How To Argue Like Jesus?

How to Argue Like Jesus

  • Mary Schmich is a name that most people have never heard of.
  • Schmich is an outstanding writer for the Chicago Tribune, and she is most known for a single column she wrote in June 1997, which was published in the newspaper’s Sunday edition.
  • It was concentrated on one piece of vital advice: always apply sunscreen when outside.
  • Does this sound familiar?
  • It ought to.

After putting Schmich’s essay to music, Australian film director Baz Luhrmann released the track ″Everybody’s Free (to Wear Sunscreen)″ in 1998, which went on to become a top-ten hit in the United States.If Schmich’s conversational manner is successful, the song will be a hit.As opposed to providing an elaborate logical dissertation on the nature of ″the excellent life,″ Schmich provides a handful of practical guidelines.

  1. They are not systematic, exhaustive, or correctly classified, yet they are still beneficial.
  2. A number of ″rhetorical rules″ used by Jesus that defy categorization, but which illuminate more fully the character of Christ’s communication and can have a significant impact on the ways in which you communicate with others—particularly when trying to do things like share your faith—can also be found in the New Testament.
  3. Keep in mind that not every rule of thumb is applicable in every case.
  4. In the end, these are really more generic norms rather than universal truths.
  1. Although not exhaustive, this collection provides an adequate selection of practical aphorisms culled from the New Testament that you may utilize in your regular conversations.
1. Start with Examples Your Audience Will Understand
  • All of us are faced with the challenge of communicating difficult subject matter to others who have little interest in or knowledge of the idea under discussion.
  • Calculus professors must reach out to pupils in high school.
  • Financial analysts must communicate with boards of directors that have limited attention spans.
  • Christians must reach out to those who are not Christians.
  • No matter what your subject is, always begin with an example or concept that your audience is familiar with, understands, or finds intriguing, and then tie that example or concept back to your central point.

Take, for example, Jesus’ predicament: He was seeking to deliver a compelling message about the nature of human problem to a diverse group of people, including fisherman, tax collectors, and prostitutes.That is why He used so many parables to connect issues that were familiar and tangible to concepts that were foreign and abstract.In only one chapter, Matthew 7, He utilizes three basic, common analogies (narrow and broad gates, a tree and its fruits, and stupid builders) to reveal for people like you and me concepts about sin and salvation that are otherwise difficult to understand.

  1. The New Testament is jam-packed with examples like this, and you’ve probably seen some excellent public speakers do it outside of the Bible as well.
  2. It is for this reason that they virtually always begin by introducing complicated ideas with amusing or touching instances.
  3. Know your audience and begin with what they are already familiar with.
2. Speak Your Audience’s Language
  • If a concert pianist with little interest in sports were forced to host Monday Night Football on his own at the last minute, what would happen?
  • The dude is completely illiterate when it comes to football vocabulary and game regulations.
  • It would be a complete and total calamity.
  • When you talk to an audience, you must communicate with them in their own language to the greatest extent feasible.
  • This is something Jesus mastered.

He had the ability to quote Scripture when confronted by the Pharisees.When confronted by ordinary people, He was able to talk to their needs and relate to the problems that they were familiar with.Prostitutes and tax collectors admired Jesus because He knew how to communicate with them, understood their needs, and appeared to really care about their well-being.

3. Use Witnesses
  • Any prosecution attorney will tell you that eyewitness testimony is extremely important in criminal cases, and they are right.
  • In a similar vein, witnesses can be critical to the success of a campaign to transform people’s hearts and minds through good communication.
  • John the Baptist was an important predecessor to Jesus, bearing witness to the future Savior’s divinity, purity, and power.
  • The New Testament also emphasizes the critical role the disciples played in sharing eyewitness account of Jesus’ miracles and resurrection (and not just his philosophy of life).
  • Using witnesses to develop a successful message based on story and ethos, Jesus believes, is crucial to the construction of an effective message.

Whenever possible, obtain testimonials from witnesses.

4. Know When to Speak …
  • When reading the Gospels, two features of Jesus’ speech that appear to be paradoxical jump out at you.
  • First and foremost, Jesus had a lot of questions for the all-knowing Creator of the universe.
  • Second, Jesus utilized deliberate stillness at important periods in his life.
  • When Christ spoke, He was succinct and to the point.
  • He paid close attention to his audience and picked His themes with care.

One may suppose that Jesus was capable of formulating an intellectual viewpoint on any subject, yet He abstained from saying anything more than was absolutely required.As an example, when Jesus was presented with an issue concerning the opposing claims of God and Caesar on a person’s resources, he said simply, ″Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s″ (Matthew 22:21).Follow in Jesus’ footsteps by being aware of when to speak.

  1. Don’t go overboard.
  2. While there are many important subjects to discuss in the world today, it is not necessary for you to have something to say about every one of them—particularly if commenting on the topic might harm your credibility or distract you from your primary goal—in order to be effective.
  3. Make your points clearly and succinctly, and avoid speaking just for the sake of hearing your own voice.
  4. Speak in order to educate, relate to, convince, or entertain the audience.
  1. In a nutshell, pay attention to what others are saying.
5. … and Know When to Be Silent
  • Communication via silence is one of the most effective kinds of communication available.
  • Jesus was able to discern when it was appropriate to speak and when it was appropriate to keep silent.
  • During key moments, he was frequently deafeningly quiet, heightening the gravity or urgency of the issue.
  • On several occasions in the Gospels, we see dramatic situations in which Jesus might have spoken eloquently but chose to keep silent.
  • Consider the moment he was brought before Pilate, which changed everything.

When Jesus remained silent, He communicated deeply.Christ was a Jew and a criminal in Pilate’s view, and he should have been pleading with him for mercy rather than the other way around.But Jesus remained mute in the face of death, and Pilate was terrified by his feeling of authority and control over the situation.

