What would you recommend to an open-minded atheist who is willing give God a chance?

BobRyan · Mar 7, 2022

TruthSeek3r said:
Suppose that an atheist (i.e. someone who lacks a belief in any religion) is willing to give God a chance, but they are so open-minded in this regard that they are not even sure which God/religion to focus on to begin with (e.g. Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, New Age spirituality, Shamanism, the Occult, etc.). In other words, this person is scientifically minded, lacks a belief in the supernatural, and yet is open-minded enough to at least give it a shot and pursue a supernatural experience or divine encounter of some kind, even if it's just for a while.

What would you recommend to such an atheist?

1. Christianity has the best story - so check it out first

a. It has a personal God omnipresent who invites every human to talk with Him and become His child.
b. He gives Himself to die - to rescue mankind from misery suffering and death
c. He creates everything - not just some things, and is all-knowing
d. He starts all creation as sinless sorrow-free paradise.
e. He returns our current mess - back to paradise
f. He promotes free will
g. His rule is to love others as yourself.

2. Atheist scientists are on record as exposing the hoaxes, logical flaws, and by-faith statements in their own religion of evolutionism.

3. If the Christian is wrong and the atheist is right - the Christian loses nothing. We get the same wonderful "hole in the ground" ending as the atheist looks forward to getting. But if the Christian is right and atheism is wrong - atheists are at supper high risk.

aiki · Mar 7, 2022

TruthSeek3r said:
Suppose that an atheist (i.e. someone who lacks a belief in any religion) is willing to give God a chance, but they are so open-minded in this regard that they are not even sure which God/religion to focus on to begin with (e.g. Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, New Age spirituality, Shamanism, the Occult, etc.). In other words, this person is scientifically minded, lacks a belief in the supernatural, and yet is open-minded enough to at least give it a shot and pursue a supernatural experience or divine encounter of some kind, even if it's just for a while.

What would you recommend to such an atheist?

Being willing to "give it a shot" is not enough. God isn't like an exotic food you've never tasted before, or a new, lightweight tennis racket you'd like to test out; He's God Almighty, Ruler of Heaven and Earth. Why on earth a person should think they can give Him a try, like He's a novel product under examination, is beyond me. Can I approach, say, my neighbor in any old way I'd like? Can I just bust in on their home uninvited, help myself to the food in their refrigerator without permission, and flop down on their couch to watch a movie without their agreement? Obviously not. This would be a sure way to alienate my neighbors from me, to guarantee enmity between them and me. They'd toss me out on my ear! Or have me arrested for trespassing!

We recognize that there are these protocols we must adhere to socially in dealing with our neighbors, if we want good relations with them. Why should we think that we can approach God in any old way we like, then? He's got protocols of approach for us, too; and, being God, much more radical ones than any human has the right to demand of another.

When an atheist thinks that he sets the ground rules for intersecting with God, he misunderstands with whom He's dealing. God won't be found by those who are merely curious, who want to examine Him like a bug under a microscope, who want to "taste" Him, like a strange food at a buffet. There's only one dynamic under which God may be properly experienced and that is as inferior to Superior, as humble, repentant creature to holy, Supreme Creator. If a person will not draw near to God in humility, faith and confession, God will not draw near to that person.

James 4:6-10
6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE."
7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
9 Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom.
10 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.

BobRyan · Mar 7, 2022

aiki said:
Being willing to "give it a shot" is not enough. God isn't like an exotic food you've never tasted before, or a new, lightweight tennis racket you'd like to test out; He's God Almighty, Ruler of Heaven and Earth. Why on earth a person should think they can give Him a try, like He's a novel product under examination,

Well they start from "God does not exist" and go from there I guess.

aiki · Mar 7, 2022

BobRyan said:
Well they start from "God does not exist" and go from there I guess.

Not sure what you're trying to say here...

BobRyan · Mar 7, 2022

aiki said:
Not sure what you're trying to day here...

