‘Does God hate sex?’

‘Science disproves God.’

‘Why can’t God just forgive? Allah will.’

During walk up evangelism on campus, we are frequently confronted by questions, or statements like these. Often loaded with sentiment, it feels as if we are walking on thin ice. Knowing where to start is a daunting task.

This semester in ‘Staff Equip’, we are working out good ways to respond to tough questions. As Howies (EU staffworkers), we spend two hours every Monday morning getting trained and challenged by senior staff workers in theology. We do this alongside UTS CREDO apprentices and senior staff.

In particular, we are focusing on apologetics, in light of our EU evangelistic mission in semester two. As the mission will be done in the style of a festival, we anticipate many conversations surrounding apologetic topics that are spoken about on campus. We have identified eight key areas and are learning to tackle questions about science, Islam, gender & sexuality, the historicity of Jesus & the Gospels, the relevance of Jesus, suffering, the exclusivity of Jesus and ‘how can a good God allow judgment?’.

Though we cannot have all the answers, the hope is to gain key ways in tackling the tricky questions regarding such issues, as well as learning how to move forward in these conversations.

Personally, I have really enjoyed learning the strategies of how to approach and direct these confrontational conversations to Jesus. In particular, we have been discussing ways to help students see that there is not only one tradition of knowledge (e.g. scientifically) but rather, we can identify and gain understanding through rationality, science, history, experience and revelation.

This little taste of apologetics and biblical theology has given me a thirst to read widely and engage on a personal level. As well, it has equipped me in my ministries, both to students on campus and friends at home. Pray that there will be many tough conversations on campus and that they may lead people to know and love the Lord Jesus.