  1. Pilate’s belief that Jesus was the Son of God is questionable in the first place.
  2. Nonetheless, his failure to react was probably more frightening to the emperor than any confirmation or rejection could have been.
  3. Silence may be used to achieve a similar effect.
  4. It demonstrates that you are in command and allows the individual or persons to take a minute to reflect on their own actions and contemplate how they will respond to your communication.
  1. The use of silence may also be utilized to emphasize the significance of a message.
  2. When both sides are yelling back and forth in the midst of a particularly heated dispute, a moment of quiet might help to shift the topic in a more positive way.
  3. In every conversation, these five suggestions should be useful—even if it is an uncomfortable subject that has the potential to devolve into a heated disagreement.
  4. Remember these guidelines the next time you’re confronted with defending your religion, informing someone about God, or simply discussing something potentially explosive.
  5. It’s possible that you’ll never record a hit song like ″Sunscreen,″ but you should at the very least be able to hold a conversation without raising your voice or raising your blood pressure.
  6. In addition to serving as the online editor of First Things magazine, Joe Carter is a part-time adjunct professor of journalism at Patrick Henry College.
  • John Coleman is a former national public speaking champion who is currently studying an MBA/MPA at Harvard University while still working full-time.
  • Adapted from their book How to Argue Like Jesus, which is available on Amazon (Crossway, 2009).

How to Argue Like Jesus: Learning Persuasion from Histo…

    Author 1 book42 followersEdited September 22, 2012A wonderfully concise book on the art of communication. The authors take the example of Jesus Christ (public communicator extraordinaire) and show how he demonstrated valuable rhetorical principles and categories. This book helped me consider how to develop as a public communicator in rhetoric’s three major areas: Pathos (energy, emotion, connecting with the audience), Logos (use of reason), and Ethos (character and credibility).I appreciated the distinction the authors made in the intro: there were not trying to squeeze Jesus into Aristotle’s categories (Pathos, Logos, Ethos). Rather, they saw Jesus in his day demonstrating those principles of effective rhetoric (since he was the Word, the Lord who invented communication) which Aristotle had the discernment to recognize in his day.My only struggle with the book was the chapter on Logos (use of logic). It came across as though the authors have never really studied logic before, but that they heard some of the ideas somewhere. At least one point was clearly wrong, and many others were somewhat poorly explained.The rest of the book was simply fantastic.2012 re-read: the book was still just as good! This is one to return to frequently.
      Author 1 book281 followersWant to ReadNovember 29, 2008This review is advance praise of the author himself, since I’m writing it before the book’s release: I met John Coleman and his wife Jackie at a Thanksgiving dinner recently, and was impressed by them as a loving couple, as well as by the integrity and solid character of John who is studying business and government at the Harvard School of Business. I just found out today that his book,How to Argue Like Jesus is to be released soon. I truly look forward to reading it, since books are often an extension of the character of the author who is behind the words.
      • 215 customer reviews 42 people are following you.
      • The 24th of August, 2018 Especially useful in teaching a Rhetoric class in a Christian school, I found the first three chapters of this book to be the ones that connected the concepts of logos, pathos, and ethos to the life and ministry of Jesus.
      • The remainder of the book is also quite wonderful, but these particular parts were the most enjoyable.
      • rhetoric-preaching
        Author 2 books3 followersEdited July 14, 2015As one who has taught rhetoric at the high school and college level, I appreciate the concise overview presented here of pathos, logos, and ethos, along with illustrations from the speeches of Jesus and other historical and literary figures. This book might serve as a supplemental text to a course on preaching or public speaking. The discussion questions make for helpful self-analysis, and the two contemporary case studies at the end are also illuminating.A book like this makes me realize how short I continually fall in my own attempts at communication, whether in the classroom or in everyday situations. Therefore, I was glad to see the authors acknowledge at one point, in a section on communicating with confidence, ″You are not Jesus, and you won’t always be right″ (129). None of us will have the perfect character (ethos) of Jesus, and while some of us may use logic (logos) better than others, Jesus Christ is the Logos incarnate, as the Gospel of John’s opening chapter says. Much of the work of Christ is sui generis, in a class by itself; though we are instructed to follow his example, we will encounter futility unless we first embrace him as Savior, not merely as a good teacher or example. Just as there is more to Jesus than presented here, teachers and students of rhetoric should be aware that there is more to the art of rhetoric than presented here. Traditionally, rhetoric has five main divisions, or canons: invention, arrangement, style, memory, and delivery. Pathos, logos, and ethos are aspects of invention, which is the central aspect-that of coming up with persuasive arguments. The title of the book accurately reflects that focus on persuasive arguments.To their credit, the authors do bring some of those other canons into their discussions of the persuasive appeals of pathos, logos, and ethos; for example, they discuss some features of style (like repetition) that may enhance pathos, which is the use of emotion. They discuss the importance of memory under ethos. I would be interested in what we could learn about arrangement from Jesus’s longer speeches like the Sermon on the Mount, but that would be assuming that Matthew 5-7 presents an exact transcript and is not itself a selection of highlights (as some suggest it is). Also, we don’t know how Jesus physically delivered his speeches in terms of voice and gesture. But physical presentation is definitely an important aspect of communication.

        There have been 25 reviews. The 21st of August, 2018 Excellent review of rhetoric and apologetics-just what I was seeking for in a society when the great majority of discussions are unavoidably tainted by rage, spite, and the aggressive quest of dominance, this was precisely what I needed.

        • 423 customer reviews There are 26 people who follow you.
        • on the 18th of January, 2015 We all communicate on a daily basis, in one way or another, in one shape or another.
        • We must constantly be prepared to give an explanation for our beliefs, as instructed by Scripture, so that we can effectively communicate the hope that is within us, which is the gospel message, to those who are not yet believers.
        • And what better location to learn about the art of gospel communication than from the very words of Jesus himself?
        • Taking a look at several strategies of communication, Joe Carter and John Coleman, in their useful book How to Argue Like Jesus: Learning Persuasion from History’s Greatest Communicator, reflect on how Jesus used certain tactics as indicated in the Scriptures.

        There is a lot to like about this book and the manner that the authors have taken to writing it.The reader will be required to engage with a number of concepts and words that may be unfamiliar to them at first; however, the authors do an excellent job of explaining the concepts and providing examples of what the various elements of communication look like in practice as well as how they are used in Scripture.One thing that stands out about this book is that the writers use Greek modes of reasoning throughout the book, which is fairly evident.

