persuasive speech on christianity

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Public Speaking Tips & Speech Topics

60 Speech Topics on Religion and Spirituality [Persuasive, Informative]

Jim Peterson has over 20 years experience on speech writing. He wrote over 300 free speech topic ideas and how-to guides for any kind of public speaking and speech writing assignments at My Speech Class.

Topics for an informative speech based on the religious bible and spiritual themes such as gospels, Mormonism, and new age as part of my categorial catalog of writing. Each of them is a general theme.

A starting point to brainstorm and research. The only thing you have to do is describing their historical, cultural and social meaning.

Provide your audience all interesting facts and new data you can find. Most people really want to know more about the following series of my sorted and specialized topics for an informative speech, give them what they always wanted to know …

Remember, these are general sample ideas for topics for an informative speech. The statements are easy to narrow and tweak till all fits you.

• The history of the Bible.
• Interesting details about Noah’s ark.
• The history of Rastafarians in Jamaica.
• The origin of Christmas.
• The principles of Mormonism.
• Unknown Bible stories.
• Buddhist rituals and concepts.
• Christian denominations.
• Roman gods and goddesses.
• Founders of the major religions.
• The Five Pillars of Islam.
• The Great World religions.
• How to become a Saint in the Roman Catholic Church.
• The Ten Commandments.
• The Forgotten Apostles.
• The Bar Mitzvah ritual.
• The story of the Black Madonna.
• Cathedral architecture.
• Intelligent Design.
• The Roman Catholic clerical organization.
• Comparison of Gospels.
• Oriental Orthodoxy.
• Confucian philosophical tradition.
• The Practice of Druidry.
• Angels and what they stand for.
• Jewish Kabbalah and esoteric mystical traditions.
• The Papal election procedure.
• Protestant Reformation.
• The Qur’an Documents.
• Occult S?©ances with Ghosts.
• Plural Marriage in Mormonism.
• Religious Pilgrimages to Holy Sites.
• Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr.
• The Seven Holy Sacraments.
• The Temple Complex in Jerusalem.
• Tibetan Buddhism and the Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama.
• History of Zionism.
• Female Patron Saints.
• Code of Canon Law.
• Earth divinity beliefs and Their Roots.
• The Golden Bough Explained.
• The Holy Inquisition.
• New Age Spirituality.
• Religious Signs and Wonders.
• Who is Vishnu?
• Buddhist rituals.
• Christians have practiced religious revolution through the ages.
• Hinduism, the third largest religion.
• Priests should be allowed to marry.
• The worlds most famous holy heritage sites.
• What are reformed Baptist churches?
• Christianity has too many religious symbols.
• Fanatic religious movements are dangerous for young people.
• Maintain the separation of church and state.
• Prayers in public schools are not wrong.
• Religious people are not tolerant to other religious people.
• Religious wear must be allowed in college.
• The Ten Commandments should be displayed and explained in public buildings.
• There is nothing wrong with the contents of Ten Commandments.
• You don’t need special clothing to be baptized in.

190 Society Speech Topics [Persuasive, Informative, Argumentative]

51 Speech Topic Ideas On Food, Drink, and Cooking

4 thoughts on “60 Speech Topics on Religion and Spirituality [Persuasive, Informative]”

Topic:God gives you courage I need a speech on this topic

I need a speech on harmony in religious diversity.

Flat Earth is in the Bible. So where and how would I make that persausive?

Religion..Is it a Business entity? Should churches disclose their finances and pay taxes?

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Reflections: COMMUNICATING “MERE CHRISTIANITY”

January 2012.

"Mere Christianity” was a term adapted by C. S. Lewis from the writings of the 17th century pastor, Richard Baxter, who defined the expression as “mere Scripture Christianity,” and “the ancient, simple Christianity,” held by “all true Christians on earth.” 1  It is not a mere idea or an attempt to narrow down Christianity to the least common denominator for the sake of unity at all costs. Rather it is the essential truths of biblical, orthodox Christianity as communicated to the church by the apostles without getting caught up in secondary doctrinal divisions.

Lewis writes in his preface to his book,  Mere Christianity :

I should have been out of my depth in such waters: more in need of help myself than able to help others. And secondly, I think we must admit that the discussion of these disputed points has no tendency at all to bring an outsider into the Christian fold. So long as we write and talk about them we are much more likely to deter him entering any Christian communion than to draw him into our own. Our divisions should never be discussed except in the presence of those who have already come to believe that there is one God and that Jesus Christ is His only Son.

Finally, I got the impression that far more, and more talented, authors were already engaged in such controversial matters than in the defense of what Baxter calls ‘mere’ Christianity. That part of the line where I thought I could serve best was also the part that seemed to be thinnest. And to it I naturally went…For I am not writing to expound something I could call ‘my religion,’ but to expound ‘mere’ Christianity, which is what it is and what it was long before I was born and whether I like it or not…So far as I can judge from reviews and from the numerous letters written to me, the book, however faulty in other respects, did at least succeed in presenting an agreed, or common, or central, or ‘mere’ Christianity… Far deeper objections may be felt—and have been expressed—against my use of the word Christian to mean one who accepts the common doctrines of Christianity…The name Christians was first given at Antioch (Acts 11:26) to ‘the disciples,’ to those who accepted the teaching of the apostles.” 2

As we begin a new year let us, like C. S. Lewis, prayerfully consider how we might best present “Mere Christianity” to our unbelieving neighbors by living as Christians in thought, word, and deed.

Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.” ACTS 26:28-29 (NIV)

1  Baxter, Richard.  The Practical Works of Richard Baxter . London: Paternoster Row, 1838, pp. 83, 577, 1026. 2  Lewis, C. S.  Mere Christianity . New York: Simon & Schuster – A Touchstone Book, 1996, pp. 6-11.

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• Types of Sources
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This guide was created to take you along a step by step process to develop a speech. It is mainly focused on helping you brainstorm, identify, and define a topic to research.

This is a general guide, so it may vary from your classroom assignments. As always, refer to your professor and syllabus for your project requirements. 

Narrow Your Topic

Evaluate your topic, cite your sources.

Consider these questions:

• What subjects or ideas interest you?
• What kinds of life experience do you have?
• What kinds of issues have affected you or people you care about?
• Do you have a passion about an idea, a question, a subject? How can you explain or describe it such that others might be passionate about it as well?
• Does your subject have an edge? Does the topic have passionate supporters and opponents as well as being logical and reasonable? Is it debatable? Is it an unsolved problem?

A good practice is to make a list of ideas. As an example, here is an imaginary student’s list of ideas:

With the topics on your list, ask yourself these questions:

• Which topics are most worthy of your time?
• Why is your topic significant?
• Does it work with my assignment? (Is your speech informative, persuasive, etc.)

It is often beneficial (unless the topic is given or encouraged) to avoid heavily discussed topics. This helps to keep the speech interesting rather than giving an audience information they hear regularly.

Overused topics may include abortion, global warming, affirmative action, the death penalty, recycling, and sex and violence in the media. There is always a possibility to find an interesting angle or portion of the topic, but make sure you verify it with a professor first.

Let's take our student's list as an example. Our student might not want to write a speech on recycling, but maybe they have a a great way to reuse/remake something that is normally thrown out. This could work as a topic for a demonstration speech, though they would need to have the topic approved.

What are some other topics ideas from this list?

One way to develop these ideas is to make a concept map. Below is a sample of the student's concept map if they focused on knitting.

• Concept Mapping

Now this particular student enjoys mysteries and crime shows, because they like to figure out who the culprit is. The student needs to write an informative speech, and decides that they could inform others on how to solve mysteries.

Since it is a very large topic, the student decides to focus on helping people solve mysteries by informing them on how to tell if someone is lying .

After narrowing the topic, evaluate your speech to see if it is a good fit for your assignment.

• If it takes a while to explain your topic is either too complicated or too broad. Consider your time requirements and if you can adequately discuss the topic.
• Begin to focus on what you want to say and why. Part of this will already be dictated by the type of speech you are assigned. Making a concept map can help provide you with ideas.
• Who will hear the information? Will they have experience with the topic? What other factors will influence how they will interpret the information?
• You will want to use solid, scholarly information on the topic. General information might be easy to find, but you will need facts and research to back up your claims and information.

In our example the student’s evaluation would look like this:

Write out your research question or thesis statement. Underline words that you believe best represent the main ideas.

How can we determine if someone is lying to us?

Second, create a list of synonyms for each word you underlined and use these terms to search for resources.

Lying OR lie-spotting Face perception Body language. Deception.

You can add additional terms as you survey what is available:

Lying OR Deception AND workplace or business Friendship or workplace or business

As you gather resources be sure to evaluate the resources!

Check out the Searching Strategies for Websites and Databases for more tips. Check out the Evaluating Resources page to avoid choosing bad sources for your projects!

There are lots of reasons to provide references to the sources that you use.

Your audience may want to know how to investigate your topic further. By providing your resources you are helping others who are interested in the same topic.

You also need to credit the people who did the research you are using otherwise you will be claiming it is your own (even if unintentionally doing so). Plagiarism is a serious offense.

Here is a definition of plagiarism:

“Plagiarism is appropriating someone else's words or ideas without acknowledgment. To understand plagiarism we must consider two questions: (1) How is plagiarism like or unlike theft— (2) Why is plagiarism considered wrong; why should we acknowledge the originator of an idea.”

(Encyclopedia of Ethics. London: Routledge, 2001. Credo Reference. 17 April 2009 <http://www.credoreference.com/entry/7915618>.)

Just like in college writing, speeches should provide your audience with verbal cues to the information you have used: the SOURCE where you found your information. (This might be an interview, scholarly article, book, or website, etc.); the AUTHOR, when available, and the DATE when your source was published or accessed (for web sources and interviews).

Here are three ways to incorporate citations for your speech:

• Use quotation marks to attribute words of another person on your note cards. You can express quotations in your speech in several ways.
• Provide credit or citation such that the audience can trace back to the original source.
• Paraphrasing the main ideas WITH correct attribution.  A paraphrase will replace some of the words while keeping the main idea of the original work.

For more information on how to cite sources, see the “Citation” page in this guide.

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14.6 Sample Persuasive Speech Outlines

Sample Outline : Persuasive Speech Using Topical Pattern

By Janet Aguilar

Specific Purpose: To persuade my classmates to eliminate their Facebook use.

Introduction: There she was late into the night, still wide awake staring at her phone’s screen. In fact, she had to be at work early in the morning, but scrolling through her Facebook account kept her awake. That girl was me before I deactivated my Facebook account. I honestly could not tell you how many hours I spent on Facebook. In the survey that I presented to you all, one person admitted to spending “too much” time on Facebook. That was me in the past; I spent too much time on Facebook. Time is precious, and once it is gone it does not return. So why do you spend precious time on Facebook? Time that could be spent with family, resting, or just being more productive.

Thesis/Preview: Facebook users should eliminate their usage because Facebook can negatively affect their relationships with others, their sleeping patterns and health, and their ability to focus on school work.

I. Family relationships can be affected by your Facebook usage.

A. In the survey conducted in class, 11 of 15 students confessed to having ignored someone while they were speaking.

1. Found myself ignoring my children while they spoke.

2. Noticed other people doing the same thing especially in parks and restaurants.

B. According to Lynn Postell-Zimmerman on hg.org, Facebook has become a leading cause for divorce.

C. In the United States, 1 in 5 couples mentioned Facebook as a reason for divorce in 2009.

Transition: We have discussed how Facebook usage can lead to poor relationships with people, next we will discuss how Facebook can affect your sleep patterns and health.

II. Facebook usage can negatively affect your sleep patterns and health.

A. Checking Facebook before bed.

1. In my survey 11 students said they checked their Facebook account before bed.

2. Staying on Facebook for long hours before bed.

B. Research has shown that Facebook can cause depression, anxiety, and addiction.

1. According to researchers Steels, Wickham and Acitelli in an article in the Journal of Social & Clinical Psychology titled “Seeing everyone else’s highlight reels: How Facebook usage is linked to depressive symptoms,” because Facebook users only view the positive of their friend’s life, they become unhappy with their life and it can lead to becoming depressed and unhappy.

2. Marissa Maldonado on psychcentral.com concluded from recent studies that “Facebook increases people’s anxiety levels by making them feel inadequate and generating excess worry and stress.”

3. Facebook addiction is a serious issue, according to the article “Too much Facebook leads to anger and depression” found on cnn.com and written by Cara Reedy.

a. Checking Facebook everywhere we go is a sign of addiction

b. Not being able to deactivate your Facebook account.

Transitions: Many of you have probably never thought of Facebook as a threat to your health, but we will now review how it can affect you as a college student.

III. Facebook negatively affects students.

A. I often found myself on Facebook instead of doing schoolwork.

B. I was constantly checking Facebook, which takes away from study time.

C. I also found myself checking Facebook while in class, which can lead to poor grades and getting in trouble with the professor.

D. A study of over 1,800 college students showed a negative relationship between amount of Facebook time and GPA, as reported by Junco in a 2012 article titled “Too much face and not enough books” from the journal Computers and Human Behavior.

Conclusion: In conclusion, next time you log on to Facebook, try deactivating your account for a few days and see the difference. You will soon see how it can bring positive changes in your family relationships, will avoid future health problems, will help you sleep better, and will improve your school performance. Instead of communicating through Facebook, try visiting or calling your close friends. Deactivating my account truly helped me, and I can assure you we all can survive without Facebook.

