Is It Wrong to Try and Argue People into Faith?

I don't have the time to formulate an entire answer to your post, so I'll just respond to a part of it. Yes, the cross is foolishness to them. But the Bible also says that the foolishness of preaching is what God uses.

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Steve,

Apologetics is a valuable pursuit. Apologetics is not always about Christianity per se, but it also for specific theological positions. For that reason, it has great value for the Church. I think what you are addressing is Finneyism. Charles Finney was an evangelist who unashamedly preyed on the emotions of his audience to elicit a response to his gospel invitation. I went to a bible college in the Adirondacks that used the Finney model at their stadium events. Play multiple stanzas of "Just as I am" and make a statement like, "If you can't stand for Jesus in a place like this [surronded by Christians] you'll never be able to stand for him anywhere!" That type of evangelism uses emotional persuasion as the means to get people to come forward and "make a decision for Christ". It is dishonest and manipulative. The recidivism rate of those who make such decisions is staggering. That is why that brand of fundamentalism had to invent a new ordinance for the church: the re-dedication ceremony.

Engage with your non-Christian friends. Do not be afraid of biblically based apologetic resources. Employ wisdom to know when to shut off the discussion until next time. Remember that in the end, it is the Holy Spirit who regenerates the soul. His work will never be thwarted by man.

 

Read Nabeel Qureshi's book, "Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus", then get back to me.
Read the book of "The Acts of the Apostles" then get back to me.

 

When confronted by an aggressor do you refuse to stand firm or do you allow them to denigrate your King?

There is a point where you " dust off your sandals" and walk away. The question is...when?

If I am responding out of anger, then it's best to stop. If I am rightly standing up for my King, even though the opponent is angry, then I push the point.

 

I think we have to look at our presuppositions.
For me, I recognize that God is the only one who can save a person. God is the one who chooses to adopt a person as His child (Ephesians 1:4-5). Therefore, no amount of discussion will convince a person for whom God has not chosen to adopt. We are responsible to preach the gospel so that those whom God chooses to adopt will respond. We are responsible, as God's ambassadors, to present the message of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5).
The message of reconciliation requires apologetics mainly because many in our society do not think they need reconciliation with God. They look at the scales and think their good deeds outweigh their bad deeds. Apologetics reveals to them that they are rebels in need of reconciliation.
Only God knows whom He will adopt. He also knows the list (chosen from before the foundation of the world) of whom He will adopt. We cannot thwart God, no matters how badly we screw up a presentation. That should ease our fears. At the same time, we should be cognizant to always speak in love.
We will give account to our King for our own actions. But, we cannot thwart Him from bringing his adopted children home.
That is my presupposition and it takes away my fear of screwing up.

 

Lets go over these assertions one at a time:

1) We cannot "argue" people into faith. Paul indicated we should present the gospel and endeavor to "win" some for Christ. We are to plant the seed and to water and to till the ground.

2) God does not say we should present the gospel with weakness, no we are to be bold.

It is true we are to make a persuasive argument for trusting in Jesus, but not at the expense of the truth about sharing in Christ's suffering and persecution.

Last point, blind faith. I grew up in a Christian family, went to Sunday School from an early age. I always believed in God and Jesus. My problem is that I thought I would be such a wretched worthless Christian that I should hide my faith under a basket so that my testimony would not hinder the ministry of Christ. So when I put my life in Christ's hands, it was with blind faith that somehow I could live it in a way worthy of my calling.

 

It is a useful tool that God uses, but the bottom lime is still that still regardless if use the scriptures, or proofs, that the Holy Spirit Himself uses them to save sinners!

 

I think the most powerful way to evangelize is to live the Christian life. Use Jesus as your example. If necessary say a few words. When you develop a relationship with someone else and show them you love them as someone who is precious and worthy of respect many times they will ask you: What's different about you? Then slowly you can enter into a conversation about how important following Jesus has been in your life and give them some examples. Certainly arguing never works nor does rational discussion. People respond when they realize you are not merely trying to put another notch on you "people I've saved" belt but are genuinely interested in helping them find the meaning and peace that your faith has given you.

 

No. God alone speaks to the human and makes them alive in Christ. We cannot expect our reasoning to make them alive in Christ (Ephesians 2:1-10).

No one should argue with a fool, but not all atheists are fools. Some have honestly concluded the same thing that Solomon concludes in Ecclesiastes, which is...everything is meaningless. From a presupposition that God doesn't exist, Nietzche was correct. Nihilism is all one can conclude.
However, this is why we debate with others we do so to knock the crutch of their presupposition out from under their feet so that they might be brought to utter despair and perhaps God might reach out and graciously keep them from dropping into hell (like God did for you and me).

No need for attack, but we must march forward because the gates of hell cannot stand against the forces of God Almighty. We must point out the critical flaws in their crutch by questioning their presuppositions and comparing/contrasting their worldview with ours.
God tells us to study to show ourselves approved, to be ready to give account for the faith that is within us. We should strive to know God and be excellent in everything we do to the glory of God.

 

You need to think about what you mean by "faith." Is "the faith" a set of core assertions (i.e. Trinity, Jesus is God, etc) or is it your individual embrace of those assertions?

Does the Bible call for us to "defend the faith?"

Acts 14:22
strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”

1 Corinthians 16:13
Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

And then of course we have those who are "in the faith." Does this refer to those who have been spiritually baptized into the body of Christ (Faith) or simply to those advocating the pure gospel and not some adulteration of it?