Inside Out Method Paper Assignment
Hallie Perry
APOL220-B01: Introduction to Apologetics
September 22, 2025
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The Inside Out Approach to Christianity
In the text “Apologetics at the Cross,” Chatraw and Allen suggest that we should engage
others with humility. The secular friend says, “My biggest problem with Christianity is, for one,
that Christians seem so intolerant and judgmental. And secondly, their sexual ethic seems to
suppress basic human desires and our freedom to live fulfilled lives.” To demonstrate the
execution of the inside-out approach, consider the following examples: Some may say that
Christianity is judgmental. A study conducted by David Kinnaman and the Fermi Project
articulated the opinion of Christians. The ages between 16-29 in the United States, nearly 90%
of the respondents judged someone personally, derogatorily, and unfairly. It was an
overwhelming estimate. In Matthew 7, Jesus says, “Do not judge, and you will not be judged.
For you will be treated as you treat others.
The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged” (New Living
Translation, Matthew 7:1-2). In this verse, Jesus gives us a clear warning not to look down on
and judge other people. The story of David and Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11 says, David had
desires for Bathsheba. His actions affected his entire family. Christianity allows us to fulfill our
sexual desires through the sanctity of marriage. The Scriptures says, “Run from sexual sin! No
other sin affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own
body” (New Living Translation, I Corinthians 6:18). When we honor our bodies from sexual sin,
we honor God’s desire for our lives.
The “A” and “B” doctrines that were explained by Keller, challenge cultures to explore
Christianity. The Christian belief from the “A” doctrine will affirm a given culture in the inside-
out model. The “B” doctrine from the inside-out model can powerfully affirm Christian beliefs in
different cultures. “The Gospel, as the good news of salvation in Christ, has encountered various
challenges and opportunities in its interaction with diverse cultures around the world.”
(Soegianto, 2024) We must consider the shortcomings of their own views and strengths of
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Christianity. The text says, “Jesus taught that true Christian leadership is about service, not
lording power over others.” (Chatraw and Allen, 2018) The Christian belief can appear repulsive
to other cultures. The “A” and “B” doctrine is a belief that engages other cultural conversations.
A person’s culture shapes the way they interpret the inside-out model. In Paul’s day,
many have rejected Christianity based on false portrayals of faith. We can affirm that
assumptions and beliefs in Paul’s day are historically accurate when we begin to interact with
others. It is important for us to be able to clear up those impractical misunderstandings about
Christianity by using the inside-out model. The inside-out model leads to effective apologetic
conversations with the nonbeliever. “According to Reymond (1976), apologetics addresses
objections to the Christian position; it provides an account of the foundations of the Christian
faith by examining the theology and epistemology of Christianity; thirdly, it challenges non-
Christian systems, particularly in the area of epistemological justification; and finally, it seeks to
persuade people of the truth of the Christian position.” (Inya, 2012) The inside-out approach
represents history, logic, and experience to have an effective apologetic conversation with the
secular friend. By using the inside-out approach, the secular friend affirmed that Christianity
was judgmental. The friend’s weakness is to have the liberty to commit sexual sin. I offered an
alternative to my secular friend on how to have basic human desires and a life filled with
freedom. The sanctity of marriage is the best alternative. As Christians, we should listen to the
other person affirm their assumptions of the Christian faith. We can affirm that others believe in
false religions, which leads to unrealistic expectations. We need to challenge Christians to be
more intentional about sharing their faith. To settle a disagreement when speaking to someone,
we must have the mindset of putting others first (I Corinthians 9:19-23). Christianity leads you to
have meaningful Gospel communications and empowers you to understand God’s biblical
freedom.
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According to Jesus Christ’s ministry, He modeled sacrifice and obedience as a way of
taking people to the cross in deed. He testified to the truthfulness of the Gospel. “The promise,
hope, and salvation that is found in the gospel's message are all unlocked with your faith.”