        1. In addition to being familiar with the Greek approach to argumentation, as evidenced in the Gospel accounts, Jesus also spoke and discussed points using many Jewish and Hebraic ways of thinking, an approach that is at times a bit different from the way the Greeks would have reasoned through a concept.
        2. In light of the fact that his audience consisted primarily of Jews, and that this audience would have been familiar with Greek methodologies of reasoning, it would have been beneficial for the authors to engage a little more with the Hebraic/Jewish way of reasoning, if only as a point of comparison with Greek thought, and to engage those portions of the Gospels where such an approach occurs.
        3. The capacity to recognize syllogisms or logical assertions in Scripture, for example, is something that is extremely valuable.
        4. In light of the fact that Scripture is fairly logical in the way it conveys its general message, following the points God is making in His word in order to get to the underlying point and comprehending what the underlying point is all about is truly one of the key parts of good exegesis.
        1. Carter and Coleman do a fantastic job of clarifying what might be tough philosophical and communication topics that can be difficult to grasp.
        2. I especially enjoyed the writers’ frequent cautions on the application of the many concepts they give.
        3. I found this to be very helpful.
        4. The authors accurately point out that the abuse of the reduction ad absurdum, for example, can result in ″unreasonable logical jumps, many of which entail so-called psychological continuums″ that are exceedingly implausible.″ To utilize Jesus’ words as an example of effective communication, one needs pay attention to how he deployed these strategies, how far he carried them, and why he employed them.
        5. The case studies that are presented in the last chapter of this book are a very useful feature of the book.
        6. Case studies are often beneficial since they allow students to put what they have learned into practice.
        • The writers have chosen studies that demonstrate the application of the approaches they have covered throughout the book in real-world circumstances.
        • Following the completion of these case studies, the reader will undoubtedly be better equipped to recognize the various modes of reasoning that Carter and Coleman have discussed.
        • In addition, if the reader spends the time necessary to respond to the questions posed by the authors at the conclusion of each case study, they will be better prepared to identify, employ, and correctly utilize, for example, pathos, logos, ethos, or any of the plethora of other techniques discussed in this book when they share the message of the gospel or when they engage others in meaningful conversation, particularly conversation about matters of Scripture.
        • This is a book that I strongly recommend to anyone who believes in God.
        • In light of the fact that we should all be actively engaging those in our immediate surroundings with the gospel and the truth of Scripture, understanding and utilizing the methods Jesus himself used is most certainly a good practice to get involved in.
        1. While the title of this book is How to Argue Like Jesus, a more appropriate title might be How to Communicate Effectively the Truth of Scripture, because that is the intent and message that the authors successfully convey to the reader throughout the book.
        2. Crossway Books provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my review.
        3. I was under no obligation to write a favorable review.
        4. The views and ideas I’ve stated are entirely my own.
        5. Specifically, I am stating this in line with 16 CFR, Part 255: ″Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising,″ published by the Federal Trade Commission.
        • There are 173 reviews.
        • 47 people are following you.
        • Date of last revision: December 28, 2014 The first half of this book was extremely intriguing, and the second part was much better.
        • Essentially, it is an interpretation of Aristotle’s ‘On Rhetoric,’ using instances culled from the teachings of Jesus as illustrations.
        • Then it moved on to another location.

        Is there a ″leadership″ manual?(groan) This is quite different from what I expected based on the title.It appears to me that the authors were a little unsure of who they were writing for: the introduction claims that it is addressed to a general audience, but the vast majority of the posited applications were either for a preacher or a business man (I use the word ″man″ with caution, as there are a number of places where the authors say,’so when your wife’ without adding, ‘or husband’).

        1. In addition, the copy I read included a typographical error that caused confusion in one of the sections on chiasms.
        2. Even though I didn’t particularly enjoy most of the first half of the book, the logos-pathos-ethos description offered by Aristotle is a very interesting and useful framework for thinking about persuasion and communication, which is covered rather well here.
        3. nonfiction books read in 2014
        1. There have been 8 reviews.
        2. There are two people who follow you.
        3. 30th of July, 2012 A good introduction to rhetoric, with a little logic instruction thrown in for good measure.
        4. Through demonstrations drawn from Jesus’ teaching career, HtALJ explores the fundamental elements of rhetoric.
        • Later chapters discuss the concepts of small group leadership as well as some general guidelines for effective public speaking.
        • The book avoids becoming excessively technical while yet doing an excellent job of acquainting the reader with the lexicon of rhetorical analysis.
        • It is extremely approachable to the majority of readers and is highly recommended for anybody who talks in public or desires to increase their level of influence.
          Author 4 books469 followersEdited November 29, 2014Lots of really good practical stuff in here. The concepts overviewed in the book likely won’t be anything new to anyone who has taken even an introductory course in logic/debate/etc. but seeing the concepts illustrated through the life of Christ makes for an interesting read. The chief positive to the book is that it is ultra practical – lots and lots of actionable ″do this″/″try this″ stratagems that can be employed in all manner of written and spoken communication. This is definitely a book worth checking out by anyone who wants to polish the craft of good argumentation.
          1. There have been 130 reviews.
          2. There are 4 people who follow you.
          3. 15th of August, 2012 The writers do an excellent job of explaining how Jesus used the ancient rhetorical strategies of Logos, Ethos, and Pathos to communicate his message.
          4. The book’s main flaw is that it does not instruct the reader on how to do it themselves.
          • They provide a few examples and suggestions, but I didn’t feel particularly well prepared after reading it.
          • A good introduction to the concepts is provided by this section.
          • You will, however, require the assistance of other books to guide you through the next steps.

          1 – 10 of 14 reviews are shown.

