What do you say to an atheist?
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It's all about being lead by the Spirit. To be lead by the Spirit you have to be walking with God. I'm very much against preaching or arguing to people unless I feel like it's God's will, mostly because it can do more harm than good sometimes. I dont want to hinder anyones walk with Christ simply because I feel self-righteous enough to tell them how it is. We dont save people, God saves people when He uses us. Now do not minunderstand me, I'm not saying dont testify Christ to people- it's not an excuse to do nothing. Im also not saying don't tell atheists about Jesus when you dont feel like it. I'm saying be lead by the Spirit in all things. People are tired of religion being jammed down their throats. Thats why its a wonderful testimony to live by example...and in this day and age, a righteous person certainly shines.
V
Well, if they're the one that brought it up.... It depends on them.
Some people have just never heard an accurate telling of Jesus's story, and that's all they need. They may not accept it right then, but it'll give them something to think about.
Others have looked it up themselves and learned it very accurately, and hardened their hearts to it. For these people, you need to, as gently as possible, crush the falsities they have accumulated, the biggest of which is likely the theory of evolution. However, do not attempt to do this unless you understand the concepts of their science very well- Arguing something which you know nothing about is counter-productive. At the most, you'll likely get told a few things you need to look up, and they also should go look up a few things you've told them, and over a few conversations like this it will eventually crumble ^_^
Some people have just never heard an accurate telling of Jesus's story, and that's all they need. They may not accept it right then, but it'll give them something to think about.
Others have looked it up themselves and learned it very accurately, and hardened their hearts to it. For these people, you need to, as gently as possible, crush the falsities they have accumulated, the biggest of which is likely the theory of evolution. However, do not attempt to do this unless you understand the concepts of their science very well- Arguing something which you know nothing about is counter-productive. At the most, you'll likely get told a few things you need to look up, and they also should go look up a few things you've told them, and over a few conversations like this it will eventually crumble ^_^
K
Approaching a person as an atheist is probably not the best idea.
It's important to remember that most self-professed atheists know at least a little about what they're rejecting. Some atheists know more about the technical aspects of Christianity than its practitioners. Giving them another presentation of the same ideas they've heard repeatedly will probably only more deeply reinforce reflex reactions.
In other words, an atheist is never more an atheist than when she's being preached to (or worse, preached at). By approaching a person as an atheist, you've jumped into those those deep grooves of habit and will have trouble getting out of them. You'll both be reading from scripts. Don't approach with a script!
I agree with the advice above - go with the Spirit. Otherwise, if you have something planned, you're going in under your own power and wit which, with apologies, will end in frustration unless God decides to use you in spite of yourself.
Now, concerning the rest, the practical atheists who profess a belief in God yet simply don't believe...
It's important to remember that most self-professed atheists know at least a little about what they're rejecting. Some atheists know more about the technical aspects of Christianity than its practitioners. Giving them another presentation of the same ideas they've heard repeatedly will probably only more deeply reinforce reflex reactions.
In other words, an atheist is never more an atheist than when she's being preached to (or worse, preached at). By approaching a person as an atheist, you've jumped into those those deep grooves of habit and will have trouble getting out of them. You'll both be reading from scripts. Don't approach with a script!
I agree with the advice above - go with the Spirit. Otherwise, if you have something planned, you're going in under your own power and wit which, with apologies, will end in frustration unless God decides to use you in spite of yourself.
Now, concerning the rest, the practical atheists who profess a belief in God yet simply don't believe...
K
This is one thing lacking, I think, in many conversations. I've often heard it said that an unbeliever shouldn't examine believers for evidence, as they are fallible and "in the process," but should only look to God himself. I can't reconcile this with the teachings that imply people are supposed to be a positive witness. For example, Jesus says in Matthew:
Telling someone that they shouldn't examine individual Christians is like telling someone they shouldn't expect salt to be salty. I, for one, would look for another brand.
Telling someone that they shouldn't examine individual Christians is like telling someone they shouldn't expect salt to be salty. I, for one, would look for another brand.
You might go with the mindset that they have a working knowledge of what the Word says. Alot of the "christian" religions preach differently,the message of salvation. And what they see are inconsistencies in the various doctrines being preached to them. You have some that believe that there is no Christ that He is yet to come. Then you some that believe that there are only 144,000 select that are to be saved,that there is no Christ. Some that believe in baptism of the Holy Spirit.Some that only believe in the water baptism without the Holy Spirit. Some with.then you have the catholic church. They say they are the true church, but look at the past week and see that both marti gras and lent are intertwined. That it's ok to get the sin out of your system, then go to church for 40 days and be holy,yet the Word says for us to be holy all of the days of our lives. Only then can you understand what they have been bombarded with.they see all of these inconsistencies and it is no wonder that they don't believe
I guess my inspiration for the thread is that atheists occasionally introduce themselves on this website, and I’m not sure what to say. I think they want us to say SOMETHING.
