Do not quote Bible to atheists.

[section9+1]

The end result of an atheist and all his philosophy is six feet of dirt in his face. I have better plans for myself.

 

[dreadnought]

Christians must understand that to an atheist quoting from the Bible as a proof of existence of God is like quoting from Wizard of Oz to prove that flying monkeys exist.

You just reenforce their beliefs. They snicker and say "Ha, ha! All they have are the tails from the book that tells about unicorns too".

That is one of most common arguments they use and you are playing right into it!

By the way "Unicorn" is a mistranslation in King James of "One horned animal" which is an African rhino known in those areas.

I don't know that I'd make a point of quoting from the Bible, or not quoting from the Bible, while debating with an atheist. I suppose it would depend on the subject matter.

 

[Desires Light]

Christians must understand that to an atheist quoting from the Bible as a proof of existence of God is like quoting from Wizard of Oz to prove that flying monkeys exist.

You just reenforce their beliefs. They snicker and say "Ha, ha! All they have are the tails from the book that tells about unicorns too".

That is one of most common arguments they use and you are playing right into it!

By the way "Unicorn" is a mistranslation in King James of "One horned animal" which is an African rhino known in those areas.

Well if the Bible doesn't work there's always the power of love.

 

[AlexDTX]

Christians must understand that to an atheist quoting from the Bible as a proof of existence of God is like quoting from Wizard of Oz to prove that flying monkeys exist.

You just reenforce their beliefs. They snicker and say "Ha, ha! All they have are the tails from the book that tells about unicorns too".

That is one of most common arguments they use and you are playing right into it!

By the way "Unicorn" is a mistranslation in King James of "One horned animal" which is an African rhino known in those areas.

The word of God is powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword. The Holy Spirit uses Scriptures to speak to their hearts. The issue is not quoting Scripture, the issue is that Scripture should be spoken, but not identified with chapter and verse, or qualification that "the Bible says." The word is a lamp unto their feet as well as ours.

The ministry of the Spirit is to the heart, not the mind. The mind is used, of course, but the what the heart hears is not the same as what the mind hears.

So I agree regarding form, but not content. The Spirit and the Word are one and can not be separated.

 

[Invalidusername]

Well if the Bible doesn't work there's always the power of love.

Except atheists don't want it. They see love as nothing but a chemical reaction in the brain and nothing else.

Honestly I avoid talking about Christianity in general. I will tell them if they ask me but I will never bring it up voluntarily since I know how vicious they can get.

 

[Willing-heart]

You cannot win people to Christ through your clever logic or argument. Only God’s Word is convicting to the heart. When you depend on God’s Word, treasure God’s Word and trust God’s Word, you can be assured His word will not return to Him empty when you witness to others. For it is written - "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55:10-11‬ ‭ESV‬‬

 

[Desires Light]

Except atheists don't want it. They see love as nothing but a chemical reaction in the brain and nothing else.

Honestly I avoid talking about Christianity in general. I will tell them if they ask me but I will never bring it up voluntarily since I know how vicious they can get.

Doesn't matter what belief you dress up in, people in general can be vicious.

 

[havevisions]

One thing I do now is to keep my NT bible with me when I'm out in the hi-ways and bi-ways of life. When a conversation does occur, I try to employ some of Bill Fay's techniques (He wrote a classic text on witnessing several years ago called "Share Jesus Without Fear).

I do not pull out the "Big Bopper" as Fay calls it. If one plops out the Bible, it will immediately place a barrier up to lots of persons. One can bring it out in a subtle manner. For example, ask a question such as "do you have any spirituals beliefs?" or some question to elicit a response. Or ask them to explain in their view how many of the OT prophesies have come true, even using probability theory, hoping that they will ask you for an answer that only scripture can give. Then you could say, "may I show you?"

If all else fails, I give them my NT copy and ask them to read John's gospel and I tell them to relate to me what they think about it when I see them again. (if that is a possible circumstance, such as someone at a store you frequent or other places). Many will not take the bible, but some will. (In Fay's book, he says that the average times an atheist needs to be confronted by a Christian is seven times, before there is a positive response)

As explained above, the idea is to place the whole episode into God's hand, so that He is responsible for the result, not us.

 

[Jude1:3Contendforthefaith]

I’ll quote The Bible when ever I want and to who ever I want.

I don’t care if they believe or not.

 

[dqhall]

Christians must understand that to an atheist quoting from the Bible as a proof of existence of God is like quoting from Wizard of Oz to prove that flying monkeys exist.

You just reenforce their beliefs. They snicker and say "Ha, ha! All they have are the tails from the book that tells about unicorns too".

That is one of most common arguments they use and you are playing right into it!

By the way "Unicorn" is a mistranslation in King James of "One horned animal" which is an African rhino known in those areas.

John 1:5 (KJV) And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

One man looked at a Bible and said it was full of unicorns and myth. Another man read into it and found words of salvation were in this Bible. Part of success is knowing what to throw away and knowing what to keep.

 

[faroukfarouk]

Christians must understand that to an atheist quoting from the Bible as a proof of existence of God is like quoting from Wizard of Oz to prove that flying monkeys exist.

