I got into a debate online with someone who was complaining about God ordering the death of some people in the Old Testament. We went back and forth until finally I explained that the root reason for God’s judgment was that the people were destroying relationships. They had embraced a destructive culture, even to the point of sacrificing infants to their idols. The other person didn’t respond to my comment. What could he say? This is an example of discussing Christian principles of relationships in evangelism, showing that Jesus is the way to healthy relationships.
Usually, when we think of apologetics in evangelism, we think of presenting evidence related to facts of the Christian faith. But sometimes apologetics relates to values or ideas that listeners already embrace. For example, when Paul evangelized Gentiles he did not use the same ideas that he used with Jews. When he spoke to Gentiles in Athens, Greece he talked about general ideas about God that many Gentiles already held, such as the idea that we are all God’s children. We often refer to this practice as contextualization of the gospel, and in Athens Paul used contextualization for apologetics. He was persuading his listeners with their own ideas as well as with Jesus’ teachings.
Thus, we can discuss the principles of relationships in evangelism. If we apply contextualization to America and other Western societies, one of the ideas that most unbelievers have that can connect them to Jesus is the idea that healthy relationships are valuable. We observe in our society that many books, shows and songs are about issues relating to relationships. Thus, the topic of healthy relationships is a big doorway to the effective presentation of the gospel. We can take the opportunity to explain what God values in relationships and how they can grow stronger; this can appeal to any unbeliever with a challenging relationship.
This kind of apologetics also looks at what traits and actions produce healthy relationships, then shows how the same traits and actions are also important to a relationship with God. The traits and actions illustrate how God wants to connect with us. For many of these traits we can even cite studies that demonstrate their value. God values relationships above all, which is why loving God and others are the two greatest commandments. As we explain relationships in evangelism, we show the similarities between a relationship with God and the natural understanding that many seekers have about relationships.
Do you know an unbeliever with a challenging relationship? Have you thought of explaining Christian principles of relationships in evangelism with that person?
