Owning your worldview presents: Tactics A Game plan for discussing your christian convictions By: Gregory koukl

***REVIEW*** Chapter 3: Columbo Step ONE Part one: The Game Plan ***REVIEW*** Chapter 3: Columbo Step ONE The Columbo tactic has three steps. The first step is to gather information. “What do you mean by that?” We want to engage the other person in conversation. Asking questions keeps the information flowing.

ChapteRS 4 & 5 - Overview Chapter 4: Columbo Step Two Part one: The Game Plan ChapteRS 4 & 5 - Overview Chapter 4: Columbo Step Two The second step is to manage the burden of proof. “How did you come to that conclusion?” Chapter 5: Columbo Step Three Leading Questions

Chapter 4: Columbo Step two - the burden of proof Part one: The Game Plan Chapter 4: Columbo Step two - the burden of proof Who has the burden of proof? “The burden of proof is the responsibility someone has to defend of give evidence for his view.” “Many challenges to Christianity thrive on vague generalizations and forceful but vacuous slogans.” “The key here is not to allow yourself to be thrust into a defensive position when the other person is making the claim.”

Chapter 4: Columbo Step two - the burden of proof Part one: The Game Plan Chapter 4: Columbo Step two - the burden of proof Arguments vs. Assertions Argument: A conclusion with supporting ideas or evidence. Assertion: A belief, opinion, or statement presented without supporting ideas or evidence.

Chapter 4: Columbo Step two - the burden of proof Part one: The Game Plan Chapter 4: Columbo Step two - the burden of proof Arguments vs. Assertions - The House Analogy Argument: An argument can be thought of like a house. The conclusion is the roof and the ideas and evidences are the individual walls that support and hold up the conclusion. Assertion: An assertion can be thought of as a roof laying directly on the ground. There are no walls supporting it.

Chapter 4: Columbo Step two - the burden of proof Part one: The Game Plan Chapter 4: Columbo Step two - the burden of proof “How did you come to that conclusion?” “Why do you say that?” “What are your reasons for holding that view?” “What makes you think that’s the right way to see it?” “Why would that idea be compelling to you?”

Chapter 4: Columbo Step two - the burden of proof Part one: The Game Plan Chapter 4: Columbo Step two - the burden of proof Key Points Making others support their conclusions forces the other person make an account of their beliefs. You need to reject the impulse to counter assertions or objections. Never accept an alternative explanation as a refutation. An alternative explanation is not proof of anything.

Chapter 4: Columbo Step two - the burden of proof Part one: The Game Plan Chapter 4: Columbo Step two - the burden of proof Three questions when dealing with alternate explanations. Is it possible?: If something isn’t possible then there is no further discussion needed. Is it plausible?: Is it reasonable to believe this may be true, in light of the available evidence? Is it probable?: Is it the most likely scenario based upon the available evidence?

Understanding others “Never make a frontal assault on a superior force in an entrenched position.” Gregory Koukl

Chapter 4: Columbo Step two - the burden of proof Part one: The Game Plan Chapter 4: Columbo Step two - the burden of proof The professor’s ploy. The professor has the power, the platform, and the advantage. Don’t make statements, only ask questions. Don’t allow the burden to be shifted to you. You never made a statement only asked questions. You have nothing to prove.

Chapter 4: Columbo Step two - the burden of proof Part one: The Game Plan Chapter 4: Columbo Step two - the burden of proof Staying off of the hot seat. “Don’t feel pressure to immediately answer every question asked or every point made.” Defer the conversation until you are more comfortable. “Let me think about that.” or “I will get back to you.” Follow-up with the person after you have done some research, taken time to think about it, or asked others. Rehearse your response. Role-play if needed.

Chapter 4: Columbo Step two - the burden of proof Part one: The Game Plan Chapter 4: Columbo Step two - the burden of proof Questions with purpose. Step one: “What do you mean by that?” Gathers information tells us what they believe. Step two: “How did you come to that conclusion?” Manages the burden of proof and tells us why they believe something.

Chapter 5: Columbo Step Three - Leading Questions Part one: The Game Plan Chapter 5: Columbo Step Three - Leading Questions Bringing Down the House. If an argument was like a house, the walls are the supporting ideas. Your leading questions should be framed in a way that shows the shortcomings of each supporting idea. Once the other person questions their own arguments they may be more likely to be persuaded to give your argument a fair assessment.

Chapter 5: Columbo Step Three - Leading Questions Part one: The Game Plan Chapter 5: Columbo Step Three - Leading Questions Columbo Step Three - Lead the Way Leading Questions: These questions allow us to move from purely passive questions (steps 1 & 2), to a position of actively directing the conversation. Leading questions allow us to: Inform, Pursued, & Refute

Chapter 5: Columbo Step Three - Leading questions Part one: The Game Plan Chapter 5: Columbo Step Three - Leading questions Inform Case Study #1: The Question (Pg. 73 & 74) Pursued Case Study #2: The Lawyer (Pg. 74 & 75) Refute Case Study #3: The Tolerance Trick (Pg. 77 & 79)

Chapter 5: Columbo Step Three - Leading Questions Part one: The Game Plan Chapter 5: Columbo Step Three - Leading Questions The most demanding Columbo step. You are leaving the protection of passivity. You must understand what you believe. You must understand what the other person is saying. You must also see the flaws in their position. You must assume an offensive position without becoming offensive in the conversation.

Chapter 5: Columbo Step Three - Leading Questions Part one: The Game Plan Chapter 5: Columbo Step Three - Leading Questions Softening your Challenges: Have you ever considered…? Can you explain this to me? Please help me understand…? This approach shows respect to the person you are talking with and maintains a humble tone.

Understanding others “The most powerful questions…are the ones that help people recall what they already know.” Gregory Koukl

Chapter 5: Columbo Step Three - Leading Questions Part one: The Game Plan Chapter 5: Columbo Step Three - Leading Questions Narrating the debate. People who haven't considered their position may have no choice but to dodge your questions. At this point you can “Narrate the Debate” to return the conversation to the point they are avoiding. “You just said ‘x’ but I don’t believe you clearly supported why that would be true.”