SKU: 54345801922
charlie philodendron

charlie philodendron Philodendron ‘Mcdowell’

Sale price$21.45 Regular price$23.83
Save 10%

Pay in installments of $5.96 with ShopPay, AfterPay and Klarna

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Aug 21 - Aug 26

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

charlie philodendron Philodendron ‘Mcdowell’The Philodendron Mcdowell is a crawling, drought tolerant plant that has lush, heart shaped leaves and a velvet like texture. This tropical plant is well known among collectors and indoor plant enthusiasts, and it is the ideal combination of easy care and captivating beauty. This crawling hybrid is a cross between Philodendron gloriosum and Philodendron pastazanum. This unique origin gives McDowell its natural adaptability to warm and humid

The Philodendron ‘Mcdowell’ is a crawling, drought-tolerant plant that has lush, heart-shaped leaves and a velvet-like texture. This tropical plant is well-known among collectors and indoor plant enthusiasts, and it is the ideal combination of easy care and captivating beauty.  

This crawling hybrid is a cross between Philodendron gloriosum and Philodendron pastazanum. This unique origin gives ‘McDowell’ its natural adaptability to warm and humid environments, as well as being tolerant to low light; which mimics the shaded conditions of tropical forest floors.

The standout feature of the Mcdowell Philodendron plant is undoubtedly its massive, heart-shaped leaves, which can reach up to 2 feet in length when grown in ideal conditions.

These leaves have a deep green hue with prominent, white-veined patterns, and their texture resembles a velvety fabric, giving the plant an exceptionally tactile allure.

It is a terrestrial grower, which means it typically crawls along the soil rather than climbing, making it ideal for low, wide pots. 

Though it rarely blooms indoors, the Philodendron 'Mcdowell' plant can produce tiny, spathe-like flowers. These blooms are not as showy as the plant's foliage and often go unnoticed, but they do emit a subtle fragrance. Flowering may occur if the plant is grown outdoors in a tropical climate or in a greenhouse that replicates its native conditions. 

As an indoor plant, Philodendron ‘Mcdowell’ not only enhances the aesthetic of a space with its dramatic foliage, but it also helps purify the air by absorbing pollutants. Like other philodendrons, it plays a role in removing toxins, making it an excellent choice for improving indoor air quality. Its lush, tropical appearance adds a sense of tranquility and vibrant greenery to any interior setting.

When and How to Water Philodendron ‘Mcdowell

Like other drought-tolerant plants, the Philodendron McDowell can handle some neglect when it comes to watering. It is important to allow the soil to dry out between waterings to prevent root rot. Overwatering can be more harmful than underwatering for this plant.  

In the spring and summer, during the growing season, you want to keep the soil slightly moist but not waterlogged. A good rule of thumb is to water it when the top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch. You can water it thoroughly typically for 1-2 weeks, allowing excess water to drain out of the pot to prevent root rot. 

In the fall and winter, during the dormant season, the McDowell Philodendron plant doesn't need as much water. You should reduce the frequency of watering to once a week. It's essential to adjust your watering schedule based on the plant's needs and the environmental conditions. Overwatering can be more harmful than underwatering for this plant, so it's better to err on the side of slightly underwatering than overdoing it. Just keep an eye on the moisture and adjust accordingly to keep your Philodendron happy and healthy!

Light Requirements – Where to Place Your Philodendron Plant 

When grown indoors, it does well in bright, indirect light for at least 4-6 hours a day. You can place it near a window where it can get filtered sunlight or even a few feet away from a window with bright, indirect light.

Just avoid placing it in direct sunlight as that can scorch its leaves. If you notice the leaves turning yellow or brown, it might be getting too much light. 

For outdoor cultivation, Philodendron McDowell can still do well in bright, indirect light. It's best to place it in a spot where it gets filtered sunlight or dappled shade.

If you're in a region with intense sunlight, make sure to protect it from direct sun exposure, especially during the hottest parts of the day.

Remember, the key is to provide it with the right balance of light – not too dim and not too bright. 

Optimal Soil & Fertilizer Needs 

When it comes to soil for your Philodendron McDowell, it thrives in a well-draining potting mix. This type of soil allows excess water to drain away, preventing waterlogging, which can lead to root rot. You can also consider adding some orchid bark or charcoal to the mix to enhance aeration and drainage, promoting healthy root growth. Planet Desert specialized potting soil, opens in a new tabGo to soil cactus mix blend 1 gal 4 qt cacti succulent dirt compost growing media that includes an organic substrate with mycorrhizae to help with the growth of a healthy root system to help your succulents thrive. 

