Another chapter I found helpful in Voddie Baucham’s “Expository Apologetics” book was chapter 8 “The Expository Apologetic Waltz.” Here we get some practical wisdom on how to use expository apologetics in conversations with unbelievers. Baucham reminds us that “one of the first things we must learn to do is ask people to engage with us. There are no tricks here. We just have to learn to be cordial and friendly” (145).
Buacham states that the conversation is like a dance with a dance partner, it’s like a waltz. There are 3 steps for us to do this:
1. SHOW THEM THEIR WORLDVIEW IS INCONSISTENT (146-153)
Because we live in God’s world, it is impossible to consistently live out an unbelieving worldview. There is some point of tension where the unbeliever is inconsistent. We have to lovingly and gently help our friends see where this.
2. SHOW THEM WHERE THEY’RE COUNTERFEITING (153-157)
Because all truth is God’s truth, the unbeliever is in some way holding to a truth they are taken or “stolen from God” (153). This will then require us to show our friends the biblical source.
3. SHOW THEM WHAT THE REAL THING LOOKS LIKE (157-160).
Here in the final step “we demonstrate the consistency, superiority, and beauty of the Christian worldview” (157). “Our job is simply to give a reason for the hope that is in us” (157).