Well you are right when it comes to the big picture of infinite God - vs sinful man. But when the context includes the fact that our sovereign God has chosen free will for humans such that even atheism is allowed to thrive and grow, the level of difficulty for the one witnesses is increased.

So then God persuades via compelling evidence in a free-will system more often than a bolt of lightning or brain-zap. And that's where the devil gets into the details. That's where persuasion and building a bridge from point A to point B -- easy enough for the atheist to follow it, becomes one of the much-needed keys.

JAM2b · Mar 7, 2022

"The Case for Christ" by Lee Strobel is a good book

aiki · Mar 7, 2022

BobRyan said:
Well you are right when it comes to the big picture of infinite God - vs sinful man. But when the context includes the fact that our sovereign God has chosen free will for humans such that even atheism is allowed to thrive and grow, the level of difficulty for the one witnesses is increased.

So then God persuades via compelling evidence in a free-will system more often than a bolt of lightning or brain-zap. And that's where the devil gets into the details. That's where persuasion and building a bridge from point A to point B -- easy enough for the atheist to follow it, becomes one of the much-needed keys.

Christian apologetics has its place, of course, in clearing away the intellectual and philosophical debris standing in the way of seeing Christ clearly. But seeing him and approaching God the Father through him, are two different things. We aren't free to make just any sort of approach to God we please, as though we are not approaching God Almighty and as though Christ is not our necessary Mediator standing between us and Him.

In any event, I was not proposing in my earlier comments in this thread that we are all laboring under theistic determinism, ultimately mere puppets in the hands of the Great Puppeteer we call God. Not at all. I hold to soft libertarianism, not determinism. God must draw us, give us the capacity to repent of our godless way of living, and convicts us of our sin but, finally, we must choose to humbly submit ourselves to our Lord and Savior, trusting ourselves entirely to his love and grace.

AWorkInProgress · Mar 8, 2022

TruthSeek3r said:
Suppose that an atheist (i.e. someone who lacks a belief in any religion) is willing to give God a chance, but they are so open-minded in this regard that they are not even sure which God/religion to focus on to begin with (e.g. Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, New Age spirituality, Shamanism, the Occult, etc.). In other words, this person is scientifically minded, lacks a belief in the supernatural, and yet is open-minded enough to at least give it a shot and pursue a supernatural experience or divine encounter of some kind, even if it's just for a while.

What would you recommend to such an atheist?

Pray and give him the Gospel. Our job is to deliver the message, it's God's job to change his heart.

If he questions why you believe the bible, use this.

Voddie Baucham - Why I believe the Bible

Rachel20 · Mar 10, 2022

TruthSeek3r said:
Great. Let's suppose that this atheist says "sounds fair enough, let's give Christianity a shot first". Now what? What would you recommend this atheist to do for, say, the next 6 months or year (let's assume that this open-minded atheist is willing to put in the effort to pursue the Christian God seriously for at least half a year)?

I would just reach out to him with an honest conversation and ask him for the truth. But I would meet him on his terms, not mine.

Sir Joseph · Mar 13, 2022

TruthSeek3r, you already have more ideas here than what you need, but I'll add my perspective anyway.

After studying Christian apologetics for 25 years, I've amassed a list of favorite books, articles, and video sermons that I'd love to share with skeptics who express an interest in religion. Unfortunately, I have yet to meet one that truely has an open mind and receptive heart to studying the evidence for Christianity being the world's one true religion. However, I wouldn't turn down the opportunity to try influencing anyone with questions or interest in the subject. You quickly learn though whether they're seeking truth with an open heart or have a firm secular world view justified with infinite questions and a disregard for the evidence.

As detailed by others here, there are many ways to witness, but pursuing an apologetic approach requires you to be familiar with the material yourself. This requires a lot of time, but I think anyone putting an hour a day into it could be well positioned to believe or defend the faith within a year.

To the receptive atheist, you might want to know whether they prefer reading material or watching videos. In my own studies, I started with a few classic books, moved on to articles, and finally to videos. I now favor the videos, but only 10% of what I watch is worth keeping in my view.

