Persuasion – the Centre Piece of Effective Evangelism
Evangelism without persuasion won't convince anybody - how can we put this vital ingredient back where it belongs?
Our resources seek to show why Christians believe that Christianity is true and worth believing. The shorthand term for that is 'apologetics'. It's what Simon Peter was writing about when he wrote: "Always be ready to make your defence to anyone who demands from you an account of the hope that is in you" (1 Peter 3:15, NRSV). Defending the truth of Christian beliefs against objections is important, as is the ability to communicate that truth effectively and attractively. Explore what apologetics is, why it is Biblical and how to engage with it effectively.
Evangelism without persuasion won't convince anybody - how can we put this vital ingredient back where it belongs?
What are the biblical foundations for apologetics and what models does it offer? Takes Acts 17 as a case study.
C.S. Lewis had a first rate mind and a poet’s power of expression. This talk looks at how he applied his powerful imagination to…
These talks look at what apologetics is and how we can be more effective in defending and communicating the Christian message.
Some ideas for helping students to think about apologetics and faith.
Dr Greg Pritchard explains why he sees apologetics as the Science and Art of Christian Persuasion.
How to identify and analyse someone's worldview - affirming what is true and discovering what is in error.
Apologetics is often seen as an 'intellectual' activity, remote from everyday life. Peter S. Williams proposes a more holistic view.
Paul Coulter introduces different approaches to apologetics and examines how they can help in our own conversations.
Seven book recommendations for giving to non-Christians.
Richard Cunningham interviews William Lane Craig on the 50th anniversary of the death of C.S. Lewis. The interview broadens from C.S. Lewis…
Principles from Proverbs to guide our apologetics conversations.
Apologetics is the discipline that deals with a rational defence of Christian faith. It comes from the Greek word apologia which means to…
An examination of history, evidence, faith, fideism and natural theology.
When questions come your way, what will you say? Here are three tips to help you prepare.
When we think of Chesterton today, we think of Father Brown, the quintessential priest-detective. But, like Conan Doyle, who believed his…
Sometimes Christian pastors, parents and teachers are afraid of the questions young people and others might ask. Questions of another…
Religious pluralism has gained a foothold both as a mainstream academic position and in popular culture. John Hick must be understood as a…
Stephen Nichols’ short book is a helpful introduction to answering hard questions with grace and truth.
A challenging call, based on the Acts of the Apostles, to think about how persuasive our evangelism is.
Engaging with Atheists is written to help Christians understand the questions and issues atheists raise.
A brief introduction to some of the issues discussed in the Philosophy of Religion and Natural Theology.
An examination, in the light of 1st century sophistry, of why there seems to be a difference in Paul's apologetics approach between Athens…
Andrew Fellows, Greg Jesson and Ranald Macaulay on the real Francis Schaeffer and his continuing influence and legacy today.
This talk addresses the challenges faced by the UK Church, such as Secularism and Islam, arguing for the necessity of effective apologetics.
Hugh Ross encourages us to focus more on the direction of travel than the distance covered in our evangelistic contacts. "Do you think I'm…
Steve Wilcox begins his apologetics series by examining the principles of faith. ‘Faith’ is considered a dirty word in our…
For the context of this article on Paul's evangelistic methods and his use of apologetics, read Acts 17:16-18:17. What Happened at…
I had a conversation today that I wish you could have eavesdropped on. It was that precious. I was preparing for the show about an hour ago…
Should we endeavour to prove Christian faith? Is it wrong to try to? Should we just simply present the gospel and ask for a response?…
It is difficult to exaggerate the importance and impact of C.S. Lewis. Although he died in 1963, most of his books are still in print and…
Former cold-case homicide detective J Warner Wallace applies his skills to training kids to do apologetics.
When your friends bombard you with questions, how can you cope? Here's one suggestion to take the pressure off.
If you want to be a good apologist, take this advice.
A short suggestion on how to respond to un-evidenced assertions – at college, university or anywhere else...
An extract from Peter May's book The Search for God: and the Path to Persuasion.
7 suggestions for what makes good apologetics
Peter Byrom explains how apologetics enabled him to see that Christian belief was reasonable and needed a response.
How Christian apologetics has used science in its response to the claims of the New Atheists. Boyle Lecture 2014.
Peter May investigates what it means to preach the Gospel and examines what is meant by dialogue and its value in sharing the Gospel with…
In this talk, Os Guinness considers how we can communicate creatively in our evangelism and apologetics. By considering the nature of…
It often seems difficult to make time for a refresher course – and sometimes the issue is knowing just how and where to start. So…
A look at how the type of language C.S Lewis used made his apologetics so effective.
What are the barriers that prevent people engaging with apologetics today? How can we make people aware of its potential to present the…
Jerram Barrs considers the place of the mind and the heart in the Christian faith, and argues that Christians have often failed to love God…
Dallas Willard considers what we can learn from the example of Jesus as a master logician and an excellent apologist.
Our listing of apologetics related courses and events.
The Apostle Peter wrote that all Christians need to be ready to give an 'apology' (Greek apologia) or defence of their Christian hope to…
David Cook addresses the challenges that changes in cuture and thinking present to us as we do apologetics. Section I 1. THE NEED FOR…
David Cook considers the ethics of apologetics. He looks at why people reject the use of apologetics and whether they have a good case or…
Bridges exist in every era, but they can look different from those in the past. Changes in culture may make some ways of doing things less…
This book urgently seeks a recovery of Christian persuasion, 'a way of apologetics that is as profound as the good news we announce'.
When teachers challenge Christianity it's hard to know how to respond. Here are some tips for having a good conversation with them.
A helpful talk exploring practical ways to share Christ in university contexts.
Screwtape advises Wormwood on his (anti-)Christmas strategy.
Review of a new book on Sharing Faith Using Social Media. The book also explores the use of different biblical paradigms for evangelism.
Four implications of 1 Peter 3:15 that will help you stand up and speak out about Jesus.
Sean McDowell shares some important tips for 'young' apologists.
'How to do apologetics' - a lesson from St Paul.
This talk covers some of the basic concepts of truth, logic and persuasion which are helpful when we are 'defending and communicating the…
This talk is based on Alister McGrath's biography of C.S. Lewis.
Peter S. Williams chairs a discussion with William Lane Craig, John Lennox, Peter J. Williams and Gary R. Habermas.
Straight after the Reasonable Faith Tour, Bill Craig attended The Southern Evangelical Seminary's 2011 National Conference on Christian…
At a recent Alpha group, frustrated by the complexity of the Bible, someone sighed, "I wish God had written an executive summary." But God…
In this series of two talks, Jerram Barrs considers how we can reach out to those living in a non-Christian culture. © Jerram Barrs
The first talk in this series asks why Christians often find it so difficult to talk about their faith and suggests that there are two key…
The late British missiologist Lesslie Newbigin made a profound impact on many evangelicals. His prophetical call to mission in the West was…
Sometimes we’re nervous about witnessing for Christ because we’re afraid we’ll be asked questions we can’t answer.…
In 1983, when Alvin Plantinga delivered his inaugural lecture as the John O’Brien Professor of Philosophy at the University of Notre…
Two talks on the 'Psychological Barriers to Belief' look at basic life patterns and past painful experiences.
Francis Schaeffer shares his understanding of what apologetics is and how it can bring together historic Christianity and contemporary…
The fact that almost all aspects of human activity today are dominated by naturalistic assumptions means that for many the Christian…
These resources will help you start thinking through six common objections to the Christian faith.
These resources are aimed at helping 14-18 year olds give an answer for their faith at school, to friends and teachers.