Has anyone ever gotten into an argument? Okay, if you are reading this and you did not raise your hand, I am equal parts impressed and terrified. Going head-to-head with siblings, family, and friends is a natural part of life, though not a very pleasant one. And you know what is especially unenjoyable? Arguments where your opponent refuses to listen to logic. You know the type I’m referring to–you have sound, structured reasoning, a stack of peer-reviewed essays to prove your point, and have sufficiently combated every objection your opponent has raised. But none of that matters, because your adversary just keeps arguing. It is infuriating, and I’m sure anyone who has been in that situation would agree. Most of us do not want to engage in this type of argument because, quite simply, there is no point. Your rival will never listen to you, so you need not waste your life trying to convince them of something. 

Now, let us take this scenario and apply it to Christianity. Has anyone experienced this? Debating an atheist, or someone of a different denomination, who refuses to even consider your logic? It is hard, it is annoying, and eventually you have to walk away with the faint hope that “maybe I planted some seeds for Christ”. Not an appealing situation, is it? But what happens if we reverse the roles? Place the opponent in the ‘logic’ corner, and place the Christian in the ‘I do not care what you have to say because I am right’ corner. It has happened, and it will happen again. I have experienced it. Others will experience it. As much as we Christians would sometimes like to believe it, we are not perfect. Sometimes we are just as biased as the people to whom we are trying to spread God’s word. 

So how can we resolve this? How do we put ourselves back in the ‘logic’ corner of an argument? My suggestion is simple…the execution is a bit harder. In order for Christians to truly argue from a place of logic, we must grow comfortable questioning our faith, because those questions will allow us to grow. 

Asking Questions

The first piece of the puzzle is sometimes the hardest one to accept: Christians must grow comfortable confronting the harder parts of our faith. Oftentimes, when questions occur, we bury them. We say “well, God says this, and therefore your argument is not worth listening to.” But how can we expect to bring anyone to Jesus that way? Or what if the Bible is not really clear regarding a point? Everyone has a different approach to the Scriptures, after all. Can we really expect that statement to be the end-all-be-all? Of course not. We need to learn to ask questions. 

First off, is God clear? “Thou shalt not steal” seems pretty straightforward. But how about other issues…abortion, the death penalty, and homosexuality? Brief disclaimer–I am not and will not be arguing for or against anything controversial in this article. I will also not be discussing any issue in detail. I have no desire to spark an argument or convince you of anything. Sound good? Awesome! Now, many people, including Christians, are divided on the issues mentioned above. Some will say that the Bible argues against homosexuality. Some will say it does not. Another group will say that the Bible is not clear, or that it was written in a different historical context. However, almost all of them will refuse to even listen to another side’s argument on the topic. Is that really the best way to bring people to Christ? I do not think it is. That is why this is step one. 

What if Christians grow comfortable asking the questions we shy away from? “What if abortion is/is not okay? What if the death penalty is/is not bad? What if God actually permits/does not permit homosexuality?” (Once again, this is not a place to debate these issues. I am simply using these questions as examples because I know many people in different situations will relate to them). If we are willing to address the side we prefer to ignore, it will open us up to genuine conversations about our faith, rather than shouting matches. And genuine, open, honest conversations are going to be what leads other people to Christ. 

Finding Answers

After Christians allow ourselves to question the beliefs we hold as truths, the next step is to confirm our faith by seeking answers to our questions. There are essentially two methods of answer-seeking: open-minded and close-minded. You can probably guess where I’m going with this. Searching with a closed mind is simple: you google articles written by your side of the argument. You read the Bible only from your point of view, looking for verses to back up your logic. You talk to people who convince you why your view is correct without actually giving an explanation. At its core, it is like you are writing a bad research essay: searching only for things that back up your point. 

On the flip side, you could approach your search with an open mind. Find arguments written by both sides. Read that chapter of the Bible from your opponent’s point of view. Talk to other open-minded people who are willing to explain their reasoning and answer your questions. In short, write a good research essay by taking both sides into consideration. 

Either method of answer-seeking will result in you forming an answer to the question you asked. Which method you choose depends on the kind of answer you want. Do you want an answer that cannot stand to be questioned? Or do you want an answer that can stand against an onslaught of logic unshaken? Because this is the key: if you know that your view is right, it will not be changed by your questions. In fact, your view will only be confirmed by your research and exploration. So dive headfirst into your questions…and do not be afraid to search open-mindedly for the answer. 

Living Reality

Just like an argument where your opponent will not listen to your logic, you will face disagreements where your opponent does not listen. Searching for answers will not, in and of itself, change another person’s mind. But being willing to listen–willing to question–allows you to engage in a debate with wisdom and certainty. You can stand in logic’s corner without being afraid of questions. You can live your faith fully, unshaken by the storm. 

“Having a debate with a modern Christian is like punching a sponge.” –Richard Dawkins

“A man lives by believing something: not by debating and arguing about many things.” –Thomas Carlyle