How Do You Respond to Atheists?

CGB3928 · Sep 8, 2020

Atheism is a religion. If they question you on their faith, question them on theirs. Their beliefs are not science based. Darwinism has been so totally bashed and debunked by all scientists secular and theist that the foundation of what atheists believe are more flimsy than a dust mite.

Glorytothefather2245 · Sep 8, 2020

You can actually prove the Bible true through history as well, Israel is our prophetic time clock! God said. Isaiah 43:5-6 says "
5 Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;

6 I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;"

The gospel went out from Israel into Rome with Paul not Peter as the Catholics believe and then out to other parts of the world.

Why is Israel God prophetic time clock?
Because Israel is Gods chosen nation and people, But the gospel still has to be preached to the whole world before the end comes since we are all grafted into one. Do some research about the catholic church and how Christianity came to western civilization. Egypt and the pyramids were also around duriing biblical times. There is a lot of history to search up it depends on where you are trying to go with it.

April_Rose · Sep 8, 2020

Interesting,.. but I don't think that this is actually proving the Bible though. :/

CGB3928 · Sep 8, 2020

If you're questioning your faith instead of making the Atheist question theirs, then you're missing some vital aspect of being an authentic Jesus Follower. I don't want to come off as bragging because that is sin. However when I speak about philosophy and faith with an Atheist one of three things happen: the atheist gets frustrated and slams the door on the conversation. The argument becomes circular and I walk away not moved an inch. Or that Atheist starts really thinking about Jesus.

Know the academic and historical facts of Christianity. If you do then you may still question your faith, but it won't be because of lies. The life works and deeds of Jesus Christ are eyewitness Facts.

April_Rose · Sep 8, 2020

That's why I created this thread.

Maria Billingsley · Sep 8, 2020

If you are engaging in a conversation that "scares" you, then do not engage however if just having a conversation that challenges you on the Gospel of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, then you need to equip yourself with the Holy Spirit. Pray and receive Him in all humility. Be blessed.

Norbert L · Sep 8, 2020

You're facing an issue that I had to come to terms with also some time ago. It's summed up with the words, not everyone is a trained Christian Apologist. Just like in school where students all vary in the grades they receive, don't expect that being a Christian will automatically make you better at discussing with and debating an Atheist.

Basically answering Atheists' challenges is not as simple as Luke 21:15, even for the most educated of Christians. Case in point, the apostle Paul saw he wasn't "winning" the argument with Bar-Jesus. So he used his authority from Christ to blind his opponent. Acts of the Apostles 13:6-12

TruthSeek3r · Sep 8, 2020

In a way Paul did win the debate. He used the "in-your-face supernatural experience" argument as a last resort and the discussion was finally settled. Of course, you would need to be of the spiritual stature of the apostle Paul to be able to play that card successfully.

thecolorsblend · Sep 8, 2020

Typically, atheists claim they seek truth, facts and evidence. In some cases, that might even be true.

But more often, they look for information that will reinforce their existing viewpoint. And to be charitable to them, we Christians are often guilty of the same thing.

I find Pascal's Wager to be pretty reductive in most cases. Still, the fact remains that Pascal's Wager is broadly true. Belief in God costs me nothing. Disbelief in God could cost me everything. There's really no percentage in disbelief.

An atheist with above average intelligence will usually respond that Pascal's Wager is predicated upon fear. And while there's an element of truth to that (i.e., the Christian's fear of Hell and damnation as the price for disbelief), the logical counter-argument is that rejecting the principle of Pascal's Wager is also motivated by fear (i.e., the atheist's fear of admitting to error).

As a general statement, our relationship with God is based on faith. However, we remain in a sinful state. Our faith is therefore imperfect. How can we live in a state and being of sin while possessing a perfect faith? That would be a logical paradox. But the entire point of grace is God making up for our shortcomings. You say you have a weak faith. Of course you have a weak faith. Frankly, I'd have to call you a liar if you had said your faith was invincible.

In the end, atheists discussing these matters with theists is always an evangelistic exercise. You're evangelizing your religion but don't forget that they're evangelizing their religion too. You admit to being weak in your faith. Trust me, the average atheist possesses a faith so weak that your faith looks like a glimmering castle by comparison.

Keep at it!

EDIT- For clarity's sake, all of the above assumes a debate between theist and atheist based on philosophy. Very often, atheists want to switch the subject over to popular understandings of science. But that's foreign territory for most people and I advise against scientific debates (A) since both sides are probably unqualified to argue anything and (B) our faith is not based on scientific realities. Philosophy, however, is far more persuasive for most people and it's a subject that (in theory) anybody can grasp if it's explained properly and if their minds are open. So stick with philosophical argumentation, I say.

zoidar · Sep 9, 2020

John Lennox, the math professor... not the boxer... I don't think Lennox Lewis is an apologete! They can both swing punches, though.

Freed Man · Sep 9, 2020

"Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1 "So then Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17.

Faith comes by hearing the word of God. Don't go to the library and read the books of dirty lies of dirty liars. Stick to the bible, the Word of God. That's what builds your faith up. All these atheists and secular humanists always try to refute the Truth of the bible and say that science has proven that God doesn't exist and the creation created itself. They're just lying through their teeth cause the know God exists but they're in rebellion toward God. The creation can't create itself any more than New York city built itself without any outside help, or that a watch could make itself. I mean, it takes more Faith to believe in that idiotic theory of evolution, than to believe the simple Truth of God's Word. Your Faith in the unseen world of the spirit is the evidence of the existence of the unseen.

