Pretend I'm an atheist. How would you convert me?

[TWHladyinLV]

I wouldn't try to. I'd simply live my life as a Christian as best I could and hope my example would help you find your way. Though if as an atheist you believed something incorrect about Christians, such as we don't believe in evolution, I might correct you on that point.

Ummmmm, a LOT of Christians don't believe in evolution

 

[TWHladyinLV]

step 1: don't try to troll them.
step 2: do what you can to break down their feeling that it's science vs religion. science is just a great way for us to try and understand how God has set stuff up.
step 3: since it's not science vs religion now they're more free to see that belief in Jesus/God is entirely a choice we make.
step 4: you've probably done your job and planted some seeds by now. God's the one who will reap them.

A Fair answer, but you need to explain how Christianity supports science and vice versa

 

[TWHladyinLV]

Pretend I'm an atheist. How would you convert me?



The title says it all.

I went to an atheist forum to preach about God and failed miserably. I don't know if they were closed-minded or I was just too much of an idiot to persuade someone of anything. Either way, I want to be someone who is good at debating on the side of my God.

So how would you approach such a situation? What would you tell me to convince me out of my atheism?

Let's say, for example, that I believe in evolution instead of creationism. What would you tell me? (That's just one example of many. Don't focus on it, please.)

 

[TWHladyinLV]

For starters I'd ask the person (atheist), why they consider themselves an athiest. I'd ask them to define atheism, so I know where they are coming from.
Then I'd start picking apart their definition of atheism. Keep asking questions of them. I would not allow myself to go on the defensive. Keep to one point at a time - and exhaust that one point till you can't go further

There are some great books one can reference. One is called" Beyond the Cosmos" by Hugh Ross PhD. I'd begin with a discussion of quantum physics and how scientists have discovered at least 12 dimensions (that we know of). Proof of other dimensions by science (even Stephen Hawkins) one of the leading professed atheists - is now not so sure that a creator didn't start everything.

Then I'd lead into the great book and movie just out called, " The Case For Christ" I just saw this last weekend at the theater. WOW! Did I learn a lot!

So I'd use what I learned from that to point out that though we cannot "prove" God exists - neither can they prove he doesn't exist.

We can however, historically prove without a doubt that Jesus was crucified by the Romans and he did die on the cross. There are accounts of 500 people who saw him and wrote it down after he died . The books of the New Testament were written by the people who knew Jesus. They didn't have a vision of Jesus (like Muhammed), they knew him personally - these documents are centuries old. And are proven historically

We quote Socrates, Plato, and Egyptian hyroglyphs as historical evidence that events did take place on certain dates, and yet we only have a few original copies of Plato, Socrates. Yet we have 500 documents that have been scientifically proved to be the age of when Christ walked the earth. People who saw and talked with Jesus after his resurrection! It is impossible to disprove this historical event in history. And many of these early Christians gave their lives to spread the gospel. Hundreds of thousands of people through the ages have believed so completely that they were willing to undergo torture and horrific deaths in Christs name. Would you give your life for something you weren't SURE it was true? I sure wouldn't. Over half the total population on earth believes in Christ Jesus.
This is how I would start to convert an atheist.

 

[TWHladyinLV]

OP specifically asked us not to dwell on the creation vs evolution part, but evolution does not say anything about how life got here. All it says is that once life was here, however that was, it changed over time. That's it.
Ringo

So you still did not answer the question.
How would you convert an athiest?

 

[ViaCrucis]

Pretend I'm an atheist. How would you convert me?

I wouldn't, because I can't; it's also not my job to convert anyone.

Conversion is the work of the Holy Spirit.

The title says it all.

I went to an atheist forum to preach about God and failed miserably. I don't know if they were closed-minded or I was just too much of an idiot to persuade someone of anything. Either way, I want to be someone who is good at debating on the side of my God.

So how would you approach such a situation? What would you tell me to convince me out of my atheism?

Let's say, for example, that I believe in evolution instead of creationism. What would you tell me? (That's just one example of many. Don't focus on it, please.)

If you believed in evolution rather than [young earth] creationism, I would agree with you. As just an example on that point.

In reality your aren't going to be able to argue a person into faith. Nobody has been transformed by the Holy Spirit and become a child of God because they lost the argument; there may be times when the loss of an argument coincided with conversion, but it wasn't the cause. The only cause of conversion is the working of the Holy Spirit to create faith in an individual through the Word and Sacraments.

I'd say the first mistake was probably going to an atheist board for the purpose of trying to convert anyone. Besides what I already mentioned above, put yourself in their shoes: How many times do you think that happens on a regular basis? Imagine if Muslims constantly came here to try and convert us? It would, at the very least, get tiresome very quickly. Chances are that, after a while, patience would dry up, and some antagonism and hostility would be expressed.

