Ep. 7 | Apologetics for a Divided World

Difficult Conversations

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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Resources

• Full interview with Sean McDowell on YouTube
• Full interview with Justin Brierley on YouTube
• Full interview with Preston Perry on the Maybe God Podcast
• “End the Stalemate: Move Past Cancel Culture to Meaningful Conversations” by Sean McDowell and Tim Muehlhoff
• “The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God: Why New Atheism Grew Old and Secular Thinkers Are Considering Christianity Again” by Justin Brierley
• “How to Tell the Truth: The Story of How God Saved Me to Win Hearts – Not Just Arguments” by Preston Perry
• How the Gospel Answers Culture’s Questions, NAE podcast with Rebecca McLaughlin
• “The Secular Creed: Engaging 5 Contemporary Claims” article by Rebecca McLaughlin

Show Notes: http://NAE.org/apologetics-podcast