Rusty Benson

AFA Journal associate editor

July-August 2012 – Dan Roberts didn’t dread family gatherings, but he didn’t look forward to them either. His reluctance was that a once close relationship with his brother had dissolved into courteous holiday handshakes. There had been no falling out. Life had just taken them in different directions. 

Dan had become a Christian some 20 years ago, and he was very involved at his church. Business, golf and college sports seemed to consume Carl’s life. 

Over the years, Dan had hoped for opportunities to share the gospel with his brother, but Carl was deft at deflecting conversations that threatened to bring up the subject of God.

After Carl and Beth’s teenage daughter died in a car wreck a few years ago, he had crawled into an emotional dark hole. Dan thought it didn’t seem right just to tell Carl that all he needed was Jesus. But it was Labor Day, and for Dan, there was no getting out of the annual cookout. 

With three chocolate chip cookies in one hand and a bowl of ice cream in the other, Carl made his way from the patio to the family room, stepping over Jeffrey, Dan’s college-age son who had plopped down on the floor in front of the TV. Carl Jr. had staked a claim to the couch, but respectfully surrendered enough space so his Uncle Dan could squeeze in on the end next to Carl’s dark blue leather recliner. 

The men of the Roberts family had just settled in for an afternoon of football when the network cut to commercial. Everyone’s ears perked as they realized the public service announcement was a pitch for the acceptance of open homosexuals in pro sports. 

With a disgusted grunt, Jeffrey registered his mild distain.

“Man, this country’s going down the tubes on a bobsled,” Carl blurted out with an edge of hostility. 

“That was uncharacteristic,” Dan thought as he realized his brother had rendered a rare moral judgment. “Is this my chance to turn the conversation in a spiritual direction? Am I prepared to show Carl that his opinion about homosexuality implies the existence of moral absolutes? Can I do that in a respectful way that ultimately points him to Christ? Is this the time and place?”

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Dan and Carl are fictional, but the scenario is common. Christians want to share the gospel with family and friends, but they are often unprepared to “make a defense” for their hope in Christ as 1 Peter 3:15 commands. 

That’s where Alex McFarland can help. With an apologist’s* mind and a compassionate friend’s heart, McFarland is an expert in helping Christians answer the tough questions about faith in Christ.

On radio, in books and at weekend conferences that feature renowned speakers and Christian thinkers, McFarland offers proven strategies for connecting with skeptics, intellectually and spiritually.

In his new book 10 Answers for Skeptics, McFarland classifies skeptics into 10 common types. For example, responding to the scenario above, McFarland suggests that Carl is a “wounded skeptic.” 

“Carl has been hurt by the trials of life,” McFarland said. “so he may blame God for that. However, he still has a moral compass that points true north. He knows that homosexuality is wrong, and that’s an opportunity to show him that morals cannot exist unless there is a God who declares what is right and wrong.”

But Dan must be equipped intellectually and spiritually to represent Jesus, McFarland said.

“I also think some diplomacy, discernment and prayer are necessary,” he said. “Often I pray: ‘Dear God, please make this person’s heart tender. Give me favor. Give me an open door and help me know when to speak up.’” 

That’s the aim of McFarland’s conferences. Not only are Christians taught the logical arguments that prove the case for Christianity, they are also encouraged that their most potent apologetic is a life lived in submission to the Lordship of Christ. 

“So, to Dan I would say, “Keep on learning and increasing your apologetics skills, but at the same time, continue to grow in your walk with Jesus,” McFarland said. “Not only do you have a true message, but you yourself are an authentic messenger.”  

*Apologetics is the discipline that deals with a rational defense of Christianity

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Truth for a New Generation Conference
www.truthforanewgeneration.com
September 28-29
Spartanburg, SC

Speakers
Eric Metaxas
Josh McDowell
Dinesh D’Souza
Brett Kunkle
J.P. Moreland
and others

Early bird $34
General $59
Students $39

10 Answers for Skeptics is available at www.alexmcfarland.com.
Hear Alex McFarland daily on the American Family Radio Network, www.afr.net.