Why is the book “Tactics” by Greg Koukl so critical? Fulfilling our mission of “going and making disciples” is one of the key pillars we are commanded to do, and one in which most Christians, especially Catholics, have no clue where to begin! Most Catholics have never been taught the importance of sharing their faith let alone how to engage in a meaningful dialogue with a family member who might have walked away from their faith, someone from another religious tradition, or a skeptic
In the world of Christian “apologetics” training, there is no one more revered than Greg Koukl, teaching and leading others to be more effective ambassadors for Christ. Most of the major Christian apologists, including Catholic Answers apologist, Trent Horn, refer to Greg Koukl’s work as being the gold standard in learning how to effectively persuade and communicate, while being respectful when giving reasons for believing in Christianity. In addition, most of the techniques he teaches can also be used in our personal and professional lives.
How is Christian leadership different than secular leadership? Koukl argues that although many virtues crossover, Christian leadership has specific attributes, or, as he says being an “Ambassador for Christ” An ambassador is:
- Being Ready: For chances to represent Christ and will not back away from a challenge or an opportunity.
- Patient: Won’t quarrel but will listen to understand and will engage with gentleness and respect to those who disagree.
- Reasonable: Having informed convictions, not just feelings, giving reasons and asking questions to seek answers, and will not be stumped by the same challenge twice.
- Tactical: Adapting to each unique person and situation manoeuvring with wisdom to challenge bad thinking, presenting the truth in an understanding and compelling way.
- Being Clear: Careful with language not relying on Christian lingo or resorting to empty rhetoric. An ambassador is sympathetic and understanding towards others and will acknowledge the merits of contrary views.
- Honest: Being careful with the facts, not misrepresenting another view, overstate his or her own case or under state the demands of the gospel.
- Humility: Not being arrogant or pretentious, but being genuine and honest while being straightforward.
- Attractive: An ambassador will act with grace, kindness and good manners and will not dishonor Christ in his or her conduct.
- Dependent: An ambassador knows that effectiveness requires Gods power.
Koukl’s leadership style he recommends is to be gentle and not preachy, often reminding the reader that unfriendly quarrels result in you losing your opportunity. Arguments on the other hand are a virtue, because they can open other’s paradigms, and after all, Jesus, Peter and Paul used them successfully so shouldn’t we learn to use them too?
Koukl refers to our need to be gardeners not just harvesters, because harvesting is a lot easier, which is so true. He says, when the fruit is ripe it only takes a little bump for it to fall. When I reflect about harvesting my own humble garden, in August and September, picking the ripe tomatoes, beans, and zucchinis, that’s easy, as a matter of fact, it’s fun!
It’s the preparing of the soil, planting seeds, watering, and weeding that is time consuming and exhausting. Not to mention the patience one is forced to learn as we wait. As Christians, we need to understand our role as gardeners and leave the converting of hearts up to God. We need to understand our responsibility and trust God to be effective, and like the seed and the soil parable, some will respond, and some will not. When we accept our role, this lifts a tremendous burden from our shoulders and puts in on God’s.
In “Tactics” Koukl outlines a proven list of tactics, including his most used “Columbo” tactic, using questions to get someone to question their own statement or worldview. The same tactic Jesus used when He faced a hostile crowd. He would ask questions to His audience to either challenge His audience or silence critics, exposing their hypocrisy. Koukl leads by example, sharing several stories of his own personal experiences so we can learn from his successes and failures. His style is to be shrewd, not blunt, to show warmth and patience when asking questions, especially about spiritual matters. He constantly reminds his reader to remember, if anyone gets mad, you lose. People who are angry get defensive and are not likely to be open minded but become more interested in defending their own opposing view.
No intellectual argument can ever substitute for the fact that grace is necessary for sinners to come to their senses. Without the work of the Spirit, no argument, no matter how persuasive will be effective. Koukl uses the metaphor of putting a stone in someone’s shoe, something they can’t ignore because it continues to poke at them, forcing them to be reminded of the message. Koukl compares our role to a batter in a baseball game. It’s not for us to make a homerun in someone’s conversion, but to advance the runner or simply get them to first base and sometimes by just getting up to bat, we might not even get to first base but result in someone coming home. Koukl also reminds us that not all soil is good, some is rocky, thorny or a beaten path, so, be prepared to shake the dust off our feet and move on.
Koukl states that “helping Church leaders create a game plan for discussing Christian convictions should be required training for all Christians and church leaders.” This is exactly why I chose this book. Greg Koukl is the leader or “Yoda” in the field of apologetics. Studying and summarizing his tactics will allow me to share in our “FAR180” apostolate to be more of an affective leader, training others to be… Ambassadors for Christ!
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