Your Philodendron McDowell doesn't require a lot of feeding. During the growing season in spring, you can fertilize it with a balanced NPK fertilizer diluted to half strength. Feed the plant once a year to provide it with the necessary nutrients for healthy growth. During the dormant season in fall and winter, you can reduce or stop fertilizing altogether since the plant's growth slows down during this time. Always remember to follow the instructions on the fertilizer package to avoid overfeeding, which can harm the plant. With the right soil mix and proper fertilization, your Philodendron plant will continue to thrive and grace your space with its lush green foliage.

Hardiness Zones & More 

When grown indoors, with bright, indirect light keep the temperature between 65-80°F during the day and no lower than 60°F at night. Avoid placing it near drafty windows or doors as sudden temperature drops can stress the plant. Maintaining a stable temperature will help your Philodendron thrive and remain healthy indoors. 

For outdoor planting, the Philodendron McDowell is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 10-11. These zones typically have milder winters with temperatures above 30°F.

If you live in a colder climate, you can still grow it outdoors during the warmer months and bring it inside before the temperatures drop. This plant thrives in temperatures above 50°F and doesn't tolerate frost well. 

The Philodendron plants enjoy moderate to high humidity levels. Indoors, you can increase humidity by misting the plant regularly, using a humidifier, or placing a tray of water near the plant. Outdoors in humid regions, the plant will naturally benefit from the ambient moisture in the air. 

Wildlife – Philodendron Mcdowell Attracts the Following Friendly Pollinators 

The Philodendron McDowell is known to attract pollinators such as bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies with its unique flowers. These pollinators are drawn to the plant's nectar and can help facilitate the pollination process, leading to the production of seeds. By attracting these pollinators, the Philodendron McDowell contributes to the ecosystem's biodiversity and promotes plant reproduction. 

Butterflies
Bees
Hummingbirds
Lady Bugs
Multi Pollinators
Other Birds

Philodendron McDowell is mildly toxic to pets and humans, causing symptoms such as irritation and swelling if ingested. It is safe to touch and handle without any adverse effects. However, it is recommended to keep this plant out of reach of pets and children to prevent accidental ingestion.

How to Propagate Your Philodendron ‘Mcdowell 

The Philodendron McDowell can be propagate through stem cuttings. To propagate your plant, you can take a cutting with at least one node (where leaves are attached) and place it in water or directly into a well-draining potting mix. Keep the cutting in a warm and humid environment, and roots should start to develop within a few weeks. Once the roots are established, you can transplant the cutting into a larger pot with soil and continue to care for it as you would a mature plant. This method of propagation is relatively straightforward and can help you expand your Philodendron collection. 

Key Takeaways

  1. This Philodendron is a hybrid created by John Banta, a cross between Philodendron gloriosum and Philodendron pastazanum. It inherits the striking heart-shaped leaves and velvety texture from its parent plants.
  2. The Philodendron 'Mcdowell' is a crawler rather than a climber, unlike vining Philodendrons, which grow upward with support.
  3. The extremely large, heart-shaped leaves are velvety with prominent white veins, making it a popular choice among collectors. Young leaves often emerge with a pinkish hue before maturing into a deep green.
  4. As a crawler rather than a climber, Mcdowell grows horizontally across the soil, requiring a wide pot or ground space to thrive.
  5. This Philodendron plant is known for its air-purifying qualities, making it a popular choice for indoor spaces.

The Bottom Line 

Overall, the Philodendron ‘Mcdowell’ is a stunning hybrid known for its large, heart-shaped, velvety leaves with distinct white veins that give it a bold, tropical appearance. As a crawling variety, it grows horizontally, spreading across the soil, which makes it ideal for wide containers or as a ground cover in tropical gardens. This plant thrives in bright, indirect light and requires consistently moist but well-drained soil. It’s essential to let the top inch dry out between waterings to prevent root rot. High humidity (around 60-80%) and warm temperatures between 65-80°F are ideal for its growth, making it a great indoor plant, especially when a humidifier is available in drier environments. With proper care and attention, Philodendron ‘Mcdowell’ brings lush, green beauty to any space and rewards growers with its impressive, luxurious foliage. Order your very own Philodendron ‘Mcdowell’ for sale today! 

Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 54345801922

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell charlie philodendron

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.3 ★★★★★
Based on 20 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
B
Verified Purchase
Bartol CZ
Phoenix, US
★★★★★ 5
Cannot recommend this book enough
Greg Koukl’s "Tactics: A game plan for discussing your Christian convictions" is an excellent tool for anyone engaged in everyday conversations with unbelievers. With a mountain of attacks coming at Christians today, it can easily become overwhelming or even defeating for someone who wants to communicate his or her faith. What Koukl sets out to do in this book is to empower his readers to not only not be afraid, but be confident in what they believe, without feeling like the worlds questions are on their shoulders. The first half of this work deals with the game plan. In every day conversations, there are often a lot of claims about the Christian faith that are unfounded, so Koukl’s tactic is primarily a shifting in the burden of proof. He uses the show Columbo as his primary example, as the main character acts like a bumbling fool, but is really a brilliant detective. He will act like a fool to put off his suspect, but then asks incriminating questions to get his suspect to confess. In the same way, when a Christian is given a claim against his or her faith, they do not need to bear the weight of the claim, but can ask for more information and then allow them to defend their conclusions. It is not confrontational and helps the conversation gain some clarity. More often than not, in those moments, the baseless claims are exposed for what they really are, and the Christian is able to deal with the weightier matters of God and the individual. The second half of his book deals with the practicalities of how this tactic can play out. It is no longer an issue of steering the conversation, but of having the practical thinking skills to be a knowledgeable ambassador. A lot of these principles take practice and immersion for it to become a habitual thing, but that’s the first thing that Koukl encourages his readers to do: Try. You will never be able to become proficient at this if you are not entering into conversation with others. The first thing that he encourages us to look out for in this section is the self-refuting questions or objections, which he calls “suicide.” These are views that are inherently contradictory. He said, “When statements fail to meet their own criteria of validity, they are self-refuting.” The concept of truth as universally relative is a good example of this, since it is making the objective truth claim that all truth is subjectively relative. So, it commits suicide by its own assertions. The following chapter shows not only the logical inconsistencies with self-refuting claims, but also the fact that it cannot play out in reality. No one can live (at least consistently) with a worldview that is inherently contradictory. When someone tells you that you cannot judge or that you should not try and change the beliefs of other people, they are in fact doing the very thing that they claim is wrong. One aspect that I particularly enjoyed was his chapter on taking the roof off. This was a deliberate exposition on Francis Schaeffer’s use of reductio ad absurdum. “Whenever someone tries to deny the truth, reality ultimately betrays them.” When a person holds to a false worldview, oftentimes the reductio can help take them to the logical ends of their view. For instance, if someone holds to monism, where all is one and differences are an illusion, then the internal human drive for justice is equally an illusion, and thus a man loving his wife and family has no moral difference in the universe than a man walking into a kindergarten classroom and shooting everyone in sight. Most do not want to deal with the reality of what their worldview allows. But sometimes people, regardless of whether they are proven wrong, will not let you get a word in. His chapter on the steamroller is particularly helpful here. The Christian wants to be the most loving that he or she can possibly be in a conversation, and the steamroller personality will use that to their advantage, as they control the conversation and avoid dealing with their own claims. So, Koukl has the Christian simply stop the conversation, shame the person for being so overbearing, and if that does not work, simply leave. It does not good to try and have a conversation with someone who is not willing to have a conversation. The three things that he ultimately wants his readers to develop are Character, knowledge, and wisdom. With these three combined, the ambassador has enough in his or her arsenal to fight for the hearts and minds of the people he or she engages. Without knowledge, the Christian is ignorant, without wisdom, he or she is without direction in the conversation, and without character, the Christian runs the risk of being a jerk. Koukl said, “My goal… is to find clever ways to exploit someone’s bad thinking for the purpose of guiding her to truth, yet remaining as gracious and charitable at the same time. My aim is to manage not manipulate; to control, not coerce; to finesse, not fight.” He wants the reader to be the best Christian that the non-Christian has ever met. When the focus is on truth and compassion for the other person, it becomes more a matter of putting a stone in their shoe, to make them think, than a series of manipulating maneuvers to get them to convert. This makes room for friendships to develop, rather than confrontations that create an us/them mentality, and, God willing, these encounters will eventually be the means that God uses to save them. While this book is not a how to guide, it does offer some quality introductions to apologetic arguments and a great framework for discussing Christian convictions with those who do not hold to their worldview. Many who are new to apologetics will find a goldmine in this book, and those who are well versed will find an equal amount of value, since he gives a framework for discussion that is winsome and gets to the root of the issues to let the gospel shine. I reference this book often, since this model is the way I try to do apologetics with both Christians and non-Christians.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2014