Junco, R. (2012). Too much face and not enough books: The relationship between multiple indices of Facebook use and academic performance.  Computers in Human Behavior, 28(1), 187-198.

Maldonado, M. (2014). The anxiety of Facebook. Psych Central. Retrieved from http://psychcentral.com/lib/the-anxiety-of-facebook/

Postell-Zimmerman, L. (1995–2015). Facebook has become a leading cause in divorce cases . HG.org. Retrieved from http://www.hg.org/article.asp?id=27803

Reedy, C. (2015, March 2). Too much Facebook leads to envy and depression . CNNMoney. Retrieved from http://money.cnn.com/2015/03/02/technology/facebook-envy/

Steers, M. L. N., Wickham, R. E., & Acitelli, L. K. (2014). Seeing everyone else’s highlight reels: How Facebook usage is linked to depressive symptoms . Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 33(8), 701-731. DOI:10.1521/jscp.2014.33.8.701

Sample Outline : Persuasive Speech Using Monroe’s Motivated Sequence Pattern Speech to Actuate: Sponsoring a Child in Poverty

Specific Purpose: To actuate my audience to sponsor a child through an agency such as Compassion International.

Introduction (Attention Step)

I. How much is $38? That answer depends on what you make, what you are spending it for, and what you get back for it. (Grabber)

II. $38 per month breaks down to a little more than $1.25 per day, which is probably what you spend on a snack or soda in the break room. For us, it’s not very much. (Rapport)

III. I found out that I can provide better health care, nutrition, and even education for a child in Africa, South America, or Asia for $38 per month by sponsoring a child through Compassion International. (Credibility)

IV. If I can do it, maybe you can too: (Bridge)

Thesis: Through a minimal donation each month, you can make the life of a child in the developing world much better.

Preview: In the next few minutes, I would like to discuss the problem, the work of organizations that offer child sponsorships, how research shows they really do alleviate poverty, and what you can do to change the life of a child.

I. The problem is the continued existence and effects of poverty. (Need Step)

A. Poverty is real and rampant in much of the world.

1. According to a 2018 report of the Secretary General of the United Nations, 9.2% of the world lives on less than $1.90 per day.

a. That is 600 million people on the planet.

2. This number is supported by the World Poverty clock of the World Data Lab, which states that 8% of the world’s population lives in extreme poverty.

a. The good news is that this number is one third of what it was in 1990, mostly due to the rising middle class in Asia.

b. The bad news is that 70% of the poor will live in Africa, with Nigeria labeled the “Poverty Capital of the World,” according to the Brookings Institute.

B. Poverty means children do not get adequate health care.

1. One prevalent but avoidable disease is malaria, which takes the lives of 3000 children every day, according to UNICEF.

2. According to the World Health Organization, diarrheal diseases claimed 2.46 million lives in 2012 and is the second leading cause of death of children under 5.

C. Poverty means children do not get adequate nutrition, as stated in a report from UNICEF.

1. Inadequate nutrition leads to stunted growth.

2. Undernutrition contributes to more than one third of all deaths in children under the age of five.

D. Poverty means children are unlikely to reach adult age, according to the CIA World Factbook quoted on the Info please website.

1. Child mortality rate in Africa is 8.04% (percentage dying before age 5), while in North America it is 0.64%

2. Life expectancy in sub-Saharan Africa is almost 30 years less than in the U.S.

E. Poverty also means children are unlikely to receive education and be trained for profitable work.

1. Nearly a billion people entered the 21st century unable to read a book or sign their names, states the Global Issues website on Poverty Facts.

2. UNESCO, a part of the United Nations, reports that less than a third of adults in sub-Saharan Africa have completed primary education.

Transition: Although in all respects poverty is better in 2019 than it has been in the past, poverty is still pervasive and needs to be addressed. Fortunately, some great organizations have been addressing this for many years.

II. Some humanitarian organizations address poverty directly through child sponsorships. (Satisfaction Step)

A. These organizations vary in background but not in purpose. The following information is gleaned from each organization’s websites.

1. Compassion International is faith-based, evangelical.

a. Around since the early 1950s, started in Korea.

b. Budget of $887 Million.

c. Serves 1.92 million babies, children, and young adults.

d. Works through local community centers and established churches.

2. World Vision is faith-based, evangelical.

a. Around since the 1950s.

b. Budget of far over $1 Billion.

c. 60% goes to local community programs but more goes to global networks, so that 86% goes to services.

d. World Vision has more extensive services than child sponsorship, such as water purification and disaster relief.

e. Sponsors three million children across six continents.

3. Children International is secular.

a. Around since 1936.

b. Budget of $125 Million.

c. 88% of income goes directly to programs and children.

d. Sponsors children in ten countries on four continents.

e. Sponsors X across X continents

4. Save the Children is secular, though…

a. One hundred years of history, began in post WWI Europe.

b. Budget of $880 Million.

c. 87% goes to services.

d. Sponsors 134 million children in 120 countries, including 450,000 in U.S.

5. There are other similar organizations, such as ChildFund and PlanUSA.

B. These organizations work directly with local community, on-site organizations.

1. The children are involved in a program, such as after school.

2. The children live with their parents and siblings.

3. The sponsor’s donation goes for medicine, extra healthy, nutritious food, shoes for school, and other items.

4. Sponsors can also help donate for birthdays and holidays to the whole family to buy food or farm animals.

Transition: Of course, any time we are donating money to an organization, we want to be sure our money is being effectively and ethically used.

III. This concern should be addressed in two ways: Is the money really helping, and are the organizations honest? (Continuation of Satisfaction Step)

A. The organizations’ honesty can be investigated.

1. You can check through Charity Navigator.

2. You can check through the Better Business Bureau-Charity.

3. You can check through Charity Watch.

4. You can check through the organizations’ websites.

B. Secondly, is sponsoring a child effective? Yes.

1. According to Bruce Wydick, Professor of Economics at the University of San Francisco, child sponsorship is the fourth most effective strategy for addressing poverty, behind water purification, mosquito nets, and deworming treatments.

2. Dr. Wydick and colleagues’ work has been published in the prestigious Journal of Political Economy from the University of Chicago.

3. He states, “Two researchers and I recently carried out a study (sponsored by the U.S. Agency for International Development) on the long-term impacts of Compassion International’s child sponsorship program. The study, gathering data from over 10,000 individuals in six countries, found substantial impact on adult life outcomes for children who were sponsored through Compassion’s program during the 1980s and ’90s…In adulthood, formerly sponsored children were far more likely to complete secondary school and had a much higher chance of having a white-collar job. They married and had children later in life, were more likely to be church and community leaders, were less likely to live in a home with a dirt floor and more likely to live in a home with electricity.”

Transition: To this point, I have spoken of global problems and big solutions. Now I want to bring it down to real life with one example.

IV. I’d like to use my sponsored child, Ukwishaka in Rwanda, as an example of how you can. (Visualization Step)

A. I have sponsored her for five years.

B. She is now ten years old.

C. She lives with two siblings and both parents.

D. She writes me, I write her back, and we share photos at least every two months.

E. The organization gives me reports on her project.

F. I hope one day to go visit her.

G. I believe Ukwishaka now knows her life can be more, can be successful.

Transition: We have looked at the problem of childhood poverty and how reliable, stable nongovernmental organizations are addressing it through child sponsorships. Where does that leave you?

V. I challenge you to sponsor a child like Ukwishaka. (Action Step)

A. Although I sponsor her through Compassion International, there are other organizations.

B. First, do research.

C. Second, look at your budget and be sure you can do this.

1. You don’t want to start and have to stop.

2. Look for places you “waste” money during the month and could use it this way.

3. Fewer snacks from the break room, fewer movies at the Cineplex, brown bag instead of eating out.

D. Talk to a representative at the organization you like.

E. Discuss it with your family.

F. Take the plunge. If you do…

1. Write your child regularly.

2. Consider helping the family, or getting friends to help with extra gifts.

I. In this speech, we have taken a look at the state of poverty for children on this planet, at organizations that are addressing it through child sponsorships, at the effectiveness of these programs, and what you can do.

II. My goal today was not to get an emotional response, but a realistically compassionate one.

III. You have probably heard this story before but it bears repeating. A little girl was walking with her mother on the beach, and the sand was covered with starfish. The little girl wanted to rescue them and send them back to the ocean and kept throwing them in. “It won’t matter, Honey,” said her mother. “You can’t get all of them back in the ocean.” “But it will matter to the ones that I do throw back,” the little girl answered.

IV. We can’t sponsor every child, but we can one, maybe even two. As Forest Witcraft said, “What will matter in 100 years is that I made a difference in the life of a child.” Will you make a difference?

AGScientific. (2019). Top ten deadly diseases in the world. Retrieved from http://agscientific.com/blog/2016/04/top-10-deadly-diseases/

Compassion International. (2019). Financial integrity: The impact of our compassion. Retrieved from https://www.compassion.com/about/financial.htm

Exploring Public Speaking 285 Chapter 13: Persuasive Speaking Children’s International. (2019). Accountability. Retrieved from https://www.children.org/learn-more/accountability

Global Issues. (2013, January 7). Poverty facts and stats. Retrieved from http://www.globalissues.org/article/26/poverty-facts-and-stats

Infoplease. (2019). What life expectancy really means . Retrieved from https://www.infoplease.com/world/health-and-social-statistics/life-expectancy-countries-0

Kharas, H., Hamel, K., & Hofer, M. (2018, Dec. 13). Rethinking global poverty reduction in 2019 . Retrieved from https://www.brookings.edu/blog/future-development/2018/12/13/rethinking-global-poverty-reduction-in-2019/

Roser, M. (2019). Child and infant mortality rates . Retrieved from https://ourworldindata.org/child-mortality

Save the Children. (2019). Financial information . Retrieved from https://www.savethechildren.org/us/about-us/financial-information

UNICEF. (2008). Tracking progress on child and maternal nutrition: A survival and development priority . Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/publications/files/Tracking_Progress_on_Child_and_Maternal_Nutrition_EN_110309.pdf

UNICEF (2019). The reality of Malaria . Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/health/files/health_africamalaria.pdf

United Nations. (2019). Poverty eradication . Retrieved from https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/topics/povertyeradication

World Vision. (2019). Financial accountability . Retrieved from https://www.worldvision.org/about-us/financial-accountability-2

Wydick, B., Glewwe, P., & Rutledge, L. (2013). Does international child sponsorship work? A six-country study of impacts on adult life outcomes. Journal of Political Economy, 121(2), 393–436. https://doi.org/10.1086/670138

Wydick, B. (2012, Feb.). Cost-effective compassion . Christianity Today, 56(2), 24-29.

Wydick, B. (2013). Want to change the world? Sponsor a child. Christianity Today.

It’s About Them: Public Speaking in the 21st Century Copyright © 2022 by LOUIS: The Louisiana Library Network is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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C. s. lewis, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

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Book Two of Mere Christianity is largely concerned with the Christian definition of God—the almighty being who creates the moral law (as discussed in Book One—see above). As Lewis shows, Christians define God as an all-powerful being of infinite goodness. Right away, such a definition raises an important point—if God is infinitely moral and powerful, how could he allow pain, suffering, and other forms of evil in the world? In order to resolve this problem…

Christianity and Practice

In the third and fourth parts of his book, Lewis moves from an analysis of the logical bases for Christianity to a discussion of how a Christian lives—i.e., how to translate God’s teachings into one’s day-to-day existence. Lewis emphasizes the importance of Christian “practice ” : rituals, ceremonies, and other religious behaviors (e.g., praying, going to church, giving money to charity, etc.) that must be repeated again and again, sometimes against the Christian’s own will…

Faith, Works, and Salvation

One of the cornerstones of Christianity is the debate between “faith and works.” Traditionally, certain Christian sects and denominations (especially Protestant sects) emphasize the importance of “faith alone”—in other words, these sects maintain that Christians need only believe in the divinity and sacrifice of Jesus Christ in order to go to Heaven. Then there are other branches of Christianity (such as Catholicism) that emphasize the importance of good “works”; in other words, performing good deeds…

Christianity and the Two Kinds of “Life”

In the fourth part of Mere Christianity , Lewis studies the process by which a human being spends a lifetime preparing for salvation. In Lewis’s view, there are two distinct kinds of life: first, the material, biological life of earthly beings (or bios ); second, the spiritual, eternal life of Jesus Christ and his followers (or zoe ). Lewis develops a complex theory of how humans transition from bios to zoe —in short, a scientific…

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Open-Handed Communication: The Rhetoric of Christian Persuasion

“Do you know how you can act or speak about rhetoric so as to please God best?”

(Socrates in Plato’s Phaedrus ) [1]

The epigraph above is selected from the five pages of thought-provoking quotations that open Os Guinness’s provocative and insightful book Fool’s Talk: Recovering the Art of Christian Persuasion . I was kindly sent a free review copy of Fool’s Talk by the publisher, but since Bob Trube has already reviewed the book for this blog, I have decided instead to reflect on one theme of particular interest to me that Fool’s Talk touches upon.

Guinness’s manifesto for Christian persuasion insists that there is no single formula for sharing our faith in a winsome and compelling way, and that “formulaic, cookie-cutter approaches to evangelism and apologetics” can do more harm than good. [2] Instead, he advocates creative, imaginative and “subversive” ways for Christians to respond to individuals with different felt needs, desires, experiences, and convictions. While Guinness does not dismiss rational propositional arguments (and indeed sees them as vital at the right time), he insists that other approaches are also needed, particularly in contemporary Western culture where many respond more immediately to image and narrative.

