The Beauty of Argumentation

Several years ago, Christian apologist Lee Strobel1 was talking to a friend from American Atheists, Inc. when they had the idea to organize a debate between the strongest defender of atheism and a top-notch case-maker for Christianity. The atheists selected Frank Zindler, and the Christians chose William Lane Craig. Surprised that Christians were willing to face their critics and engage in a debate, nearly 7,800 people crowded into the church to see the debate in person, and 117 radio stations across the country enthusiastically broadcast it live.

At the end of the two-hour debate, which you can watch here, an overwhelming 82 percent of the non-Christians surveyed concluded that the evidence presented for Christianity was most compelling, and 47 people in attendance committed their lives to Christ that night!2

There are few skills in life as empowering and profitable as being able to think critically about meaningful subjects, develop convictions based on the evidence, and defend those convictions to others with calmness and respect. All of these are aspects of effective argumentation, and often it is the people who are willing to engage in argumentation who most influence people and culture.

In centuries past, under the classical model of education,3 the premise that argumentation is good and valuable did not need to be stated, much less defended. It was taken for granted that every high school student must know how to critically evaluate ideas and defend their positions persuasively and eloquently. Yet today when I state what was obvious in centuries past, I am often met with looks of surprise, confusion, and intrigue. Nonetheless, I am convinced that argumentation is one of the greatest and most worthwhile endeavors on earth.

When the majority of people in a society are able to think critically and provide reasonable support for their deeply-held convictions on important topics, we all benefit. For one thing, we are less likely, as individuals and as a society, to succumb to detrimental ideas presented by charismatic leaders. We all love an attractive and inspiring leader, but we are not easily led astray by sophistry when we are equipped to identify and present sound, reasonable, and convincing arguments for truth.4

Furthermore, when we learn how to defend what is most important to us, we gain a sense of confidence that overcomes insecurity and fear. This is as true in the realm of ideas as it is in the realm of martial arts and self-defense. Knowing how to make a case for our convictions is empowering and freeing, and when we are equipped to do so, we need not tremble or shrink back from our responsibility and joy to make disciples5 and to offer reasons for the hope that we have.6

In addition, the more opportunities people have to persuade others of their ideas, the less they feel the need to resort to name-calling, shaming, or even violence. It becomes far more advantageous to spend energy making a case rather than making a threat. When we dialogue utilizing evidence, reason, and logic, rudeness often gives way to respect, artificial harmony is replaced with genuine trust, and stubborn rigidity surrenders to creative solutions.7 In contrast, societies that discourage argumentation tend to experience the most violence.8 This is evident in most Muslim societies, where dissent is forbidden (and prevented through lack of education), and violent attacks occur daily.9

Moreover, when thoughtful argumentation is normal and acceptable, we tend to sharpen one another and become more interesting people who have valuable thoughts and worthy convictions. Not only that, but we become more reflective, compassionate, and humble individuals.10 Our children learn to think critically and evaluate ideas. Our culture becomes more vivacious. Our skin becomes thicker. Our character becomes worthy of imitation. And our minds begin to engage in more noble pursuits than name-calling, passive entertainment, and avoidance of conflict. We start to find we don't need to fall back on trivial and boorish topics in order to get through a conversation, or large quantities of alcohol and blaring music to enjoy a social gathering. When we are equipped to engage in stimulating argumentation, we experience the freedom and joy that God created us to know.

Perhaps most importantly, when committed followers of Jesus engage in argumentation, people have the opportunity to hear at least some of the overwhelming scientific, historical, and philosophical evidence for Christianity. If they don't want Christianity for themselves, then at a minimum they will walk away knowing there is a strong and compelling case for our worldview. They will leave with something to think about, and they will be more likely to invite Christians to bring our ideas to the table for consideration in the future rather than dismissing us outright as fools who hold tight to fairy tales.

To those who want to become more interesting, more thoughtful, more confident, and yet more humble people, I say start arguing. But argue well!11 Learn the evidence for what you believe, and then learn the evidence for the other side. Ask thoughtful questions, listen well, be respectful, and live out the reality that our worth is not dependent on what others think of us.

When we have done this, we will no longer be like children, tossed back and forth by the waves of popular ideas and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, or by craftiness in deceitful schemes; rather, we will be equipped to speak the truth in love,12 always ready to make a defense to anyone who asks for a reason for the hope that is in us, with gentleness and respect.13 And that is a beautiful thing.

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[1] Author of The Case for Christ, The Case for a Creator, The Case for Faith, and many more.

[2] Lee Strobel, "Foreward" in William Lane Craig, On Guard: Defending Your Faith with Reason and Precision (Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 2010).

[3] Dorothy Sayers, "The Lost Tools of Learning" is an outstanding article on the effectiveness of the classical model of education and a case for the return to this model

[4] Ephesians 4:11-16

[5] Matthew 28:18-20

[6] 1 Peter 3:15

[7] Patrick Lencioni, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2002).

[8] North Korea is an obvious exception due to the severity of oppression which prevents opportunities even for violence.

[9] For updated records on daily attacks by Muslims around the world, see https://www.thereligionofpeace.com/

[10] Lencioni, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable.

[11] For how to argue well from a Christian point of view, I recommend Gregory Koukl, Tactics: A Guide to Effectively Sharing Your Christian Convictions (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009). Note: The second edition comes out in November with 40% new material.

To learn evidence for Christianity, I recommend Norman Geisler and Frank Turek. I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist (Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2004).

For valuable, secular, university-level, online courses I recommend "The Art of Debate" by Jarrod Atchison (https://www.thegreatcourses.com/courses/the-art-of-debate.html) and "Argumentation: The Study of Effective Reasoning" by David Zarefsky (https://www.thegreatcourses.com/courses/argumentation-the-study-of-effective-reasoning-2nd-edition.html). Wait until they are on sale before purchasing!

To watch great debaters in action, I recommend William Lane Craig, Ravi Zacharias, Nabeel Qureshi, and Frank Turek, but you can find almost any debater on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/) by typing in, for example, "William Lane Craig debate." Debates are usually 2 hours long, just like a movie or a couple of Netflix series episodes.

[12] Ephesians 4:14-15

[13] 1 Peter 3:15