C
Verified Purchase
cody
Grantham, US
★★★★★ 5
Excellent and Incredibly Helpful — Full of Practical Wisdom
Format: Paperback
Tactics, 10th Anniversary Edition: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions is an excellent book and extremely helpful. It’s packed with thoughtful insights and practical “gems” that equip believers to engage in meaningful conversations about their faith with clarity and confidence. What makes this book stand out is how approachable and usable it is. The tactics are easy to understand, respectful in tone, and genuinely effective in real conversations—not just theoretical arguments. I would highly recommend this to anyone who wants to better articulate and defend their Christian convictions while remaining gracious and thoughtful in discussion.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2026
E
Verified Purchase
Esther Nistor
Charlottesville, US
★★★★★ 4
Christians should learn how to communicate their convictions
INTRODUCTION: KOUKL AND TACTICS Tactics is a resource for Christians who are looking to hone their apologetic skills and seeking to grow in their opportunities to evangelize more effectively. Gregory Koukl, who teaches at Biola University, is validated in the area of apologetics by many years of experience in defending the faith but also in the theological whit involved in evangelizing. Koukl is the founder of a website called Stand To Reason, which is one of the most viewed websites on apologetics. For years, Koukl has sought to help individual Christians defend their faith and share their convictions. Using tactics, Koukl attempts to challenge Christians to embody his Ambassador Model – thinking logically, loving graciously, and persuading passionately. SUMMARY The book is very easy to read. It is dividend into two parts, the first revealing a game plan for defending the faith. In the first part, Koukl is concerned with helping his readers grasp the concept of maneuvering effortlessly through conversations about religion. Many Christians feel awkward and uncertain when navigating through conversations about their convictions, and Koukl does an exceptional job of providing an infrastructure for the believer to be relieved of these tensions. PART 1: COLUMBO TACTIC EXPLAINED The main thrust of Koukl’s tactic is what he calls “Columbo”. The key to the Columbo tactic is to “go on the offensive in an inoffensive way by using carefully selected questions to productively advance the conversation” (47). The advantages of this tactic are numerous, including: the ability to start conversations, invite others in, remain neutral by asking questions, buy more time to think, and remain in control of the conversation. Koukl’s purpose in employing this tactic is to gather information. By asking “what do you mean by that?” you force somebody to think critically of their answers and their underlying convictions. Another revealing feature of the Columbo tactic is the ability to cause others to defend their beliefs. By asking “How did you come to that conclusion?” we are forcing the other person to explain their process of reasoning and how such derived conclusions were attained. The final purpose of the Columbo tactic is to lead an individual to what we want to accomplish. Do we want to inform, persuade or challenge them? Asking leading questions will help to steer the conversation, however, the one asking the questions must have some prior knowledge. Koukl encourages his readers by reminding them that this tactic must be honed over time. Pointing out the errors of our opponent in a gracious way will eventually help us determine the basis of their conclusions, and furthermore, we can lead them to think anew upon their beliefs by asking “Have you considered…?” PERFECTING COLUMBO Perfecting the Columbo tactic takes time. Those who use it should be aware of efforts from opponents’ attempts to derail them. Christians who use the tactic should always refine by rethinking their questions, reworking their own conclusions, and considering more leading questions. Christians should also be aware of assertions made by opponents. For the sake of control and clarity, Christians may refuse to answer their opponents’ leading questions. Koukl reminds his readers that it will take time to develop strong questions and convictions, but over time, the power of Columbo is unimaginable. It is like saying to somebody, “You’re naked” (102). PART 2: COLUMBO TACTIC IN ACTION In the second part of the book, Koukl unpacks Columbo and exposes the different opposing arguments. This part of the book is philosophical but simple enough for lay Christians to be able to grasp the concepts. The examples that he gives in subsequent chapters include Formal Suicide (statements that violate the law of non-contradiction), Practical Suicide (statements that are not contradictory but are self-defeating), Sibling Rivalry and Infanticide (when there are pairs of logically