One of the unexpected resources that Guinness holds up as a model for Christians who want to communicate winsomely is the tradition of classical rhetoric formulated by Greek and Roman writers such as Aristotle and Cicero. Though not the central focus of Fool’s Talk , this strand jumped out to me since I am in the process of writing a book on the use of rhetoric in English puritan writing of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. While my research is largely historical in focus, it touches on some of the same questions that Guinness raises as relevant to Christian communicators today.

In common parlance, “rhetoric” often has negative connotations of insincere and empty speech (especially in the political realm). However, the historic meaning of rhetoric is the art of persuasion. Using this broad definition of rhetoric, Christian witness is inherently rhetorical, since the gospel (as Guinness rightly emphasises) advances through persuasion and not coercion.

Aristotle’s Art of Rhetoric identifies three key dimensions of persuasion— logos (appeal to reason), pathos (appeal to emotion), and ethos (the perceived credibility of the speaker). For some classical rhetoricians (though not all), the true orator had to be sincere in order to present a credible ethos , and Guinness references this understanding of rhetorical ethos : “The first and indispensable requirement for classical rhetoric had always been ethos , the moral character of a speaker that supported the power of his logos , his rational argument.” [3] For Guinness, this underlines the need for those who represent Christ to have an integrity that gives credibility to their words, a credibility that the Church in its various expressions has sometimes sadly lacked.

Guinness notes that “A striking feature of the early Christian centuries was the number of Christian leaders who were trained in rhetoric, even teachers of rhetoric, and acclaimed orators.” [4] He mentions Gregory of Nazianzus, John Chrysostom, and, notably, St Augustine of Hippo. Augustine, who prior to his conversion was a teacher of rhetoric, was first enticed to listen to the preaching of Ambrose, bishop of Milan, by his eloquence.

Nevertheless, Guinness, along with Augustine, recognises that eloquence is not always deployed in the service of truth, and so rhetoric is a tool whose use is ethically ambivalent:

As a well-trained orator, St. Augustine was honest in facing up to the temptation of using words as power. He admitted that in his pre-Christian days as a “word merchant” ( venditor verborum ), “I always used to win more arguments than was good for me. … The hot-headedness of a young man soon hardened into pig-headedness.” [5]

Augustine’s words here are a helpful caution to those of us in academia who are tempted to place winning arguments for the sake of personal or professional pride over a humble sharing of truth in service of others. (Anxieties about the capacities of rhetoric to deceive are present even in pre-Christian classical antiquity in works such as Plato’s Phaedrus .) In contrast to this self-serving rhetoric, Guinness cites the Renaissance polymath scholar Erasmus of Rotterdam’s pursuit of a “persuasion through pleasing discourse” modelled on Jesus, whom Erasmus called “the persuasiveness of God”. [6] While we should seek to communicate winsomely, inelegantly expressed truth is to be preferred to rhetorically skilled deception.

In his conclusion, Guinness draws attention to a vivid analogy attributed to the classical philosopher Zeno of Citium and often cited by Renaissance educators: the contrast between the closed fist representing logic and the open palm representing rhetoric. Guinness links this to two modes of Christian persuasion present in the early centuries of the Church, which he summarises as follows:

One was a closed fist . This represented the  dissuasoria , the negative side of apologetics that used all the higher strengths of human reason in defense of truth. Mustering all the powers of reason, logic, evidence and argument, closed-fist apologetics had the task of answering every question, countering every objection, and dismantling false objections to the faith and to knowing God. In the words of St. Paul: “ We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor 10:5). The other symbol was the open hand . This represented the  persuasoria , the positive side of apologetics that used all the highest strengths of human creativity in the defense of truth. Expressing the love and compassion of Jesus, and using eloquence, creativity, imagination, humor and irony, open-hand apologetics had the task of helping to pry open hearts and minds that, for a thousand reasons, had long grown resistant to God’s great grace, so that it could shine in like the sun. [7]

Though Guinness believes that both modes of communication are essential, Fool’s Talk argues that it is the latter, open-handed kind of imaginative communication that is particularly in need of revival in our time. I agree.

[1] Os Guinness, Fool’s Talk: Recovering the Art of Christian Persuasion (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2015), p. 7, citing Plato, Phaedrus 267a–b (also cited with discussion on p. 173).

[2] Guinness, Fool’s Talk , p. 17.

[3] Guinness, Fool’s Talk , p. 65.

[4] Guinness, Fool’s Talk , p. 171.

[5] Guinness, Fool’s Talk , p. 170, citing Peter Brown, Augustine of Hippo (London: Faber & Faber, 1967), p. 48.

[6] Guinness, Fool’s Talk , p. 170, citing Roland Bainton, Erasmus of Christendom (New York: Scribners, 1969), p. 140.

[7] Guinness, Fool’s Talk , p. 253.

About the author:

David Parry

David Parry currently teaches early modern/Renaissance English literature and practical criticism for various colleges of the University of Cambridge, where he pursued his undergraduate and graduate studies. He greatly enjoyed a year’s postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Toronto before returning to Cambridge, and appreciates the ongoing friendships forged there. He is currently writing a book entitled Puritanism and Persuasion: The Rhetoric of Conversion and the Conversion of Rhetoric, and has published articles on various sixteenth- and seventeenth-century topics. He is an Associate Editor of The Glass, the journal of the Christian Literary Studies Group (UK). He is also involved in the Cambridge University Christian Graduate Society and in Christians in the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (CHAS), an informal group of Christian graduate students and academics interested in relating their faith to their studies. Some of his academic work can be viewed at https://cambridge.academia.edu/DavidParry.

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Persuasion ? the centre piece of effective evangelism.

Persuasion is a pivotal word in understanding evangelism, but it has for a long time been overlooked. I have been to countless ‘training sessions’ and read numerous books on evangelism, where neither the word nor even the idea have been mentioned at all. Even a Dictionary of Apologetics and an Encyclopaedia of Apologetics on my shelves do not have entries under the ‘P’ word. Yet, if you take persuasion out of evangelism, you are left with unpersuasive evangelism.

My concordance tells me that the English word (used as a noun, verb or adjective) occurs fifteen times in the New Testament (the relevant Greek words are peitho/peithos/peismone ). Here are the main examples:

“The chief priests and the scribes persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.” (Matthew 27:20) “(the people) were persuaded that John (the Baptist) was a prophet.” (Luke 20:6) “(Gamaliel’s) speech persuaded them.” (Acts 5:40) “Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas.” (Acts 17:4) “Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.” (Acts 18:4) “This man is persuading the people to worship God.” (Acts 18:13) “(Paul was) arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God.” (Acts 19:8) “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to become a Christian?” (Acts 26:28) “Since then we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men.” (2 Corinthians 5:11)

So often in contemporary evangelism the emphasis is given to proclaiming and explaining the gospel to the complete neglect of trying to persuade people that it is true.

Why Has Persuasion Been Ignored?

Some thirty years ago, I heard a famous and influential English evangelist put it like this: “A man won by an argument is at the mercy of a better argument. Instead, we must bring people into an experience of Christ.”

I wasn’t quick witted enough to point out that a person won by an experience is at the mercy of a better experience! However, his viewpoint was widely shared and highlighted a subjective and relative approach to truth. It was very post-modern. Interestingly, this popular preacher often used cultural references and quotations from famous people in his sermons. His talks had a veneer of intellectualism about them but he never presented sustained intellectual arguments. A quote from Nietzsche may decorate a talk, but an exploration of Nietzsche’s meaning did not follow.

Evangelism was about the heart not the head. In particular, there was no vision for “pulling down strongholds, demolishing arguments and every lofty idea raised up against the knowledge of God and taking every thought captive in obedience to Christ” as Paul put it (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).

This style of preaching usually assumed the existence of God and the reliability of the Scriptures. There was no encouragement to ask questions. So it became increasingly irrelevant as people were seriously unpersuaded about God and believed little or nothing about the gospel Christ.

The law of diminishing returns set in where only those on the fringes of the church were responding to evangelism. And even for them, simply telling the story and explaining the gospel was not enough. Others had lost interest. Evangelism was addressed to subjective needs, to the neglect of objective truthfulness. People felt that ‘Religion was for the religious’ and those of a temperament to crave after such things.

Now Europe has largely forgotten its Christian heritage and many Christians look on in despair. However, we need to encourage ourselves that there was a time when the name of Christ was unheard of in Europe, yet the early Christians took paganism by storm. If we are going to have a similar impact today, we must look closely at what they actually did and how they described their evangelism. ‘Persuasion’ sparkles from the pages of the New Testament as a forgotten jewel.

What Then is Persuasion?

Vine’s Dictionary of New Testament Words describes peitho as follows:

To prevail upon or win over, to bring about a change of mind by the influence of reason or moral considerations.

The Shorter Oxford Dictionary includes these ideas for persuade :

Successfully urge to do; talk into or out of an action; attract in a particular direction; cause to believe a statement or truth; to urge strongly; try to convince; lead a person to believe by argument; to talk earnestly with a person in order to secure agreement; to carry conviction; be convincing.

In terms of Gamaliel’s persuasive speech, the crowd were furious until he came forward (Acts 5:33). Why was he persuasive? Several factors are implied. Firstly we are told that he was “honoured by the people” , that is, he was held in high regard. They knew he was worth listening to. The man was credible.

Secondly, he put the Christians, who had caused the disturbance, out of the room. Then, presumably when tempers had quietened down, he addressed them.

He started, “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do.” He then told them two lessons from history, where rebellions had fizzled out when the leaders had been killed. “Therefore, in the present case, I advise you, leave these men alone … lest you find yourselves fighting against God.” His was the cooling voice of sweet reason – and his speech persuaded them.

So it wasn’t just the apparent logic of his argument, although it seemed reasonable enough to them. He was a wise old bird, who knew a thing or two, and was greatly respected. Furthermore, he attended to practicalities. He first quelled the atmosphere to enable them to give him the attention he needed. Then he presented his argument gently, “Therefore, in the present case, I advise you…” He wasn’t dogmatic and cock-sure of himself. He did not rant. But his case was reasonable enough and it won the day. So there was much more going on here than relentless intellectual logic. He won their trust.

At Thessalonica, we read that Paul in the synagogue was engaged in dialogue (Acts 17:2-4). He was explaining and proving from the Scriptures about the promised Messiah, and he described this activity as “proclaiming Christ” . Luke records that the result was that many people were “persuaded” .

We are led to believe that they came to this conclusion because Paul was answering their questions in dialogue (Greek word dialegomai , usually translated as ‘reasoned’), explaining and demonstrating from scripture that the Messiah must suffer and rise from the dead. This was for Paul the normal way he proclaimed the gospel in the synagogue to the Jews (see verse 2 “As his custom was…” ). We need to note also his very different approach to non-Jews in Acts 14:15-17, Acts 17: 22-31, where he argued from their culture, not Scripture.

How Then Should We Do It?

Clearly from these two examples, there is more going on here than philosophical logic. Gamaliel wasn’t just playing a mind game. Surely, this was why Peter wrote that we should be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks “with gentleness and respect” .

I have to say that I cringe from raucous preachers, people who shout at their audiences, wave their arms about and try to whip up their emotions, instead of talking to them like normal human beings, with reason, gentleness and respect. Such preachers are in my view an appalling model for good evangelism.

Our bearing in evangelism matters. Our credibility is at stake. Can this man be taken seriously? Is he reasonable? Is he arrogant? Is he nice? Perhaps, even, is he ‘human’? Does he stand ‘six foot above contradiction’? Has he marked his notes in the margin, “Argument weak – shout louder!” Persuasion is not a matter of battering people into submission.

Vine’s Dictionary , quoted above, brings out the place not just of reason but of “moral considerations” . This reminds us that the message itself appeals to the conscience, bringing conviction about its intrinsic goodness and I take it that the character of the messenger must be consistent with it in the way he delivers it.

Listen to Paul:

We have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.  (2 Corinthians 4:2)

However, that does not give us licence to use sloppy arguments in a good cause. We should research and present the best case we can, argued as tightly as possible. Why? Well, we read that Paul in Ephesus was “arguing persuasively” , so it must be possible to argue unpersuasively! In fact, I know it is. I have heard lots of unpersuasive arguments. It clearly is not enough to be nice and kind, if we are not also convincing.

Neither is it enough for our message to appear plausible but ultimately be found to be unsubstantial. There is nothing to be gained by making out that our case for belief is better than it is. Exaggeration is a form of deception. Better to understate our arguments – and let the enquirer discover later that they are better than he first realised – than to overstate them.

But, you might object, we are also told that Paul said of his visit to Corinth that his preaching was “not with wise and persuasive words” (1 Corinthians 2:4). Doesn’t this refute my argument? Many have suggested that Paul regretted his approach to the Athenians and adopted a non-intellectual approach subsequently. I call this the Corinthian Heresy. There is absolutely nothing in the text to suggest he changed his approach as any comparison with Luke’s description of Paul at work in Athens, Corinth and Ephesus will show (see Acts 17-19).

There is some important background information here to help us understand the particular difficulties Paul encountered. Greek oratory continued to flourish in the Roman world and Corinth was noted for its visiting orators (no television in those days!). They were generally young men of athletic build and enormous self-confidence, who could speak, it seems, on any subject requested of them and entertain their audiences with flowing words, dramatic gestures and empty rhetoric.

