Bridge-Building Apologetics: How to Get Along Even When We Disagree

by Lindsey Medenwaldt, Hillary Morgan Ferrer (Foreword by)

Overview

Winsome Apologetics Makes for Effective Apologetics

As Christians, when we take a stand for our faith, we want to avoid coming across as overly combative or adversarial. While it’s important to be uncompromising when we communicate the truth, Scripture also calls us to speak the truth with love.

Bridge-Building Apologetics is about establishing caring and compassionate relationships with those whom you desire to reach for Christ. In this friendly and helpful resource, you will find
 

• inspiring examples of relational apologetics from people in the Bible and modern-day bridge builders
• strategies for thoughtful and productive interactions with unbelievers and people of diverse faith backgrounds
• practical tips for engaging non-Christians in relationships and faith-centered conversations, with real-life examples

 
Going beyond merely comparing truth with error, this accessible and informative guide shows you how to overcome relational barriers and graciously reach out to those with whom you disagree. Even in the face of deep differences, these insights and tips will help you will grow in your confidence to engage others effectively with the love of Jesus and the truth of Scripture.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780736988322
Publisher:	Harvest House Publishers
Publication date:	05/14/2024
Pages:	272
Sales rank:	401,912
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Lindsey Medenwaldt (MA, JD, MPA) is the director of ministry operations at Mama Bear Apologetics and an adjunct professor at Northwestern College in Iowa. She engages extensively on the topics of apologetics and worldview as a writer, editor, teacher, and speaker. Lindsey and her husband, Jay, live in Iowa along with their daughters.

Hillary Morgan Ferrer, founder of Mama Bear Apologetics®, has a burden for providing accessible apologetics resources for busy moms. She has a master’s in biology, and her specialties are in cultural apologetics, the relationship between science and faith, and understanding the root causes of doubt. Hillary and her husband, John, have been married for more than 16 years and minister together as an apologetics team in Iowa.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

FOREWORD
Hillary Morgan Ferrer

Lindsey has been a bridge builder since long before Bridge-Building Apologetics ever existed. There are plenty of people who write Christian books telling us how we ought to behave as Christians. But take it from me—someone who has worked with her for years—Lindsey embodies everything she talks about in this book.

People of all stripes, colors, and creeds are drawn to Lindsey because of the way she thoughtfully engages with them. Having had her on the Mama Bear Apologetics team for many years, I continue to be impressed with the way she prioritizes listening, curiosity, and kindness with everyone she encounters—and she does it without tiptoeing around key truths that Christianity teaches.

So while this may seem like “just a book” at first glance, it is more than that. It is a discipleship manual written by someone who follows her own advice. The ideas presented are not new, per se. Rather, they are timeless reminders of how we are to conduct ourselves with the people around us. If all Christians would put these very scriptural, very Jesus-like, very simple to understand and commonsense habits into practice, I don’t think we as Christians would be the punchline of nearly as many jokes or the focus of so much criticism about our faith. Indeed, there are even atheists who exempt Lindsey from their snarky comments about evangelical Christians (and especially Christian apologists) because of the way she chooses to engage. 

In Bridge-Building Apologetics, Lindsey reminds us that we don’t have to compromise our biblical positions to move forward in relationships. Anyone can maintain a shallow friendship by hiding their faith or refusing to speak biblical truth. Yet we are called to have convictions! We’re not called to be wimps for Jesus. So how do we maintain our zeal for Christ and the Bible while still having genuine relationships with those who think differently? Keep reading. It really isn’t rocket science, and Lindsey is a good and patient teacher.

God calls all of us to be bridge builders to a world that is separated from Him—while remaining untainted by the world itself. In a day when everyone says and does what is right in their own eyes, Scripture exhorts us to be holy (set apart) by the way we relate to people with whom we disagree. The polarization in our society is getting out of control and we need bridge builders, people filled with living water who are willing to douse the flames of discord. Put this book into practice, friends. Come forth and be set apart!

Editorial Reviews

The apostle Paul became ‘all things to all people…for the sake of the gospel’ (1 Corinthians 9:22-23). And Peter told us to ‘always be prepared to give an answer to everyone’ who asks about the reason for our hope in Christ (1 Peter 3:15). In this encouraging book, Lindsey Medenwaldt presents a wealth of practical ideas to help us do both—relate to people as friends and present to them the truth of our faith. Read it for ideas and inspiration, and don’t miss chapter 9 on building friendships. It’s worth the price of the entire book! 
—Mark Mittelberg, author of Contagious Faith and Confident Faith; executive director of the Strobel Center, Colorado Christian University

“After decades of experience in apologetics, I often lament that so many unbelievers are ignorant of apologetics because Christians often lack the intellectual and relational skills needed to bring the case for Christianity to unbelievers. This book is a welcome and much-needed antidote to that problem. Through its use of Scripture, personal experiences, culture, and apologetic savvy, Bridge-Building Apologetics equips Christians to ‘contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints’ (Jude 3 ESV).”
—Douglas Groothuis, professor of philosophy, Denver Seminary; author of Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith 

“Evangelism and apologetics can become harsh and alienating in the hands of some people. In contrast, Lindsey Medenwaldt’s book shows us how to relate to non-Christians in a biblical and loving manner. She emphasizes that evangelism is a spiritual struggle, and that as Christians we need to build a strong foundation in our relationships with God and others so that the Holy Spirit will open people’s hearts to the gospel. Her writing style is engaging, and her catchy references to contemporary culture make it difficult to put the book down.”  
—Winfried Corduan, professor emeritus of philosophy and religion, Taylor University 

“Lindsey delivers a timely message full of creative examples to help us see every person as God’s image bearers who deserve to hear the truth with gentleness and respect. Connecting the head and the heart, Bridge Building Apologetics will encourage you to evaluate your approach to evangelism and apologetics with humility.”
—Rachel Shockey, president of Women in Apologetics 

“Too often, we characterize apologetics as a weapon deployed for combat. Representatives of alternative views engage one another as pugilists instead of image-bearers worthy of respect. Attempts to defend our faith can devolve into intellectual one-upmanship at the expense of fervor for lost souls. Such an approach undermines apologetics by neglecting its intent.

“In Bridge-Building Apologetics, Lindsey Medenwaldt, my dear friend, presents an apologetic for relational apologetics. Shamelessly, she values advocating for the historic Christian faith, but never at the expense of human dignity. For her, apologetics is an essential tool of evangelism. This book is a convicting work that should bear on our apologetic methods. I commend it to every believer who desires to be a witness and defender of our faith.”
—Brandon Washington, lead pastor, Embassy Christian Bible Church 

“It’s at least as important how we share our faith as what we share about it. Too often, Christians who dare to talk about their beliefs are perceived as doing so with a combative spirit. In this wonderful book, Lindsey Medenwaldt explains what we all should have known all along—that our task is simply to make friends and eventually talk about whatever is important to us with them, including Jesus. What’s more, she is utterly credible, because in her life and with her family she has consistently practiced what she teaches. A deeply refreshing read.”
—Craig L. Blomberg, distinguished professor emeritus of New Testament, Denver Seminary

From the Publisher