Answer (2)

Given the variety of recent research concerning people's objections to the Christian faith, I tend to concur with John Stackhouse (refer to book reference below) who states that Christian apologetics needs to take three particular more humble and gentle forms: removing obstacles to faith (rather than erecting barriers), clarifying issues as they arise in other people's minds, and offering 'inducements' to believe ... along the lines of "oh taste and see". On this, UK theologian Graham Tomlin writes as follows. "Apologetics that tries to remove obstacles, clarify issues and offer inducements doesn't tread on holy ground, trying to do the Spirit's work for him (sic). Instead, it simply 'prepares the way of the Lord', into the frail tentative human hearts of the unconvinced [and also those described as 'nervously theistic']". Amen, I think!! This answer motivated from reading Spencer N & Tomlin G, The Responsive Church: Listening to our World, Listening to God (2005), p.72-3.