The Roman General, Mark Anthony (of Cleopatra fame), trained as a public orator. Plutarch records that his style of oratory “had much in common with Anthony’s own mode of life. It was boastful, insolent, and full of empty bravado and misguided aspirations!” [1]

When Corinthians heard Paul, they expected him to be another visiting orator but he could not compete. Far from bravado and athleticism, he was anxious and weak. Furthermore, he only had one message that he had come to speak about and he was not prepared to entertain audiences according to their requests. And he was not relying on an impressive flow of powerful rhetoric but on the power of God himself (1 Corinthians 2:1-4).

For those expecting to hear a visiting orator, Paul was a big disappointment. That does not mean that he did not try to present his message convincingly. In fact, it is clear that he did (Acts 18:4, 8; 2 Corinthians 5:11).

This raises another important matter. Should we worry about the words we use? Do we need to be careful about language? Well, I think Luke thought so. His Greek was eloquent. It surely is important that people find us easy and interesting to listen to. Think of good broadcasters that people love to hear. Or journalists whose columns are widely read and discussed. They all have worked hard on their communication skills. We should not throw up unnecessary obstacles of poor diction, limited vocabulary, unimaginative phrases or monotonous voices.

If anyone has shown in our generation the power of eloquent language to get across the Christian message it is surely John Stott. He is a great word-smith and his prose is immaculate. When I was a student, I used to listen to him regularly and particularly enjoyed his final summaries. Why? Because he would re-express the essentials of his exposition with entirely new and imaginative phrases. I would find myself asking, “Did he talk about that?” and then realise that he did but has now expressed it in a new context, that sent a new set of connecting thoughts running through my mind. I defy anyone to produce a passage of boring prose from the craftsmanship of Dr Stott! His book sales speak for themselves. It is interesting that the new – and excellent – biography about him [2] reveals that that he learned to use precision in his speech from his pedantic father.

Words are our tools. We don’t want blunt instruments to bludgeon people with but precision instruments to cut through to the heart of the matter. (Stott’s father was a doctor – he knew about scalpels!) We need to sharpen our word skills, increase our vocabularies, consider our sentence constructions and feel the force of poetry to find the words that connect with and stir the imagination.

In our daily speaking we use a very limited range of words – words we know well and are confident about their meanings. The moment we start writing or prepare a talk, we use a much broader range. Interesting words come to mind and we may wonder what their precise meaning and range of meanings is. We find ourselves asking, “Is this the appropriate word to use here?” Earlier, I quoted from the Shorter Oxford Dictionary . My two-volume tome sits on the shelf immediately behind my rotating chair and I refer to it regularly. “What is the etymology of this word? Is it actually the word I want? Is there a better word?”

And why should we learn to love words? Because God loves the Word and the Word became flesh and the Word said exactly what God wanted to say to us. The word came in a highly accessible format! He took great care over the Word he sent us, and we should take great care over the words we send out. Paul denounced empty words, vacuous rhetoric and human wisdom but was at great pains to make sure his message from God was clear and on target.

Is Persuasion Enough?

Where does the work of the Holy Spirit come in, to bring about conversion? Certainly persuasion is not the same as conversion. Our task is to persuade people that God has revealed himself in Christ. The Spirit of Holiness convicts people of sin, righteousness and judgement. The Spirit of Truth exposes falsehood, convicting people that the Gospel is true and that Christ can be trusted. Our tasks are both to pray and to persuade. It is God’s task to transform.

The gospel then appeals to the heart, will, emotions, conscience, intellect and the imagination. And we need to keep all these matters in mind if we are to be effective Christian Persuaders.

[1] Plutarch, Life of Mark Anthony , section 2.

[2] Roger Steer, Inside Story – the Life of John Stott . (IVP, 2009).

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Everything begins with an idea!

Christianity Essay Topics

Christianity is the world’s biggest religion, boasting of way over 2 billion followers. Christianity has played a significant role in shaping the world societies in general. Everything about Christianity is documented in the golden book known as the Bible. The bible tells of Christianity in two different forms, one as an old version of the new one.

In other words, Christianity information and guidelines are printed in the Old and New testaments.  The two versions of Christianity tell of the supremacy and forgiving nature of God. However, the New Testament version tells more of Jesus as the son of God sent to save the world from the first sin committed in the Old Testament.

In many instances, academic inquiries have always avoided mentioning issues to do with faith. But we all understand that mentioning and digging deeper into the societies and human history without acknowledging the supreme beings behind the formation of such societies and humans is useless. Christianity works on that part of the study, and it’s currently the most followed religion globally.

• You can write Christianity essays from any angle of view, but it’s always advisable you use hot Christianity essay topics for you to woo readers and create attentions.
• How did Christianity come to be, and when was that?
• The twelve disciplines of Jesus and the role they played during and Jesus Christ ascended to heaven
• What were the Ten Commandments and what influence did they have on Israelites
• The importance of suffering and believing in God both in New and Old Testaments
• Mighty and Powerful Prophets in the Old Testament?
• What does the bible say about capital punishment?
• Was Moses a prophet or just an ordinary man chosen to save Israelites from the hands of Pharaoh?
• Life after death as per the bible
• The main differences between the old and the new Testaments
• The main similarities between the old and the new testaments
• The primary goals and purposes played by Christianity dominations
• The most common Christianity dominations around the world
• The catholic denomination and its credibility around the world
• The creation and contents of the Holy bible
• Moses and everything about his missions and teachings
• Classification of Different Christian Churches and the central teachings and doctrines
• The role of Christianity in shaping modern society
• How has Christianity helped control the potential effects of advanced technology?
• How has advanced technology positively impacted Christianity at different levels?
• How catholic nuns and fathers manage to live a celibacy life?
• The role critics play in improving modern Christianity
• Should fathers and nuns marry considering the many sexual abuse cases reported recently?
• Do modern church doctrines work, and are they surely designed towards helping people know Christ?
• The controversial nature of the modern form of Christian
• How did scholars and theologians motivate the creation of modern-day Christian doctrines and church programs?
• Are all Christians working towards the same goal: Living a happy life after death?
• Does Being a Christian make you answerable to the teachings of the Bible?

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Discover the Power of Persuasion: How to Convert Someone to Christianity

Converting someone to Christianity can be a challenging task. It requires a deep understanding of the individual’s beliefs, values, and experiences, as well as an ability to present a compelling case for Christianity. But with the power of persuasion, it’s possible to lead others towards a life-changing decision. In this article, we’ll explore the art of persuasion and share some tips on how to convince someone to be a Christian.

The first step in persuading someone to become a Christian is to understand their beliefs and values . By doing so, you can find common ground and build a connection based on mutual respect and understanding. It’s important to approach this step with an open mind and without judgment, allowing the individual to express their beliefs and experiences freely. From there, you can begin to explore the ways in which Christianity aligns with their values and beliefs, and highlight the benefits of a Christian lifestyle.

Next, it’s important to present a compelling case for Christianity . This involves sharing personal experiences and stories, as well as using evidence from the Bible and other sources. It’s also essential to be prepared to answer tough questions with confidence and clarity, and to address any doubts or concerns that the individual may have. Ultimately, the goal is to provide a clear and concise case for Christianity that resonates with the individual and inspires them to take the leap of faith.

At the end of the day, convincing someone to become a Christian is a deeply personal and individual process. It requires patience, compassion, and a willingness to listen and understand. But with the right approach and a commitment to the art of persuasion, it’s possible to lead others towards a life-changing decision that can bring them closer to God.

Ready to learn more about the power of persuasion and how to convert someone to Christianity ? Keep reading for our expert tips and insights!

Understanding Their Beliefs and Values

Before attempting to convert someone to Christianity , it’s important to take the time to understand their beliefs and values. This will help you tailor your approach to better resonate with their perspective and increase the chances of a successful conversion .

Research Their Religion

Start by researching the religion they currently practice and understand its core tenets. This will give you an idea of their worldview, and the things they hold to be true.

• Read religious texts
• Watch sermons or religious discussions
• Join forums or social media groups related to the religion

Ask Questions

Once you have a basic understanding of their beliefs, ask them questions to learn more. This will not only show that you’re interested in their perspective, but it will also give you insight into their thought process and how they arrived at their beliefs.

• What led you to this religion?
• What aspects of this religion do you find most compelling?
• How does this religion impact your daily life?

Show Empathy

It’s important to show empathy towards their beliefs and values, even if you disagree with them. This will help build trust and create a more open dialogue.

When discussing their beliefs, avoid criticizing or belittling their perspective. Instead, try to understand where they’re coming from and offer your own perspective in a non-judgmental way.

By understanding their beliefs and values, asking questions, and showing empathy, you’ll be better equipped to make a compelling case for Christianity that resonates with them. Remember, the goal isn’t to force a conversion, but rather to create a dialogue and plant the seeds of faith.

Connecting on a Personal Level

Once you have established a foundation of mutual understanding and respect, it’s time to take the next step in converting someone to Christianity : connecting on a personal level. This means getting to know them on a deeper level, and letting them get to know you. It’s important to build trust and show genuine interest in their life and experiences. By doing so, you can create a sense of empathy and understanding that will make them more open to considering your beliefs.

Here are some tips for connecting on a personal level:

Listen actively

When someone shares their thoughts, feelings, and experiences with you, it’s important to listen actively. This means paying attention to what they’re saying, asking follow-up questions, and demonstrating empathy. By listening actively, you can show that you value their perspective and care about their well-being.

Share your own experiences

Don’t be afraid to share your own experiences and beliefs with the person you’re trying to convert. By being open and vulnerable, you can create a deeper connection and show them that you’re not trying to convert them out of a desire to control or manipulate them, but rather out of a genuine desire to share something that has brought meaning and purpose to your own life.

Find common ground

Finally, it’s important to find common ground with the person you’re trying to convert. This could be shared experiences, interests, or values. By finding common ground, you can build a sense of connection and unity that will make it easier for them to relate to and accept your beliefs.

Connecting on a personal level is essential to converting someone to Christianity . By building trust, showing empathy, and finding common ground, you can create a deeper connection and make them more open to considering your beliefs. Keep these tips in mind as you work to connect with others on a personal level.

Presenting a Compelling Case for Christianity

For many people, Christianity is a way of life. It provides comfort, guidance, and meaning to their existence. However, for those who are not believers, Christianity can seem like a mystery, with its complex theology and long history. How can one make a compelling case for Christianity ?

One way is to start with the basics. Explain the core beliefs of Christianity , such as the concept of a loving God, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and the idea of eternal life. Help people understand that Christianity is not just a religion, but a relationship with God.

Historical Evidence

Another way to make a compelling case for Christianity is to explore its historical evidence. For example, there are several historical accounts of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, as well as the events surrounding his death and resurrection. This evidence provides a strong argument for the validity of Christianity.

Additionally, many people have experienced profound spiritual transformations through their faith in Christianity. These personal testimonies can be powerful evidence for the truth of the religion.

Logical Reasoning

Logic and reason can also be used to present a compelling case for Christianity. For instance, the concept of a moral law or universal standard of right and wrong suggests the existence of a divine creator who set these laws in motion. Additionally, the complexity and order of the universe suggest the existence of an intelligent designer.

By presenting logical arguments for the existence of God, one can make a strong case for the validity of Christianity and the importance of living a faith-filled life.

Emphasizing the Benefits of Christianity

• Inner Peace and Joy: Christianity offers a sense of inner peace and joy that is not dependent on external circumstances. Through prayer, meditation, and other spiritual practices, believers can cultivate a deep sense of contentment and happiness.
• Community: Christianity also provides a strong sense of community, with many churches and religious organizations offering support, guidance, and fellowship to their members.
• Guidance and Direction: For those who feel lost or unsure of their purpose in life, Christianity can offer guidance and direction. The teachings of Jesus Christ can provide a roadmap for living a fulfilling and meaningful life.

By emphasizing the benefits of Christianity, one can help others see the value of embracing the faith.

Answering Tough Questions with Confidence

As a believer, you might encounter challenging questions about your faith from non-believers or skeptics. Here are some tips to help you answer tough questions with confidence and grace :

First, it’s essential to understand the question being asked and the context in which it is being asked. Don’t make assumptions about what the person is really asking. Instead, ask clarifying questions to ensure you have a clear understanding of what they are asking. Use active listening skills to show you are genuinely interested in understanding their perspective.

Addressing Contradictions

One of the most common questions raised is the presence of contradictions in the Bible. The best approach is to acknowledge that there may appear to be contradictions but provide a deeper understanding of the context and meaning behind the verses in question. Provide specific examples and show how they can be reconciled. It is also important to highlight the overall consistency of the Bible’s message.

The Problem of Evil

The problem of evil is another challenging question that can be raised. It questions how an all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-good God can allow evil to exist in the world. As Christians, we understand that evil exists because of humanity’s free will, which was given by God. In response to this question, highlight the importance of free will and how God’s love is demonstrated through our freedom to make choices. Provide examples of how God uses evil for good purposes, such as how he can bring comfort to those who suffer.

The Exclusivity of Christianity

Another tough question to answer is how Christianity can claim to be the only way to God when there are so many other religions in the world. As Christians, we believe that Jesus is the only way to God, as he claimed to be the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). It’s important to recognize that this belief is not out of arrogance, but rather out of an understanding of God’s character and the message of the Bible. Provide examples of how Christianity’s message is unique and offers a personal relationship with God.