You just reenforce their beliefs. They snicker and say "Ha, ha! All they have are the tails from the book that tells about unicorns too".

That is one of most common arguments they use and you are playing right into it!

By the way "Unicorn" is a mistranslation in King James of "One horned animal" which is an African rhino known in those areas.

However, since the Bible is self-authenticating, it will involve circular reasoning if one defers to the non-believer's arguments: Hebrews 11.6.

 

[joshua 1 9]

Christians must understand that to an atheist quoting from the Bible as a proof of existence of God is like quoting from Wizard of Oz to prove that flying monkeys exist.

A true atheist has to reject science because science shows us how accurate and true the Bible is. History connects Science with the Bible. So if they reject the Bible then they have to reject History and Science. This is why people come up with revisionism or fake counterfeit history.

 

[Anguspure]

Most of the time when Atheist brings up God he is attacking Bible using moral values like good/bad/evil/God murdered ect. You disarm him with showing that there are no moral values in his world view and then attack back that's what i found working . They won't convert on spot but they will think about it and it will eat them up .

Actually I have yet to meet an Atheist who was entering into the conversation with a genuine desire to discuss the topic. They are generally just looking for an argument and a fool who will bat for the other team. I have (foolishly) stuck my hand up for the role many times and am slowly beginning to realise it's fruitless.

Mind you I don't mind a good debate to bolster my own faith every now and again (does this make me a fool?).

The very best thing we can do for Atheists (and anybody else for that matter) is to demonstrate the truth of what we believe by the way that we live, that reflects the very real presence of God and the righteous Love relationship we have with Him through Christ Jesus.

Anybody that has a soft heart will always respond to His Love. Irrespective of what they do or do not believe they will believe because of His Love.

 

[RaymondG]

What is wrong with an Atheist not believing you if your only proof is words in a holy book? Do you believe that they should? What if a Hindu came to that same person, and told them one of their gods really existed, and then showed them proof from one of their holy books? Would you like for them to believe them and worship their god as well....... or is this only acceptable for them to believe you and those who believe what it is that you believe.

I say one should be able to prove God through their own life and works..... telling others to believe the first person who shows a god mentioned in a book...is too risky.

 

[royal priest]

The best examples of witnessing for us to follow are Jesus and the Apostles. They met their hearers at the level of their hearts. Tender concern will always win out. The unbeliever may not look to Christ for salvation, but they will begin to trust you, and that is half the battle. First gain their ear through respectful engagement. Then win their heart by genuine concern for their souls. Forget arguments and talk about the things that matter in life. If someone knows they can trust you, then they will open up their hearts. Yes, the Lord opened the heart of Lydia to receive the things Paul had to share with her, but we can be sure it was not without Paul dealing with her in a trustworthy manner.

 

[DamianWarS]

Christians must understand that to an atheist quoting from the Bible as a proof of existence of God is like quoting from Wizard of Oz to prove that flying monkeys exist.

You just reenforce their beliefs. They snicker and say "Ha, ha! All they have are the tails from the book that tells about unicorns too".

That is one of most common arguments they use and you are playing right into it!

By the way "Unicorn" is a mistranslation in King James of "One horned animal" which is an African rhino known in those areas.

It's probably best not even to argue with an atheist, if they know you believe in God the greatest testament will be how you conduct your life for the glory of God.

 

[MMDave3]

My two cents on atheism - there's nothing at the bottom of that rabbit hole but nihilism and sneering anger. I was there in a particularly dark few years of my life, and I thank God I made it out. So to quote scripture to people who are enveloped in that darkness is likely to be futile at best. Not that we shouldn't try nudge an atheist to faith, but it's 99% something they are going to have to embrace on their own.

 

[Apologetic_Warrior]

However, since the Bible is self-authenticating, it will involve circular reasoning if one defers to the non-believer's arguments: Hebrews 11.6.

Excellent point, I would only note that at the heart of every worldview the most basic assumptions concerning ultimate reality are always circular by nature of the case. It always gets back to a fundamental presupposition, which is based on trust in that presupposition. It goes a bit deeper than that in the case of non-believers but just wanted to make note on circular reasoning as it pertains to worldviews.

 

[Apologetic_Warrior]

It's probably best not even to argue with an atheist, if they know you believe in God the greatest testament will be how you conduct your life for the glory of God.

While I agree how we live our lives is a testament, a witness, it cannot provide the content of the Gospel, which is what they need to hear, for the Spirit to bear witness. Granted the Gospel is foolishness to them who do not believe, but God has chosen the spoken word as His primary way of operating by the Spirit to remove hearts of stone, to do His work of regeneration bring light to darkness. The way we live our lives can never replace the work of the Spirit in hearts, minds, and souls, it is no substitute for the Gospel of Christ. I would apologize because I feel I have offended, but this is just the truth, forgive my lack of eloquence of speech.

 

[Inkfingers]

Quoting scripture always brings the subject into "So prove to me that your God exists" which, as Doug points out above, brings us to Psalms 19:1 and people recognising just what the grand cosmic order implies by its very existence.