inconsistent objections), Taking the Roof Off (reduction ad absurdum, or a claim that leads to counterintuitive or absurd results), Steamroller (how to handle situations in which people are emotional, overpowering, or hardened), The Rhodes Scholar (defending against academic claims that object to our views), Just the Facts Ma’am (discovering when people just simply have their facts wrong). Koukl ends the book with a chapter on more helpful tips and principles for evangelistic conversations. STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESS There are several particular strengths in the book. Besides being a very simple writer, Koukl is also personable. At least from reading the book, one can tell how much time he spends with others. Koukl gives several anecdotes about his encounters. One interesting encounter took place when Koukl met a witch at a checkout line. On this occasion, Koukl tried to help the woman see that her beliefs were inconsistent with her convictions. In another encounter, Koukl describes a waitress who was “Sheepish in Seattle". Despite the funny subheading, the encounter instructed and helped readers learn how to ask pointed questions. EVANGELISM Another element of Tactics that proves helpful is Koukl’s method of evangelism. Many evangelistic programs can be either too programmatic or too simplistic. Tactics runs between these two extremes by offering an alternative. Koukl teaches his readers how to converse with nonbelievers and believers about their convictions and beliefs in an intelligible way. “Columbo” is a method that Koukl prescribes to help people gain a handle on conversations and increase their ability to reason well. This method helps people formulate good questions, gather information, and challenge the beliefs of others in a gracious and loving way. Koukl is mainly concerned with truth and helping others see the truth. His method is geared towards Christians who are serious about their faith. They'll confidently share there faith in a checkout out line or at the park. SIMPLIFYING PHILOSOPHICAL CONCEPTS Another strength is Koukls ability to successfully reduce philosophical concepts to intelligible ideas. For example, Koukl simplifies the reductio ad absurdrum argument for the reader by describing it thusly, “Taking the Roof Off,” or “to reduce a point to its absurd conclusion or consequence” (143). Then he lists several examples. An example that is very practical is the issue of same-sex marriage. Someone might say, “Same sex marriage should be instituted by the government because once upon a time, the government was wrong about interracial marriages, so it must be wrong about same-sex marriages.” Koukl might respond, “Well, the government also wanted to institute slavery, once upon a time, but slavery doesn’t exist today, so you must be wrong.” And with that, he shows the opponent the absurdity of their claim. Koukl offers helpful summarizing sections at the end of each chapter to help the reader grasp the concepts and ideas presented in each chapter. Koukl’s character is apparent throughout the book, with his desire to see people come to the truth. That in and of itself is a great strength to the book, because he essentially practices what he preaches. CONCLUSION Koukl’s desire to see people come to the truth of the gospel is very powerful throughout the book. Christians who read this and put these concepts into practice will “be able to comfortably engage in thoughtful conversations with others about your Christian convictions” (30).
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2017
B
Verified Purchase
B Lee
Houston, US
★★★★★ 5
Extremely helpful and applicable.
This week I received my copy of Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions by Greg Koukl. I was anxious to have a look at the book, as I have been following Greg Koukl's ministry of Stand to Reason for a number of years. On one hand, I was excited to see in book form what I have heard Koukl demonstrate so many times on his live radio program: an effective and gracious way to communicate one's faith in an articulate and winsome way. On the other hand, my familiarity with Koukl's Tactics audio program made me wonder if this was just a repackaging of the same material. I was thoroughly surprised. I'm a reader - but it's been a while since I have devoured a book. Tactics is an immediately practical book. The author's heart is that Christians be equipped to be good ambassadors. An ambassador has three skills: "knowledge, an accurately informed mind; wisdom, an artful method; and character, an attractive manner." Koukl describes the goal of a tactical approach - one that seeks to converse more persuasively by being thoughtful and reasonable, rather than emotional, about one's convictions. In a very balanced way, Koukl carefully introduces this approach and neutralizes some of the negative connotations that come with sharing and defending the faith. Some people immediately object at the idea of argumentation or "methods." However, Koukl summarizes a more biblical approach: "Here's the key principle: Without God's work, nothing else works; but with God's work, many things work. Under the influence of the Holy Spirit, love persuades. By the power of God, the gospel transforms. And with Jesus at work, arguments convince. God is happy to use each of these methods." Now Koukl dives into the meat of the book. He presents about a half dozen "tactics," as he calls them - each with a memorable name, such as, "Columbo," "Suicide," and, "Taking the Roof Off," among others. As he teaches you these tactics, Koukl's experience and mastery in this area immediately become evident. He is