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3 Without intervention by the Holy Spirit, the contents of this book will
not convince any Atheist that God exists or that Christianity is the only
correct religion. For this reason, many Christians consider books such this
and the conversations described herein to be pointless and without fruit.
"Don't reason with them," they will say, "Just preach the gospel." Well,
they are partially correct. I would rephrase it slightly, "Don't try to
convert intellectuals with reason. However, preach the gospel to them in
whatever fashion they will receive it." By the experiences of this author,
intellectual Atheists tend not to accept the gospel when you preach to them
about fire and brimstone. Typically, they've heard it before, usually
growing up, or from well meaning Christians who sincerely don't want their
friends or family members to end up in Hell. So, don't try to convince them
or convert them. If someone is to be saved, God will do the saving. Remember
that He did it with you.
Keep in mind that the Word never goes out void. As a Christian, you are
only a vessel for God to use, and then only as He chooses. Converting is not
your responsibility; it's God's. However, spreading the gospel is your
responsibility. After all, a person cannot accept the gospel if he hasn't
heard it. Therefore, how can we spread the gospel constructively to an
intellectual? The answer is by sharing your faith. Don't try to prove God
exists, but share your belief in God. Using this approach, they will listen
to you, and they may even ask you questions. Why? Because you're starting
with the common premise that "Christians have faith."
Consider how you would share your faith with an intellectual Atheist. One
atheist recalled with amusement the following experience:
"A new Christian came to my door. Apparently he was trying to convert
everyone he could to his new found faith. I started asking him questions,
and he couldn't answer them. I ran circles around him. By the time he
left, I almost had him in tears."
This just goes to show that it's easy to stump a new Christian. In fact,
even mature Christians get flustered when confronted with intellectual
phrases like "Occam's Razor" and the "Epicurean Argument". It is my hope
that after reading this book, you will be equipped to answer such challenges
so that the person challenging you will learn how reasonable your faith is.
Don't be discouraged when your friend is not converted. Just remember that
if God exists, then your faith is indeed reasonable; and this should be your
point. The Holy Spirit will soften your friend's heart when He is ready
(assuming your friend is willing to exercise his measure of faith), and your
words will be remembered. God may even put it on your heart to lead your
friend in The Sinner’s Prayer one day; but it will be in His time, not
yours.
Though any chapter could be taken alone, the book is intended to be read
in sequence, because each chapter builds on the chapters before. Chapter 1
is a discussion of faith, what it is, how to talk about it, and how to use
it in conversation. The rest of the book is based on the foundation laid on
Chapter 1.
Chapter 2 discusses the flaws in several arguments used to "prove" that
Christianity is true. It is my desire to discourage Christians from using
these arguments, because using flawed arguments is a terrible witness, and
only pushes potential converts further away from God. However, I do not
believe that most Christians realize the flaws in what they are saying. The
chapter does not refute Christianity; it shows why these arguments don't
support Christianity.
Chapter 3 shows how to rebuke various Atheist objections against
Christianity. Just as the Christian arguments in Chapter 2 don't prove
Christianity is right, the arguments discussed in Chapter 3 don't prove it's
wrong.
Chapter 4 discusses honest atheistic questions/objections that are geared
toward making Christians think. Similar to the questions in Chapter 3 (which
are designed to stump Christians), they are intended to be slam-dunk
arguments that any "thinking man should realize". However, there are answers
to these questions, and it shouldn't make Christians squirm to answer them.
Finally, Chapter 5 paints a picture of history and the world as it is, in
a way that acknowledges the glorious truths that Christians embrace and
the ugly truths that atheists use against us. I believe we Christians shy
away from discussing unpleasant observations about life, in favor of talking
only of God's love because it is pleasant. But, since God's truth is such a
good explanation for how atheistic observations can exist amid the Gospel, I
exhort you to embrace all truth as you go out and witness to your
intellectual acquaintances and friends.
Proceed in faith!
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