Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 177:706 (Apr 2020)
Article: The Table Briefing: Dialogical Apologetics And Difficult Spiritual Conversations, Part 4
Author: Darrell L. Bock

BSac 177:706 (April-June 2020) p. 234

The Table Briefing:
Dialogical Apologetics And Difficult Spiritual Conversations, Part 4

Darrell L. Bock

and

Mikel Del Rosario

Darrell L. Bock is senior research professor in New Testament Studies and executive director for cultural engagement at Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas. Mikel Del Rosario is a doctoral student in New Testament studies, project manager for cultural engagement at Dallas Theological Seminary, and adjunct professor of Christian apologetics and world religion at William Jessup University, Rocklin, California.

As Western culture has been shedding its Judeo-Christian beliefs, the array of voices in our more tightly-connected world presents a cacophony of options. Whether it be a plethora of religious choices or of life choices, our culture exposes people to a wider set of options. What was once exotic and foreign has moved next door. Dialogical apologetics maintains that the best way to cope with such choices and reflect biblical faith is to be equipped to articulate the uniqueness of the Christian faith. Yet, somewhat counterintuitively, to listen carefully before speaking is crucial to this.

In the previous three parts of this series, we discussed the importance of listening and empathy. Now we focus on why this “way in” to a conversation is so important. As dialogical as apologetics needs to be, any good conversation requires a keen ear for what is best discussed and a probing heart to consider the best way to engage with someone—especially someone who may be thinking very differently about the world. This involves understanding how conversations work beyond what is said on the surface and how to determine the best way into substantive territory.

BSac 177:706 (April-June 2020) p. 235

Understanding How Conversations Work

In a DTS Magazine article titled “Negotiating Difficult Conversations: Understanding the Three Layers of Communication,”1 Darrell Bock explained three elements of any significant conversation. He called it “understanding the triphonics in any dialogue.”

Conversations are a primary way we relate to others. Whether it be in marriage, business, politics, theology, over Skype, social media or the phone, human conversations are precious commodities. . . . Understanding how discussions work and what can make them break down is important. In cultural engagement, conversations are a primary means of relational commerce.

Triphonics refers to something playing on three sound channels at once. That’s what most conversations are. . . .

The first level is ...