If you possessed a toolkit you would want to use the exact tool to conduct a specific job. Using the wrong tool could be ineffective and even counterproductive. The way our Lord interacted with Nicodemus the Teacher of Israel was dissimilar to how he spoke with the woman of Samaria. Paul spoke differently with the Greek philosophers in Athens compared with the Jewish folk in the synagogues. Amongst other matters, the Pharisees and Sadducees had quite different beliefs concerning bodily resurrection and what sections of the Old Testament they believed to be inspired by God. The idea of this book is to help you quickly determine what someone believes, furnish yourself with the essential information, ask pivotal questions and to use the best tool to point them to the Saviour.
If you know someone at University and you want to encourage them in their faith and to help them share the gospel with others, then this little pocket- book is worth its weight in gold. Equally for someone either much involved, or keen to commit to regular evangelism, this resource is worthwhile, since it gives concise, precise answers and is highly user-friendly.
The opening contents page helps you to navigate the essential nuggets of information that you will need to respond to the same questions asked for millennia. It is logically arranged so that the first section includes ‘helpful verses’ and the next section ‘The Deity of Christ,’ followed by a table demonstrating the reliability of the Bible text and how to examine the Bible.
There are useful mini sections on prophecy, the resurrection, and historical authors from outside the Bible that corroborate with Scripture. There is key information provided about Atheism and evolution.
As an evangelist, the part I found most applicable was in the centre of the book entitled ‘questions about beliefs.’ These questions can give a conversation direction and help the person you are conversing with to think about what they believe and why together with ‘analysing an argument’ . Why is that important? Because it enables you to clarify their claim, determine why they believe that claim and then assess that, by asking for evidence.
This can take a directionless dialogue into a life-changing conversation by using selective questions to find out what someone believes, reverse the burden of proof, and find out why they believe. You are then in a position to challenge their thinking by asking further questions and pointing them to the truth after following their viewpoint to its logical conclusion. Advice is also given in dealing with constant interruptions and name calling.
From that framework, there are guidelines for starting conversations with Atheists, Muslims, and those in the cults, together with specific questions and sharing your testimony. At the back of the book there are tables helpfully arranged comparing the differing stances of various religions concerning the fundamentals of the faith. Lastly, there is room for additional notes since this is not a complete work on evangelism but a basic toolkit which can be added to.
We are often encouraged to share the gospel though rarely provided with instruction or training in how to do so. Due to the size of this book it can be transported easily and referred to constantly and it is a useful tool to bridge the gap and help us to communicate the gospel more meaningfully and effectively with our peers and those we rub shoulders with on a daily basis.
Jon Taylor August 2021
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