4-Point Refutation in Apologetics

When starting out, it's easy to fill a speech with assertions, conclusions, and support willy-nilly. Things get more complicated when you address claims you don't believe. However, there is an orderly way to refute an idea with which you disagree. Debaters should recognize this format, and even non-debaters will find it simple to understand and use.

Point 1: Identify. While you won’t hear “Contention 3” or “Disadvantage 24”, most General Questions and Statements hide assumptions that you can expose to the judges. For instance, topic III.B.7, “Why would a loving God create hell?” implies that God must not be loving because condemning anyone to hell is cruel. Identifying the assumption behind the question increases your credibility and clarifies your speech.

Point 2: Tag. A “tag” is a summary of your point, short enough for the judge to quickly write down. Fortunately, writing space on an IE ballot is way bigger than those tiny columns on a debate flow! Still, keep it concise and very clear. A tag might be something like, “Hell is a just punishment for sin,” or “God loves by giving sinners what they want.”

Point 3: Support. Don’t just make claims; give the judges a reason to prefer your point over your opponent’s, even theoretical ones. Debaters are rated on their use of evidence or support, and guess what? So are you! In fact, that’s the first thing the judges rate you on after stating and adhering to the topic. (You can download an NCFCA Apologetics ballot here.) It is crucial to include scripture and outside sources, and even more crucial that your support actually strengthens your claims.

Furthermore, speakers too often neglect to cite sources. If you read a statistic, state the year the study was done and what organization performed the research, at the very least. There’s no rule requiring it, but it shows credibility and academic integrity, as well as helping the audience find the information later to share with unbelievers.

Be specific with quotations. Instead of saying, “the Bible says that,” or “as the apostle Paul wrote,” cite the reference if you can. And instead of “C.S. Lewis once said something like,” try “C.S. Lewis wrote in chapter 5 of Mere Christianity,” and read the quotation verbatim.

You don’t have an opponent across the table now, but be ready to dialogue with the many people who disagree with Christianity. Document your support just as carefully as you would for a debate round.

Point 4: Impact. Impacting is showing why your point matters to the judge. Often overlooked, this step can make your speech more personal and memorable. This is different from explaining the meaning and significance of a term in that it focuses on the significance of a particular point you’ve introduced, not an entire theological concept chosen for you to explain.

If you’ve never used 4-point refutation in apologetics, give it a try! Practice using it in your debate rounds, too, if you don’t already. Whenever you’re refuting an idea, this simple format is a recipe for clarity, organization, and solid communication.