Fool’s Talk

Recovering the Art of Christian Persuasion

By: Os Guinness

Narrated by: Ralph Lister

In the post-Christian context, public life has become markedly more secular and private life infinitely more diverse. Yet many Christians still rely on cookie-cutter approaches to evangelism and apologetics. Most of these methods assume that people are open to, interested in, and needy for spiritual insight when increasingly most people are not. The urgent need, then, is the capacity to persuade - to make a convincing case for the Gospel to people who are not interested in it.

In his magnum opus, Os Guinness offers a comprehensive presentation of the art and power of creative persuasion. Christians have often relied on proclaiming and preaching, protesting and picketing, but are strikingly weak in persuasion - the ability to talk to people who are closed to what is being said. Actual persuasion requires more than a one-size-fits-all approach. Guinness notes, "Jesus never spoke to two people the same way, and neither should we."

Following the tradition of Erasmus, Pascal, G. K. Chesterton, C. S. Lewis, Malcolm Muggeridge, and Peter Berger, Guinness demonstrates how apologetic persuasion requires both the rational and the imaginative. Persuasion is subversive, turning the tables on listeners' assumptions to surprise them with signals of transcendence and the credibility of the Gospel.

This book is the fruit of 40 years of thinking, honed in countless talks and discussions at many of the leading universities and intellectual centers of the world. Discover afresh the persuasive power of Christian witness from one of the leading apologists and thinkers of the era.

©2015 Os Guinness (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Required Reading for Evangelism

Wonderful perspective and a fantastic explanation of the art of persuading for the Christian faith.

Great Publication.

This audiobook is perfect for intent listening or playing in the backdrop. Either way, you are bound to understand the most complex issues in a most simple and intelligent manner.

A much needed paradigm shift in the approach of sharing one's faith, though more practical advice needed.

After I discovered the treasure trove of Christian apologetics a few years ago, but was then promptly disappointed with it's ineffectual ability to persuade others with its cold logic, this book couldn't have come at a more perfect time for me.

The book confirmed my experience that apologetics is only valuable to apologists, Christians and fence sitting atheists, but is impotent to stubborn militant atheists. That's where this book comes in. This book is grounded in biblical examples of the psychology of an unbeliever crossing the threshold to belief. All believers have to go through a vulnerable phase of admitting that they were fools. We all had to go through this phase. The good news is only good once we know what the bad news is, a fact most atheists leave unexamined behind a haze of indulgences and nonchalance. It is that haze that the evangelist/apologist must remove and expose the unbeliever to the stark reality that they hold on to.

This book examines exactly what must go through an unbeliever's head before they are ready to believe.

The only criticism I can offer is that, although it gives tremendous insight into the psychology of conversion, it doesn't offer much in regards to tangible advice. However, to fill that gap, I can highly recommend Greg koukl's book "Tactics" as an essential companion book to this one.

review

a bit hard to get through. concentration is necessary! not a light read. enjoyed it!

Logical explanation of steps of faith in Christ

After listening to this audiobook, I have a better understanding of how to approach the topic of faith with others in their various stages.

Fool's Talk--let the title grab you and pull you in!

This is one of the finest, most intelligent, cogent, comprehensive writing on the crazy twisted dialogue environment we face today in public discourse. Don't let the title 'fool' you-it uncovers the thoughts and roots behind the arguments put out against God -but not only in a style all his own, and on par with CS Lewis, Os Guinness creatively answers AND brings out the essence Biblically of the true purpose and motive that is behind the 'persuade in love' mode that effective and true apologetics should operate in. I am going to read it again and again as a reference--stimulated my heart as well as wonderful brilliance for the mind!!

just what i needed...

I took this exact same approach for my journey. im finally finding the people representing a philosophical type mindset towards the search for meaning. i am a preachers son who grew up hearing so many weak answers from complacent christians. i eventually decided i would either have to search on my own to know, or rely on what i was being told was known, which always seemed to change, yet always claimed to be the correct interpretation. As a thinker, and a searcher over the last 5 years or so, i went through all 4 of the exact same stages discussed at the end of this book. In fact, just 2 nights ago it was made very clear to me that i had found truth, and it was God, and finally...no more question. Amazingly, i still tried finding ways to put off my full repentance, holding on to my sin just a bit longer. i started turning on my heels. scripture began warning me, and i tried avoiding it, picking a different audiobook. i picked this one because i knew the truth i had found for what it was, and it seemed like good prep material since i knew i would (soon) be living a life as a servant for christ...as soon as i was ready...instead this book helped me reach that last step in my conviction, reject my reasoning for putting God on hold, quickly spin back around, and fall on my knees...praying he would still be there after i turned my back on him face to face. It was the hound of heaven part that did it, and right there at the very end. i am also a Yates, and found W.B. Yeats poem hound of heaven just a couple months ago. i was starting a song about it chasing me down, and had asked God if he was going to use me to his glory in some way, to please let it be music if at all possible. i had already started to plug my ears to him again, just like wretched man. this book was supposed to be my distraction, but kept speaking to me directly throughout, until that final "coincidence" caught me off guard and gut punched me. So thank you. i hope i meet more and more that went searching only to realize they were found.

Excellent explanation on apologetics

It opened my eyes on the importance of apologetics in fulfilling the great commission. Evangelism and apologetics go hand in hand.

Great and helpful!

I think this is a very timely book that is approached with humility and strength. I found it highly profitable for my ministry. I think any Christian out there need to listen to this book.

Thought provoking

Thought provoking nuggets in each and every chapter. A must listen for searchers and believers alike!