Tim Muehlhoff and Richard Langer are two of my colleagues at 黑料历史. Dr. Muehlhoff teaches Communications and Dr. Langer teaches Biblical Studies and Theology. They recently partnered up to tackle a vital issue for today鈥攈ow do Christians communicate with winsome persuasion in a culture that seems to be increasingly at odds with Christian beliefs?

I had the chance to endorse their book and highly recommend it for both its content and style. In particular, Dr. Muehlhoff has really challenged me to personally consider how to speak truth today with both kindness and graciousness. I love his last book , and even used it in a small group with high school students. If you want to be an effective communicator today, check out this brief interview, and then think about getting their excellent new book:

SEAN MCDOWELL: Why did you write ?

TIM MUEHLHOFF: As a professor of communication at a Christian university, I鈥檝e wrestled with a powerful question: How should Christians respond to a culture steadily moving away from a biblical worldview? Biblical views concerning sexuality, abortion, marriage, and God are abandoned in favor of an accommodative stance that often intolerantly attacks, belittles, and ultimately silences opposing views. When president and chief operating officer of Chick-fil-A Dan Cathy answered 鈥済uilty as charged鈥 when asked if he supported traditional marriage, he was publicly attacked and Chick-fil-A stores were defaced with 鈥淭astes like HATE!鈥 graffiti. As the minority, how can Christians engage those holding the dominant perspective in a way that is winsome, civil, and persuasive?

MCDOWELL: What mistakes do Christians make when sharing a biblical perspective?

MUEHLHOFF: If no one responds to our message, we often feel that the only option is to turn up the prophetic volume. So we shout louder, or stage more vigorous protests, or show more horrific pictures, or warn of increasingly apocalyptic disasters. But in the face of diminishing returns, it would be good to remember that there are other options than turning up our prophetic voice. We might adopt a pastoral or persuasive voice instead; sometimes gates that are barred to angry shouting can be opened by knocking and offering to help.

MCDOWELL: Why did you think it important to include historical sketches of Christian communicators such as Wilberforce, St. Patrick, and Harriet Beecher Stowe?

MUEHLHOFF: It is good to remind ourselves that every generation of Christians has faced opposition, and many have faced opposition even more pronounced than what we are facing. More importantly, these Christians have left us a rich legacy of examples in the way they rose to meet and conquer the challenges of their day.

MCDOWELL: What is the most important question Christians should ask as they seek to have an impact on their surrounding community?

MUEHLHOFF: A local church, or Christian ministry must ask whether it is perceived as vital to the community鈥檚 social capital or just a group of people who merely take care of their own. When hardship hits our neighbors can they count on us to help?

MCDOWELL: How do we unintentionally put people on the defensive during a conversation?

MUEHLHOFF: If you want to provoke anger from someone, respond to his or her convictions with emotionless nonchalance. In other words, I treat your conviction as merely a point being made in a debate. Rather than acknowledging the deep emotions that accompany your view, I dispassionately offer my counterargument. After all, there is a debate to be won!

MCDOWELL: You suggest that Christians should link arms with non-Christians to tackle community concerns. What do you mean?

It may surprise us that non-Christian groups desire many of the same things we do鈥攃aring for the homeless, organizing a food bank, promoting anti-bullying campaigns鈥攁nd might be open to linking arms. If these temporary partnerships give voice to the needy and marginalized, not only will our communities flourish, but private sanctuaries鈥 once thought impregnable鈥攎ay be dismantled.

MCDOWELL: Why are Christians today so fearful to share the biblical perspective about controversial issues?

MUEHLHOFF: Rather than engaging in today鈥檚 hostile communication climate aptly labeled the argument culture, many Christians have adopted the attitude, 鈥淭o stay silent is to be safe!鈥 Or, better silent than sorry. Better to keep unpopular views private than to risk ridicule or hostile opposition. But what if you and your community want to engage? 鈥淪tarting a quarrel,鈥 suggests an ancient Proverb writer, 鈥渋s like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out鈥 (Prov. 17:4). explores how we can avoid quarrels with others as we seek to advance a position increasingly seen by many as unpopular and in the minority.

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