Daily Archive

The following is a guest post by Rev. Patrick Lengel:

The other day I had the opportunity to sit down with a couple Jehovah’s Witnesses. I love blasting their ideas out of the water and winning the argument. I often times approach these discussions with the proverbial Clint Eastwood stare and an attitude saying, “Go ahead, make my day.”

After the discussions the other day I was thinking about the conversation and how I could have done things differently…what I could have said to weaken their perspective and strengthen the Christian perspective. Then it struck me…why do I love these debates and discussions?

I knew that even though I love sharing the Gospel, when I have the opportunity to talk with someone with an opposing religious worldview, I really enjoy winning that argument. I take vindication knowing that my worldview is correct and that theirs is wrong.

But, am I right in doing that?

We are to be about proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Apologetics is a tool for that but should not be the end all. Good apologetics should help prepare the soil to receive the Gospel.

So what can we do as we utilize apologetics in sharing the Gospel to ensure that we don’t make the Gospel a game to be won?

1) Remember, God is the one that changes people and, biblically speaking, He does not do it through our intelligence but in our weakness.

2) We need to love the ones we talk to and desire them to receive eternal life.

3) We need to be humble…even when we can win the argument, the Gospel is our main calling. Instead of going for the jugular, go for the heart.

Remember, sometimes Winning is Loosing, especially when we make the Gospel a Game.

Now, go out and serve your King.

Patrick Lengel is a church planter in Bluffton, South Carolina and the tired dad of four young kids.   You can contact Patrick at BikerChurchUSA@gmail.com or at 803-917-5404.