"Through Faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear." Hebrews 11:3

The Word of God is the evidence that gives you the Faith to believe in the unseen.

Freed Man · Sep 9, 2020

You don't go to the library to read a bunch of lies by a bunch of liars and find out that the lies are actually the truth. The lies that were lies before you read them are still lies after you read them. If you choose to believe the lies by your own free will and choice that's your decision, but what you read are still a bunch of lies. That's why you shouldn't listen to the lies of the liars who try to persuade you to read their stuff. Stick to the word of God so your faith will be in the solid rock foundation of God's word and not in the lies of the devil.

GirdYourLoins · Sep 9, 2020

One particular atheist I know comes to mind. His IQ puts him in the most intelligent 1% and he has a very good understanding of science. He is gay and has been brought up being taught that God hates gay's so of course has a disposition that he wants to be able to "prove" God isnt real. He has come up with lots of "evidence" that God isnt real, sich as the half life of carbon proves that carbon dating is accurate and prove the dinosaurs are millions of years old and therefore couldnt have been created by God. All I felt that I as a Chrsistian had to do was challenge his opinion that it meant God couldnt have created them.

I used the old God could have created everything over time in the process that has been interpreted as evolution. Once I had agreement that if God can do anything he could have done that I said I dont believe that and got into quite an involved discussion about who God is and His love for everyone, that we are all sinners and fall short and He has given us all a way to come into a relationship with Him that has nothing to do with us. I turned it into a discussion on who God is and His love for us.

I also like the discussion on the "we know the big bang is true". Thats quite an easy one. What we know is the universe is expanding out from a central point, that is what we can see and obsereve. What we cant see is what caused the universe to expand from that point and the big bang theory is seen as true because the only thing scientists know that could have the power to expand with such force is an explosion. They then added dark matter as what they see shows the big bang theory doesnt work by itself. Dark matter cant be seen, felt or measured in any way and we can move through it with no interaction with it whatsoever. The only way we "know" it exists is because what we can observe doesnt fit with the laws of nature without it. My argument is a simple, my Bible says God flung the stars into space; sounds like a central point to be. God nature is to create and we continue to see Gods creative nature in action. I find it a lot easier to accept a creative God than an explosion out of nothing and matter that is there but we have no way of provong its there.

I also like to throw in things we have experienced that cant be explained by science including our own experience of God and the multiple healings I have witnessed including nodules on figures from arthritis disappearing and them being healed and 6 people (I think thats right) I have prayed for, but always with other people, who have been healed of cancer, some diagnosed as terminal. And on I was praying for who had been give one month to live and 9 months later was still going. Then one day I felt God saying it was time to stop praying. Two days later she went to heaven and when I spoke to her husband several day later I mentioned it, intending to comfort him in knowing it was Gods will. We worked out it would have been about an hour after she said to him that she was ready to "go home". The preciseness of Gods will was a comfort to him.

I'd better stop there.

coffee4u · Sep 9, 2020

Never forget that you are not actually battling people, but rather:

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Because:
2 Corinthians 4:4
The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

And
John 6:44
"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.

Words are just words, use scripture:
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

April_Rose · Sep 9, 2020

I also have come to understand that if I wasn't a saved person I wouldn't care about Jesus or my salvation and obviously I really do a whole lot.

Mark Quayle · Sep 9, 2020

I haven't read all the responses, so I don't know if anyone else has pointed this out, but if you belong to Christ, you cannot lose your salvation. If you live in sin, you have reason to doubt you belong to Christ, but if you are saved, you do belong to Christ.

The security of this does not depend on your performance or you strength of will, any more than your original regeneration did (if, in fact you are one his own). It depends on God's choice and God's work alone. The evidences inimitably follow. If you lack them, obey now, and talk to him, but be satisfied that he will indeed complete what he has begun. He has the ability, and has no reason to not complete what he has begun. His decision was made from the foundation of the world, and has not changed yet (and will not change.) You, and I, mere silly, weak humans are unable to change what God has planned for eternity.

imisswarmth · Sep 10, 2020

You can just say that you admire how good that God is.

Jok · Sep 10, 2020

Hello. Is there something specific that atheists are saying that is giving you trouble? Keep in mind also that the majority of atheists in this forum are not interested at all if you make a good point, they are just in love with arguing.

Bible Highlighter · Sep 10, 2020

There are many evidences that back up the Bible. Here is a blogger article I created that lists tons of evidences that support the Scriptures.

Love Branch: Evidences for the Word of God

Bible Highlighter · Sep 10, 2020

As for your feeling that you are scared that you can lose your salvation:

Well, most churches believe you can sin and still be saved and or that there is nothing you can do (or lack thereof) so as to lose your salvation. I believe this is the wide gate path. Just reading the sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7 refutes the false belief that most churches have these days.

My encouragement is to draw close to God by reading His Word, asking God for help, and in doing what He commands of us in the New Testament (i.e. New Covenant). Most think salvation is one time event, when in reality we are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).

How Do You Respond to Atheists?

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Always Forgive!

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If God is your Father, who is your Mother?

loves Jesus the Christ! ✝️

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Monergist; and by reputation, Reformed Calvinist

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Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.

Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.

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