Inviting Them to Take the Leap of Faith

Sharing your faith with others can be daunting, but it’s important to remember that God doesn’t expect us to have all the answers. However, we can confidently share our beliefs and invite others to take the leap of faith with us.

One way to approach sharing your faith is to ask questions and listen to the other person’s perspective. This helps build rapport and understanding. You can also share personal experiences of how your faith has impacted your life, which can be a powerful tool for connecting with others.

Addressing Doubts and Concerns

Many people have doubts and concerns about faith and religion, which can be barriers to accepting Christianity. It’s important to address these concerns with empathy and understanding. For example, if someone is worried about the existence of evil, you can explain that free will allows for the possibility of evil, but that God is still ultimately in control and working for good.

Another common concern is the problem of suffering. You can acknowledge that suffering is difficult, but that faith can provide comfort and hope in difficult times.

Leading by Example

The way we live our lives can be a powerful testament to our faith. When we live with integrity, love, and compassion, we show others the transformative power of Christ. By living out our faith in our daily lives, we can invite others to join us on the journey.

Another way to lead by example is to invite others to church or Christian events. This allows them to experience the community and support that comes with being part of a church family.

Sharing the Gospel Message

• When sharing the gospel, it’s important to do so in a way that is clear and understandable to the listener.
• Use language and concepts that the listener can relate to and understand.
• Share the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ and explain why it’s important.

Remember that sharing your faith is not about forcing others to believe as you do, but rather inviting them to take the leap of faith with you. Trust that God will work in their hearts in His own time and way.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can i convince someone to be a christian.

To convince someone to be a Christian, you should share your personal story and experiences of how you came to faith. You can also discuss the benefits and joys of being a Christian, such as finding peace, love, and a sense of purpose in life. It’s important to listen to their concerns and questions about Christianity and provide thoughtful answers. Lastly, it’s essential to pray for them and trust in God’s timing.

How can I talk to someone who is not interested in Christianity?

If someone is not interested in Christianity, it’s important to respect their decision and not force the conversation. However, if they show any curiosity, it’s important to be ready to answer their questions with honesty and clarity. Share your personal experiences and how Christianity has helped you in your life. Also, be willing to listen to their views and opinions and show empathy towards their beliefs.

How can I help someone struggling with doubts about Christianity?

If someone is struggling with doubts about Christianity, it’s important to listen to their concerns and provide compassionate support. Try to understand where their doubts are coming from and provide thoughtful answers to their questions. Encourage them to read the Bible and pray regularly to strengthen their faith. Most importantly, be patient and let them know that it’s okay to have doubts and that it’s part of the journey.

How can I handle a situation where someone challenges my faith?

If someone challenges your faith, it’s important to remain calm and composed. Listen to their objections and respond with kindness and respect. Remember that it’s not your job to convince them, but to share your faith and let the Holy Spirit do the rest. If you don’t know the answer to their question, it’s okay to say that you don’t know but are willing to find out. Most importantly, pray for wisdom and guidance.

How can I help someone who has a different religious belief?

If someone has a different religious belief, it’s important to respect their faith and show genuine interest in their beliefs. Try to find common ground and acknowledge their strengths and positive aspects of their religion. Share your personal experiences and how Christianity has helped you in your life. Lastly, pray for them and trust that God will guide them in their faith journey.

How can I show someone the love of Christ without preaching?

To show someone the love of Christ without preaching, you can do small acts of kindness and compassion, such as volunteering or helping out in the community. You can also offer a listening ear and provide emotional support to those in need. Lastly, you can be an example of Christ’s love through your actions, such as forgiveness , patience, and humility.

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What Does the Bible Say about Purpose?

Living life on purpose is a good choice. It means not living life randomly, but with positive intentionality. Christ-followers can live more satisfying, God-honoring lives as they define purpose biblically, and as they discover God’s plans for their lives. 

What does the Bible say about purpose? How do we discover it? What happens when we stray from God’s purpose? Questions like these can help frame this important issue.

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What Does the Bible Say about Our Purpose?

Some people move forward by what “feels right.” Others consider what is “logical.” But Christ-followers were born for a purpose and are meant to live on purpose. The Bible declares that life is not random, haphazard, or an accident. God, the Creator, has declared purposes for His creation; and for the Christian, meaning and purpose are wrapped up in Jesus.

The Bible begins with God, and that is where man’s purpose begins too. God is the sovereign   planner of the universe, and His good and holy purposes extend from before creation into eternity future. He will accomplish all He has planned to do ( Isaiah 46:9-10 ).

The Westminster Shorter Catechism asks the question, “What is the chief end of man?” In other words, what is man’s purpose? The answer is, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.” Some have suggested that if we simply did this, we would fulfill our purpose on earth. Created in His image, people cannot fulfill their true purpose apart from Him.

God revealed two of His purposes for mankind at creation: procreation and the governance of the earth ( Genesis 1:28 a). Humans are to fill the earth and subdue creation ( Psalm 8:4-6 ; Hebrews 2:6-8 ), something that is properly fulfilled in knowing and obeying God. But after Adam and Eve sinned, after fellowship with the Creator was broken, God said His plan included the redemption of fallen humanity—a plan that unfolded throughout the rest of Scripture , extending into eternity . Ultimately, God’s purpose is to bring about a new heaven and earth, and dwell with His people forever.

The Bible expresses two kinds of purpose for believers—general and specific. Both are meant to prepare the believer to live forever in God’s presence, but also to encourage spiritual growth and ministry now.

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Key Scriptures about Purpose

The world offers numerous ways to find meaning. It defines purpose in terms of power, pleasure, wealth, intellect, and other things King Solomon called “vanity” ( Ecclesiastes 1:14 ). The Bible teaches that life is “meaningless” apart from fearing and obeying God ( Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 ). 

Key Old Testament scriptures reveal important truths about God’s purposes. 

No purpose of God can be thwarted ( Job 42:2 ). Believers can humbly ask God to show them His ways and lead them ( Psalm 25:1-9 ). God will fulfill His purposes for His children ( Psalm 57:2 ; 138:8). Every day of a person’s life was laid out before birth ( Psalm 139:16 ). God wants to guide believers along the best pathways, advising and watching over them ( Psalm 32:8 ).

Key New Testament passages also instruct about God’s purposes.

God causes all things to “work together” for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose ( Romans 8:28 ). Believers are to do all things for God’s glory ( 1 Corinthians 10:30 ). In fact, God’s chosen people have been “predestined” according to His plan and purpose that they might be “for the praise of his glory” ( Ephesians 1:11-12 ). God prepared good works for every believer to do ( Ephesians 2:10 ). God will complete His good work in believers, and He works in them to act in accordance with His good purpose ( Philippians 1:6 ; 2:13).

What Is Our Purpose as Believers?

As noted earlier, the Bible teaches there are both general purposes and individual purposes for believers.

In short, general purposes for the believer are to be made alive in Christ, to be transformed and conformed to the image of Christ by God’s grace through faith , and to do the good works God prepared in advance for them to do ( Ephesians 2:1-10 ; Romans 8:29 ; 12:1-2; Titus 2:14 ; 3:8). General purposes also include such things as seeking to know God and fellowship with Him, learning to obey and serve Him, being good stewards of His creation, bearing spiritual fruit , loving others, sharing the gospel, and making disciples. 

Believers discover their individual purposes as they seek God and study His Word, will, and ways. God designed each person as an individual creation, and His purposes unfold to transform every area of life. Purposes may be given for a specific time, such as with the prophets. Or God may give certain abilities, giftings, or callings for particular events, such as with Joseph ’s preparation to preserve people during a famine, or Esther ’s purpose in rescuing her people—a calling “for such a time as this.”

In studying the lives of other Bible characters—such as Abraham, Noah , Deborah, Ruth, David, and Mary—we can find unique ways God’s people fulfilled His purposes for nations and the whole world.

There are special callings, such as when Paul said he was set apart for a special purpose ( Galatians 1:15-16 ); but clearly, the Bible teaches individual purposes are enhanced throughout the church through different spiritual gifts that are given by the Holy Spirit to every believer.

Photo credit: Unsplash/Prisci

How Can I Discover God’s Purpose for My Life?

God is eager for His children to know His plans, and there are many ways to unlock His purposes. 

1. Be Sure You Know God

It may sound obvious, but identity in Christ through a personal relationship with Him is the starting point for knowing God’s purpose. God had each person in mind in eternity past, and He has purposes for each of His children “in conformity with the purpose of his will” ( Ephesians 1:11 ). For the believer, the Father is an unshakeable center no matter what comes.

2. Pray for Direction

Focusing on self is not a good place to begin to know God’s purpose. When people ask self-centered questions, conclusions may end up as mere speculation. It’s far wiser to begin with God and ask Him for His will and direction ( James 1:5 ; 4:2b). He is generous and does not rebuke His children for asking such questions. After praying, stop talking and listen. Then determine to trust and submit to God and walk in the wisdom He gives ( Proverbs 3:5-6 ; 28:26).

3. Read the Word of God

The most common way God leads today is through His written Word ( Matthew 4:4 ). Being obedient to His known will is a starting point, plus understanding that God leads in ways that align with Scripture , not contrary to it. The Word is not open to speculation, and it will not leave us in the dark. Though God has not chosen to share everything with us at this time, we can discover much of what He wants us to do, and what He tells us to avoid. Stories and examples in Scripture are meant to warn us so we will not be deceived ( 1 Corinthians 10:11 ).

4. Surrender and Obey

God wants to keep His children on track. Expecting that He will lead, believers are to yield   to His control, trust Him completely, and determine to obey and live for Him. Commitment to discipleship creates godly character, no matter the events of life. Psalm 37:23 says, “The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He (God) delights in every detail of their lives.” God looks for humble, surrendered, and obedient followers. Be active, not passive, about His guidance.

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5. Make Careful Choices

Although many decisions may not seem important, even simple choices can be transformative. Making choices with good judgement—giving attention to God’s mid-course corrections—reward the believer ( Proverbs 13:13-18 ). Choices believers make can open new opportunities or shut them down. All of the previous suggestions mentioned play into making wise choices: knowing God, prayer, seeking Scripture truth, and cultivating a humble heart.

6. Consider Desires and Gifts

God normally leads into areas of service through heart desires—but this can be tricky because the desires of the flesh can deceive ( Romans 7:23 ). Just as God placed a purposeful desire in Moses’ heart ( Acts 7:23 ), God can do this in Christ-followers’ hearts. God can give the desire to do what pleases Him ( Philippians 2:13 ). Identifying spiritual gifts, natural bents and personality, and abilities can help pinpoint purpose in regard to where and how to serve God. Taking into account God’s unique design can help Christians step courageously into His plans.

7. Get Wise Counsel

God often uses wise friends and counselors to give His people direction ( Proverbs 13:20 ; 19:20). This requires humility— a teachable spirit . Many times, counselors can identify limiting beliefs Christians may have for not moving forward into the will of God.

8. Notice God’s Provision 

It’s been said by many believers, “Where God leads, He provides.” Oftentimes, God provides resources in such a way to clarify direction; and sometimes His plans unfold through unusual circumstances He provides ( Acts 16:6-11 ). Walking uprightly—living with integrity —is one requirement for seeing God provide.

9. Wait in Faith

God may lead by giving a believer a sense of inner peace about a decision—but as John Piper says, “ Peace and calm are not the only factors in determining what one ought to do.” If a believer senses a check in his or her spirit, it may be wise to wait in active trust until God brings greater clarity and peace, while moving ahead in areas of obedience and conscience. Sometimes God uses delays to deepen faith, test motives, develop patience and endurance, or better align hearts with His will.

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/McIninch

What Should We Do When Our Life Strays from God’s Purpose?

Because believers are human and not yet in heaven, it is possible to stray from God’s purposes. If straying from His purpose leads into sin, the believer needs to confess sin and repent. Repenting goes beyond remorse or regret. It includes turning away from sin and returning to obedience and faith .

But if straying from God’s purpose does not involve direct sin and is simply a matter of not making the best choice, the believer can ask questions with a submissive heart to seek to get back on track . Helpful questions include: “Lord, what caused me to stray from Your purpose?” “How did I get distracted?” “What can I do today to return to Your best plans for my life?”

It's comforting to know that—although believers may fail miserably in following God closely—straying does not take God by surprise. Revelation 13:8 says God already had a plan for man’s sin from the foundation of the world; and He has plans to work all things, even Christians’ not-the-best choices, for good , all in the process of conforming them to the image of His Son. 

God’s plans for believers will never be thwarted or frustrated—not by His children, and especially not by Satan. Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth wrote in You Can Trust God to Write Your Story: Embracing the Mysteries of Providence , “(God) is working behind the scenes, making arrangements, putting everything in place. And in time, He will be the means of upending our enemy’s objectives and fulfilling God’s holy purpose in our lives.”

Just because life takes twists and turns, that doesn’t mean the believer has stepped out of God’s will. In fact, twists and turns may be unexpected parts of His plans—designs His children might never understand this side of heaven ( Isaiah 55:8-9 ). The Christ-follower can rest securely in his or her position in Christ, knowing the Good Shepherd will continue to lead His sheep in every circumstance of life.

Source DesiringGod.org , “Should I Ever Take an Action I Don’t ‘Have Peace ’ About?”

