Well meant reasoning

I have recently been re-examining the presuppositional apologetics of my past.  While I still consider myself a presuppositionalist, in the Van Tillian vein, I am beginning to see the fallacy of intellectualized apologetics as a means to evangelism.  The trouble with academic apologetics is the heavy emphasis on "understanding".  We want to appeal to the unbelievers ability to think clearly and accurately.  But this is akin to looking through a windshield splattered with 10,000 dragonflies.  We can see some things, we can even drive at a reasonably safe speed, but our vision is impaired and skewed.
The unbeliever, especially the one of strong academic ability, can accomplish much with his God given mind, but his heart is a stone and he is trying to ignore or disprove God.  Many of his presuppositions are faulty.
One of the biggest errors committed by the well-meaning Christian apologist is the attempt to "out-debate" the antagonistic and hostile unbeliever.  Something similar to dragging an unwilling elephant.  In 99% of the cases, one will never "convince" the unbeliever with a well-formed argument.  Man's mind is too stubborn and too clever.  The hostile unbeliever will use sophistry as a well-oiled tool to maneuver his way out of just about any argument.  Even if one would "close the mouth" of the argumentative unbeliever, doing so does nothing to move him towards God.  If anything, it will only harden his heart more in his unbelief and hostility.
The one thing that will work, in the manner in which God wills it to, is love and prayer.  We must pray much more and argue much less.  Love will move mountains, tear down walls, and soften hearts.  And prayer is that mysterious tool that accomplishes much in the heart of the righteous man.  As St Seraphim of Sarov has said, "Acquire the Holy Spirit, and around you thousands will be saved."  When we are continually filled with the Holy Spirit and striving toward holiness, those around us will be affected in a way far more positively and powerfully than any argument we can offer.