Comments on: How to Witness to an Atheist http://christianity101online.com/blog/2008/06/01/how-to-witness-to-an-atheist/ Just another WordPress weblog Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:41:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.3 by: Stan Jantz http://christianity101online.com/blog/2008/06/01/how-to-witness-to-an-atheist/#comment-74798 Mon, 11 Aug 2008 16:53:55 +0000 http://christianity101online.com/blog/2008/06/01/how-to-witness-to-an-atheist/#comment-74798 You definitely are on the "firing line." You have experienced what is very true in our culture today: people no longer accept the Bible as true, or even as a credible voice of reason. Even people who would not claim to be atheists discount the Bible. Still, the Word of God has power, even to an atheist. As the Scriptures say: "For the word of God is living 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" (Hebrews 4:12). Consequently, posting verses will have some effect, even if you are ridiculed for doing so. You never know who is coming to those sites. Very often it isn't the hard core atheist, but the person who is looking for truth. People are so confused and so lost. The current trend of atheism (popularized by such writers as Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins) is attractive to people for the simple reason that it sounds so reasonable, when in fact the idea that God doesn't exist runs contrary to reason. We think the bottom line for atheism is that by taking God out of the equation, it removes the responsibility of being accountable to the Creator of the universe. People would rather remain in their darkness and sin than admit their guilt to almighty God. As Paul writes to the Roman church: "For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened" (Romans 1:21). So, be encouraged, but be realistic. Your job is simply to proclaim the truth, not win arguments. If God is calling you to be a light in the darkness, then you need to respond. But you also need to pray and ask God to give you encouragement, strength, and wisdom. Also, you probably should do some study in this area so you will be better equipped to answer questions that come your way. (A word of advice. Respond to honest questions, but don't respond to ridicule.) A couple of books we would recommend are: --A Case For Christ by Lee Strobel --The Dawkins Delusion by Alister McGrath --Evidence for Faith 101 by Bruce Bickel and Stan Jantz (that's us), coming in September May the Lord bless you! You definitely are on the “firing line.” You have experienced what is very true in our culture today: people no longer accept the Bible as true, or even as a credible voice of reason. Even people who would not claim to be atheists discount the Bible.

Still, the Word of God has power, even to an atheist. As the Scriptures say:

“For the word of God is living 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” (Hebrews 4:12).

Consequently, posting verses will have some effect, even if you are ridiculed for doing so. You never know who is coming to those sites. Very often it isn’t the hard core atheist, but the person who is looking for truth.

People are so confused and so lost. The current trend of atheism (popularized by such writers as Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins) is attractive to people for the simple reason that it sounds so reasonable, when in fact the idea that God doesn’t exist runs contrary to reason.

We think the bottom line for atheism is that by taking God out of the equation, it removes the responsibility of being accountable to the Creator of the universe. People would rather remain in their darkness and sin than admit their guilt to almighty God. As Paul writes to the Roman church:

“For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened” (Romans 1:21).

So, be encouraged, but be realistic. Your job is simply to proclaim the truth, not win arguments. If God is calling you to be a light in the darkness, then you need to respond. But you also need to pray and ask God to give you encouragement, strength, and wisdom.

Also, you probably should do some study in this area so you will be better equipped to answer questions that come your way. (A word of advice. Respond to honest questions, but don’t respond to ridicule.)

A couple of books we would recommend are:

–A Case For Christ by Lee Strobel
–The Dawkins Delusion by Alister McGrath
–Evidence for Faith 101 by Bruce Bickel and Stan Jantz (that’s us), coming in September

May the Lord bless you!

]]> by: Jack Wilbanks http://christianity101online.com/blog/2008/06/01/how-to-witness-to-an-atheist/#comment-71955 Thu, 31 Jul 2008 06:41:49 +0000 http://christianity101online.com/blog/2008/06/01/how-to-witness-to-an-atheist/#comment-71955 Hi, I came across this Atheist discussion board. I joined. All AtheisT. It's a small board and as I can see I'm the only Christian. Is this wise? Do you have anything that will help me witness. I use scripture but they don't believe the Word of God so it is difficult but I still post vereses. Jack Hi,
I came across this Atheist discussion board. I joined. All AtheisT. It’s a small board and as I can see I’m the only Christian. Is this wise? Do you have anything that will help me witness. I use scripture but they don’t believe the Word of God so it is difficult but I still post vereses.

Jack

]]> by: Dixie Mello http://christianity101online.com/blog/2008/06/01/how-to-witness-to-an-atheist/#comment-55153 Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:41:37 +0000 http://christianity101online.com/blog/2008/06/01/how-to-witness-to-an-atheist/#comment-55153 You can only plant the seed, which it seems you have done...then pray and ask God to take it from there. Be there for this friend...you never know when this person may be convicted unto salvation, and he will remember you...seek you out for answers and support. Sometimes we never know if our witnessing "took" or not....I know many who were saved later in life, accepted the Lord because of something someone in their past said or did to lead them there. It "stuck" and just took time to be put into action. Just keep, keepin' on!! God will bless you for it! Dixie You can only plant the seed, which it seems you have done…then pray and ask God to take it from there. Be there for this friend…you never know when this person may be convicted unto salvation, and he will remember you…seek you out for answers and support. Sometimes we never know if our witnessing “took” or not….I know many who were saved later in life, accepted the Lord because of something someone in their past said or did to lead them there. It “stuck” and just took time to be put into action.

Just keep, keepin’ on!! God will bless you for it!

Dixie

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