: Ask "How did you come to that conclusion?" This ensures the person making the claim is responsible for supporting it with evidence, rather than you having to disprove a baseless assertion .
: When someone cites an "expert" opinion, ask for the reasons behind the conclusion rather than accepting the person's credentials as final proof . Where to Get the Book Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christ...
The most vital technique in the book is the , named after the bumbling TV detective who used unassuming questions to uncover the truth . It follows a three-step process: : Ask "How did you come to that conclusion
: Identify self-refuting statements. For example, if someone says "There is no truth," you can ask if that statement itself is true . It follows a three-step process: : Identify self-refuting
In his book , Gregory Koukl shifts the focus of evangelism from winning arguments to a "gardening" approach—planting "seeds" or "putting a stone in someone's shoe" to get them thinking . The core strategy, known as the Ambassador Model , emphasizes three pillars: knowledge, wisdom, and character . The Game Plan: The Columbo Tactic
: Follow a person's logic to its ultimate conclusion to show that it leads to an absurd or unacceptable result .
: For aggressive challengers who constantly interrupt, Koukl recommends politely but firmly asking for the floor, and if that fails, disengaging entirely .