Tactics for Practicing Apologetics
In an age of TikTok, online debates, and increasingly skeptical views of Christianity, the way we engage others about our faith matters more than ever. Most apologetics resources focus on what to say—facts, arguments, and evidence. But what about how to say it? How do we have thoughtful, respectful conversations about hard topics without getting steamrolled—or doing the steamrolling ourselves? That’s where Greg Koukl’s book Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions comes in.
This book isn’t just informative—it’s practical. It can equip you with tools to navigate real conversations, not just winning arguments or spewing factoids. And it does so with clarity, humility, and strategy. Whether you’re a college student, a young professional, or anyone who finds yourself fielding tough questions about faith, Tactics is the book you need.
Why Tactics, Not Just Facts
Apologetics often becomes a one-way download of information: here’s why God exists, here’s why the resurrection happened, here’s why the Bible can be trusted. That’s important. But Koukl points out a critical flaw in this approach—it assumes people are already open and ready to receive those answers. Many aren’t. They’re skeptical, defensive, or indifferent. Just hitting them with data doesn’t change minds. And the only one who can change a heart is God. So, there’s a load off your back.
Koukl argues that effective apologetics starts with questions, not lectures. His core method is conversational and disarming. The goal isn’t to defeat someone, but to get them thinking. It’s less about closing the deal and more about planting a stone in their shoe—something they’ll keep thinking about long after the conversation ends.
The Columbo Tactic
The first step of this approach is what’s called the “Columbo Tactic.” It’s based on an old show where the grandpa from The Princess Bride is a detective who asks seemingly harmless questions that lead people to reveal more than they intended. The first key question is:
“What do you mean by that?”
This simple question does two interesting things:
- It clarifies what the other person actually believes.
- It also slows the conversation down and gives you time to think.
Too often, Christians feel pressure to answer quickly or defend something the other person hasn’t even defined. Koukl reminds us that we’re allowed to ask questions and gather information before we respond.
The second Columbo question is:
“How did you come to that conclusion?”
This flips the burden of proof. If someone says, “All religions are basically the same,” they should be able to explain why they think that. You don’t need to refute every claim—just ask them to back it up. This tactic reveals that many popular objections to Christianity are based on assumptions, not arguments. Often, they do the job for you.
Staying in Control—Without Being Controlling
These tactics are about staying in control of the conversation without being controlling. It’s not manipulation. It’s about being intentional—choosing when to speak, what to ask, and how to respond. That’s a skill many of us haven’t developed. Partly because we know the stakes and we take it seriously.
You should see conversations as opportunities to guide people toward truth, one step at a time. Not every discussion ends in conversion—and that’s okay. In fact, Koukl argues that most of our conversations will simply prepare the ground for future dialogue. Did you come to Christ the first time you heard the gospel? Probably not. You can plant a seed. Being effective means being patient and respectful.
Avoiding the Pitfalls
Another strength of this method is that it helps you avoid common traps. One of the biggest is getting defensive or emotional when someone challenges your beliefs. Koukl’s methods help you stay calm and thoughtful.
There are strategies for when people get aggressive, throw out red herrings, or use slogans instead of arguments. You can learn how to recognize flawed reasoning, gently point it out, and keep the conversation on track.
For example, if someone says, “You shouldn’t force your morality on others,” Koukl shows how to expose the inconsistency by asking, “Are you saying it’s wrong to force your views on someone else? Isn’t that a moral view you’re imposing on me?” You’re not being combative—you’re asking questions that reveal the issue.
Why Young Adults Especially Need This
Young adults today are engaging in spiritual conversations in ways previous generations didn’t. Social media, college campuses, and diverse friend groups mean you are probably hearing challenges to your faith on a regular basis. Many people—young, old, or in between—don’t feel equipped to respond.
Tactics fills that gap. It builds confidence without arrogance. It shows that you don’t need to be a scholar to have good conversations about your beliefs—you just need a game plan. It’s not about being slick or clever. It’s about being wise. These methods give you the tools to be thoughtful ambassadors for Christ, using reason and kindness, not pressure or fear.
Here’s a method, based on Tactics, that I often use with people. Ask “What do you believe about (insert topic here… God, human origins, religion, etc.)?” Then, hear them out. Really listen to them. First of all, it gives you an opportunity to know what they actually think (honestly, many have never said it out loud or thought things through because no one has asked). Secondly, it gives you the opportunity to follow up with something like, “Mind if I share what I believe?” Usually, it’s a natural flow. You hear them, they hear you; it’s that simple. It’s a conversation that you can start that puts the emphasis on the other person, which is great because that’s who you care about. Again, this is not manipulation if you are genuinely interested. Don’t just listen to wait for your turn to speak, listen to actually understand.
Read It, Use It
Greg Koukl has given the Church a gift. Tactics doesn’t just teach you apologetics—it teaches you how to practice it. In a culture full of heat, Koukl helps Christians bring light. That’s why it’s the book I give out most. It works. If you haven’t read Tactics, get a copy.
Leave a Reply