Related articles 8 Ways to Know God's Will for Your Life How to Live Out God's Plan for Your Life 7 Old Testament Verses That Show Us God Has a Plan

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112 Persuasive Speech Topics That Are Actually Engaging

What’s covered:, how to pick an awesome persuasive speech topic, 112 engaging persuasive speech topics, tips for preparing your persuasive speech.

Writing a stellar persuasive speech requires a carefully crafted argument that will resonate with your audience to sway them to your side. This feat can be challenging to accomplish, but an engaging, thought-provoking speech topic is an excellent place to start.

When it comes time to select a topic for your persuasive speech, you may feel overwhelmed by all the options to choose from—or your brain may be drawing a completely blank slate. If you’re having trouble thinking of the perfect topic, don’t worry. We’re here to help!

In this post, we’re sharing how to choose the perfect persuasive speech topic and tips to prepare for your speech. Plus, you’ll find 112 persuasive speech topics that you can take directly from us or use as creative inspiration for your own ideas!

Choose Something You’re Passionate About

It’s much easier to write, research, and deliver a speech about a cause you care about. Even if it’s challenging to find a topic that completely sparks your interest, try to choose a topic that aligns with your passions.

However, keep in mind that not everyone has the same interests as you. Try to choose a general topic to grab the attention of the majority of your audience, but one that’s specific enough to keep them engaged.

For example, suppose you’re giving a persuasive speech about book censorship. In that case, it’s probably too niche to talk about why “To Kill a Mockingbird” shouldn’t be censored (even if it’s your favorite book), and it’s too broad to talk about media censorship in general.

Steer Clear of Cliches

Have you already heard a persuasive speech topic presented dozens of times? If so, it’s probably not an excellent choice for your speech—even if it’s an issue you’re incredibly passionate about.

Although polarizing topics like abortion and climate control are important to discuss, they aren’t great persuasive speech topics. Most people have already formed an opinion on these topics, which will either cause them to tune out or have a negative impression of your speech.

Instead, choose topics that are fresh, unique, and new. If your audience has never heard your idea presented before, they will be more open to your argument and engaged in your speech.

Have a Clear Side of Opposition

For a persuasive speech to be engaging, there must be a clear side of opposition. To help determine the arguability of your topic, ask yourself: “If I presented my viewpoint on this topic to a group of peers, would someone disagree with me?” If the answer is yes, then you’ve chosen a great topic!

Now that we’ve laid the groundwork for what it takes to choose a great persuasive speech topic, here are over one hundred options for you to choose from.

• Should high school athletes get tested for steroids?
• Should schools be required to have physical education courses?
• Should sports grades in school depend on things like athletic ability?
• What sport should be added to or removed from the Olympics?
• Should college athletes be able to make money off of their merchandise?
• Should sports teams be able to recruit young athletes without a college degree?
• Should we consider video gamers as professional athletes?
• Is cheerleading considered a sport?
• Should parents allow their kids to play contact sports?
• Should professional female athletes be paid the same as professional male athletes?
• Should college be free at the undergraduate level?
• Is the traditional college experience obsolete?
• Should you choose a major based on your interests or your potential salary?
• Should high school students have to meet a required number of service hours before graduating?
• Should teachers earn more or less based on how their students perform on standardized tests?
• Are private high schools more effective than public high schools?
• Should there be a minimum number of attendance days required to graduate?
• Are GPAs harmful or helpful?
• Should schools be required to teach about standardized testing?
• Should Greek Life be banned in the United States?
• Should schools offer science classes explicitly about mental health?
• Should students be able to bring their cell phones to school?
• Should all public restrooms be all-gender?
• Should undocumented immigrants have the same employment and education opportunities as citizens?
• Should everyone be paid a living wage regardless of their employment status?
• Should supremacist groups be able to hold public events?
• Should guns be allowed in public places?
• Should the national drinking age be lowered?
• Should prisoners be allowed to vote?
• Should the government raise or lower the retirement age?
• Should the government be able to control the population?
• Is the death penalty ethical?

Environment

• Should stores charge customers for plastic bags?
• Should breeding animals (dogs, cats, etc.) be illegal?
• Is it okay to have exotic animals as pets?
• Should people be fined for not recycling?
• Should compost bins become mandatory for restaurants?
• Should electric vehicles have their own transportation infrastructure?
• Would heavier fining policies reduce corporations’ emissions?
• Should hunting be encouraged or illegal?
• Should reusable diapers replace disposable diapers?

Science & Technology

• Is paper media more reliable than digital news sources?
• Should automated/self-driving cars be legalized?
• Should schools be required to provide laptops to all students?
• Should software companies be able to have pre-downloaded programs and applications on devices?
• Should drones be allowed in military warfare?
• Should scientists invest more or less money into cancer research?
• Should cloning be illegal?
• Should societies colonize other planets?
• Should there be legal oversight over the development of technology?

Social Media

• Should there be an age limit on social media?
• Should cyberbullying have the same repercussions as in-person bullying?
• Are online relationships as valuable as in-person relationships?
• Does “cancel culture” have a positive or negative impact on societies?
• Are social media platforms reliable information or news sources?
• Should social media be censored?
• Does social media create an unrealistic standard of beauty?
• Is regular social media usage damaging to real-life interactions?
• Is social media distorting democracy?
• How many branches of government should there be?
• Who is the best/worst president of all time?
• How long should judges serve in the U.S. Supreme Court?
• Should a more significant portion of the U.S. budget be contributed towards education?
• Should the government invest in rapid transcontinental transportation infrastructure?
• Should airport screening be more or less stringent?
• Should the electoral college be dismantled?
• Should the U.S. have open borders?
• Should the government spend more or less money on space exploration?
• Should students sing Christmas carols, say the pledge of allegiance, or perform other tangentially religious activities?
• Should nuns and priests become genderless roles?
• Should schools and other public buildings have prayer rooms?
• Should animal sacrifice be legal if it occurs in a religious context?
• Should countries be allowed to impose a national religion on their citizens?
• Should the church be separated from the state?
• Does freedom of religion positively or negatively affect societies?

Parenting & Family

• Is it better to have children at a younger or older age?
• Is it better for children to go to daycare or stay home with their parents?
• Does birth order affect personality?
• Should parents or the school system teach their kids about sex?
• Are family traditions important?
• Should parents smoke or drink around young children?
• Should “spanking” children be illegal?
• Should parents use swear words in front of their children?
• Should parents allow their children to play violent video games?

Entertainment

• Should all actors be paid the same regardless of gender or ethnicity?
• Should all award shows be based on popular vote?
• Who should be responsible for paying taxes on prize money, the game show staff or the contestants?
• Should movies and television shows have ethnicity and gender quotas?
• Should newspapers and magazines move to a completely online format?
• Should streaming services like Netflix and Hulu be free for students?
• Is the movie rating system still effective?
• Should celebrities have more privacy rights?

Arts & Humanities

• Are libraries becoming obsolete?
• Should all schools have mandatory art or music courses in their curriculum?
• Should offensive language be censored from classic literary works?
• Is it ethical for museums to keep indigenous artifacts?
• Should digital designs be considered an art form? 
• Should abstract art be considered an art form?
• Is music therapy effective?
• Should tattoos be regarded as “professional dress” for work?
• Should schools place greater emphasis on the arts programs?
• Should euthanasia be allowed in hospitals and other clinical settings?
• Should the government support and implement universal healthcare?
• Would obesity rates lower if the government intervened to make healthy foods more affordable?
• Should teenagers be given access to birth control pills without parental consent?
• Should food allergies be considered a disease?
• Should health insurance cover homeopathic medicine?
• Is using painkillers healthy?
• Should genetically modified foods be banned?
• Should there be a tax on unhealthy foods?
• Should tobacco products be banned from the country?
• Should the birth control pill be free for everyone?

If you need more help brainstorming topics, especially those that are personalized to your interests, you can  use CollegeVine’s free AI tutor, Ivy . Ivy can help you come up with original persuasive speech ideas, and she can also help with the rest of your homework, from math to languages.

Do Your Research

A great persuasive speech is supported with plenty of well-researched facts and evidence. So before you begin the writing process, research both sides of the topic you’re presenting in-depth to gain a well-rounded perspective of the topic.

Understand Your Audience

It’s critical to understand your audience to deliver a great persuasive speech. After all, you are trying to convince them that your viewpoint is correct. Before writing your speech, consider the facts and information that your audience may already know, and think about the beliefs and concerns they may have about your topic. Then, address these concerns in your speech, and be mindful to include fresh, new information.

Have Someone Read Your Speech

Once you have finished writing your speech, have someone read it to check for areas of strength and improvement. You can use CollegeVine’s free essay review tool to get feedback on your speech from a peer!

Practice Makes Perfect

After completing your final draft, the key to success is to practice. Present your speech out loud in front of a mirror, your family, friends, and basically, anyone who will listen. Not only will the feedback of others help you to make your speech better, but you’ll become more confident in your presentation skills and may even be able to commit your speech to memory.

Hopefully, these ideas have inspired you to write a powerful, unique persuasive speech. With the perfect topic, plenty of practice, and a boost of self-confidence, we know you’ll impress your audience with a remarkable speech!

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Argumentative Essay Topics On Religion

Christian argumentative essay topics, religion argumentative essay topics  , argumentative essay topics about religion.

• Conclusion: Argumentative Essay Topics On Religion 

Argumentative Essay Topics On Religion: Looking for Argumentative essay topics on religion? In this article, we have come up with religious Argumentative essay topics that will give a good base to write your essay.

Argumentative Essays also known as persuasive essays, give the author’s perspective about certain things and go ahead to justify and defend the issue.

When you choose one of the below topics you will be able to expound on the details by giving evidence and examples from life experiences, literature, and history.

1. Should religion be taught in schools?

2. Is the atheist group likely to end in the future?

3. Should catholic priests be allowed to marry?

4. Between Islam and Hinduism, which one has stricter beliefs?

5. Mohammed and Buddha who had better teaching?

6. Does Islam have more supporters and power than Hinduism?

7. Is polygamy in Islam a good thing?

8. Christians and Islam, which of these two groups have better moral habits?

9. What is the right age to become a pastor?

Read: Christian Debate Topics

10. Should freedom of worship be introduced to every part of the world?

11. Between the Bible and Quran which of these two religious books are mostly read?

12. Do Christians follow the instruction in the Bible?

13. Is behavior important in determining someone’s religious faith?

14. Who is better, someone who prays often or someone who does good deeds?

15. Is the Bible the most important tool in a Christian’s life?

16. Is it proper for people to change their religion each time they want?

17. Should schools have religious subjects in their curriculum?

18. Should praying in public in our schools be reintroduced?

19. Is there a link between increased moral decay in our schools and the removal of religious activity?

20. Do priests play any role in promoting good moral standards in society?

Find Also: Christian Persuasive Speech Topics

1. Which is more important faith or works?

2. Which is the 7 th day, Saturday or Sunday?

3. Who was worse, Cain or Judas?

4. Can persecution of Christians lead to the extinction of Christianity?

5. Is it possible to distinguish between a false and true proa phet of God?

6. Should all churches unite and become one?

7. Between Moses and Abraham, who is the most influential?

8. Should teenagers be allowed to have a church wedding?

9. Is there life after earth?

10. Is it okay to cohabit before you do a church wedding?

11. Can the Bible be referred to as the most popular book in the world?

12. What makes people change to another religion?

13. What is the right age for someone to marry?

14. Is material wealth important to a Christian?

15. How often should a Christian pray?

16. Do angels exist in the current world?

17. Is going to church important?

18. Is sex before a wedding day right or wrong?

19. Have the 10 commandments been altered?

20. At what age should one be ordained as a pastor?

Read: Medical Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

1. Does religion have a role to play in extreme groups and terrorists?

2. Is religion in modern society fulfilling its intended role?

3. According to Christian standards is gay marriage acceptable?

4. Is there any fulfillment in knowing there is life after death?

5. Does being associated with certain religions make you a content human being?

6. Is praying in faith a safer substitute for conventional medicines?

7. Are all calamities associated with the sinful nature of man?

8. Are there any challenges faced by interfaith families?

9. Do parents’ religious faith affect their children in any way?

10. Are there any religious practices that have been passed over time?

11. Should the church be involved in state matters?

12. Is cloning religiously correct?

13. In Christianity is the slave trade acceptable?

14. Is it proper to marry a person of different religious background?

15. Should religion set guidelines on whom to marry?

16. Should the church officiate same-sex marriages? Why?

17. Currently, is the church playing its golden rule of upholding morality?  

Read: Argumentative Essay Topics about Mental Health

1. Are the religious movements impacting society?

2. The impact of the story of Jesus on the Christian life.

3. The Origin of Buddhism

4. The importance of the book of Genesis.

5. Is there common ground between religion and science

6. Who has impacted the world more, Islam or Christianity

7. Are some of the current Christian religious practices adopted from ancient pagan religion

8. What is the origin of Christmas? Was it Biblical?

9. Life after death, is it assured to everyone?

Read: Argumentative Essay Topics about Animals

10. Is the belief in purgatory Biblical?

11. How often should a person forgive?

12. Is Jesus the only way to heaven?

13. We are all descendants of Adam and Noah?

14. Jacob was better than Esau?

15. Is Jerusalem the most religious city in the world?

16. Are there any similarities between Christianity and Islam?

17. How important are the mosques to Islam?

18.. Participation of the religious group in maintaining international peace

19. The relevance of religion in education.

20. Is prayer and fasting important to a believer?

Read: Argumentative Essay Topics on Social Media

Argumentative Essay on Religion

1. Is it possible to have one religion in the world?

2. Will the world end in destruction?

3. Between Rachel and Leah who was the better wife to Jacob?

4. Does science have any role in Christianity?

5. What is a generation in the Bible?

6. Is it okay to eat any type of food?

Read: LGBT Argumentative Essay Topics

7. Should religion predict the mode of dressing for its followers?

9. Is it justified to alter the Bible in any way?

10. Should Christian drink alcohol?

11. Is possible to be a true Christian and never pray?

12. What does it mean to have an idol in Christian life?

13. According to religious books is abortion a crime?

14. If you were to seek counseling sessions would you go to a Priest, Imam, or Monk?

15. How do Christians take abortion, and it is right to carry out an abortion?

16. Can faith in God improve one’s emotional and mental wellness?  

Read: Informative Speech Topics about Education

Conclusion: Argumentative Essay Topics On Religion  

As you write your Argumentative Essay Topics On Religion, ensure you have selected the appropriate topic. Begin with an introduction before you start discussing your main point in the main body. Support your work with good evidence and ensure the points are clear. Lastly, summarize your essay by mentioning your main points in the conclusion section. Let the topic acts as the face of your essay. A good essay topic will attract readers therefore choose an eye-catching topic that you will be able to dig deep into and give relevant information.

