Fool's Talk
by Os Guinness | Book Summary
Author: Os Guinness
|
For the 21st century Christian, apologetics should matter immensely because of the interconnectedness of today's world. Not only are there competing worldviews, but these worldviews are broadcast today in a way like never before (think movies, television, and the internet). Christians should care, and Christians should have an answer. That answer is not merely a "defense" of the faith but a desire to persuade others of the truth of Scripture. As a whole, "we have lost the art of Christian persuasion and we must recover it" (p. 17). In this way, apologetics should not be separated from evangelism and discipleship. If believers really want to make disciples, they must be serious about apologetics and the art of Christian persuasion. At the end of the day, the art of apologetics isn't about winning an argument or scoring debate points — it's about loving God and loving others and seeing people come to Christ for their good and His glory. |
Os Guinness has a doctorate from Oxford. He was born in 1941 in China because his parents were serving as medical missionaries there at the time. He has authored or edited over 30 books including The Global Public Square, Time for Truth, and The Case for Civility.
Dr. Guinness has spoken in defense of the Christian faith in many universities and various venues around the world. He is an Anglican who left the Episcopal church due to its break with orthodoxy. He and his wife Jenny have one grown son and live near Washington, D.C. in McLean, VA.
Fool's Talk
by Os Guinness
[ Book Summary ]
| Author | Os Guinness |
| Publisher | IVP Books |
| Date | July 4, 2015 |
| Pages | 270 |
Overview:
Apologetics. There's a word the average believer isn't using over lunch today. But, "we are all apologists" (p. 15). That is, apologetics is simply the defense of one's worldview, and everybody, either directly through communication or indirectly simply in the way they live, defends their worldview. Everyone is an apologist in one way or another.
For the 21st century Christian, apologetics should matter immensely because of the interconnectedness of today's world. Not only are there competing worldviews, but these worldviews are broadcast today in a way like never before (think movies, television, and the internet). Christians should care, and Christians should have an answer.
That answer is not merely a "defense" of the faith but a desire to persuade others of the truth of Scripture. As a whole, "we have lost the art of Christian persuasion and we must recover it" (p. 17). In this way, apologetics should not be separated from evangelism and discipleship. If believers really want to make disciples, they must be serious about apologetics and the art of Christian persuasion.
At the end of the day, the art of apologetics isn't about winning an argument or scoring debate points — it's about loving God and loving others and seeing people come to Christ for their good and His glory.
Os Guinness has a doctorate from Oxford. He was born in 1941 in China because his parents were serving as medical missionaries there at the time. He has authored or edited over 30 books including The Global Public Square, Time for Truth, and The Case for Civility.
Dr. Guinness has spoken in defense of the Christian faith in many universities and various venues around the world. He is an Anglican who left the Episcopal church due to its break with orthodoxy. He and his wife Jenny have one grown son and live near Washington, D.C. in McLean, VA.