Employing the ‘Columbo’ tactic in conversation

If we want to be ambassadors for Christ, having the right answers will not be enough.

We need to do it in such a way that it creates an environment conducive to respectful conversations and allows them to be maintained through difficult moments of disagreement and debate. The best way to achieve that is to ask questions.

Over the years my appreciation for the use of questions in evangelism grew and has become a focal point in life and ministry. One of the consequences has been the development of what I call ‘cultivation questions for evangelism’.

It is what Christian apologist and radio talk-show host Gregory Koukl calls the ‘Columbo’ tactic. [Writing on str.org, Greg Koukl explains that the ‘Columbo’ tactic is named after the bumbling and seemingly inept TV detective whose remarkable success was based on an innocent query: ‘Do you mind if I ask you a question?’] In essence, ask questions instead of making unsupported claims. ‘Why is there death?’ ‘Why weren’t we born in heaven?’ ‘What does the Qur’an teach about man’s salvation?’ ‘Do you think you are going to heaven?’ ‘Do you have any assurance that God will accept you?’ Most of the time, the most effective question is the one that invites the other person to clarify what they intended or meant. ‘Why do you say that?’ When asked gently and with genuine interest, it naturally opens doors without putting your counterpart under pressure. The pre-eminent example is Christ and His skillful use of questions in ministry (Luke 20:4,24). This is the simplest way to stop your interlocutor in his tracks, reverse roles and, most importantly, make him think .

For example, when a Muslim says that God has no son, you can ask: ‘What do you mean?’ (In other words: ‘What do you understand when you are told that Jesus is the Son of God?’). When someone says that Christians worship three gods, you can answer: ‘Really? What do you mean by three gods?’ If someone tells you that Jesus never died on the cross, you can reply: ‘Why do you have a problem with His death?’ When someone maintains that the Bible has been changed over the years, you can ask: ‘What has been changed?’ (Or more specifically: ‘Exactly how, or when, or where, or why, or by whom, do you believe it was changed?’ Of course, just choose one of the questions!)

The importance of this approach

The purpose of these types of questions is not to be mean or aggressive. Thoughtful questions, genuinely and rightly communicated, produce inevitable blessings: 1.) The questions are by definition interactive, and they invite the other person to join in the discussion. They are neutral in the way that you don’t argue, but instead you ask, which make it easy to engage in a friendly conversation without appearing too blunt, rude or insistent. 2.) They also make the person you are speaking to feel valued. By asking questions, you show that you are genuinely interested in their point of view. 3.) They compel the person you are talking with to really think about what they are trying to say, perhaps for the first time. 4.) They ask the person to account for their beliefs. Christians should not be the only ones who have to defend what they believe. The burden of proof rests with the person making the claims, and this is the basic rule and reason for this type of exchange. 5.) The questions reveal important information about what your Muslim friend is thinking. This will prevent you from misunderstanding their point of view or misrepresenting their beliefs.

So, consider using questions in sharing the gospel. The next time your Muslim friend says: ‘The Bible has been changed so many times’ or ‘No one can be sure of being saved’, or ‘Jesus never said he was God’, don’t let these questions silence you. Raise your eyebrows and ask him/her genuinely: ‘What do you mean?’ and, ‘How did you come to that conclusion?’ These statements are easy for him/her to say, but impossible to prove or defend.