More often than not, witnessing opportunities (for me at least) are prompted by skeptics voicing opinions, asking questions, or raising issues that I can segue into a religious discussion. And thus, there's no logical order or big picture route to follow. If I had the attention of someone offering me adequate time, I'd present the Christian case in this logical fashion.

My first step's goal would be to convince them that there is a supernatural being or god of the universe. I would pursue this by sharing a preponderance of scientific evidence that strongly favors the creation model over the evolutionary model. This could be done with about 40 videos, some optional reading on the side, and little reliance upon the Bible that they neither believe nor respect.

My second step's goal would be to convince them that Christianity best reflects this creator/god over all other religions. I would pursue this by demonstrating the Bible's Divine authority over all other religions in the world. This could be done with about 40 videos and some optional reading on the side detailing its historical accuracy, archaeological evidence, scientific insight, fulfilled prophesy, manuscript authority, and textual criticism.

My third step's goal would be for them to turn their intellectual findings into a spiritual desire to know and love God personally, accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, start reading the Bible, going to church, and making their faith the core of their life. Wouldn't that be nice to see. It's just a start though on what's left to learn about our faith's doctrines and multitude of world's related issues.

TruthSeek3r · Mar 13, 2022

Sir Joseph said:
TruthSeek3r, you already have more ideas here than what you need, but I'll add my perspective anyway.

After studying Christian apologetics for 25 years, I've amassed a list of favorite books, articles, and video sermons that I'd love to share with skeptics who express an interest in religion. Unfortunately, I have yet to meet one that truely has an open mind and receptive heart to studying the evidence for Christianity being the world's one true religion. However, I wouldn't turn down the opportunity to try influencing anyone with questions or interest in the subject. You quickly learn though whether they're seeking truth with an open heart or have a firm secular world view justified with infinite questions and a disregard for the evidence.

As detailed by others here, there are many ways to witness, but pursuing an apologetic approach requires you to be familiar with the material yourself. This requires a lot of time, but I think anyone putting an hour a day into it could be well positioned to believe or defend the faith within a year.

To the receptive atheist, you might want to know whether they prefer reading material or watching videos. In my own studies, I started with a few classic books, moved on to articles, and finally to videos. I now favor the videos, but only 10% of what I watch is worth keeping in my view.

More often than not, witnessing opportunities (for me at least) are prompted by skeptics voicing opinions, asking questions, or raising issues that I can segue into a religious discussion. And thus, there's no logical order or big picture route to follow. If I had the attention of someone offering me adequate time, I'd present the Christian case in this logical fashion.

My first step's goal would be to convince them that there is a supernatural being or god of the universe. I would pursue this by sharing a preponderance of scientific evidence that strongly favors the creation model over the evolutionary model. This could be done with about 40 videos, some optional reading on the side, and little reliance upon the Bible that they neither believe nor respect.

My second step's goal would be to convince them that Christianity best reflects this creator/god over all other religions. I would pursue this by demonstrating the Bible's Divine authority over all other religions in the world. This could be done with about 40 videos and some optional reading on the side detailing its historical accuracy, archaeological evidence, scientific insight, fulfilled prophesy, manuscript authority, and textual criticism.

My third step's goal would be for them to turn their intellectual findings into a spiritual desire to know and love God personally, accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, start reading the Bible, going to church, and making their faith the core of their life. Wouldn't that be nice to see. It's just a start though on what's left to learn about our faith's doctrines and multitude of world's related issues.

A few questions:

1) Have you compiled this list of videos, articles, books, etc. in one place and made it public on the web?

2) What are your thoughts on watching debates? I personally prefer debates over biased one-sided videos because in debates you get the chance to see if arguments are strong enough to withstand rebuttals.

3) Is what you just described how it worked for you personally? Did you transition from atheism to Christianity through apologetics (stage 1) and then a personal relationship with God (stage 2)? If so, when and how did the transition from stage 1 to stage 2 take place?