          Five ways to argue like Jesus

          1. Posted on January 28, 2010 by / in Blog Post We have a romanticized image of Jesus as a secure and compassionate teacher, but the pages of Scripture reveal him to be a person who has been the subject of intense dispute and debate.
          2. It was Jesus himself who sought out the conflict, rejecting religious traditions, upturning tables in temple marketplaces, and castigating religious authorities for their moralism and hard-heartedness on a number of occasions.
          3. Jesus’ life serves as a compelling lesson to any Christian who believes that we should constantly avoid confrontation or dispute.
          4. Jesus’ life is a tremendous reminder of the significance of dialogue that is both truth and grace, salt and light.
          • Earlier this month, Joe Carter and John Coleman published an article in Relevant Magazine discussing how Christians might follow Jesus’ example and argue in a disarming and respectful manner.
          • As a result, Carter and Coleman recommend that we should learn to conduct conversations without raising our voices or raising our blood pressure in order to have the most possible impact.
          • The ″rules of rhetoric″ they advise for effective communication have been culled from their excellent book, How to Argue Like Jesus, which is available online.
          • Joe Carter is the editor of the First Things magazine and an adjunct journalism professor at Patrick Henry College.
          • He lives in Richmond, Virginia.
          • John Coleman is a former national public speaking champion who is currently studying an MBA/MPA at Harvard University while still working full-time.
          1. You can find the rest of the post here.
          2. A brief overview of the book can be found on Crossway Books’ blog, which says:
          1. Begin with examples that your target audience will recognize: Always begin with an example or topic that your audience is familiar with, understands, or finds intriguing, and then tie that example or concept back to your primary point.
          2. Speak in the language of your target audience: When you talk to an audience, you must try to communicate in their language to the greatest extent feasible.
          3. Make use of a witness: Take, for example, the employment of witnesses, which is critical to the building of a successful message based on ethos and story. Whenever possible, obtain testimonials from witnesses.
          4. Recognize when to speak: There are several critical issues facing the world today, and it is not necessary for you to have anything to say about each of them—particularly if commenting on the subject might damage your credibility or distract you from your primary purpose
          5. Also, know when to maintain silence: Communication via silence is one of the most effective kinds of communication available. It demonstrates that you are in command and allows the individual or persons to take a minute to reflect on their own actions and contemplate how they will respond to your communication.

          Jason2010-01-28 13:30:09 0 0 Jason Jason2010-01-28 13:30:09 2020-09-03 09:38:44 00:38:44 Five strategies for arguing like Jesus

          How to Argue like Jesus: A Study of Matthew 22 By Karnu Van Heerden

          1. Karnu Van Heerden |
          2. 8 June 2020 |
          3. 10 minutes to read this article Some readers may be perplexed by the title of this essay at first look, and this is understandable.
          4. Jesus, are you arguing?
          • Isn’t it true that Jesus just loved people?
          • Indeed, Jesus extended mercy, compassion, and grace to a large number of people.
          • It should be noted, however, that this was only one component of His extensive realm of service.
          • A cursory reading of the Gospels reveals that He employed a variety of tools, including logical argumentation, to accomplish his goals.
          • The reality of Jesus’ message and His identity had been established time and time again, utilizing practically every technique available to Him, including miracles, prophecy, a holy way of life, authoritative teaching, and reasoned arguments.
          • Jesus Christ as a sculpted figure When you read Matthew 22:15-46, you will see one of the clearest examples of how Jesus engages in debate and reasoning with those who are in His immediate vicinity.
          1. While Jesus replies to the questions and arguments that are brought to Him, he also challenges the beliefs of those who are listening to Him.
          2. In this text, Jesus is asked four questions, three of which are put to him and one of which is posed by Jesus to His audience.
          3. We will now proceed to a brief examination of Matthew 22:15-45 in its entirety.
          1. By paying close attention to the manner in which Jesus engages in effective logical argumentation, we can gain an understanding of some fundamental principles that we can apply to our own conversations and dialogues in the future.

          Dialogue 1: Jesus Refutes the Pharisees (verse 15-22)

          1. Pharisees and Herodians approach Jesus in this first discussion and inquire as to whether or not taxes should be paid to the Romans on a regular basis.
          2. This is a question that has a lot of implications.
          3. Either response will spark a great deal of discussion.
          4. The disagreements are symbolized by the two groups of people that approach Jesus: the Pharisees, who do not favor the occupation of Judea by the Roman Empire, and the Herodians, who are staunch supporters of the Roman Empire in Judea.
          • By doing so, they are effectively attempting to trap Jesus in a tough situation.
          • If Jesus responds affirmatively that we should pay taxes, He would be viewed as a betrayer of the Jewish people, resulting in possible dispute among the Jewish community.
          • Because if Jesus advises that we should not pay taxes, this is seen as an uprising against Roman power, and it is well known that the Romans did not take well to revolt in their day and age.
          • So, what does Jesus do in this situation?
          • He appears to be stuck between a rock and a hard place…
          • or is he?
          1. Jesus understands exactly what they are attempting to do and points out that they are caught in a false dilemma.
          2. Jesus uses the denarii (a coin) to demonstrate in a visual way that one should pay to Caesar, whose face is depicted on the coin, that which belongs to him, and that one should give to God that which belongs to Him, i.e., the person’s whole life and soul.
          3. Jesus has taught that it is possible to be obedient to both the civic authority and God at the same time, so long as each is given what is due to them.

          Dialogue 2: Jesus Refutes the Sadducees (verse 23-33)

          • In the second debate, Jesus is contacted by another group, the Sadducees, who question him about his teachings. In contrast to the last debate, which was more political in form, this dialogue is more religious in nature. The Sadducees are a group of Jews who oppose Jesus’ belief in the resurrection of the dead. They put out a reductio ad absurdum argument in order to dismiss the idea of the resurrection of the dead. A fictional lady who remarries seven times after each of her husbands dies before she conceives any children is used to illustrate their point. Following that, the Sadducees approach Jesus and inquire as to whom she will be married in the afterlife, given that she had so many husbands throughout her life. The Sadducees make the following argument: Premise 1: If we accept the Torah’s teaching on Levirate marriage, we must reject the theory of the resurrection of the dead
          • otherwise, we must accept the Torah’s teaching on Levirate marriage.
          • Premise 2: There is no doubt about the Torah’s stance on Levirate marriage
          • As a result, it is necessary to reject the belief of the resurrection of the dead.
          1. The Sadducees are certain that they have caught Jesus in a predicament that they can resolve.
          2. To choose between upholding the form of marriage established by the Torah and denying the resurrection of the dead, or affirming the resurrection while being accused of advocating polyamory, Jesus must make a decision.
          3. Although Jesus realizes their mistake, he goes on to illustrate that it is a false problem, just as the Pharisees had done before them.
          4. Three faults in their reasoning are pointed out by Jesus, and they are as follows: They have a distorted understanding of the existence of persons who have risen from the dead.
          • People will behave in the same way as angels, and they will refrain from entering into marriage.
          • Jesus successfully dispels the false dilemma by emphasizing that there is an other choice available.
          • Jesus also reminds out that they are ignorant of God’s majesty and might.
          • Isn’t it reasonable to assume that God exists and that He is the Creator of the universe, and that He would be able to revive someone from the dead?
          • Jesus demonstrates that they are ignorant of the Word of God.
          • If they did, they would be more likely to accept His teachings.
          1. When it comes to religious authority, the Sadducees rely only on the Torah, and it is from this authority that Jesus corrects them.
          2. During his sermon on the mount, Jesus recounts Exodus 3:6, in which God speaks to Moses and identifies himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
          3. Despite the fact that the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) are no longer alive, God demonstrates to Moses that He is still their God when He speaks to Moses in Exodus 3.
          1. They must be alive in order for God to be their God.
          2. God is not the God of the dead, but rather the God of those who are alive.