It is my belief the Lord doesn’t like to waste time. I think it is better to testify to these people right now, than to let them figure it out for themselves sometime in the future, don’t you?
It is my belief the Lord doesn’t like to waste time. I think it is better to testify to these people right now, than to let them figure it out for themselves sometime in the future, don’t you?
M
I agree with Dread_Zeppelin in the sense that it's counter productive to try and open a dialogue with an atheist when it is clear they are not receptive to hearing from you on the topic.
I have seen situations on this website and in daily life when people have done it anyway and when they've made the person angry they've then responded with what seems to be a standard reply 'I tell you the truth and that is how I help you', and that logic seems to to shield them from seeing they have just pushed someone further away from the faith, there are times when speaking can do more damage, regardless of what you are saying.
In many cases atheists are arrogant in their belief because allowing themselves to consider the possibility means opening up to so many things that were never an issue, anyone formerly of that view can understand that massive change follows and many atheists disbelieve simply out of fear of facing up to who have they been.
As many people know fear can cause harsh reaction because it is a defense mechanism, so we need to realise that coming at atheists in such a direct manner will only make them push back and it can provide affirmation for them.
It is tempting to take the direct root and act now so not to waste time but so many people who have gone from atheism to a strong faith look back on their lives and see how seperate events contributed to them turning to faith and away from their former, often destructive life, and so without those events they may not have found their way, it is sometimes best to allow people to continue making mistakes and just be there for them as we all need to experience these things for ourselves to truly understand.
Some people will hear the word of God and have a moment of revelation, others come to faith over time after learning, as a Chrstian one of the great challenges is to find the right approach for the right person so I would say there is no one way to approach or deal with atheists, just get to know them and you will get to know what kind of help it is they need.....see them as a person...not a project.
I have seen situations on this website and in daily life when people have done it anyway and when they've made the person angry they've then responded with what seems to be a standard reply 'I tell you the truth and that is how I help you', and that logic seems to to shield them from seeing they have just pushed someone further away from the faith, there are times when speaking can do more damage, regardless of what you are saying.
In many cases atheists are arrogant in their belief because allowing themselves to consider the possibility means opening up to so many things that were never an issue, anyone formerly of that view can understand that massive change follows and many atheists disbelieve simply out of fear of facing up to who have they been.
As many people know fear can cause harsh reaction because it is a defense mechanism, so we need to realise that coming at atheists in such a direct manner will only make them push back and it can provide affirmation for them.
It is tempting to take the direct root and act now so not to waste time but so many people who have gone from atheism to a strong faith look back on their lives and see how seperate events contributed to them turning to faith and away from their former, often destructive life, and so without those events they may not have found their way, it is sometimes best to allow people to continue making mistakes and just be there for them as we all need to experience these things for ourselves to truly understand.
Some people will hear the word of God and have a moment of revelation, others come to faith over time after learning, as a Chrstian one of the great challenges is to find the right approach for the right person so I would say there is no one way to approach or deal with atheists, just get to know them and you will get to know what kind of help it is they need.....see them as a person...not a project.
G
I tell them that they are going to stand before this Jesus they deny for judgement
They think they are going to give Him a great argument
But in fact they will condemn themselves out of their own mouth
Everyone will bow the their knee to Jesus Christ
The only choice is they do it because they want to or because they have too
They think they are going to give Him a great argument
But in fact they will condemn themselves out of their own mouth
Everyone will bow the their knee to Jesus Christ
The only choice is they do it because they want to or because they have too
F
Approaching a person as an atheist is probably not the best idea.
It's important to remember that most self-professed atheists know at least a little about what they're rejecting. Some atheists know more about the technical aspects of Christianity than its practitioners. Giving them another presentation of the same ideas they've heard repeatedly will probably only more deeply reinforce reflex reactions.
In other words, an atheist is never more an atheist than when she's being preached to (or worse, preached at). By approaching a person as an atheist, you've jumped into those those deep grooves of habit and will have trouble getting out of them. You'll both be reading from scripts. Don't approach with a script!
I agree with the advice above - go with the Spirit. Otherwise, if you have something planned, you're going in under your own power and wit which, with apologies, will end in frustration unless God decides to use you in spite of yourself.
Now, concerning the rest, the practical atheists who profess a belief in God yet simply don't believe...
It's important to remember that most self-professed atheists know at least a little about what they're rejecting. Some atheists know more about the technical aspects of Christianity than its practitioners. Giving them another presentation of the same ideas they've heard repeatedly will probably only more deeply reinforce reflex reactions.
In other words, an atheist is never more an atheist than when she's being preached to (or worse, preached at). By approaching a person as an atheist, you've jumped into those those deep grooves of habit and will have trouble getting out of them. You'll both be reading from scripts. Don't approach with a script!
I agree with the advice above - go with the Spirit. Otherwise, if you have something planned, you're going in under your own power and wit which, with apologies, will end in frustration unless God decides to use you in spite of yourself.
Now, concerning the rest, the practical atheists who profess a belief in God yet simply don't believe...