How to Tell the Truth: The Story of How God Saved Me to Win Hearts, Not Just Arguments Preston Perry. Tyndale Elevate, 2024.
“Sharing our faith is not about winning arguments; it’s about winning hearts,” said Preston Perry — poet, performance artist, teacher and apologist — in the introduction of his latest book.
“How to Tell the Truth: The Story of How God Saved Me to Win Hearts, Not Just Arguments” begins with how Perry went from growing up on the South Side of Chicago, which was filled with “bullets and drug transactions,” to coming to Christ through his aunt’s fervent prayers.
‘Accidental apologist’
He became an “accidental apologist” when he found himself sharing his newfound faith with a Jehovah’s Witness, but he soon found he was so busy trying to convince his friend that his religion was wrong that he forgot the real goal.
Misunderstanding what apologetics is, Perry thought it was all about defending his faith. His mentor reminded him that it was all about reaching others.
He asked Perry to take a closer look at 1 Peter 3:15. He found the first part very familiar. It was when he kept reading that he noticed something vital, something he had always missed.
“Man, there ain’t even a period between ‘make a defense … for the hope that is in you’ and ‘do it with gentleness and respect.’ It’s all one big thought. How could I have missed that?” Perry wondered.
Real-life lessons
After this realization, he also learned:
— People don’t like being lectured at but love to be heard.
— Asking the right questions is much more important than having the right answers.
— Compassion is a key component of witnessing.
In other words, he “learned from the Master” and began to make a conscious effort to share his faith the way Jesus did.
Perry also has a YouTube channel called “Apologetics with Preston Perry” where he shares real-life examples and tips about Scripture and witnessing, along with his poetry.
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