          Dialogue 3: Jesus Answers an Honest Question (verse 34-40)

          1. After noticing that Jesus had addressed the Sadducees in the third discussion, a teacher of the law approaches Jesus and inquires as to which law is the most essential.
          2. When we look at the similar incident in Mark 12:28-34, we can see that this guy had witnessed how Jesus dealt with the two prior groups of people who attempted to dispute Him in the past.
          3. As a result of Jesus’ responses, he raises an open and honest question: ″Which law is the greatest?″ As a response, Jesus makes the well-known statement that we must love the Lord our God with all of our hearts, souls, and minds, and we must love our neighbor as ourselves.
          4. Jesus goes on to say that this law ″contains the whole of the law and the prophets.″ ″You are not far from the kingdom of God,″ Jesus says, according to Mark’s account, after the man expresses his agreement with Jesus.

          Dialogue 4: Jesus Asks a Question (verse 41-46)

          • After addressing a number of questions from individuals in his immediate vicinity, Jesus now turns the tables and asks a question of His own to His audience. When Jesus speaks, he engages the audience’s thinking, and the crowd responds. He wants to know what they think about the Christ, also known as the Messiah. They respond that the Messiah is the son of David in response to His query, ″whose Son is he?″ When they respond with a reference to Psalm 110:1, in which David refers to the Messiah as Lord, Jesus questions their response by asking a follow-up question: ″If David refers to him as Lord, how can He be his son?″ The Pharisees are presented with a logical difficulty that cannot be answered within their framework of a completely earthly Messiah, as Jesus demonstrates through his inquiry. How can the Messiah be both David’s Lord and, at the same time, David’s son at the same time that David is reciting the words of Psalm 110 is beyond comprehension. As an example of Jesus’ argument, the following is how it may be presented: 1. If the Messiah is only a human descendant of David, it is inconceivable that David could have addressed him as ″Lord.″ 2.
          • Presupposition 2: In Psalm 110:1, David did refer to the Christ as ″Lord.″
          • Consequently, Jesus Christ is more than just an earthly descendant of David, but also a divinely appointed Lord.

          After then, the crowds were deafeningly quiet; all of their questions had been answered, all of their arguments had been rejected, and they had no response to Jesus’ own argument.

          Conclusion: So What Have We Learned?

          • The Gospel of Matthew 22 demonstrates unequivocally that Jesus is the model of apologetic discourse. He did not hesitate to put popular opinion into question if he believed it was incorrect, as Douglas Groothuis explains it: In his many speeches, he expressed his conviction about the importance of truth and the dangers of error, and he articulated arguments to support truth and oppose error.″ Christians can learn several important principles from Jesus when it comes to logical argumentation and dialogue, including the following: Jesus demonstrated a knowledge with the points of view of His opponents. An essential component of apologetic dialogue, evangelism, and general discourse is the ability to articulate one’s own beliefs. When one has some comprehension of what one’s opponent thinks, it will be easier to avoid misinterpretation and to properly communicate one’s own, opposing stance
          • Jesus appealed to common ground – scriptures that both He and his opponents agreed upon. The ability to find common ground is critical for having a productive conversation. Even in the most diametrically opposed conversations, both parties share a common ground in terms of the fundamental principles of logic and communication that underpin all human interaction. As a result, we get to the second point: Jesus used the principles of logic to deconstruct his opponents’ arguments and effectively disprove them. This demonstrates that even a simple understanding and use of logic may be a powerful weapon in apologetics and evangelism. It is possible to gain a better understanding of what the other person is saying by applying the principles of logic, and it is also possible to deal more effectively with their central thesis by applying the principles of logic. Because of this, it is possible for opposing arguments to be swept away, much like obstacles, in order to make way for the presentation of the Gospel
          • Jesus presented well-constructed positive arguments to his opponents. It is not enough to just respond to an opposing point of view
          • you must also present your own case. This principle is connected to the preceding one on the significance of logic because it demonstrates that even when the Gospel is presented as a positive argument, reasoning is still necessary
          • Jesus exemplified what it meant to love God with your entire being. As Christians, we must strive to be more like Christ by following His whole example, which includes not just loving the Lord with our entire hearts and souls, but also with our intellect
          • Jesus was aware of the context in which he spoke. While having a conversation with the Pharisees and the Herodians, Jesus was conscious of the manner in which He should answer their questions. In this highly sensitive political environment, giving the incorrect answer might have had disastrous consequences. Make sure you are always aware of the setting into which you are walking and of the individuals to whom you will be speaking
          • Jesus was able to address each member of his diverse audience in a unique way. When dealing with the unbelieving Sadducees, Jesus responded to their arguments by focusing on their beliefs regarding the resurrection of the dead. When dealing with the expert in the law, Jesus addressed his honest inquiries and even congratulated him for seeing an important fact about the situation. Obviously, not every case calls for a full-on logical debate. Keep in mind that the ultimate objective is the presenting of the Gospel. Sometimes all that is required is for people to hear the Gospel without the need for an argument
          • at other times, people may present obstacles in the form of questions and objections that must be addressed before the Gospel can be presented. Jesus was well aware of the true nature of people’s unbelief, and he knew how to deal with it. Christianity argues that the source of disbelief is the corrupted will of mankind and its reluctance to submit to God’s will as a result of the fall, which is stated in Genesis 3 as the outcome of the fall. To sum it up, Christianity is not a set of abstract facts, but rather a method of being and living in unity with God, and doing so in submission to him and for his glory. After all, if this is the essence of unbelief, what is the point of engaging in argument, persuasion, or apologetic dialogue? Christians should not be discouraged from engaging with others, regardless of their religious beliefs. Despite the reality of sin, Jesus challenges people’s thinking and engages in debate with them in order to direct them to the path of righteousness. It is entirely up to the Holy Spirit to determine whether or not their disbelieving character will finally be transformed. As opposed to this, however, the Spirit employs apologetic discourse to eliminate the numerous obstacles and reasons that are employed to repress the truth and justify disbelief, therefore diverting attention away from those who are called to praise the truth of Christianity.