I believe the way to talk to atheists about our faith is the same as we would anyone else--we talk about our faith. We don't talk about what they should believe, we don't insult them, we don't put them down, we don't attack them, we don't try and shove our beliefs down their throats--we share what we believe as the opportunity is made present. And I don't mean trying to ninja evangelism into an unrelated subject just so you can try and preach at someone, I mean when the subject of conversation is relevant.

You'd be surprised how often people are willing to talk about faith when it's a conversation, not a one-sided preaching exercise.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Jeshu]

This is false. Beware of false prophets. Anyone who tries to prove the existence of God is trying to test God. Energy in quantum physics is not spiritual energy. It's physical energy just like in classical physics, such as mechanical, heat, or electromagnetic energy. That source is false. I would know. I am a physics major that has taken courses in quantum physics.

Thanks for sharing your opinion brother but I tend to disagree with your view about this - not that I disagree that quantum physics doesn't bring us down to the spiritual in the from of pure energy - I agree with you about that no worries at all. Flesh is not spirit either Scripture teaches - yet still energy at fundamental level we know to be true. Spirit is apart of the physical, though 'interwoven' into the physical in our realties, that is how I see that.

Still I do believe quantum physics tells us about the spiritual, as all of God's created creation does. For example Psalm 19 gives us a perfect example how the physical demonstrates The Ways of The Spiritual Force from whom it proceeded and its purpose for those who have life in His truth.

I my opinion quantum physics has opened the door for the spiritual to be taken seriously again by science, unlike has been, for it reveals things about the spiritual that was known by spiritual disciplines through out the world, but not taken serious by science before. I'm sure unbelievers will butcher that up big time, and false teachings will jump up like toad stoals, like they do with all the other truths discovered so far, yet that doesn't mean that we who know God's revealed word can't see God's hand/design/Ways/truths/ in the physical demonstration of truth revealed, at least not as far as I'm concerned.

That is my humble opinion about all of this.

Peace.

Psalms 19
The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is deprived of its warmth.


The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.


They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.
By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
But who can discern their own errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.


May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

 

[Honoluluwindow]

Pretend I'm an atheist. How would you convert me?



The title says it all.

I went to an atheist forum to preach about God and failed miserably. I don't know if they were closed-minded or I was just too much of an idiot to persuade someone of anything. Either way, I want to be someone who is good at debating on the side of my God.

So how would you approach such a situation? What would you tell me to convince me out of my atheism?

Let's say, for example, that I believe in evolution instead of creationism. What would you tell me? (That's just one example of many. Don't focus on it, please.)

Did you know that salvation is absolutely free? and that we do not have to do anything to get saved? Well what do the Scriptures teach? Lets see.

Well, John 3:16 is the most famous verse ever quoted in the world but I want you to see and hear what Jesus said just two verses earlier in verse 14 Jesus is pointing to a historical event to make a point about God's love.

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up; (John 3:14 ASV)

The event happened when God led the Jews out from Egypt. As was their habit the people grumbled and sinned while out in the wilderness on their way to the promised land. God responds by judging and disciplining them and on this occasion God sent serpents into their midst:

And Jehovah sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. (Numbers 21:6 ASV)

The people of Israel then do their normal thing - they ask Moses to pray for them for forgiveness from The Lord. Moses prays and God forgives them:

And the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, because we have spoken against Jehovah, and against thee; pray unto Jehovah, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. (Numbers 21:7 ASV)

God forgives the people but on one condition: Moses is to hold the serpent up for the congregation to gaze upon.

Then the Lord said to Moses, "Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a standard; and it shall come about, that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, he will live." (Numbers 21:8 NASB)

It was not how guilty they felt or how long they stared at it in the heat of the desert sun, it was simply the look of faith.

And Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on the standard; and it came about, that if a serpent bit any man, when he looked to the bronze serpent, he lived. (Numbers 21:9 NASB)

If they were hard hearted and stiff necked they died in their sins.

Let's continue on now with Jesus's words:

so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:15, 16 NASB)

God has lifted up our object of faith, Jesus the Messiah on a cross. We are to humble ourselves, coming to the realization that personal righteousness and holiness is outside of our capabilities, and look to our God and Father who said:

so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. (John 3:15, 17 NASB)

If we refuse to believe that salvation is by grace alone thru faith alone in Messiah alone plus nothing then we are not really believing on Him that was sent and are under the following judgement:

so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:15, 18 NASB)

If we have not understood the teaching the bible clearly states concerning the content of faith for salvation then we have accepted the ideas of other religion's teachings concerning not only these simple words of Christ but all of the other passages of scripture concerning God's free offer of imputed righteousness.

Our God did not merely forgive any of us because He is big-hearted enough to forgive us. He redeemed our lives by paying for us, by satisfying the wrath of God against sin. Our God and Father purchased our forgiveness thru the blood of Messiah.