not a theorist presenting untested ideas. Instead, he is a veteran, discussing situation after situation gleaned from countless personal encounters, public debates, radio interviews, and friendly conversations. The phenomenal part is that these approaches are simple and the applications are immediately accessible to the reader. One particular insight Koukl shares should bring relief to those who feel fear come over them at even the thought of discussing their faith: you don't have to hit home runs. In fact, Koukl stresses that you don't even have to get on base. The goal is to leave them with something to think about. His advice: simply leave them with "a stone in their shoe." Navigating through the book, you will find gem after gem of wisdom. So many of the common objections that the Christian encounters are found here - but with answers that are actually useful in conversation. Although much of the substance is philosophical in nature, Koukl drops the jargon and replaces it with practical expressions. This is a handbook suitable for the layman and professional apologist alike. After passing the halfway point in the book, you will realize that you are not just learning how to steer safely through a conversation - you are learning how to think. Koukl will sharpen your thinking skills and your ability to spot fuzzy logic and faulty arguments. You will realize that this is a book about truth. By the time you reach the end (it's about 200 pages), you will be amazed at the amount of wisdom, insight, and courage you have gleaned. A second reading is definitely in order. Koukl's Tactics is endorsed by a long list of notable apologists and Christian thinkers: Norman Geisler, William Lane Craig, Gary Habermas, J. P. Moreland, Hank Hanegraaff, Jay Wesley Richards, David Noebel, Justin Taylor, Paul Copan, Sean McDowell, Frank Turek, and Craig Hazen. For those familiar with Koukl's Tactics audio program, many of the same personal encounters are cited. However, this is not a repackaging of old material. I found the book to be immensely helpful even after recently re-listening to Greg Koukl's Tactics in Defending the Faith audio program. In addition to the expanded and fresh material, I found the summaries at the end of each chapter to be particularly helpful. Greg Koukl's Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions is not designed to give you pat answers or lists of facts to bring to your conversations. Far from being "another evangelism book," Tactics is a book that will challenge you to be a critical thinker, a logical communicator, and a gracious ambassador for Jesus Christ.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2009
D
Verified Purchase
David C. Leaumont
Lake Worth, US
★★★★★ 5
This is the all-important second-side of apologetics
Apologetics requires two sides of a person - the knowledgeable reasoning side and the compassionate, calm-but-tactical side. Both are key, whether you are a presuppositional apologist or an evidentiary apologist. Regardless of the facts you put on the forefront of your apologetic, this book helps make your conversations more fruitful, last longer, and reach more people for Christ. This book is a supreme source to help develop this second side. Greg Koukl is an apologetics professor at Biola University and has his own radio talk show where he defends the Christian worldview. He also conducts an online ministry at str dot org. (STR = stand to reason) The focus of this book is to provide easy-to-remember and usable tactics for discussing your faith and conversing with people of different viewpoints in ways to open their minds to the Christian worldview. Koukl begins with a discussion on the need to keep discussions from being trench warfare. Too many discussions about Christian apologetics are cut short by harsh arguments that do little. Christians must be all things to all people and find a way to share the faith while not scaring off those we want to have hear it. In short, Koukl writes "If anyone in the conversation gets angry, you lose." Greg's underlying principle is not to take everyone to the cross with every discussion. Some people are way too far away from belief to make such a trek in such a small amount of time. The need to help open the other person's mind to Christ and plow the field to make the ground of the heart fertile is most necessary in many people. That is why he focuses on putting a rock in everyone's shoe. What he means by this is he wants to put an idea in their head that they will likely spend a lot of time thinking about. He wants to be the rock in the shoe that noone forgets about. Through this, he plants a seed of thought in the person and leaves the rest up to God. While the intent of this book is not to give ready-made answers to specific arguments critics have, there are specific examples he discusses while he is giving examples of how a tactic might work. For example, the belief in moral relativism is discussed when he discusses the tactic of "Practical Suicide" (an argument that cannot stand because it is self-refuting.) The reviews of this book included inside the cover are a who's-who of Christian apologists. And, after reading the book, I see what they were all raving about. This book is one of the top apologetic resources I have read, and it serves as a practical guide for all discussions. I give this book my highest recommendation for anyone interested in Christian apologetics regardless of your experience or knowledge level. This book will be suc a huge blessing to all Christians and to their ability to discuss Christ more effectively.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2010

recommand products