Speaking with a Skeptic:

Talking with a skeptic about an issue can be one of the most enjoyable and rewarding discussions. It can also be one of
the most frustrating…and not always because the skeptic says something worth listening too.

When speaking with a skeptic it is important to make sure she presents her skeptical case and is not allowed to simply
raise questions that go nowhere. She needs to state why she is skeptical and what it is that she is having a hard time
believing. If the skeptic is allowed to simply ask questions in the iterative skeptical tradition, then she may end up with
the false impression that her questions are successful. Additionally, it is important to distinguish between the logical might
and epistimological might (see Skepticism Arguments). These different uses of this term are crucial in discussions with
a skeptic. Failure to understand their proper use (what kind of skeptic one is) often results in the skeptic’s view being given
much more weight than it is due.

If the skeptic is sincere with her questions and open to learning (as we need to be when skeptical about issues) the Christian
is presented with a golden opportunity to provide quality answers regarding the Christian faith and our salvation found in
Jesus Christ (1 Peter 3:15; Acts 4:10-12). The questions that arise from the skeptic need to be warmly embraced, thoughtfully
considered and intelligently answered. Often this is a good opportunity for the Christian to grow in her faith as she
seeks good answers to sincere questions. However, it is imperative for the Christian to avoid pat-answers like “just believe.”
It is our responsibility to help others come to understand who Jesus Christ is so that they can accept Him as Lord and
Savior. While the Gospel does not change the steps vary for people so the approach needs to be tailored accordingly.