The word of God claims that if you have believed this good news, that you have eternal life. And that your life is now required of you to become a servant of righteousness. Not your own righteousness but that of Jesus. It is in His name that we can freely make our petitions known to God, in Jesus' righteousness we pray (not in ours). And as we petition God in this way, our minds and hearts will grow nearer to God's mind and heart for us, so that we can become the beings we were created to become.

It is our life's goal that the message of the bible be known to all.

 

[Archivist]

Ummmmm, a LOT of Christians don't believe in evolution

Actually a lot of Christians do believe in evolution.

 

[Archivist]

I wouldn't, because I can't; it's also not my job to convert anyone.

Conversion is the work of the Holy Spirit.



If you believed in evolution rather than [young earth] creationism, I would agree with you. As just an example on that point.

In reality your aren't going to be able to argue a person into faith. Nobody has been transformed by the Holy Spirit and become a child of God because they lost the argument; there may be times when the loss of an argument coincided with conversion, but it wasn't the cause. The only cause of conversion is the working of the Holy Spirit to create faith in an individual through the Word and Sacraments.

I'd say the first mistake was probably going to an atheist board for the purpose of trying to convert anyone. Besides what I already mentioned above, put yourself in their shoes: How many times do you think that happens on a regular basis? Imagine if Muslims constantly came here to try and convert us? It would, at the very least, get tiresome very quickly. Chances are that, after a while, patience would dry up, and some antagonism and hostility would be expressed.

I believe the way to talk to atheists about our faith is the same as we would anyone else--we talk about our faith. We don't talk about what they should believe, we don't insult them, we don't put them down, we don't attack them, we don't try and shove our beliefs down their throats--we share what we believe as the opportunity is made present. And I don't mean trying to ninja evangelism into an unrelated subject just so you can try and preach at someone, I mean when the subject of conversation is relevant.

You'd be surprised how often people are willing to talk about faith when it's a conversation, not a one-sided preaching exercise.

-CryptoLutheran

Well said CryptoLutgeran. That is why I earlier offered the example of having my Muslim friend join me for church. I didn't get in her face and tell her she had to convert to be saved. I just asked her if she wanted to come to the Christmas service since we would be singing Christmas carols (something I knew she enjoyed). She came back multiPle times after that and we spent a lot of time talking about our faiths. We talked, we each listened. Hopefully I planted the seed that will someday blossom.

 

[Breckmin]

If you really do get to the point where you are answering their questions you will be filling up their forum with the truth via evidential Christian apologetics and they will probably ban you.

What you are asking for is impossible. It is the Holy Spirit's job to convert someone... not yours.

The language of the atheist is mostly science and some philosophy. These are empty without God... but you'd have to know how to formulate a cumulative case argument to make your case.

Most of the time (almost ALL of the time), it doesn't matter how good the arguments are or how much evidence you present... you are dealing with a condition of the "heart."

How do we know there is a Creator? One way is that we engage Him (in prayer) and His Spirit bears witness with our spirit.

I've never seen anyone argued into a personal relationship with Jesus via spectacular polemics.

If you could... the argument would be HUGE. First a cumulative case for "a" Creator... then a cumulative case that the Creator is the God of Abraham... then a cumulative case for Jesus (over Islam and Judaism), etc.

There's not enough time in the day to do this. You can only answer questions and point in the right direction (the Cross)
God has to do the rest.

The BEST thing to do...

is fight this battle on your knees and in intercessory prayer for these people.

 

[megabuff]

Yes, I do. It's a long story. Wanna hear it?

If you say yes, it'll take a lot of time before I can post it. And to be honest with you, I'd rather you say no. Either way, I'll satisfy your answer.

post it on youtube, then you can just say it rather than write it.

 

[joinfree]

Pretend I'm an atheist. How would you convert me?......

The faith is the treasure, please, do not play with it: you could drop and break it. I have the answer in the attached file nonRel6.pdf. Read the conclusion in my unpublished paper. Would you help to publish it?

 

[Wabi]

Pretend I'm an atheist. How would you convert me?



The title says it all.

I went to an atheist forum to preach about God and failed miserably. I don't know if they were closed-minded or I was just too much of an idiot to persuade someone of anything. Either way, I want to be someone who is good at debating on the side of my God.

So how would you approach such a situation? What would you tell me to convince me out of my atheism?

Let's say, for example, that I believe in evolution instead of creationism. What would you tell me? (That's just one example of many. Don't focus on it, please.)

