Review of Tactics by Gregory Koukl

I listened to the audiobook version, which is a seminar given by the author, and I couldn’t turn it off. He is a very engaging speaker with a gift at making the principles not only easy to understand, but easy to remember.

The subtitle (“A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions”) is a perfect description of the book. It’s a practical guide for Christians seeking to engage in conversations about faith without resorting to confrontation or defensiveness.

The title (“Tactics”) points to the fact that even if you know great answers to objections, if you approach skeptics with the wrong tactics, you can undermine your own effectiveness.

Part 1

He begins with a discussion of the value of “gardening” as opposed to “harvesting.” We don’t have to aim at converting everyone we talk to in every conversation. There is value in planting and watering seeds.

Part 2 – Tactics

The most foundational tactic is what Koukl calls “the Columbo approach” (ask lots of questions—especially the question, “What do you mean by that?”). Super easy to remember and, when used as he describes, very effective. Koukl suggests ways to bring the other person to the point of stating the points you want them to get but in a nonconfrontational way. For example, instead of trying to convince the person he is guilty before God, you could simply ask, “Do you think people who commit moral crimes should be punished? Have you ever committed any?”

Another helpful habit is to ask, “How did you come to that conclusion?” which places the burden of proof back on the other person.

Koukl shows how to spot self-refuting arguments (which he cleverly calls “arguments that commit suicide”).

Throughout the book, Koukl offers insightful answers to common objections to Christianity.

The book is structured around foundational principles, core tactics, and practical applications, blending storytelling, biblical insights, and real-world examples. Koukl divides effective ambassadorship into three pillars: “content” (knowing the gospel and common objections), “method” (tactical tools for dialogue), and “manner” (gracious, Spirit-led demeanor).

I highly recommend this book. It’s a great tool for equipping you to defend the faith without having to become an expert in apologetics.

Find the book for purchase here.

For more of my book reviews, check out the book review page.