BobRyan · Mar 14, 2022

Sir Joseph said:
To the receptive atheist, you might want to know whether they prefer reading material or watching videos. In my own studies, I started with a few classic books, moved on to articles, and finally to videos. I now favor the videos, but only 10% of what I watch is worth keeping in my view.

I often start with video clips , quotes of their fellow atheists who instead of just being "some atheist" are world-class scientists - exposing various flaws in evolution's story line - on points that most atheists would swear are absolutely rock solid. That is my test for "open minded" because if they won't even listen to their fellow atheist shining a bit of light on the topic - they are not going to listen at all.

Sir Joseph · Mar 20, 2022

TruthSeek3r, appreciate the response and interest.

1) I have not made my library lists public, and doing so would be a big job, awkward post, and probably a bad idea for unexpected reasons. I use and share my findings personally, piece meal as appropriate.

2) I've watched only a couple of debates, finding them very informative and helpful, but less enjoyable for me. I have a hard time giving extended listen time to nonsense or any heretical view. But to someone who's undecided on an issue, I think the format can be a viable learning tool.

3) Though I was raised in an atheist family, my dad was kind enough to take my sister and me down to a good, local, Congregational church so that we could make up our own minds on the religion issue. I had a great Sunday School teacher and a seemingly receptive heart because I believed everything they taught me, becoming a Christian for life. The thing is, I had a blind faith, and I'm lucky that it was never tested like youths of today who get hammered with anti-Biblical world views.

Although I'd heard plenty of sermons at church and on the radio, I didn't really study any Christian apologetic material until I developed a relationship with a Catholic girl in my late 30's. I spent a year learning the Catholic vs Protestant differences, then moved on to other world religions and cults - starting with Josh McDowell's excellent book "Evidence That Demands a Verdict." It was easy for me to believe what I read because it fit my overall Biblical world view. However, my studies accomplished many things for my Christian walk:

I changed my view on creation, evolution, dinosaurs, and old ages. Like others, I was taught evolution and believed it, not understanding that it countered the scriptural foundations of my faith and actual scientific evidence. To me, this is a primary, core doctrinal issue that validates or undermines the authority of the Bible and Christian faith. It's also the biggest reason youth are leaving the faith today and America's Christian heritage is being lost to secular world values.

I learned why other world religions and cults are wrong, giving me legitimate cause to denounce them as false religions - to reject the cultural pressures equating all religions as equal.

I learned why Christianity is the one and only true religion, giving me essential knowledge for defending the faith when opportunities arise - and they arise often now as I realize so many relevant topics.

My own faith strengthened big time, giving me an enhanced interest, passion, and boldness to share Christianity and Bible details with others. I find the world's beliefs on such matters to be distressing but inviting witness opportunities for unbelievers and teaching opportunities for misguided believers.

Feel free to PM me if you want to discuss or share more details, but know that I'm only on this site once a week at most.

LizaMarie · Mar 20, 2022

I second "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis.

BobRyan · Mar 21, 2022

Sir Joseph said:
3) Though I was raised in an atheist family, my dad was kind enough to take my sister and me down to a good, local, Congregational church so that we could make up our own minds on the religion issue. I had a great Sunday School teacher and a seemingly receptive heart because I believed everything they taught me, becoming a Christian for life. The thing is, I had a blind faith, and I'm lucky that it was never tested like youths of today who get hammered with anti-Biblical world views.

That is a very encouraging testimony - thanks for sharing it. It also testifies to the kindness of your father and not wanting you to be "brain washed" into nothing-but-atheism as a child.

I told my own children when they were young that I was most certainly "brain washing them" to be born-again saved Christians because I could not bear the thought of giving the devil "more chances than I needed to" to steal eternal life from them. So they knew up front that what I was doing and why I was doing it. I am happy to say that they have remained Christian into adulthood. I also exposed them to a number of different Christian denomination's POV by either visiting those churches or having their members visit our home.

