Difficult Conversations

Ep. 7 | Apologetics for a Divided World

Nov 21, 2024

59:27

When it’s about winning people for Jesus.

The Greek word for “apologetics” means “to give a defense” and comes from 1 Peter 3:15–16, which starts “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have…”

Apologetics in this passage begins with reverence for Christ, and its focus isn’t on defeating others but providing hope. There is no more consequential conversation than the one about who Jesus is and what he wants for us.

Still, we tend to think of apologetics conversations with a battle mentality. In this final episode of Difficult Conversations, experienced apologists show us a better way — one that’s not about winning arguments, but winning hearts and minds for Jesus.

Sean McDowell, a Christian apologist out of Biola University, unpacks perspective-taking, cancel culture, and how to diffuse conversations that go off the rails. Podcast host Justin Brierley shares lessons learned from two decades of hosting hundreds of high-profile debates between Christians, atheists and agnostics.

And, you’ll hear a powerful testimony from Preston Perry, co-host of With the Perrys alongside Jackie Hill Perry, on how God transformed his life by showing him the very heart of what it means to be a Christian.

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