FOUNDATIONS OF APOLOGETICS, VOLUME ONE: Part 2!

MICHAEL RAMSDEN: Asking Questions

These have come from the DVD which I reviewed yesterday, and is one of the best parts of the DVD.

7 reasons why asking questions is important:

1) ASKING QUESTIONS FORCES PEOPLE TO OPEN UP THEIR GENERAL ASSUMPTIONS:

• Luke 18:18-19
• Take the bit of what they do say, and turn it to Jesus

2) ASKING QUESTIONS FORCES PEOPLE TO OPEN UP THEIR CULTURAL ASSUMPTIONS:

• Matthew 22:15
• The right answer to the wrong question is still wrong
• Jesus redefines the question to unravel the cultural assumptions behind it

3) ASKING QUESTIONS HELPS EXPOSE FAULTY LOGIC

• Matthew 22 again
• Any answer would have been “wrong” in some way, hence it was a trap
• Forces them to question their own question

4) ASKING QUESTIONS EXPOSES MOTIVES

• Matthew 21:23-27 after clearing the temple
• Exposing motives changes the whole course of the conversation

5) ASKING QUESTIONS EXPOSES CONTRADICTIONS

• Matthew 22:41-46
• Show in inconstency in the questions themselves

6) ASKING QUESTIONS INSURES A CONVERSATION

• Makes people feel “heard” because they are being engaged with beyond set answers
• People don’t want to be talked at, they want to be talked to

7) ASKING QUESTIONS MAKES PEOPLE THINK

• The difference between an argument and a discussion
• Knowing people and making Christ known to them

Overall the point is fairly clear. Next time a non-Christian asks about faith, the real question is not just “what did I say” but “what did I ask”.