Polemical method dictated attacking Islam’s falsity because proving Christian truth was deemed beyond argument.

Evidence

For one cannot inculcate virtues before extirpating vice. And this method should be chosen since it is simpler; for it is easier to show that their faith is frivolous than to prove that our faith is true, because faith is an invisible gift from God. Whereas our faith has existence without appearance, theirs has appearance without existence. — John V. Tolan, Saracens, 1261

Categorization

• SEED: Destruction-before-construction as a polemical axiom — parallels modern apologetics and culture-war strategy where attacking the rival is cheaper than defending one’s own position.