, cold case detective, Christian case maker at Stand to Reason, and author of Cold-Case Christianity: A Homicide Detective Investigates the Claims of the Gospels

Don Johnsons new book, How to Talk to a Skeptic , provides a much-needed resource for people who are intimidated by sharing their faith with perceived intellectuals. Its easy to feel inadequate when others seem so confident, and we think of the perfect response an hour after the conversation ends. This book doesnt just provide a list of catch phrases and points to make in a discussion. Instead, its about how to build a genuine relationship with a person of non-faith, using a caring approach to open an honest interaction about faith. Its one of the few books that doesnt see the skeptic as the enemy.

Mike Bechtle, author, Evangelism for the Rest of Us: Sharing Christ Within Your Personality Style and Confident Conversation: How to Communicate Effectively in Any Situation

When the majority of what is on offer for reaching skeptics reduces to a wooden paint-by-numbers sort of evangelism, Donald Johnson has proposed a fresh and conversational approach. Unlike most evangelistic strategies, the success of Donald Johnsons method is clear to anyone who has heard the countless discussions he has had with skeptics on his radio show. Rather than trying to sell Christian theism to skeptics as a product, Donald Johnson offers an approach that organically demonstrates the truth of the Christian worldview.

Braxton Hunter, professor of apologetics at Trinity College and Seminary, president of the Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists, and the director of evangelism and apologetics for Trinity Crusades for Christ

How to Talk to a Skeptic is both practical and accessible. Don Johnson has done the American church in the twenty-first century a service by helping us think about how to engage unbelievers with truth and grace.

Paul Schliep, director of Credentialing and Theological Health for Evangelical Free Church of America West Region

Don Johnson has combined a deep knowledge of apologetics with practical advice on how to actually discuss Christianity with skeptics. This impressive book combines clear thinking, good writing, and apologetics zeal. Bravo!

Douglas Groothuis, professor of philosophy, Denver Seminary, head of the Apologetics and Ethics Masters Degree Program, and author of Christian Apologetics

How to Talk to a Skeptic will bring real encouragement to all who seek to share the good news with nonbelievers, but instead find themselves getting bogged down in a swamp of objections. Thats because Don Johnson clearly shows how we must establish the contextual ground rules before we can engage in fruitful discussions about ultimate reality. How to Talk to a Skeptic makes the indispensable point that Christianity is not a product to be sold but a comprehensive and intelligent worldview to be embraced. This is a great book.

Stan Guthrie, president, Stan Guthrie Communications, coauthor, The Sacrament of Evangelism , author, All That Jesus Asks , and editor-at-large, Christianity Today

Ive been involved in apologetics and worldview ministries since the 70s, and Im always looking for material that will help my students and fellow-believers. Not only do I want them to get the facts about the evidence for the Christian faith but also understand how to communicate those ideas in a winsome way that will move skeptics to want to honestly seek out why the gospel is relevant to them. Don Johnson has given us one of those books. I plan to recommend it to my students and to my skeptical friends.

Randy Rodden, president, Answers International Ministries, professor of philosophy and religion, Community Christian College, teaching pastor, Valley of the Falls Community Church, Forest Falls, CA

For my amazing wife, Kendra