But what if you are wrong?

Yesterday, the youth group I help facilitate watched a presentation where the speaker challenged his audience to ask 4 questions when engaging people (with an optional 5th, if the conversation moved toward the gospel). These questions are designed to disarm arguments against Christianity and can be used in various discussions. The key, of course, is to use these questions with a meek and humble heart, not just to win an argument, but to open the door for the gospel.

Here are the questions:

1. What do you mean by ____________? This question forces people to define their terms. Probably everyone sees the value in this. An example the presenter gave is when talking to someone about the gospel. If the person you are talking to says they're a Christian, the answer to this question clarifies the issue.
2. How do you know?  This question can have twin affects. One is to make a person stop and think about a position they hold. We have all had thoughts, ideas, beliefs that we ascribed to just because. Then, when confronted with the prospect of actually have to defend that belief, it crumbles in the dust. The second aspect of this question is that it introduces the concept of ultimately reality. Many people deny the existence of an ultimate reality, but this question, just in the asking, allows the concept to be gently introduced.
3. What difference does this make? Often arguments are based on preference rather than strong fundamental differences. This question exposes whether this is true.Consider someone who would say there should be no prayer in school. This question would force them to say that it is really about their preference over someone else's
4. What happens if you are wrong? This question is based on Pascal's Wager. While Pascal's Wager is intended specifically for the theism / atheism debate, the question it poses is legitimate to ask at many levels. The bottom-line with this question is that if a Christian is wrong, the worst he or she is doing is making this world a little more bearable and trying to spread hope and love, but if the non-Christian is wrong...
5. What evidence would you accept? This question would only apply if someone is pushing back and asking these same questions in return. As the speaker said, God may use these questions to push a person to the edge of their view of reality and they may begin to see the emptiness and being asking, perhaps defensively, what's difference about Christianity. This question should help us see their seriousness.

 So, I share this with two thoughts in mind.  One is that these questions can really be slid into most conversations, if and when we have them in our minds and are not afraid to actually ask them. The other is tied to the "Rob Bell - Is there really a Hell" debate. I wholeheartedly agree with much of the defense of the doctrine of hell that has been articulated in the last two weeks. However, I would want to ask Mr Bell just one question: "What if your wrong?"

To God Alone be the Glory