          The necessity of rationally creating and dismantling arguments may be learned through Jesus’ example. Christian leaders provide an excellent example of how to explain yourself intelligently, sympathetically, and explicitly in order to meet people where they are, rather than in a place we would want them to be.

          Suggested Readings

          1. Joe Carter and John Coleman are co-authors of this work.
          2. ‘How to Argue Like Jesus’: Lessons in Persuasion from the World’s Most Influential Communicator.
          3. Crossway Publishing Company, Wheaton, Illinois, 2009.
          4. David Geisler and Norman Geisler are co-authors of this work.
          • Conversational Evangelism is the process of connecting with others in order to share Jesus.
          • This is an updated and extended edition.
          • Harvest House Publishers, based in Eugene, Oregon, published a book in 2014.
          • Os Guinness, Os Guinness, Os Guinness Reclaiming the Art of Christian Persuasion after a Decade of Ignorance InterVarsity Press (Downers Grove, Illinois) published a book in 2015.
          • Gregory Koukl is a writer who lives in New York City.
          • Tactics: A game plan for talking about your Christian convictions with others.
          1. This is the tenth anniversary issue.
          2. Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2019.
          3. Peter Kreeft is the author of this work.
          1. An introduction to the Socratic Method, Platonic Questions, and Aristotelian Principles is provided in Socratic Logic.
          2. 3.1st edition.
          3. Saint Augustine’s Press, South Bend, Ind., 2014.
          4. The ideas and points of view mentioned in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and points of view of Ratio Christi South Africa’s staff and members.
          5. C.J.
          • Hazen is a fictional character created by C.J.
          • Hazen.
          • Defending the Faith in the Face of Adversity (In Beckwith F.J.
          • & Craig W.L.
          • & Moreland J.P., ed.

          To everyone an answer: A case for the Christian Worldview, 39).The Sadducees, in contrast to organizations such as the Pharisees, believed that Jesus had not risen from the dead.See Matthew 22:23, Mark 12:18, and Acts 23:7-8 for further information.Furthermore, they exclusively regarded the Torah as authoritative source of information.According to what we will see, Jesus will make use of this point of contact.In this type of argument, the author is attempting to demonstrate that following the premises of the argument logically would always lead to a ludicrous conclusion that no one would want to accept.

          It is possible that Jesus was referring to other Old Testament scriptures that talk of resurrection, such as Daniel 12:2, Psalm 16:9-11, or Job 19:25-27, which are all included in the Bible.Although He has similar ground with the Sadducees in their own Scriptures, He continues to correct them from Exodus 3:6, which they find objectionable.If you were a Jew, the answer would be simple because it was widely believed that the Messiah would be descended from the bloodline of David (see passages like 2 Samuel 7:12-13, Psalm 89:4 & Jeremiah 23:5).As well as ruling and executing judgment, this person at the right hand of Yahweh is a priest of the order of Melchizedek, according to the Bible’s interpretation.Psalm 110 was understood and utilized by the apostles as a demonstration that Jesus is both divine Lord and Messiah, as evidenced by Acts 2:33-36, 1 Corinthians 15:25, Ephesians 1:20, Colossians 3:1, Hebrews 1:3, 1:13; 5:6, 8:1, 10:13, and 12:2 among other passages.

          In Matthew 26:64, Jesus himself made a reference to this chapter for the second time.Jesus is both the son of David and the Lord of David, according to the Bible.This is the reality of the Incarnation as it exists today.As a completely human creature sprung from the line of David, Jesus is also entirely God, as the Person of the Son in the Holy Trinity, and as such, He is both fully human and fully God.In addition, Jesus is shown as David’s Son and David’s Lord in Romans 1:26-26.Groothuis, D.

          1. (2002, 2002).
          2. Christian Research Journal, vol.
          3. 25, no.
          • 2, p.
          • 30.
          • Jesus: Philosopher and Apologist.
          • Proverbs 15:11, Jeremiah 20:12, John 2:24, Luke 16:15, and Acts 15:8 are all references to the Bible.
          • Exodus 3:19, Job 21:14-15, Psalm 14:1-3, Jeremiah 17:9, Ezekiel 28:2, Luke 7:28-30, John 5:39-44, Acts 7:51-53, Romans 1:18, Romans 3:23, and Romans 11:23 are examples of passages that support this claim.

          How to Argue Like Jesus

          1. This week, Joe Carter and John Coleman released their new book, How to Argue Like Jesus: Learning Persuasion from History’s Greatest Communicator, which is available for purchase.
          2. Some words of praise for the book are as follows: In this book, Carter and Coleman take a complicated subject and reduce it into a straightforward and enjoyable volume on effective communication.″ Culture11 was founded by William J.
          3. Bennett, a Claremont Institute fellow and co-founder.
          4. Professors of communication will benefit from learning how to argue like Jesus since it will help them teach angelically.
          • In their book, Carter and Coleman ″Christianize Aristotle and add heavenly heuristics that explain how Jesus employed story and imagery, and how we might go and do likewise,″ Carter and Coleman write.
          • Marvin Olasky is the Provost of The King’s College in New York City and the Editor-in-Chief of the magazine WORLD.
          • ‘This absorbing and edifying study by two outstanding Christian authors demonstrates that Jesus understood better than anybody else both who he was speaking to and what they needed to hear.’ This is a true self-help book,″ says the author.
          • Homeless and at Home in America is a book written by Peter Lawler Dana Professor of Government at Berry College.
          • ″Teaches logic and critical thinking in the context of a well-lived life, which is quite effective.″ ″This is exactly what the church requires.″ Torrey Honors Institute was founded and is directed by John Mark Reynolds.
          • If you want to learn more, check out their website and blog about the book.