Betty is a qualified teacher with a Bachelor of Education (Arts). In addition, she is a registered Certified Public Accountant. She has been teaching and offering part-time accounting services for the last 10 years. She is passionate about education, accounting, writing, and traveling.

Mere Christianity

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150 Good Persuasive Speech Topics for Students in 2024

April 1, 2024

Do you know that moment in your favorite film, when the soundtrack begins to swell and the main character stands up and delivers a speech so rousing, so impassioned, it has the entire room either weeping or cheering by the time it concludes? What distinguishes the effectiveness of such a speech is not only the protagonist’s stellar delivery but also the compelling nature of the subject matter at hand. Choosing an effective persuasive speech topic is essential for guaranteeing that your future speech or essay is as moving as these . If this sounds like a tall order, have no fear. Below you’ll find a list of some of the best and most interesting persuasive speech topics for high school students to tackle, from the playful (“Pets for President”) to the serious (“Should We Stop AI from Replacing Human Workers?”).

And if you’re craving more inspiration, feel free to check out this list of Great Debate Topics , which can be used to generate further ideas.

What is a Good Persuasive Speech?

Before we get to the list, we must address the question on everyone’s minds: what is a persuasive speech, and what the heck makes for a good persuasive speech topic? A persuasive speech is a speech that aims to convince its listeners of a particular point of view . At the heart of each persuasive speech is a central conflict . Note: The persuasive speech stands in contrast to a simple informative speech, which is intended purely to convey information. (I.e., an informative speech topic might read: “The History of Making One’s Bed,” while a persuasive speech topic would be: “Why Making One’s Bed is a Waste of Time”—understand?)

And lest you think that persuasive speeches are simply assigned by your teachers as a particularly cruel form of torture, remember that practicing your oratory skills will benefit you in all areas of life—from job interviews, to business negotiations, to your future college career in public policy or international relations . Knowing how to use your voice to enact meaningful change is a valuable skill that can empower you to make a difference in the world.

Components of a Great Persuasive Speech Topic

The ideal persuasive speech topic will inspire the audience to action via both logical arguments and emotional appeals. As such, we can summarize the question “what makes a good persuasive speech topic?” by saying that the topic must possess the following qualities:

• Timeliness and Relevance . Great persuasive speech topics grapple with a contemporary issue that is meaningful to the listener at hand. The topic might be a current news item, or it might be a long-standing social issue. In either case, the topic should be one with real-world implications.
• Complexity . A fruitful persuasive speech topic will have many facets. Topics that are controversial, with some gray area, lend themselves to a high degree of critical thinking. They also offer the speaker an opportunity to consider and refute all counterarguments before making a compelling case for his or her own position.
• Evidence . You want to be able to back up your argument with clear evidence from reputable sources (i.e., not your best friend or dog). The more evidence and data you can gather, the more sound your position will be. In addition, your audience will be more inclined to trust you.
• Personal Connection. Do you feel passionately about the topic you’ve chosen? If not, it may be time to go back to the drawing board. This does not mean you have to support the side you choose; sometimes, arguing for the opposing side of what you personally believe can be an effective exercise in building empathy and perspective. Either way, though, the key is to select a topic that you care deeply about. Your passion will be infectious to the audience.

150 Good Persuasive Speech Topics

• Should tech companies regulate the development of AI systems and automation to protect humans’ jobs?
• Should we limit screen time for children?
• Is it ethical for AI models like Dall-E to train themselves on artists’ work without the artists’ permission?
• Should the government regulate the use of personal drones?
• Is mass surveillance ethical? Does its threat to civil liberties outweigh its benefits?
• Are virtual reality experiences a valuable educational tool?
• Do the positive effects of powerful AI systems outweigh the risks?
• Do voice assistants like Siri and Alexa invade individuals’ privacy?
• Are cell phone bans in the classroom effective for improving student learning?
• Does the use of facial recognition technology in public violate individuals’ privacy?
• Should students be allowed to use ChatGPT and other AI tools for writing assignments?
• Should AI-generated art be allowed in art shows or contests?
• Who holds responsibility for accidents caused by self-driving cars: the driver or the car company?

Business and Economy

• Should we do away with the minimum wage? Why or why not?
• Is it ethical for companies to use unpaid internships as a source of labor?
• Does the gig economy benefit or harm workers?
• Is capitalism the best economic system?
• Is it ethical for companies to use sweatshops in developing countries?
• Should the government provide free healthcare for all citizens?
• Should the government regulate prices on pharmaceutical drugs?
• Should the government enact a universal base income?
• Should customers be required to tip a minimum amount in order to ensure food service workers make a living wage?
• Should someone’s tattoos or personal appearance factor into the hiring process?
• Should US workers have more vacation time?
• Is big game hunting beneficial for local communities?
• Should we legalize euthanasia?
• Is it ethical to use animals for medical research?
• Is it ethical to allow access to experimental treatments for terminally ill patients?
• Should we allow genetic engineering in humans?
• Is the death penalty obsolete?
• Should we allow the cloning of humans?
• Is it ethical to allow performance-enhancing drugs in sports?
• Should embryonic stem cell collection be allowed?
• Do frozen IVF embryos have rights?
• Should state and federal investigators be allowed to use DNA from genealogy databases?
• Should the government limit how many children a couple can have?
• Is spanking children an acceptable form of discipline?
• Should we allow parents to choose their children’s physical attributes through genetic engineering?
• Should we require parents to vaccinate their children?
• Should we require companies to give mandatory paternal and maternal leave?
• Should children be allowed to watch violent movies and video games?
• Should parents allow their teenagers to drink before they turn 21?
• Should the government provide childcare?
• Should telling your children about Santa Claus be considered lying?
• Should one parent stay home?
• Should parental consent be required for minors to receive birth control?
• Is it an invasion of privacy for parents to post photographs of their children on social media?

Social Media

• Should social media platforms ban political ads?
• Do the benefits of social media outweigh the downsides?
• Should the government hold social media companies responsible for hate speech on their platforms?
• Is social media making us more or less social?
• Do platforms like TikTok exacerbate mental health issues in teens?
• Should the government regulate social media to protect citizens’ privacy?
• Is it right for parents to monitor their children’s social media accounts?
• Should social media companies enact a minimum user age restriction?
• Should we require social media companies to protect user data?
• Should we hold social media companies responsible for cyberbullying?
• Should schools ban the use of social media from their networks?
• Should we be allowed to record others without their consent?
• Do online crime sleuths help or hurt criminal investigations?

Education – Persuasive Speech Topics 

• Would trade schools and other forms of vocational training benefit a greater number of students than traditional institutions of higher education?
• Should colleges use standardized testing in their admissions processes?
• Is forcing students to say the Pledge a violation of their right to freedom of speech?
• Should school districts offer bilingual education programs for non-native speakers?
• Should schools do away with their physical education requirements?
• Should schools incorporate a remote learning option into their curriculum?
• Should we allow school libraries to ban certain books?
• Should we remove historical figures who owned slaves from school textbooks and other educational materials?
• Should we have mixed-level classrooms or divide students according to ability?
• Should grading on a curve be allowed?
• Should graphic novels be considered literature?
• Should all students have to take financial literacy classes before graduating?
• Should colleges pay student athletes?
• Should we ban violent contact sports like boxing and MMA?
• Should sports leagues require professional athletes to stand during the national anthem?
• Should sports teams ban players like Kyrie Irving when they spread misinformation or hate speech?
• Should high schools require their athletes to maintain a certain GPA?
• Should the Olympic committee allow transgender athletes to compete?
• Should high schools ban football due to its safety risks to players?
• Should all high school students be required to play a team sport?
• Should sports teams be mixed instead of single-gender?
• Should there be different athletic standards for men and women?
• In which renewable energy option would the US do best to invest?
• Should the US prioritize space exploration over domestic initiatives?
• Should companies with a high carbon footprint be punished?
• Should the FDA ban GMOs?
• Would the world be a safer place without nuclear weapons?
• Does AI pose a greater threat to humanity than it does the potential for advancement?
• Who holds the most responsibility for mitigating climate change: individuals or corporations?
• Should we be allowed to resurrect extinct species?
• Are cancer screening programs ethical?

Social Issues – Persuasive Speech Topics

• College education: should the government make it free for all?
• Should we provide free healthcare for undocumented immigrants?
• Is physician-assisted suicide morally justifiable?
• Does social media have a negative impact on democracy?
• Does cancel culture impede free speech?
• Does affirmative action help or hinder minority groups in the workplace?
• Should we hold public figures and celebrities to a higher standard of morality?
• Should abortion be an issue that is decided at the federal or state level?
• Should the sex offender registry be available to the public?
• Should undocumented immigrants have a path to amnesty?
• Do syringe services programs reduce or increase harmful behaviors?
• Should there be a statute of limitations?
• Should those who are convicted of a crime be required to report their criminal history on job and housing applications?

Politics and Government

• Is the Electoral College still an effective way to elect the President of the US?
• Should we allow judges to serve on the Supreme Court indefinitely?
• Should the US establish a national gun registry?
• Countries like Israel and China require all citizens to serve in the military. Is this a good or bad policy?
• Should the police force require all its officers to wear body cameras while on duty?
• Should the US invest in the development of clean meat as a sustainable protein source?
• Should the US adopt ranked-choice voting?
• Should institutions that profited from slavery provide reparations?
• Should the government return land to Native American tribes?
• Should there be term limits for representatives and senators?
• Should there be an age limit for presidential candidates?
• Should women be allowed in special forces units?

Easy Persuasive Speech Topics

• Should schools have uniforms?
• Can video games improve problem-solving skills?
• Are online classes as effective as in-person classes?
• Should companies implement a four-day work week?
• Co-ed learning versus single-sex: which is more effective?
• Should the school day start later?
• Is homework an effective teaching tool?
• Are electric cars really better for the environment?
• Should schools require all students to study a foreign language?
• Do professional athletes get paid too much money?

Fun Persuasive Speech Topics

• Should we allow pets to run for public office?
• Does pineapple belong on pizza?
• Would students benefit from schools swapping out desks with more comfortable seating arrangements (i.e., bean bag chairs and couches)?
• Is procrastination the key to success?
• Should Americans adopt British accents to sound more intelligent?
• The age-old dilemma: cats or dogs?
• Should meme creators receive royalties when their memes go viral?
• Should there be a minimum drinking age for coffee?
• Are people who make their beds every day more successful than those who don’t?

Interesting Persuasive Speech Topics

• Is the movie ranking system an effective way to evaluate the appropriateness of films?
• Should the government place a “health tax” on junk food?
• Is it ethical to create artificial life forms that are capable of complex emotions?
• Should parents let children choose their own names?
• Creating clones of ourselves to serve as organ donors: ethical or not?
• Is it ethical to engineer humans to be better and more optimized than nature intended?
• Should we adopt a universal language to communicate with people from all countries?
• Should there be a penalty for people who don’t vote?
• Should calories be printed on menus?
• Does tourism positively or negatively impact local communities?
• When used by non-Natives, are dreamcatchers cultural appropriation?
• Should companies require their employees to specify pronouns in their signature line?
• Should commercial fishing be banned?
• Are cemeteries sustainable?
• Is it okay to change the race, culture, and/or gender of historical figures in movies or TV shows?

I’ve Chosen My Topic, Now What?

Once you’ve selected your topic, it’s time to get to work crafting your argument. Preparation for a persuasive speech or essay involves some key steps, which we’ve outlined for you below.

How to Create a Successful Persuasive Speech, Step by Step

• Research your topic. Read widely and smartly. Stick to credible sources, such as peer-reviewed articles, published books, government reports, textbooks, and news articles. The right sources and data will be necessary to help you establish your authority. As you go, take notes on the details and nuances of your topic as well as potential counterarguments. Research the counterarguments, too.
• Choose an angle. For example, if you chose the topic “Should we limit screen time for children?” your speech should come down firmly on one side of that debate. If your topic is frequently debated, such as abortion, capital punishment, gun control, social media, etc. try to find a niche angle or new research. For example, instead of “Should abortion be legal?” you might consider “Should you be able to order abortion pills online?” Another example: “Should the death penalty be banned?” might become “How long is it ethical for someone to stay on death row?” If you do some digging, even the most cliche topics have incredibly interesting and relatively unexplored sub-topics.
• Create an outline. Your outline should include an introduction with a thesis statement, a body that uses evidence to elaborate and support your position while refuting any counterarguments, and a conclusion. The conclusion will both summarize the points made earlier and serve as your final chance to persuade your audience.
• Write your speech. Use your outline to help you as well as the data you’ve collected. Remember: this is not dry writing; this writing has a point of view, and that point of view is yours . Accordingly, use anecdotes and examples to back up your argument. The essential components of this speech are logos (logic), ethos (credibility), and pathos (emotion) . The ideal speech will use all three of these functions to engage the audience.

