K. Scott Oliphint. The Faithful Apologist: Rethinking the Role of Persuasion in Apologetics. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, February 22nd 2022. 224 pp.
4 out of 5
Purchase: Westminster | Amazon
Want to read a biblical book on persuasion in the context of evangelism and apologetics? This book is worth considering. It is written by a professor of apologetics, K. Scott Oliphint. Oliphint teaches at Westminster Theological Seminary and is also a Presuppositional Apologist. I know some people have told me they think Presuppositionalists have no interests with persuading people but only to refute unbelievers; this book suggests otherwise. I’m glad that a book on persuasion was written by someone who is a Presuppositionalist!
The books consists of six chapters grouped into two parts of three chapters each. Part one is “Biblical foundations of apologetics and Persuasion.” Chapter one is on the Divine Persuader, chapter two is on the Divine Defender and chapter three is on the Divine Sword. Basically chapter three shows us how God’s Word is an important source to persuade someone with regards to coming to Christ, contrary to some who think apologetics and the Word of God has no place in persuasion. Part two is titled “Parts and Principles of Apologetics and Persuasion.” Here those who have previous education on persuasion will notice the chapters are organized in classical lines of Ethos, Pathos and Logos. What makes this book unique though is the author pulling Scripture to demonstrate each of these points.
Overall this book is biblically driven. One can think of this book as a biblical theology of persuasion. I do appreciate multiple times the book mentioned we must not compromise with Biblical truth and also to consider the person when one is trying to convince someone of something. Yet this book is also informed with a biblical worldview in which Reformed theology also acknowledge that people do suppress the truth and depravity means unbelievers would not want the truth. So with this biblical truth I thought this book was balanced with the truth that we are instruments use by God to persuade and God is the one who is the master of what happens.
I appreciate the author’s look at Acts 17 and also the confrontations Jesus had with religious leaders and seeing its implications for apologetics and persuasion with the elements of logos, ethos and pathos. I also enjoyed the times the author mentioned his own personal experiences. Those were helpful examples and I wished there were more of them. Overall a good book.
The Domain for Truth 
Sounds like a great resource for library. Thanks for the review.
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Thanks for this good review. This reminds me that the overall goal is to present the Gospel rather than “win a debate,” but knowing how to confront various objections to the Bible and the Gospel is important.
Amen to what you said! The book acknowledges that point exactly as you said and also to be aware of who it is you are talking to. So what did the sermon go over this Sunday??
The pastor is going through Galatians and yesterday’s sermon was on Galatians 3:6-9 and stressed Abraham’s justification because of faith, same as ours, no works involved. Good sermon. Overall, no bad triggers from our past experiences. All good. My wife was very pleased. Pastor respectfully attired, people of all ages, auditorium not darkened with blaring guitars and light show, no politics from the pulpit. The entire experience focused on Jesus Christ and reverence for Him. We are both happy and grateful.
Interesting use of Aristotle’s rhetorical triangle (ethos, pathos, logos) to organize apologetics. Curious how he thinks ethos comes into play for the layperson who witnesses to the unbeliever.
Thanks for reading this. I had to look back. He did talk about the common ground nonbelievers have with Christians; and that is based upon our image of God in all humanity and that has implications for even nonbelievers know God. Under the ethos chapter the book talks about we must be ready to defend the faith and explain it. He does say our words should be word of hope even as we deal with objections and also we should be meek. I think at times he talks about the other two dimensions of persuasions. How is your Monday??
Thank you brother, I didn’t mean to have you look it up but thanks for taking the trouble. I could see how logos and pathos would work in apologetics but wondered about ethos. Please forgive my unnecessary nerdiness which I’m not proud of because it’s more a distraction than anything for myself and now for you when you’ve got much better things to do. Sorry!
My Monday’s very sunshiny, pardon the pun!!!! Hope yours is too.☀️
Oh no it is no problem Dora! I appreciate your nerdiness, it keeps the blog going lol especially with a narrow topic of apologetics that is more narrow with presuppositional apologetics from a Van Tillian stand point =)
Good point: “we are instruments use by God to persuade and God is the one who is the master of what happens.”
Amen! That truth should lead us to pray more for sinners salvation
Have you read his “Covenantal Apologetics,” Jim? I have it and felt like this new book was a summary of it, so didn’t buy it.
I actually have not read his Covenantal Apologetics; if you say this is more of a summary of his earlier book then I probably won’t be reading Covenantal Apologetics largely since there’s sooo many other things to read on my lists of books I want to get to! Thanks for reading this review and commenting
According to his son, there’s a difference. Anyway, thanks for the review. I may still read the book.
Glad to hear that. His son is sharp and I look forward to reading future books and articles from him.
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Long time lurker. I was introduced to the author through your blog.
I’m encouraged to hear that. Appreciate the silent viewers; appreciate it even more when I hear from you! Hope I’m saying it right: Dankie.
You said it right. Het Goeie Nag.
Love this statement, “…we are instruments use by God to persuade and God is the one who is the master of what happens.” Thanks for your review.
Aww thanks! Thanks sister for reading this review! Hope your day is well!!!
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