          How to Argue Like Jesus

          1. What is the identity of the Messiah?
          2. How can we tell if He’s there?
          3. When is He going to appear?
          4. Prophets predicted the arrival of a great leader hundreds of years ago.
          • He would be sent by God, and he would be referred to as God’s Anointed One, the Messiah, throughout history.
          • The contemporary interest in the state of Israel arouses renewed interest in the Messiah and the Messiah’s role in the world.
          • Here are six characteristics that clearly define Him:
          1. He must be descended from Abraham’s lineage. The following is how Moses reported God’s promise to Abraham: ″Through thy offspring shall all the nations of the world be blessed.″ He must be a member of the tribe of Judah, according to Genesis 22:18. At the time of Jacob’s death, he told his son Judah, ″The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, till Shiloh come
          2. and unto him shall all the people be gathered.″ He must be a descendant of David, according to Genesis 49:10. ″There shall be no end to the increase of his government and peace, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with justice and with righteousness,″ according to Isaiah’s prophecy of the Messiah. He must be born of a virgin, according to Isaiah 9:7. Therefore, as the Prophet Isaiah stated: ″See, the Lord himself will give you a sign
          3. behold, the virgin shall become pregnant, and have a son, and he shall be named Immanuel.″ (Isaiah 7:14)
          4. He must be born in Bethlehem, as predicted by the prophet Micah: ″But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me who is to be ruler in Israel″ (Micah 5:2)
          5. He must be the Son of the Most High (Micah 7:14)
          6. He must be God (Micah 7:14). The prophet Isaiah said unequivocally when he wrote: ″His name shall be called.″ This God is ″The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace,″ according to Isaiah 9:6.
          1. A child was born in a barn in the town of Bethlehem more than two thousand years ago, according to tradition.
          2. He was descended from Abraham’s lineage.
          3. In addition, he belonged to the tribe of Judah and the house of David.
          4. His mother was a virgin at the time of his birth.
          • The time has arrived for the Messiah to come!
          • What is the identity of the Messiah?
          • Jesus is the only one who satisfies all of the qualifications.
          • As a devoted Jew, Jesus led a life that was truly exceptional.
          • He restored sight to the blind, cured damaged limbs, and even revived the dead from their graves, according to legend.
          • It was His intelligence and intellect, as well as His teaching of the Scriptures, that surprised the Jewish authorities of that time.
          1. He demonstrated himself to be God’s Anointed One via his words and deeds.
          2. Then, in accordance with God’s predestined plan, Jesus offered himself as God’s Passover Lamb, dying in order to atone for the sins of His people on the cross.
          3. Isaiah said that he would be despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with pain, and that we would hide our faces from him; he would be despised and we would hold him in low regard.
          1. However, he was wounded for our trespasses, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was laid on him, and it is by his stripes that we are restored to health.
          2. All of us, like sheep, have gone astray; we have each turned to his or her own path, and the Lord has thrown the guilt of all of us on his or her shoulders″ (Isaiah 53:3-6).
          3. God’s Suffering Servant, Jesus Christ, died on the cross of Calvary and was buried there.
          4. Hundreds of eyewitnesses saw Him emerge on the third day after He had been dead for three days.
          5. God established conclusively that Jesus is the promised Messiah by his resurrection.
          • In the event that you have not yet accepted Jesus as your Messiah, He extends the following invitation: ″If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved″ (Romans 10:9).
          • (Romans 10:9).

          How to Argue Like Jesus: Learning Persuasion from History’s Greatest Communicator: Joe Carter, John Coleman: 9781433502712: Amazon.com: Books

          1. ″Teachers of communication can use How to Argue Like Jesus to help them educate in an angelic manner.
          2. Carter and Coleman Christianize Aristotle and introduce heavenly heuristics that demonstrate how Jesus employed story and imagery, and how we might follow in his footsteps today.″ Marvin Olasky is a well-known author.
          3. ″It is demonstrated in this entertaining and edifying study by two outstanding Christian writers that Jesus understood better than all the others both who he was speaking to and what they needed to hear in order for them to be saved.
          4. It turns out that the correct type of plain language may truly puzzle the smooth specialists, and that being rhetorically effective doesn’t have to come at the sacrifice of your reputation or reputational risk.
          • This is a true self-help book in the traditional sense.″ Homeless and at Home in America is written by Peter Lawler, Dana Professor of Government at Berry College and author of the book.
          • ″Anti-intellectualism is a problem in the modern church, but the ideal reaction is not a fake intellectualism of the kind that has been advocated.
          • How to Argue Like Jesus does not fall into one of these traps.
          • When logic and critical thinking are taught in the context of a well-lived life, it is extremely successful.
          • This is exactly what the church requires.″ Founder and Director of the Torrey Honors Institute, John Mark Reynolds ″When dealing with a difficult subject, Carter and Coleman reduce it down to a straightforward and readable volume on effective communication.
          • This is a book that I strongly suggest.″ The Claremont Institute’s William J.
          1. Bennett is a Fellow and the cofounder of Culture11.

          About the Author

          1. The Gospel Coalition’s Joe Carter (MBA, Marymount University) is a senior editor at the Acton Institute, a communications specialist for the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, and an adjunct professor of journalism at Patrick Henry College.
          2. He received his bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Virginia.
          3. His home is in Ashburn, Virginia, where he lives with his wife, Misty.
          4. John Coleman (MBA, Harvard Business School) is an author and entrepreneur who lives in New York City.
          • The breadth of his professional expertise includes work in asset management, community development, housing, and management consulting.
          • John and his wife, Jackie, reside in the Atlanta, Georgia, area.