How to Practice and Deliver a Persuasive Speech

• Talk to yourself in the mirror, record yourself, and/or hold a practice speech for family or friends. If you’ll be using visual cues, a slide deck, or notecards, practice incorporating them seamlessly into your speech. You should practice until your speech feels very familiar, at least 5-10 times.
• Practice body language. Are you making eye contact with your audience, or looking at the ground? Crossing your arms over your chest or walking back and forth across the room? Playing with your hair, cracking your knuckles, or picking at your clothes? Practicing what to do with your body, face, and hands will help you feel more confident on speech day.
• Take it slow. It’s common to talk quickly while delivering a speech—most of us want to get it over with! However, your audience will be able to connect with you much more effectively if you speak at a moderate pace, breathe, and pause when appropriate.
• Give yourself grace. How you recover from a mistake is much more important than the mistake itself. Typically, the best approach is to good-naturedly shrug off a blip and move on. 99% of the time, your audience won’t even notice!

Good Persuasive Speech Topics—Final Thoughts

The art of persuasive speaking is a tricky one, but the tips and tricks laid out here will help you craft a compelling argument that will sway even the most dubious audience to your side. Mastering this art takes both time and practice, so don’t fret if it doesn’t come to you right away. Remember to draw upon your sources, speak with authority, and have fun. Once you have the skill of persuasive speaking down, go out there and use your voice to impact change!

Looking for some hot-button topics in college admissions? You might consider checking out the following:

• Do Colleges Look at Social Media?
• Should I Apply Test-Optional to College?
• Should I Waive My Right to See Letters of Recommendation?
• Should I Use the Common App Additional Information Section?
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Why the Arguments for Gay Marriage Are Persuasive

With two landmark gay marriage cases before the Supreme Court we are already seeing a flurry of articles, posts, tweets, and status updates about the triumph it will be when America finally embraces equality for all and allows homosexuals to love each other. These tweets and posts and articles perfectly capture the reason why the arguments for gay marriage have become so persuasive so fast. Given the assumptions and patterns of thinking our culture has embraced in the last fifty years, the case for gay marriage is relatively easy to make and the case against it makes increasingly little sense.

I don’t think the arguments or gay marriage are biblically faithfully, logically persuasive, or good for human flourishing in the long run, but they are almost impossible to overcome with most Americans, especially in younger generations. By and large, people don’t support gay marriage because they’ve done a lot of reading and soul searching, just like people didn’t oppose it on high flying intellectual grounds either. For a long time, homosexuality seemed weird or gross. Now it seems normal. More than that, it fits in perfectly with the dominant themes and narratives shared in our culture. Gay marriage is the logical conclusion to a long argument, which means convincing people it’s a bad idea requires overturning some of our most cherished values and most powerful ideologies.

Think of all the ways gay marriage fits in with our cultural mood and assumptions.

1. It’s about progress. Linking the pro-gay agenda with civil rights and women’s rights was very intentional, and it was a masterstroke. To be against gay marriage, therefore, is to be against enlightenment and progress. It puts you on the  “wrong side of history.” Of course, most people forget that lots of discarded ideas were once hailed as the inevitable march of progress. Just look at Communism or eugenics or phrenology or the Volt. But people aren’t interested in the complexities of history. We only know we don’t want to be like the nincompoops who thought the sun revolved around the earth and that slavery was okay.

2. It’s about love. When gay marriage is presented as nothing but the open embrace of human love, it’s hard to mount a defense. Who could possibly be against love? But hidden in this simple reasoning is the cultural assumption that sexual intercourse is necessarily the highest, and perhaps the only truly fulfilling, expression of love. It’s assumed that love is always self-affirming and never self-denying. It’s assumed that our loves never require redirection. Most damagingly, our culture (largely because of heterosexual sins) has come to understand marriage as nothing but the state sanctioning of romantic love. The propagation and rearing of children do not come into play. The role in incentivizing socially beneficial behavior is not in the public eye. People think of marriage as nothing more than the commitment (of whatever duration) which romantic couples make to each other.

3. It’s about rights. It’s not by accident the movement is called the gay rights movement. And I don’t deny that many gays and lesbians feel their fundamental human rights are at stake in the controversy over marriage. But the lofty talk of rights blurs an important distinction. Do consenting adults have the right to enter a contract of their choosing? It depends. Businesses don’t have a right to contract for collusion. Adults don’t have a right to enter into a contract that harms the public good. And even if you think these examples are beside the point, the fact remains that no law prohibits homosexuals (or any two adults) from making promises to each other, from holding a ceremony, from entering into a covenant with each other. The question is whether the government should bestow upon that contract the name of marriage with all the rights and privileges thereto.

4. It’s about equality. Recently, I saw a prominent Christian blogger tweet that she was for gay marriage because part of loving our neighbor is desiring they get equal justice under the law. Few words in the American lexicon elicit such broad support as “equality.” No one wants to be for unequal treatment under the law. But the issue before the Supreme Court is not equality, but whether two laws–one voted in by the people of California and the other approved by our democratically elected officials–should be struck down. Equal treatment under the law means the law is applied the same to everyone. Gay marriage proponents desire to change the law so that marriage becomes something entirely different. Surveys often pose the question “Should it be legal or illegal for gay and lesbian couples to marry?” That makes it sound like we are criminalizing people for commitments they make. The real issue, however, is whether the state has a vested interest in sanctioning, promoting, and privileging certain relational arrangements. Is it unjust for the state not to recognize as marriage your group of four friends, close cousins, or an office suite just because they want their commitments to be called marriage?

5. It’s about tolerance. Increasingly, those who oppose gay marriage are not just considered wrong or mistaken or even benighted. They are anti-gay haters. As one minister put it, gay marriage will eventually triumph because  love is stronger than hate . Another headline rang out that “discrimination is on trial” as the Supreme Court hears arguments on Proposition 8 and DOMA. The stark contrast is clear: either you support gay marriage or you are a bigot and a hater. It’s not wonder young people are tacking hard to left on this issue. They don’t want to be insensitive, close-minded, or intolerant. The notion that thoughtful, sincere, well-meaning, compassionate people might oppose gay marriage is a fleeting thought.

4 Relevant Lessons About Forgiveness

So what can be done? The momentum, the media, the slogans, the meta-stories all seem to be on the other side. Now what?

For starters, churches and pastors and Christian parents can prepare their families both intellectually and psychologically for the opposition that is sure to come. Conservative Christians have more kids; make sure they know what the Bible says and know how to think.

We should also remember that the church’s mission in life is not to defeat gay marriage. While too many Christians have already retreated, there may be others who reckon that everything hangs in the balance on this one issue. Let’s keep preaching, persevering, pursuing joy, and praying for conversions. Christians should care about the issue, and then carry on.

And if we are interested in being persuasive outside of our own churches, we’ll have to do several things better.

1) We need to go back several steps in each argument. We’ll never get a hearing on this issue, or a dozen others issues, unless we trace out the assumptions behind the assumptions behind the arguments behind the conclusions.

2) We need more courage.  The days of social acceptability for evangelicals, let alone privilege, are fading fast in many parts of the country. If we aren’t prepared to be counter-cultural we aren’t ready to be Christians. And we need courage not to just say what the Bible says, but to dare say what almost no one will say–that gay sex is unnatural and harmful to the body, that abandoning gender distinctions will be catastrophic for our society and for children, and that  monogamy and exclusivity is often understood differently in the gay community.

3) We need more creativity.  Statements and petitions and manifestos have their place, but what we really need is more than words and documents. We need artists and journalists and movie makers and story tellers and spoken word artists and comedians and actors and rappers and musicians who are galvanized by the truth to sing and speak and share in such a way that makes sin look strange and righteousness look normal.

4) We need a both-and approach . In the months ahead I imagine we’ll see Christians wrestle with whether the best way forward is to form new arguments that appeal to people where they’re at, or whether we simply need to keep preaching the truth and trust God to give some people the ears to hear. I’m convinced we need to do both. Let’s keep preaching, teaching, and laboring for faithful churches. Let’s be fruitful and multiply. Let’s train our kids in the way they should go. Let’s keep sharing the good news and praying for revival. And let’s also find ways to make the truth plausible in a lost world. Not only the truth about marriage, but the truth about life and sex and creation and beauty and family and freedom and a hundred other things humans tend to forget on this side of Adam.

The cultural assumptions in our day are not on our side, but if the last 50 years has shown us anything, it’s that those assumptions can change more quickly than we think.

Kevin DeYoung is Senior Pastor at University Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan. He is married to Trisha with five young children. This article originally appeared on Kevin DeYoung's blog, " DeYoung, Restless, and Reformed ," at The Gospel Coalition website. Used with permission.

(Article first published March 27, 2013)

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Barbara Walters Did the Work

In “The Rulebreaker,” Susan Page pays tribute to a pioneering journalist who survived being both a punchline and an icon.

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THE RULEBREAKER: The Life and Times of Barbara Walters, by Susan Page

Much of the material in “The Rulebreaker: The Life and Times of Barbara Walters” has been told before, with persuasive narrative control, by the late television journalist herself in her dishy 2008 memoir, “Audition.” Don’t let that stop the reader of this thorough, compassionate biography by Susan Page: It’s a valuable document, sobering where “Audition” aimed for sassy.

If anything, the 16 long years between autobiography and biography endow the two books, taken together, with a memento mori gravitas for any student of Walters, or of television journalism, or of the past, present and future of women in the TV workplace — or, for that matter, of Monica Lewinsky. More on her in a moment.

Walters called her autobiography “Audition” to emphasize the need she always felt to prove herself, pushing her way to professional success in a world that never made it easy for her. Nearly 80 then and still in the game, she acknowledged that personal contentment — love, marriage, meaningful family connections — lagged far behind. She wrote of being the daughter of an erratic father, who bounced — sometimes suicidally — between flush times and financial failure as a nightclub owner and impresario.

She told of her fearful mother, and of the mentally disabled older sister to whose welfare she felt yoked. She wrote of the three unsatisfying marriages, and of her strained relationship with the daughter she adopted as an infant.

She breezily acknowledged the ease she felt throughout her life with complicated men of elastic ethics like Roy Cohn and Donald Trump. She leaned into her reputation as a “pushy cookie.”

Page, the Washington bureau chief of USA Today, who has also written books about Barbara Bush and Nancy Pelosi, tells many of the same stories. (“Audition” is an outsize presence in the endnotes.) But in placing the emphasis on all the rule-breaking Barbara Jill Walters had to do over her long life — she died in 2022 at 93 — the biographer pays respect to a toughness easy to undervalue today, when the collective memory may see only the well-connected woman with the instantly recognizable (thanks to Gilda Radner’s “SNL” impression) speech impediment.

There was no one like her — not Diane, not Katie, not Judy, not Connie, not Gwen, not Christiane. Not Ellen. Not Oprah. Having created her niche, Walters fought all her life to protect it. Because no one else would. Would that be the case today? Discuss.

“At age 35,” Page writes, “she had finally found her place, a space that bridged journalism and entertainment and promotion. Traditionalists viewed the combination with consternation. She ignored their doubts as she redefined their industry. She saw herself as a journalist, albeit of a new and evolving sort. In some ways, she would make herself a leader in the news business by changing what, exactly, that could include.”

Walters broke rules to save her father from debt and jail. She broke rules to secure on-air status — and salary — equal to that of the often hostile men around her. Walters broke rules to land scoops, gain access and bag interviews.

The account of the driven competition she felt with her fellow TV journalist Diane Sawyer is both fun and silly/sad in its evocation of a catty rumble: Isn’t such competition the everyday reality of the bookers working for the famous men who currently host late-night talk shows? Aren’t those late-night hybrids now the closest thing we have to influential news interviews — except, perhaps, on the women-talking daytime show “The View,” invented in large part by Barbara Walters?

Walters didn’t break rules to get the first on-air interview with Monica Lewinsky — she just worked her tuchis off, from the day the news of an affair broke to the night of March 3, 1999 — watched by 74 million Americans.

Walters was nearly 70 and famous; Lewinsky was a private 25-year-old woman whose affair with her married boss had thrown a country into hypocritical hysterics. The process of establishing trust could not be rushed.

The older woman asked the younger woman a chain of tough questions about sex and intimacy and character and judgment that no human should have to endure on national television. The younger woman answered with a dignity currently out of fashion both in celebrity self-presentation and on the floor of the U.S. Congress.

In the quarter-century since that extraordinary event — the essence of a Barbara Walters Interview — Lewinsky has demonstrated an inspiring power to live on her own terms and not on the assumptions of others. The achievement required rules to be broken, and has come with a price.

Barbara Walters knew what that was like.

THE RULEBREAKER : The Life and Times of Barbara Walters | By Susan Page | Simon & Schuster | 444 pp. | $30.99

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