Relationship Evangelism in the War of Ideas
by David Mendez

In many apologetic endeavors today, there has been a great emphasis in gathering sufficient arguments in order to prove your opponent wrong. In addition, tantalizing talk shows of today exemplify this when they often ridicule Christianity and put out the “red cape” of argumentation before the bull of apologetic defense. Thus, as apologists we end up attacking what was only a red cape, and miss the real issue, the matador.

Therefore, we muster up our apologetic armor when we pose the question “who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?" (1 Sam. 17:26) And there is a sort of holy anger that comes before us when precious truths are assaulted by such opponents. Such precursory events are but small battles in the war of ideas. And how these battles are fought determine how the war is won. For at the end, it is not what argument made it across the trench lines into the “enemy’s camp,” but rather, did we bring every thought captive in submission to Christ in order to win that person? For, we could win the argument but lose the person. And it was Jesus who said “for what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?” (Lk. 9:25)

Similarly, we could win the world of argument but lose the person behind the argument. I am not saying that we should try to lose the arguments, but I am saying that in winning arguments, let us do so gently, respectfully, and loving. Although the gospel message might be an offense, let us not being offensive. In addition, they might also be angered at the message of the Cross, but remember to focus on loving Him who died on that Cross and His ambassadors.