You’re in a conversation and someone raises a very specific challenge to Christianity.
“The Gospels were originally anonymous.”
“The resurrection story was copied from pagan myths.”
“Archaeology proves the Exodus didn’t happen.”
You want to respond… but you realize you don’t know enough. You feel it. You’re out of your depth.
Do you admit your ignorance? Change the subject? Pretend you know more than you do?
What would you say?
Hi. I’m Tim Barnett of Red Pen Logic with Mr. B.
When discussing a challenging topic, it’s helpful to pause and THINK through these five steps:
T. Test the Claim
H. Hold it up to Scripture
I. Identify assumption
N. Name the fallacies
K. Know what you’re talking about.
This last episode covers K: Know what you’re talking about.
So, the next time someone says something that challenges what you believe and you aren’t sure how to respond, here are three things to remember.
First, know your limits.
A good thinker knows what they know and what they don’t. Nobody has all the answers, and that’s okay. Recognizing the limits of your knowledge isn’t a weakness; it’s a sign of wisdom.
Overconfidence is dangerous. We often assume we understand more than we actually do. Psychologists call this the Dunning-Kruger Effect: when someone knows little about a topic, they tend to overestimate their understanding. Ironically, those who know more often recognize just how much they still have to learn.
If you’re honest about what you don’t know, you won’t misrepresent the facts, and you’ll be better positioned to engage thoughtfully and humbly with others.
When you don’t know the answer, it’s okay to say, “That’s an interesting challenge. I’m not sure how to respond.”
I remember at a Q&A after one of my talks, someone asked me how I reconcile an alleged Bible contradiction. In that moment, I didn’t have an answer. Instead of guessing, I said, “I don’t know. I’ll need to look into it.” Even though I didn’t have an answer, that same person ended up thanking me for my intellectual honesty.
So, the next time you find yourself out of your depth, don’t panic. It’s okay to admit when you don’t know. But don’t stop there. This leads to the next point.
Second, seek out answers.
You can’t properly evaluate a challenge if you don’t understand the topic. There’s no getting around it. Sometimes you hear an objection and realize, “I don’t actually know how to respond.” That’s not a failure; it’s an invitation to learn. So, be curious. Read. Study. Check sources.
For example, if someone says, “The Gospels were originally anonymous,” don’t just respond with “No they weren’t.” Instead, do your best to understand the arguments for and against the claim. Find out what scholars say. Understand the arguments and counterarguments. Try to gather as much information as you can.
Thoughtful Christians get informed. But that takes hard work.
Once you’ve gathered enough information to critically evaluate a claim, you’re ready for the last step.
Third, follow the evidence.
The motivation behind critical thinking isn’t winning an argument; it’s discovering what’s true.
The goal isn’t to defend every view you hold. It’s to follow the truth wherever it leads. Everyone has a worldview—a set of beliefs about the world. Think of your worldview like a map. Sometimes it accurately describes reality; sometimes it needs updating. Following the truth means letting evidence correct your map, even when it challenges what you thought you knew.
After thoroughly researching an issue, consider asking yourself, “Am I willing to follow the evidence no matter where it leads? And if not, why not?”
This question exposes your motives. Are you merely protecting your position? Or are you pursuing truth at all costs?
And as we’ve seen throughout these five episodes, becoming a critical thinker involves several skills: carefully testing claims, holding ideas up to Scripture, identifying hidden assumptions, naming faulty reasoning, and doing the work to understand the issues.
And it also requires the humility to admit what you don’t know, the curiosity to search for answers, and the courage to follow the evidence wherever it leads.
So, the next time someone argues something that challenges what you believe, remember these three things:
First, know your limits.
Second, seek out answers.
Third, follow the evidence.
Colson Center
Colson Center : Jun 29, 2026 2:33:52 PM