(Haynes, 2025) Another way that Jesus modeled the cross in Word is through the messianic
prophesies. The Savior modeled the holistic service as the Spiritual transformation through
sacrifice. “Being able to answer this question in conversation and to connect human and cultural
aspirations to Christianity is directly related to having a rich understanding of the Gospel.”
(Chatraw and Allen, 2018) The Christian worldview is an overarching framework that is guided
by Scripture. It understands the nature of sin, humanity’s place in creation, and the ultimate
fulfillment found in Christ. We can affirm that Christ will provide Scriptural freedom to all who
accept Him as their Savior. We can enjoy God’s ultimate calling for our lives when we submit to
Him.
The compelling narratives borrow philosophy from the Christian story to communicate
the truth. This will lead others to speak of personal satisfaction and exhibit their assumptions
about Christianity. The text says, “Tim Keller explains an approach that serves well as a
transition from what we are calling the inside of an unbelievers assumed mental framework to
the outside of their framework (i.e., to Christianity).”22 (22Chatraw and Allen, 2018) The
compelling narratives borrow philosophy, theology, and psychology to challenge an unbeliever’s
view of the Christian story. The compelling narratives borrow arguments that are a powerful
means for communicating the truth.
Christianity can provide a more comprehensive understanding of our experiences,
observations, and history through a Christian worldview. The Christian worldview is an
overarching framework that is guided by Scripture. It understands the nature of sin, humanity’s
place in creation, and the ultimate fulfillment found in Jesus Christ. The Christian worldview
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better addresses our experience, observations, and history by teaching the truth of the Gospel.
“Being able to answer this question in conversations and to connect human and cultural
aspirations to
Christianity is directly related to having a rich understanding of the gospel.” (Chatraw and Allen,
2018) Christianity better addresses our observations, experience, and history by completely
understanding the Gospel. To meet the modern culture of today, we should be Spiritual and
engage socially with others. II Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is
useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us
when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his
people to do every good work” (New Living Translation Version, 2024). We need to submit to
God’s authority and diminish the worship of sinful human desires in our lives.
In conclusion, the inside-out approach represents history, logic, and experience to have
an effective apologetic conversation with a secular friend. It focuses on points that lead to an
effective apologetic conversation with the non-believer. The Christian worldview better
addresses our experience, observations, and history by teaching the truth of the Gospel. The
inside-out approach validates the truth and affirms the power of the Gospel. The “A” and “B”
doctrine is a belief that engages other cultural conversations. By using the inside-out model, it
validates the truth and affirms the power of the Gospel. We can affirm that others believe in
false religions, which leads to unrealistic expectations. We need to challenge Christians to be
more intentional about sharing their faith. The compelling narratives borrow philosophy,
theology, and psychology to challenge an unbeliever’s view of the Christian story. We can affirm
that Christ will provide Scriptural freedom to all who accept Him as their Savior.
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References
22Chatraw, Joshua D. & Mark D. Allen. (2018). Apologetics at the cross: An introduction for
Christian witness. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, pg.
201. https://www.libertyonline.vitalsource.com/
Chatraw, Joshua D. & Mark D. Allen. (2018). Apologetics at the cross: An introduction for
Christian witness. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, pg.
201. https://www.libertyonline.vitalsource.com/
Haynes, C. L. Jr. (2025). What is the Gospel? What you should know about the good news. Para.
1. https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/what-is-thegospel/
what-you-should-know-about-the-good-news.html/
Inya, O. (2012). 'Defending a thesis': Pragmatic acts in contemporary Christian apologetics.
Theory and practice in language studies, 2(10), 2016-
2023.https://go.openathens.net/redirector/liberty.edu/
New Living Translation. (2024). (no author) https://www.biblegateway.com/
Soegianto, S. (2024). The relationship between the Gospel and culture: A theological analysis
and social perspective in a contemporary context. Theological journal kerugma, 7(2), 84-
92. https://doi.org/10.33856/kerugma.v7i2.428/
