Answering Atheists

[evangelist6589]

Was out open air preaching yesterday and a couple of times I attracted a small crowd of skeptics whom either stood to listen to me, challenged me, or heckled me across the street. I usually do not answer atheists as I believe in the power of the Bible alone and the Holy Spirit to bring people to salvation and therefore just bring them to the 10 commandments to show them their need for a savior. Also since I find them blind I dont believe even if I did go to evidences would they listen. However on rare occasion do I do this and have some Josh McDowell, and Mark Cahill materials to pass out. Such objections may get a skeptic to think which is the goal. However most of the time they are not honest skeptics, just looking for a way and a reason to debate and politicize their agenda. One unbeliever even commended me because I had treated him with more grace than some other open air preachers whom just condemned and pointed fingers. Sin must be addressed, as well as God's judgment, and the Holiness of God, however sinners must repent of their sins, but only the HS can bring about this conversion, and only God knows whom the true elect are. He prepares the hearts for salvation and only expects people to preach the word. I imagine sometimes a honest skeptic could use evidences, but only if honest and willing to read books which I usually find rare.

So how do you answer skeptics? How do you treat them? Have you ever met a skeptic interested in reading a apologetics book?

 

[quantumfaith]

Was out open air preaching yesterday and a couple of times I attracted a small crowd of skeptics whom either stood to listen to me, challenged me, or heckled me across the street. I usually do not answer atheists as I believe in the power of the Bible alone and the Holy Spirit to bring people to salvation and therefore just bring them to the 10 commandments to show them their need for a savior. Also since I find them blind I dont believe even if I did go to evidences would they listen. However on rare occasion do I do this and have some Josh McDowell, and Mark Cahill materials to pass out. Such objections may get a skeptic to think which is the goal. However most of the time they are not honest skeptics, just looking for a way and a reason to debate and politicize their agenda. One unbeliever even commended me because I had treated him with more grace than some other open air preachers whom just condemned and pointed fingers. Sin must be addressed, as well as God's judgment, and the Holiness of God, however sinners must repent of their sins, but only the HS can bring about this conversion, and only God knows whom the true elect are. He prepares the hearts for salvation and only expects people to preach the word. I imagine sometimes a honest skeptic could use evidences, but only if honest and willing to read books which I usually find rare.

So how do you answer skeptics? How do you treat them? Have you ever met a skeptic interested in reading a apologetics book?

The approach taken toward skeptics, depends in large part, on the "type" of skeptic. Those who are militant and only wish to ridicule "immature" christian views, I say leave that as a matter of prayer, and don't engage. If one wishes to have a reasoned discussion for "joy and confidence" within us, I say make it personal, but one should also be prepared. Being prepared, means not only being prepared spiritually, and being knowledgeable of what scriptures teach, but one should also be reasonably well educated concerning science, philosophy and logic. I also like to remember the scriptural principle, "a soft answer turns away wrath".

 

[webdog]

Was out open air preaching yesterday and a couple of times I attracted a small crowd of skeptics whom either stood to listen to me, challenged me, or heckled me across the street. I usually do not answer atheists as I believe in the power of the Bible alone and the Holy Spirit to bring people to salvation and therefore just bring them to the 10 commandments to show them their need for a savior. Also since I find them blind I dont believe even if I did go to evidences would they listen. However on rare occasion do I do this and have some Josh McDowell, and Mark Cahill materials to pass out. Such objections may get a skeptic to think which is the goal. However most of the time they are not honest skeptics, just looking for a way and a reason to debate and politicize their agenda. One unbeliever even commended me because I had treated him with more grace than some other open air preachers whom just condemned and pointed fingers. Sin must be addressed, as well as God's judgment, and the Holiness of God, however sinners must repent of their sins, but only the HS can bring about this conversion, and only God knows whom the true elect are. He prepares the hearts for salvation and only expects people to preach the word. I imagine sometimes a honest skeptic could use evidences, but only if honest and willing to read books which I usually find rare.

So how do you answer skeptics? How do you treat them? Have you ever met a skeptic interested in reading a apologetics book?

1 peter 3:15 - But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

This implies a couple things.

1. A true desire in asking the question.

2. Refraining from answering if it cannot be done with gentleness and respect. This rules out hecklers and argumentative atheists and darwinists.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

The approach taken toward skeptics, depends in large part, on the "type" of skeptic. Those who are militant and only wish to ridicule "immature" christian views, I say leave that as a matter of prayer, and don't engage. If one wishes to have a reasoned discussion for "joy and confidence" within us, I say make it personal, but one should also be prepared. Being prepared, means not only being prepared spiritually, and being knowledgeable of what scriptures teach, but one should also be reasonably well educated concerning science, philosophy and logic. I also like to remember the scriptural principle, "a soft answer turns away wrath".

I find that most of these "so called Christian churches" have somewhere in the past hurt people to the point of them becoming hostile....so you become a target by your outspoken ministry.

Hadyou come to my community after a bunch of religious miscrients told me what they told me, you would just have been the straw that could have thrown me over the edge. Today I'm still a skeptic and I still view most as full of balcony. Bottom line son, you are probably just a target to vent & you can blame those who have misrepresent Christ as the primary culprits in your getting heckled.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

And I wouldn't call them atheist ....I would call them po.

Funny how bad religion can have that effect on people.

Only love changes that.

 

[Revmitchell]

People are not against God because of how churches have treated them. They are against God because it is n their hearts to do so.


oh 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Joh 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

People are not against God because of how churches have treated them. They are against God because it is n their hearts to do so.


oh 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Joh 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

People are not against God....God is not the issue. The real issue is how God is misrepresented by self serving ministers who in truth should have never held the office in the first place.

