Tactics, 10th Anniversary Edition: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions Paperback – 26 Dec. 2019

Greg Koukl has done every Christian a massive favour by writing this book. So many believers are hesitant to engage others in conversation about God and the gospel because they feel intimidated and ill-equipped. If the teaching of this book is imbibed then the reader will be well equipped for any conversation and will not be intimidated by any opponent.This is not a dry book of untried and untested theory. Those who listen to Koukl on Stand to Reason will have heard him use these tactics for real. This book distils his years of experience and wealth of wisdom into 200 pages and allows you to learn these tactics for yourself.As one who is involved in the spread of the gospel, I can testify to the usefulness of this book. Day and daily I employ what I have learned from Koukl in real life situations. It is the most useful book on personal witness I have.The beauty of this book is that anyone can benefit from it. It is so accessible and practical. Koukl is a very engaging writer, and he uses illustrations and conversations from his own experience from which to glean lessons. This keeps your interest and helps you see the tactics in action.The book commences by talking about what is meant by the tactical approach and why it is valuable. Typical fears people have about engaging others in conversation about spiritual matters are addressed in chapter two. Koukl also presents the scriptural justification for apologetics, and shows that reason and evidence does not exclude dependence on God. We are encouraged to argue but not quarrel! “If anyone in the conversation gets mad, then you lose.”Chapters three to six get into the specifics. We are presented with scenarios and challenged as to what we would say. Koukl then provides sample answers, and as you look at his answers you see his approach – asking questions. This is the “Columbo Tactic” and everyone can and should master it.The remainder of the book gives help in finding flaws in the arguments of your opponents. Once you master these chapters you will find yourself applying the tactics to every argument you hear, and you will root out flaws quickly and easily.Throughout the book you catch Koukl's gracious and diplomatic way of dealing with opponents, and this too is a vital element of Christian witness.I can’t recommend this book highly or enthusiastically enough. Please get it.

This book comes recommended by a variety of well-known Christian apologists. It is not, however, another book dealing with the substance of arguments defending the faith, it is rather (as the title suggests) a book about tactics. As Koukl notes in his first chapter 'effective persuasion in the twenty-first century requires more than having the right answers'. He suggests that three 'skills' are required in order to be an effective ambassador for Christ. These skills he defines as 'knowledge, an accurately informed mind; wisdom, an artful method; and character, an attractive manner'.Knowledge can be obtained through careful study of the Scriptures, and through reading some of the many excellent books written for the purpose of defending the faith from every conceivable attack. Character involves our own personal submission to the Word of God and will be seen by the measure in which we are like Christ. However it is tactical wisdom which is 'the main focus of this book'.The book is divided into two main sections as follows:.Part One: The Game Plan. This section first deals with the need for our engagements to look 'more like diplomacy than combat'. We are also reminded that the tactics discussed in the book are not intended to be used to humiliate anyone but rather with the end in view of guiding a person to the truth. The whole subject of argument and its usefulness in the service of God is then discussed before Koukl introduces us to The Columbo Tactic and it's various uses. There are 6 chapters in this first section.Part Two: Finding the Flaws. The second section involves training oneself to see the logical flaws in anothers argument. These flaws are clearly explained and illustrated and relevant names are given to each in order to help the reader to memorise and put into practice the advice given. There are 8 chapters in this section.The book is 207 pages long and will certainly be a great help to those who find it difficult to engage with their friends and relatives about Christianity. The writer of this review is involved in evangelism full-time and finds the tactics here presented to be invaluable as he discusses and communicates the Gospel to others. Whether you are actively spreading the Gospel or just wanting to be better prepared to discuss and defend Biblical truth when asked, this book will be a help to you.

I was able to immediately put into practice the great prinicples in this book to have better conversations about Christ and even start street evangelism (it is much easier with the strategies Koukl lays out)! But also just in conversations with friends. I recommend this book to not just the Christian interested in apologetics, but to everyone who accepts Christ!

This is one of those book that is easy to read and hard to put down once you begin. It has some helps and hints which are really interesting. Some 'clever' people may think it a little too condescending, but us mere mortals will enjoy it and I gleaned some interesting hints and helps.It is an excellent 'Book Club' read for Church. People can then discuss some of the things brought up in the book.I rarely enjoy a book enough to read it twice - but I will with this one, alongside a note book so that I can pass this info on in Church.