Hey ☺ I understand the need to have answers.. And it actually is biblical. Paul tells us to study to show ourselves approved unto God rightly dissecting it....and Peter tells us to be prepared to fully respond to people who question our faith (2nd Timothy 2:15 and 1st Peter 3:15). We should be in a position to defend our faith.. Not just to try to convert atheists, but because Christianity doesn't require us to be ignorant.
For me I found it strengthened my faith in God, being able to defend what I believe... There's a site I absolutely love, https://carm.org. (Christian Apologetics Research Ministry). I have found apologetics a beautiful source of learning to defend my faith. I hope it helps you as well. They have responses for atheists etc.
If you have an inquisitive mind it really strengthens you. Now I can boldly confess my faith to my atheists and Muslim acquaintances, and not look like a person who believes without knowing what or why I believe.
But of course, my life must remain the hugest testimony of the realness of Christ. Apologetics is more for me than for conversion because conversion happens at the discretion of Our Lord Jesus just like it happened to Saul/Paul
Baraka most (baraka is blessings in Kiswahili)

 

[megabuff]

I have tried many many times online, and in general, they are full of hate and spite. and even if you present something factual to them, they will just ignore it.

you have to be very strong in your faith to engage them otherwise you run the risk of them pulling you down.
I often feel like responding to their abuse with my own abuse, not good.
The other thing is written words are easy to misinterpret and sometimes it's good to have spoken words or a video. EG

But as it has been said before you will rarely lead someone with facts. it has to come from within when people see what Jesus has done for your life, that can make them think.

 

[megabuff]

to give you some idea of what you are dealing with, check out this video

Scroll down and read some of the moronic comments made by these atheists.
To most of them, God could appear right before them and they would deny he exists.

Satan has them in his clutches

 

[ToBeLoved]

Then I'd lead into the great book and movie just out called, " The Case For Christ" I just saw this last weekend at the theater. WOW! Did I learn a lot!

That is also a book, "The Case for Christ".

People can pick it up on Amazon. Written by a journalist who wanted to prove that Jesus was not who He said He was and his case for Christ after He became a believer and what he found out that changed him.

 

[CrystalDragon]

Sounds like your problem is that you still think "Atheists" actually exist. They don't. They are lying to you. And they're "deceiving themselves" by "suppressing the knowledge of God" in their own minds, hearts, and spirits.

"For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse."
Romans 1:20

Anyone calling themselves "Atheists" by saying they don't believe God exists, is lying to you and themselves. Every human being KNOWS God exists AND they all know God's basic characteristics thru all of creation. God made SURE no person can ever say "I didn't know you existed".

Yes, someone say that that proves a god, which could convert them into theists. But saying that's evidence of Christianity, of the God of Abraham, is a lot harder to say. Many cultures speak of a god or group of gods that created the universe, so just because it appears that God created the universe doesn't give strong evidence for Christianity specifically, just theism in itself.

to give you some idea of what you are dealing with, check out this video

Scroll down and read some of the moronic comments made by these atheists.
To most of them, God could appear right before them and they would deny he exists.

Satan has them in his clutches

To be fair, most of the comments I see come in three varieties:

1. Creationists saying Dawkins never answered the question or side-stepped it (which is a good point)
2. Atheists pointed out the footage is spliced (which is noticeably true)
3. Atheists saying that he was trying to come up with a good answer to a dumb question.

I highly disagree with "God could appear right before them and they would deny he exists", at least for some of them, as I don't think they would if he appeared right in front of him. But the problem is that he never really seems to in the way that he did in Biblical times.

That is also a book, "The Case for Christ".

People can pick it up on Amazon. Written by a journalist who wanted to prove that Jesus was not who He said He was and his case for Christ after He became a believer and what he found out that changed him.

I actually was only aware of the book and didn't know The Case for Christ had been made into a movie.

 

[StevenBelievin]

I would probably talk to them about how our universe was designed for life. The forces of gravity and electromagnetism along with the strong and weak nuclear forces. If any of them were off by a little bit there would be no stars or planets or life. They normally try to get around this by the many universes theory. Meaning there are an unlimited amount of universes and ours just happened to be just right, but there is no proof of that. So they end up having to believe that by faith instead of believing the universe was created / designed for life, which is the easier and more likely.

It would seem you normally have to reason with atheists from apologetic proofs and then preach the gospel.

 

[JLB777]

Pretend I'm an atheist. How would you convert me?



The title says it all.

I went to an atheist forum to preach about God and failed miserably. I don't know if they were closed-minded or I was just too much of an idiot to persuade someone of anything. Either way, I want to be someone who is good at debating on the side of my God.

So how would you approach such a situation? What would you tell me to convince me out of my atheism?

Let's say, for example, that I believe in evolution instead of creationism. What would you tell me? (That's just one example of many. Don't focus on it, please.)

The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation.

The Gospel is: Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand.


If you want to see people saved, then you must be filled with the Holy Spirit when addressing them with the Gospel, or answering their questions.


16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. Romans 1:16



JLB