Frequently Asked Questions

What is Truth?

Truth is a belief or statement that correctly reflects the world.

For example, if you have a non-translucent cup and water is inside, you may state, “There is water in my cup.” This will correctly reflect reality if there is actually water in the cup. If you say that you have Coke in the cup when it is water, it would falsely reflect reality. Therefore, it would be a lie. Truth is what reflects the world correctly. Truth corresponds with reality, and this is also known as the Correspondence Theory. Truth is true at all times in all places.

What is Apologetics?

It means to give a rational defense for the Christian faith. “It is defending by words or arguments” (Webster’s 1828).

“Christian apologetics is the rational defense of the Christian worldview as objectively true, rationally compelling and existentially or subjectively engaging” (Douglas Groothuis, Christian Apologetics, 24).

“Apologetics comes from the Greek word apologia, which means a defense, as in a court of law. Christian Apologetics involves making a case for the truth of the Christian faith.” (William Lane Craig, On Guard)

The word apologia is found in the Scriptures.
2 Timothy 4:16, Acts 22:1; 25:16; 1 Cor. 9:3; 2 Cor. 7:11, Phil. 1:7, 1 Pet 3:15

Note it in the New Testament
Apostles used prophecy, miracles the evidence of the resurrection to make their case.
Jesus appealed to miracles and prophecy – Luke 24:25-27; John 14:11
Peter’s sermon can be found in Acts 2:14-36.
Paul uses general revelation in Acts 14 and 17.

Note in the Old Testament
Moses before Pharaoh as found in Exodus 11:10.
Daniel rejects the food and petitions the administrator, as in Daniel 1:8.
Esther before the King in Esther 5:8.

How do I start a spiritual conversation?

Over the years, many Christians have expressed their desire to start a spiritual conversation with someone in order to share the gospel. It remains true that one of the challenges for people is simply starting the conversation. It seems easy to converse about a job, sports, politics, and even hardships that people may face, so how does the Christian turn that conversation into a discussion that will point them to Christ? Ravi Zacharias states that conversations are a place to “remove any obstacle to see Christ more clearly.”

The greatest example to observe is Christ, who turned a regular conversation into spiritual discussions. Consider the woman at the well in John 4. He turned a conversation about water into a dialogue about the living water, indicating that her actual need was for Him the Messiah. Jesus’s transition with the woman at the well happened quickly and naturally. I like to call these moments the access points. Access points are places one can turn the discussion into a spiritual conversation. An access point can happen immediately when approaching someone. For example, Jesus started the conversation and asked questions with the things he observed with the woman at the well. Consider approaching someone and attempt to recognize their clothing, tattoos, jewelry, and even contemplate their name in order to find an access point. Remember, the access point is the movement from a regular dialogue to a spiritual conversation in order to point them to Christ.

After finding an access point, be patient and exemplify the kindness of God. Ask good questions to compare and contrast their worldview with the Christian worldview. Expose fallacies or flaws in their thinking in order to see Christ more clearly. Let me give an example from Sunday night while my husband and I were eating out. My husband asked the waiter, “Can I ask you a spiritual question?” The waiter replied, “Yes.” My husband asked, “Do you believe there is an afterlife?” He responded, “No.” The access to a spiritual conversation was quick and with a question. We were able to contrast worldviews, expose flaws in his worldview and point him to Christ. Most of the time, it is not immediate. You might notice a cross someone is wearing or a tattoo and ask the importance of that object to the person, then turn the conversation. Spiritual conversations will happen when we are intentional about sharing Christ. Greg Koukl challenges Christians not to be concerned with immediately changing their mind in one or two short conversations but instead to “put a rock in the shoe” and stimulate them to confront Christ.

Lastly, it is important to always be ready to share the gospel clearly if given the chance. We only had a short time with the waiter the other night, but we pointed him to Christ. At the end of the conversation, I asked the waiter if he knew the life of Jesus. He acknowledged that he did, and I shared the question Jesus presented to his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” The waiter did not change his worldview upon our conversation, but we left him with four essentials in sharing the gospel. We emphasized who is God, man, sin, Christ, and Restoration.

Spiritual conversations can happen when Christians intentionally find access points to discuss Christ. It takes practice for it to become natural, so pray today that God would send you someone today and find the access point, contrast worldviews, expose flaws or fallacies, and point them to Christ.