Greg Koukl’s Tactics
Introduction
This guide is based on Greg Koukl's influential book Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions ( Zondervan, 2009). Koukl, founder and president of Stand to Reason, presents powerful techniques and tools for engaging in meaningful conversations about faith, whether in formal debates, casual discussions, or challenging encounters.
The Reality for Christians: As believers, we may not have mastered every theological argument or memorized answers to every possible objection. We're still learning, still growing in our understanding. But here's the encouraging truth: we don't need to wait until we know everything to be effective representatives for Christ.
The Power of Questions: While we're developing our knowledge, we can still engage meaningfully by asking thoughtful questions. As Koukl demonstrates, the right questions at the right time can be more powerful than having all the answers memorized. Questions allow us to represent our faith boldly while remaining humble learners.
Following This Guide: The tactics presented here give us a practical way to engage others with confidence and grace right now, regardless of our current level of expertise. We can follow this guide to become effective ambassadors for Christ today, even as we continue growing in knowledge tomorrow.
The Foundation: The Socratic Method
Greg Koukl's "Tactics" provides techniques for navigating debates, arguments, and casual conversations. The core of these tactics is the Socratic method: asking questions.
Control the Conversation: Questions put you in the driver's seat.
Be Diplomatic: Questions are non-combative and invite discussion.
Maintain Neutrality: Asking questions doesn't require you to reveal your own views.
Start Conversations: Questions are a natural way to engage others.
The goal of these tactics is not to belittle someone, but to help them see flaws in their own thinking. They provide a game plan to help you maneuver through conversations and maintain control.
The Columbo Tactic
The Columbo tactic is named for Lieutenant Columbo, the brilliant but seemingly bumbling detective from the long-running television series. With his rumpled trench coat and harmless demeanor, Columbo would put his foes at ease before employing his trademark approach:
This is a habit you want to develop.
Tactic 1: "What do you mean by that?"
The first Columbo question is a simple clarification question: "What do you mean by that?"
This question, delivered in a mild and genuinely inquisitive manner, helps you understand what a person truly thinks, preventing you from misunderstanding or misrepresenting their position. It also gently forces them to be more precise, as many people hold objections they haven't fully thought through.
You can use this question in response to a variety of claims:
Claim: "All religions are basically the same."
Response: "What do you mean by that? How are they the same?"
Claim: "You shouldn’t force your views on me."
Response: "What do you mean by that? Am I forcing my view on you right now?"
Claim: "Everyone interprets the Bible differently, and every interpretation is valid."
Response: "What do you mean by that? If my interpretation is that you're wrong, are we both right?"
Claim: "There is no way God can exist with so much evil in the world."
Response: "What do you mean by evil? Where does it come from?"
Claim: "You’re intolerant."
Response: "What do you mean by that?"
Understanding the Burden of Proof
Before introducing the second tactic, it's crucial to understand the "burden of proof." This is the responsibility someone has to provide evidence or a reasoned argument for their claim.
The cardinal rule is simple: Whoever makes the claim bears the burden.
Do not allow yourself to be forced into a defensive position when the other person is the one making a claim. It's also important to distinguish between an assertion and an argument.
An assertion is simply a statement of belief (e.g., "I believe X is wrong.").
An argument consists of true premises that lead to a logical conclusion.
An assertion doesn't contain a logical structure to refute, so there is nothing to argue against.
Tactic 2: "How did you come to that conclusion?"
The second Columbo question is designed to reverse the burden of proof back to the person who made the claim: "How did you come to that conclusion?"
This question graciously assumes the other person has reasons for their view and invites them to share their rationale. This gives you more information to work with and correctly places the responsibility on them to defend their claim.
Variations of this question include:
"How do you know that's true?"
"Why should I believe what you believe?"
"What makes you think that’s the right way to see it?"
Consider these responses to the following claims:
Claim: "You can never know anything for sure."
Response: "Why should I believe that? Can you give me a good reason to think nothing can be known with confidence?"
Claim: "Morals are just an invention of culture; there are no objective moral rules."
Response: "What is your evidence for that?"
Claim: "The miracles of Jesus in the Gospels were inventions of the early church."
Response: "Can you give me some reasons why you think that’s true?"
Claim: "The resurrection of Christ is a myth added hundreds of years after Jesus lived."
Response: "What support do you have for that idea?"
Claim: "The unborn may be human, but they’re not persons."
Response: "What’s the difference between a human and a person?"
Using this tactic takes the pressure off you. You don't have to be an expert on every subject. By keeping the burden of proof on the person making the claim, you can be effective even when you know very little, simply by asking the right questions.
Handling the "Professor's Ploy"
Sometimes, a person in a position of authority, like a professor, will try to shift the burden of proof onto you. This is the "professor's ploy."
For example, a professor claims, "The Bible is just a bunch of fables." When you ask a Columbo question, they might respond:
In one quick move, the professor has cleverly placed the burden of proof on you, even though you didn't make a claim. * Don't take the bait!* You are not the one who made the claim; he is. He must defend his own view.
Here’s how to respond:
If he gives an answer, thank him and either ask another question or let it go. You have successfully kept the burden of proof where it belongs.
Summary
This guide, based on Greg Koukl's "Tactics," offers a practical framework for Christians to engage in meaningful conversations about their faith. The core strategy is the Socratic method, which involves asking questions to guide the discussion.
The primary technique presented is the Columbo Tactic, which consists of two key questions:
"What do you mean by that?": This question helps clarify the other person's viewpoint, ensuring you understand their position before responding. It also encourages them to think more deeply about their own beliefs.
"How did you come to that conclusion?": This question shifts the burden of proof to the person making a claim, asking them to provide reasons for their beliefs. This keeps the conversation focused and relieves the Christian from having to refute unsupported assertions.
By mastering these simple questions, believers can navigate conversations with grace and confidence, turning potential confrontations into opportunities for productive dialogue. The goal is not to win arguments, but to gently challenge others to think critically about their own views and open the door for deeper spiritual conversations.