Cheryl Schatz

Good thoughts, Don.  I agree that his word “shame” does not appear to follow his very civil responses, but I think he is meaning not that you “shame” the person, but that the words you use could be used by the Holy Spirit to bring the person to feel ashamed of their behavior toward you.

It is the same thing with his term “aggressive”.  What he then goes on to explain is not what most would term as “aggressive” but rather very assertive.  I have listened to Greg for quite awhile, perhaps a couple of years and his reasoned and gentle approach is refreshing especially after hearing some apologists yell and demean their callers who may be evangelical Christians who merely disagree on secondary issues.

I am glad that Greg goes on to describe what he means by his terms because that certainly does help us.  I have heard him use these tactics with very aggressive individuals who are especially nasty.  There was one time that I heard him allow a caller to give his view and then Greg bid him goodbye and he did not respond.  He said that the caller made it clear he wasn’t interested in Greg’s view and he only wanted to be heard, so he got that opportunity.  There is no reason to fight with one who has his hands over his ears.  Sometimes the grace you give a person seems to do nothing right now, but they may remember your graceful approach and next time may be willing to listen.