Bridge-Building Apologetics

FOREWORD
Hillary Morgan Ferrer

Lindsey has been a bridge builder since long before Bridge-Building Apologetics ever existed. There are plenty of people who write Christian books telling us how we ought to behave as Christians. But take it from me—someone who has worked with her for years—Lindsey embodies everything she talks about in this book.

People of all stripes, colors, and creeds are drawn to Lindsey because of the way she thoughtfully engages with them. Having had her on the Mama Bear Apologetics team for many years, I continue to be impressed with the way she prioritizes listening, curiosity, and kindness with everyone she encounters—and she does it without tiptoeing around key truths that Christianity teaches.

So while this may seem like “just a book” at first glance, it is more than that. It is a discipleship manual written by someone who follows her own advice. The ideas presented are not new, per se. Rather, they are timeless reminders of how we are to conduct ourselves with the people around us. If all Christians would put these very scriptural, very Jesus-like, very simple to understand and commonsense habits into practice, I don’t think we as Christians would be the punchline of nearly as many jokes or the focus of so much criticism about our faith. Indeed, there are even atheists who exempt Lindsey from their snarky comments about evangelical Christians (and especially Christian apologists) because of the way she chooses to engage. 

In Bridge-Building Apologetics, Lindsey reminds us that we don’t have to compromise our biblical positions to move forward in relationships. Anyone can maintain a shallow friendship by hiding their faith or refusing to speak biblical truth. Yet we are called to have convictions! We’re not called to be wimps for Jesus. So how do we maintain our zeal for Christ and the Bible while still having genuine relationships with those who think differently? Keep reading. It really isn’t rocket science, and Lindsey is a good and patient teacher.

God calls all of us to be bridge builders to a world that is separated from Him—while remaining untainted by the world itself. In a day when everyone says and does what is right in their own eyes, Scripture exhorts us to be holy (set apart) by the way we relate to people with whom we disagree. The polarization in our society is getting out of control and we need bridge builders, people filled with living water who are willing to douse the flames of discord. Put this book into practice, friends. Come forth and be set apart!