 

[quantumfaith]

People are not against God because of how churches have treated them. They are against God because it is n their hearts to do so.


oh 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Joh 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

I think the "core issue" is a heart separated from God, but there is no doubt that the actions of we believers can at times be counter-productive in how we might or might demonstrate the love of Christ.

 

[Revmitchell]

I think the "core issue" is a heart separated from God, but there is no doubt that the actions of we believers can at times be counter-productive in how we might or might demonstrate the love of Christ.

It is just an excuse. They would be against the whole thing anyway. People who have a heart for God will seek after Him no matter what.

 

[quantumfaith]

It is just an excuse. They would be against the whole thing anyway. People who have a heart for God will seek after Him no matter what.

Sorry Rev, I don't share that posture of "excuse", for some it may be true, but some are honestly hurt and injured by others who lay claim to the household of faith. Sometimes those scars, such as physical and sexual abuse run deep into the lives of the victims.

 

[Revmitchell]

Sorry Rev, I don't share that posture of "excuse", for some it may be true, but some are honestly hurt and injured by others who lay claim to the household of faith. Sometimes those scars, such as physical and sexual abuse run deep into the lives of the victims.

And those serious ones are few and far between. Even then those who have a heart for God will seek him. No one is an atheist because they have been hurt. It certainly will not be an excuse on the day of judgment.


Joh 3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

And those serious ones are few and far between. Even then those who have a heart for God will seek him. No one is an atheist because they have been hurt. It certainly will not be an excuse on the day of judgment.


Joh 3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Who said an aethiest is someone who has been hurt....please tell me.

 

[Revmitchell]

Who said an aethiest is someone who has been hurt....please tell me.

Maybe you should take a gander at the title of this thread.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Maybe you should take a gander at the title of this thread.

You purposefully deflected. I asked you a pointed question.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Besides he answered his own question in his 1st post.

"I believe in the power of the Bible alone and the Holy Spirit to bring people to salvation"

 

[Revmitchell]

You purposefully deflected. I asked you a pointed question.

And I answered your question by pointing out what the topic of this thread is. This thread is about atheists. That is what I am talking about. What are you talking about. If not atheists then you are off topic.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

And I answered it. This thread is about atheists. That is what I am talking about. What are you talking about. If not atheists then you are off topic.

I asked you a question.....prior to that question you stated , No one is an atheist because they have been hurt.

My question again to you directly was, "Who said an an atheist is someone who has been hurt.

This is implying that people excuse being Christian because of being hurt. Who on this forum thread said that?

 

[Revmitchell]

I asked you a question.....prior to that question you stated , No one is an atheist because they have been hurt.

My question again to you directly was, "Who said an an atheist is someone who has been hurt.

This is implying that people excuse being Christian because of being hurt. Who on this forum thread said that?

I have answered your question. This thread is about atheists. That is what I posted about. End of story.

 

[Luke2427]

Was out open air preaching yesterday and a couple of times I attracted a small crowd of skeptics whom either stood to listen to me, challenged me, or heckled me across the street. I usually do not answer atheists as I believe in the power of the Bible alone and the Holy Spirit to bring people to salvation and therefore just bring them to the 10 commandments to show them their need for a savior. Also since I find them blind I dont believe even if I did go to evidences would they listen. However on rare occasion do I do this and have some Josh McDowell, and Mark Cahill materials to pass out. Such objections may get a skeptic to think which is the goal. However most of the time they are not honest skeptics, just looking for a way and a reason to debate and politicize their agenda. One unbeliever even commended me because I had treated him with more grace than some other open air preachers whom just condemned and pointed fingers. Sin must be addressed, as well as God's judgment, and the Holiness of God, however sinners must repent of their sins, but only the HS can bring about this conversion, and only God knows whom the true elect are. He prepares the hearts for salvation and only expects people to preach the word. I imagine sometimes a honest skeptic could use evidences, but only if honest and willing to read books which I usually find rare.

So how do you answer skeptics? How do you treat them? Have you ever met a skeptic interested in reading a apologetics book?

I don't think you could be more wrong in your thinking about the Holy Spirit and the Bible alone, etc, etc, etc...

The Bible says that you should be ready to give an answer to every man that asks a reason for the hope that lies within you...

The Holy Spirit uses means to convert sinners to Christ and to convict sinners that Christ is Lord.

The battle ground is the mind. We use arguments and reason to persuade them intellectually. We use compassion and service to persuade them emotionally and psychologically.

The Holy Spirit does not sprinkle magical Christian fairy dust over their hearts and then a light goes off in them.

The Bible is not a book of magic that without reason opens their minds and hearts.

Persuasion is our work. Wisdom from the Bible through the Holy Spirit is our tool of the trade.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

I don't think you could be more wrong in your thinking about the Holy Spirit and the Bible alone, etc, etc, etc...

The Bible says that you should be ready to give an answer to every man that asks a reason for the hope that lies within you...

The Holy Spirit uses means to convert sinners to Christ and to convict sinners that Christ is Lord.

The battle ground is the mind. We use arguments and reason to persuade them intellectually. We use compassion and service to persuade them emotionally and psychologically.

The Holy Spirit does not sprinkle magical Christian fairy dust over their hearts and then a light goes off in them.

The Bible is not a book of magic that without reason opens their minds and hearts.

Persuasion is our work. Wisdom from the Bible through the Holy Spirit is our tool of the trade.

So selling is the key!?!