          How to Argue like Jesus: Learning Persuasion from History’s Greatest Communicator – Kindle edition by Carter, Joe, John Coleman. Religion & Spirituality Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

          1. ″Teachers of communication can use How to Argue Like Jesus to help them educate in an angelic manner.
          2. Carter and Coleman Christianize Aristotle and introduce heavenly heuristics that demonstrate how Jesus employed story and imagery, and how we might follow in his footsteps today.″ Marvin Olasky is a well-known author.
          3. ″It is demonstrated in this entertaining and edifying study by two outstanding Christian writers that Jesus understood better than all the others both who he was speaking to and what they needed to hear in order for them to be saved.
          4. It turns out that the correct type of plain language may truly puzzle the smooth specialists, and that being rhetorically effective doesn’t have to come at the sacrifice of your reputation or reputational risk.
          • This is a true self-help book in the traditional sense.″ Homeless and at Home in America is written by Peter Lawler, Dana Professor of Government at Berry College and author of the book.
          • ″Anti-intellectualism is a problem in the modern church, but the ideal reaction is not a fake intellectualism of the kind that has been advocated.
          • How to Argue Like Jesus does not fall into one of these traps.
          • When logic and critical thinking are taught in the context of a well-lived life, it is extremely successful.
          • This is exactly what the church requires.″ Founder and Director of the Torrey Honors Institute, John Mark Reynolds ″When dealing with a difficult subject, Carter and Coleman reduce it down to a straightforward and readable volume on effective communication.
          • This is a book that I strongly suggest.″ William J.
          1. Bennett, Fellow at The Claremont Institute and Cofounder of Culture11, has said that The paperback edition is referred to in this paragraph.

          About the Author

          1. The Gospel Coalition’s Joe Carter (MBA, Marymount University) is a senior editor at the Acton Institute, a communications specialist for the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, and an adjunct professor of journalism at Patrick Henry College.
          2. He received his bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Virginia.
          3. His home is in Ashburn, Virginia, where he lives with his wife, Misty.
          4. John Coleman (MBA, Harvard Business School) is an author and entrepreneur who lives in New York City.
          • The breadth of his professional expertise includes work in asset management, community development, housing, and management consulting.
          • John and his wife, Jackie, reside in the Atlanta, Georgia, area.- The paperback edition is referred to in this paragraph.

          How to Argue like Jesus

          1. Jesus’ words and acts from the New Testament are used to methodically examine his rhetorical stylings, taking actual lessons from his teachings that may be applied to the lives of modern-day readers Jesus of Nazareth never produced a book, served in a governmental position, or drew a sword in his lifetime.
          2. He was never able to establish traction among the powerful or important.
          3. He never fought or threatened to fight against the ruling authorities in Rome.
          4. He was a lower-class laborer who died at the age of thirty-three after suffering an agonising death.
          • Nonetheless, against all odds—obscurity, helplessness, and execution—his teachings had a profound impact on human history.
          • How to Argue Like Jesus analyzes the life and words of Jesus, as well as the numerous methods in which he attempted to reach people with his message-through the spoken word, his life, and his disciples-in order to spread his message.
          • After that, the writers draw some very easy rhetorical lessons from Jesus’ life that readers may use to their own lives.
          • By studying the words and practices of history’s greatest communicator, leaders in virtually every sector, Christian and non-Christian alike may increase their capacity to communicate effectively.
          • The Gospel Coalition’s Joe Carter (MBA, Marymount University) is a senior editor at the Acton Institute, a communications specialist for the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, and an adjunct professor of journalism at Patrick Henry College.
          • He received his bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Virginia.
          1. His home is in Ashburn, Virginia, where he lives with his wife, Misty.
          2. John Coleman (MBA, Harvard Business School) is an author and entrepreneur who lives in New York City.
          3. The breadth of his professional expertise includes work in asset management, community development, housing, and management consulting.
          1. John and his wife, Jackie, reside in the Atlanta, Georgia, area.
          2. ″Teachers of communication can use How to Argue Like Jesus to help them educate in an angelic manner.
          3. Carter and Coleman are two of the most well-known names in the world of sports.
          4. Christianize Aristotle and include heavenly heuristics that demonstrate how Jesus employed story and imagery, as well as how we might follow in his footsteps and do the same.″ Marvin Olasky is a well-known actor.
          5. ″It is demonstrated in this entertaining and edifying study by two outstanding Christian writers that Jesus understood better than all the others both who he was speaking to and what they needed to hear in order for them to be saved.
          • It turns out that the correct type of plain language may truly puzzle the smooth specialists, and that being rhetorically effective doesn’t have to come at the sacrifice of your reputation or reputational risk.
          • This is a true self-help book in the traditional sense.″ Homeless and at Home in America is written by Peter Lawler, Dana Professor of Government at Berry College and author of the book.
          • ″Anti-intellectualism is a problem in the modern church, but the ideal reaction is not a fake intellectualism of the kind that has been advocated.
          • How to Argue Like Jesus does not fall into one of these traps.
          • When logic and critical thinking are taught in the context of a well-lived life, it is extremely successful.

          This is exactly what the church requires.″ Torrey Honors Institute was founded by John Mark Reynolds, who also serves as its director.″When dealing with a difficult subject, Carter and Coleman reduce it down to a straightforward and readable volume on effective communication.This is a book that I strongly suggest.″ Professor William J.Bennett is a Fellow at the Claremont Institute and the co-founding member of Culture11.

          How to Argue Like Jesus: Learning Persuasion from History’s Greatest Communicator

          1. We all communicate on a daily basis, in one way or another, in one shape or another.
          2. We must constantly be prepared to give an explanation for our beliefs, as instructed by Scripture, so that we can effectively communicate the hope that is within us, which is the gospel message, to those who are not yet believers.
          3. And what better location to learn about the art of gospel communication than from the very words of Jesus himself?
          4. Taking a look at several strategies of communication, Joe Carter and John Coleman, in their useful book How to Argue Like Jesus: Learning Persuasion from History’s Greatest Communicator, reflect on how Jesus used certain tactics as indicated in the Scriptures.
          • There is a lot to like about this book and the manner that the authors have taken to writing it.
          • The reader will be required to engage with a number of concepts and words that may be unfamiliar to them at first; however, the authors do an excellent job of explaining the concepts and providing examples of what the various elements of communication look like in practice, as well as how they are used in Scripture, throughout the book.
          • One thing that stands out about this book is that the writers use Greek modes of reasoning throughout the book, which is fairly evident.
          • In addition to being familiar with the Greek approach to

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