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Part Eleven:  What Is the Best Apologetics for Closed-Minded Postmodernists and Other Skeptics?

Lifestyle Evangelism

Christian scholar and apologist Nancy Pearcey correctly observed that “it is all but impossible for people to accept new ideas purely in the abstract, without seeing a concrete illustration of what they look like when lived out in practice.” (Total Truth: Liberating Christianity from Its Cultural Captivity, 354-355) We can provide concrete illustrations of Christianity “lived out in practice” through lifestyle evangelism. Living out our faith with love and service is a powerful testimony for the truth of Christianity—and it can also provide witnessing and apologetic opportunities. Non-Christians drawn to Christianity by our love for them and our lifestyles will be more willing to share their intellectual concerns with an open mind rather than with criticisms.

Lifestyle evangelism is a natural outgrowth of the love God gives us for other people. It has always been the Christian’s most successful evangelistic tool. How we live out our beliefs and faith before non-Christians demonstrates that Christianity is true at all levels. It gives meaning and purpose to our lives. It heals us. It changes our behaviors and transforms our minds. The sinful things we once loved to do we avoid doing. We’re the same people outwardly, but we are different on the inside because of God’s redemptive work.

Non-Christians notice how we respond to life’s challenges, how we talk and behave. Our lifestyle can make a tremendous impact on them. If we demonstrate that we possess an inner strength and peace the world can’t offer, Christianity can become extremely appealing to non-Christians—including those who have never been responsive to direct witnessing or apologetics.

When we become involved in people’s lives—reaching out to share in their suffering, coming alongside them during times of tragedy to comfort and encourage, taking time to listen to their worldviews and offer new directions of thoughts—we create an environment that sets the Holy Spirit free to soften people’s hearts and open their minds to Christ.

Personal Testimony

There is something in human nature that causes people to love to hear true-life stories. Thus, the popularity of reality television shows, celebrity magazines, and exposes.

As Christians, each of us has a story about how we came to faith in Jesus Christ. Our personal testimonies make the objective truths of our faith subjectively real. Sharing how Jesus healed our emotional wounds, delivered us from bondage to addictions, healed our marriages, brought us closer to our children, restored family relationships, and improved our standing among coworkers—all such personal encounters with the living Christ demonstrate the reality of Christianity and its transforming power in all areas of life. ©

Next week we’ll look at a third subjective avenue for engaging closed-minded postmodernists and other skeptics, and one probably most Christians never considered.