Last night I went to a crowded bar to watch the election returns. I struck up a conversation with a couple from Australia. After telling me how much they don't like Trump, the wife, knowing I was a pastor, began to tell me all the things wrong with the church. She voiced the usual complaints: hypocrisy, pedophilia, financial corruption, immorality, restricting women, etc. Then she turned on the teachings of Jesus, particularly that she no longer believes he ascended bodily into heaven. I was well-versed in the topic, having recently preached on the Ascension. I responded by saying, "If Christ was born of a virgin, then he should have no problem ascending to heaven." When she said she didn't believe in the divinity of Christ either, I told her that actually she is a deist, not a Christian. She was a little offended, but it got her thinking. My goal was just to "put a stone in her shoe,"* rather than win the argument. I'm getting better at this, and it's fun!
* See George Koukl, Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions, p. 38
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