Winsome Persuasion: Christian Influence in a Post-Christian World

Winsome Persuasion: Engaging Culture with Wisdom and Grace

How does the world see Christians today? The answers aren’t always flattering—sometimes, they’re not entirely wrong. In a culture where faith is often misunderstood or misrepresented, how can we speak with both conviction and kindness?

In Winsome Persuasion, Timothy Muehlhoff and Rick Langer explore how Christians can engage a skeptical world with wisdom, grace, and persuasive civility. Blending communication theory, theology, and real-world examples—from historical figures like William Wilberforce to modern cultural challenges—this book offers a practical roadmap for navigating conversations with love and respect.

Now more than ever, we need voices that are both shrewd and gracious. Winsome Persuasion equips you to be one of them.

Richard Langer grew up exploring the Rockies, working in mountain parks, and driving trucks during wheat harvest. His college years took him to Germany, Guam, and India, where he studied chemistry, theology, and philosophy. Passionate about seeing things from different perspectives, he values deep understanding and respectful dialogue, even in disagreement.

He is the co-author of Winsome Persuasion and Winsome Conviction (both Christianity Today Book Award winners), which explore the challenges of communicating Christian conviction across cultural and theological divides. His third book, The Call to Follow (co-authored with Joanne Jung), offers a biblical critique of society’s leadership obsession through the life of Christ.

Tim Muehlhoff is a communication professor at Biola University, teaching on topics like family communication, conflict resolution, and apologetics. With a Ph.D. from UNC-Chapel Hill, he developed a model to help couples overcome marital issues. A seasoned speaker and consultant, Tim has worked with leaders from various fields and, with his wife Noreen, has spoken at FamilyLife Marriage Conferences for nearly two decades. His books include The God Conversation, Marriage Forecasting, and I Beg to Differ. Tim and his family live in Brea, CA. More at timmuehlhoff.com.