Part One: What Is an Apologetic Point of Contact?
Today, I’m beginning a short series of blog articles on how to start conversations with non-Christians. Fruitful conversations that not only allow us to give the Christian perspective on issues under discussion, but, more importantly, lead to opportunities for sharing the gospel—the goal of all apologetics. In this blog article, I’ll define what a point of contact is.
Points of contact are apologetic springboards. They focus on topics that concern both Christians and non-Christians alike. Hence, they are starting points of conversation, common denominators, and areas of mutual agreement from which religious and ethical discussions can blossom. Let me illustrate this by applying C. S. Lewis’ well-known “Lord, Liar, Lunatic” trilemma in Mere Christianity.
Virtually all people, including atheists, accept the fact that Jesus is an historical person—He really lived. The so-called “Christ myth” has long been debunked by historians. However, non-Christians usually think of Him as merely a “good” man—a religious teacher, a great prophet, or a holy man—not God incarnate. But at least they do acknowledge that He lived.
This is a point of contact. It’s an area of mutual agreement that can lead to a discussion of just who is Jesus Christ. We agree that He exists, but what is He really like? Did Jesus actually claim to be God? If Jesus was merely a “good” man, would He have made such a claim? Certainly if Jesus wasn’t God, claiming to be God would not make Him good—it would make him a liar or a lunatic! He can’t be good if he’s a liar or lunatic. If Jesus wasn’t God, He would have to be one or the other. But is there any evidence that Jesus is a liar or lunatic? On the other hand, is there evidence that He’s God? If so, what is that evidence? Can it be checked-out?
I’ll put this as a dialogue. Notice I’m using the Socratic Method, which I discussed at great length in my blog series beginning January 4, 2016.
Believer: “We both agree that Jesus lived, so who do you think He is?”
Unbeliever: “I think he was a famous moral teacher. You know, a great man. Perhaps even a prophet.”
Believer: “Tell me, would a moral teacher or a great man or a prophet be a liar?”
Unbeliever: “Of course not.”
Believer: “So we can rule out Jesus being a liar?”
Unbeliever: “Yes.”
Believer: “Good. Then let me ask you this. Do you think Jesus is a lunatic, that He was delusional and just thought He was God?”
Unbeliever: “Well, I suppose that could be true. I wouldn’t think so, but it’s possible.”
Believer: “What are the characteristics of a lunatic?”
Unbeliever: “I guess erratic behavior, unpredictability, over-inflated ego, strange behavior, strange ideas, things like that.
Believer: “Have you heard or read anything about Jesus having any of these characteristics?
Unbeliever: “No, not that I can remember.”
Believer: “Then what’s left? If Jesus isn’t a liar or a lunatic, and if he claimed to be God, who is He?”
Unbeliever: “According to your argument, I guess He’s God. But I still find it hard to believe.”
Believer: “I agree it is hard to believe. So why don’t we examine some of the evidences that demonstrate the document recording information about Jesus’ the life and deeds is historically reliable. It may surprise you—like other reliable historical documents—it’s written by eyewitness to the events in His life, or by their closest associates. I think you may come away convinced.”
You see, the purpose of a point of contact is getting an unbeliever to consider the Christian perspective on the subject at hand. If we begin a witnessing encounter from an area of common ground, a point of mutual agreement in the area or religion, ethics, or some other topic, such as an idea, a concept, a principle, or an historical fact, we are far more likely to maintain a spirit of open-mindedness than if we plunged in, making blatant declarations (“The Bible clearly teaches that Jesus is God!”) or criticizing the unbeliever’s opinion (“You don’t what to hear the facts”).
When people agree with some foundational point under discussion—such as in this case the historicity of Jesus Christ—we have taken the first step toward leading the conversation into a fuller revelation of the Christian position on any issue. ©
Next week we’ll examine more specifically why points of contact are valuable in apologetic/evangelism—and why they work so well!