But I would ask you this - what kind of discussion could have been of interest to your father to get him to consider eternal life - over the hole-in-ground-ending ideal of atheism in your POV? (Which I think closely fits the objective in the OP)

ViaCrucis · Mar 23, 2022

TruthSeek3r said:
Suppose that an atheist (i.e. someone who lacks a belief in any religion) is willing to give God a chance, but they are so open-minded in this regard that they are not even sure which God/religion to focus on to begin with (e.g. Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, New Age spirituality, Shamanism, the Occult, etc.). In other words, this person is scientifically minded, lacks a belief in the supernatural, and yet is open-minded enough to at least give it a shot and pursue a supernatural experience or divine encounter of some kind, even if just for a while.

What would you recommend to such an atheist?

Jesus' words, "Come and see". It's not our job to convince the unbelieving, but that the Word is faithfully confessed and preached--both Law and Gospel. So if someone wants to see what this whole Christianity thing is about, bring them to the Source, to Jesus as He gives Himself in Word and Sacrament. For we have the word and promise of God, "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ" (Romans 10:17).

It is God who gives faith as pure gift, through which grace saves us on Christ's account (Ephesians 2:8-9). And the Gospel is not a dead letter, but living word: Christ's word to us sinners, that saves us; giving us faith, creating faith in us, and continuing to sustain and carry us by the power of the Holy Spirit as God remains faithful to the work He began in us, and will continue right until the end.

I believe in the Gospel, and I believe in the power of the Gospel to save all who trust, both Jew and Gentile; for by the Gospel God's justice is revealed from faith to faith, that justice of God which is imputed to us through faith, justifying us, reckoning us righteous before God on Christ's account.

So, as I see it, the sweet and simple invitation of the Gospel is "Come and see". Only God can turn the heart of stone into a heart of flesh, only God can bring new birth by His powerful and efficacious grace, and He has promised to do such things through Word and Sacrament.

To that end, I am also reminded of an Eastern Orthodox priest who used to post on another discussion forum I once frequented. That from the Eastern Orthodox perspective it isn't the Christian's job to bring people into the church door, but to ensure the doors of the Church are always open--because God brings them in, our job is to make sure the doors aren't shut to what God is already doing.

-CryptoLutheran

TruthSeek3r · Mar 23, 2022

ViaCrucis said:
Jesus' words, "Come and see".

What do you mean by "come and see"?

ViaCrucis · Mar 24, 2022

TruthSeek3r said:
What do you mean by "come and see"?

God is active and working everywhere, His grace manifest in Word and Sacrament--we point the way, we point to Jesus. Jesus is enough, it's our job not to close the doors.

We don't drag people to Jesus, Jesus drags people to Himself, He said that if He is raised up (and He was, on the cross) He draws all people to Himself.

Trust the Gospel, not just for you, but trust that it is enough for your neighbor as well (because it is).

-CryptoLutheran

Blaise N · Mar 24, 2022

TruthSeek3r said:
Suppose that an atheist (i.e. someone who lacks a belief in any religion) is willing to give God a chance, but they are so open-minded in this regard that they are not even sure which God/religion to focus on to begin with (e.g. Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, New Age spirituality, Shamanism, the Occult, etc.). In other words, this person is scientifically minded, lacks a belief in the supernatural, and yet is open-minded enough to at least give it a shot and pursue a supernatural experience or divine encounter of some kind, even if just for a while.

What would you recommend to such an atheist?

I would say to them “the path of the lord is very difficult,it isn’t always daisies and tulips,but it provides something that a life of unbelief never provides,fulfillment,hope,and peace”

TruthSeek3r · Mar 25, 2022

Dizerner said:
Sometimes it's a matter of verification, but sometimes it's a matter of desire.

Do you really know what and why you are seeking, because you might not really be after the truth.

What do you mean?

What would you recommend to an open-minded atheist who is willing give God a chance?

Junior Member

Regular Member

Junior Member

Regular Member

Junior Member

Newbie

Regular Member

A fool becoming wise

Well-Known Member

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Junior Member

Active Member

Newbie

Junior Member

Confessional Lutheran

Well-Known Member

Confessional Lutheran

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Similar threads