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How do I approach talking about God to an atheist?

What arguments can I use to overcome an atheist's objection on the existence of God, the Bible narrative and Jesus Christ?

Clarify Share Report Asked May 17 2013 Mini Carina Hermann Supporter

Community answers are sorted based on votes. The higher the vote, the further up an answer is.

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B8c746f3 63c7 43eb 9665 ef7fba8e191b Kelli Trujillo Supporter Loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Teacher, Musician
My advice is to earnestly pray for this atheist and to demonstrate the love of Christ to him in any and every way that is appropriate and possible. 

The scripture says in John 6: 44, "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day." The Spirit of God can move on the hardest of hearts, and part of our role is to pray for such people.

It is also important to demonstrate the love of Christ to this person. 1 Cor. 13: 1-3 says, "If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing."

It is good to be well-prepared to answer questions and to be able to answer as many as possible, but believing in God requires faith; therefore, some questions will always remain without definite answers.

About evolution, it is a THEORY that has never yet been proven. There are many non-Christian scientists today that will admit that there is no solid evidence to prove it as a fact. A quote attributed to Arthur Keith (late anatomist and anthropologist) says, 

"Evolution is unproved and unprovable. We believe it because the only alternative is special creation, and that is unthinkable."

Evolution is actually not supportable with scientific evidence, but it has been so widely accepted as an alternative to the Creation account by those that don't want to believe it that people accept it on faith. It could be argued that it takes more faith to believe the theory of evolution than it does to believe the Creation account.

I copied and pasted a link below that gives specific reasons as to why evolution is false. 

http://www.evanwiggs.com/articles/reasons.html

May 18 2013 6 responses Vote Up Share Report


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Mini My Cup Overflows Supporter
The Bible calls people like him "willfully ignorant" and that because of the evidence for God in creation alone (Romans 1) "they are without excuse". So realize that because a professing atheist has to be hardened in their heart toward God and all that He has done and their conscience is necessarily defiled as a result, they are neither reasonable nor rational in their thought processes. Someone gave me this advice when I first began to follow Christ, "Don't talk to a person about Jesus until you first talk to Jesus about that person." We must always be salt and light, never ashamed and always ready to give an answer for our hope, but realized that it must be and only can be God who does the convicting and opens the blind eyes. His Word is powerful and effective and Hus Holy Spirit is in the world convicting everyone of sin, righteousness and judgment. Pray for them and be sensitive to the Spirit. You are a light in their life even when you say nothing. God bless.

June 21 2013 2 responses Vote Up Share Report


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Mini Paul Kienbaum Supporter
I think one thing you should know is don't get discouraged. It's not our battle to win or lose. We are vessels of good news and that is so awesome! One tool I found pretty successful besides prayer is a simple question...

"How do you know?"

You have to be a ways into a relationship to use this, but I had a friend at work that was I believe a true atheist. One day at the ice machine at work we were visiting and he said "Paul, I still don't believe there is a God." It just popped out- "How do you know?" It got really quiet and you could see the wheels turning. He said "I don't know..." But I'm going to find out. One week later at work he came in and told me he was no longer an atheist. Most of the atheists I run into don't know why they believe what they do.

But everything needs to be showered in prayer. It is a spiritual battle.

July 11 2014 1 response Vote Up Share Report


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Data Tom Huntford Supporter
You don't need me or anyone else to tell you how to witness to an atheist.  God has spelled it out in 1 Corinthians, Chapter 1:17 through 2:16.  It is simple.   I feel a strong desire to tell you what the chapter says.  However, people need to go to the Scriptures and get the answers.  Here's my recommendation.  Read that passage 5 times.  See what it is telling you about what techniques God wants his people to use, both on intellectually-geared people (atheists) and "spiritual" people (cults, false religions, witchcraft, etc).  

HINT:  Be prepared to follow Jesus and the Apostles, and to leave much of what we in America call evangelism behind.

October 22 2013 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


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Mini Shantkumar S. Kunjam Supporter An Indian, Mennonite Church, Pastor, Administrator, Bishop,
I believe everything is possible with God. If He wills to bring any atheist to faith He will and can bring that person to faith. I will give two examples.

1. This is a true story. There was a true Christian lady who fell terminally ill because of cancer. She was admitted to a hospital. But instead of having self pity and loosing all hope, as long as she lived in the hospital she was always joyful. Those who came to see her she was always a person to tell them about her Lord and shared her faith. In her spare time she would be singing or humming Christian songs.

It so happened that a staunch atheist also fell sick, though not with terminal sickness. He was admitted in the same block of hospital where the other lady was admitted. Some how he came to know about the lady. First her activities were annoying to him but then God Almighty started working in his heart. Time came that the lady died and was removed from the hospital. The man became restless in his own heart and finally called the lady's Pastor. When the pastor came he told him that he had been a staunch atheist and no argument and preaching about Christianity had been able to break his atheistic stance. But the lady who lived here demonstrated a kind of Christian faith that I am unable to get rid of thinking about her and her faith. He pleaded to the pastor that he would like to have that lady's faith and God. Later he became a Christian.

2. In Luke's gospel the story of Zacchaeus' conversion (Lk. 19:1-9) is a classic example which may help us in relating with atheist friends.

In chapter 18 Jesus was confronted by a person with a question "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" (18:18). He was an extremely rich person and hence his question has a touch of haughtiness that he could buy the eternal life if he knew the price. Jesus told him the price of eternal life in the terms of the rich man "Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, and come, follow Me" (18:22). The rich-man was not able to pay the price. Then Jesus makes a statement "How hard it is... for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God" (18:24-25). After the inquiry of the disciples Jesus makes another statement "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God" (18:27).

I think, Zacchaeus case is the demonstration that that which is impossible for men is made possible by God. 

First Jesus was burdened for this man, so He learned about this man that his name was Zacchaeus. Jesus constantly prayed about this man and struggled with His Father for the salvation of this man and from His Father Jesus got a 'Go ahead' signal. The word "must" in v. 19:5 indicates all this. Jesus addresses the person with his name like friend a friend. God had already prepared the man's heart with a desire to see Jesus. But Jesus offered more than what he had desired for, "today I must stay at your house" (19:5). 

Here Jesus is in His last journey to Jerusalem to face death on the cross in a few days. Yet He was willing to get invited to a stranger's (now a friend, though) house.

He did not remind Zacchaeus of his past life, nor cared the criticisms of the people. By this time Zacchaeus had already passed from death to life and hence when he showed sign of repentance Jesus pronounced "Today salvation has come to this house..." (19:9).

This is an example of how that which is impossible for men is made possible by God. The same can be true for atheists also. There are certain steps:

1. Godly burden for the person.
2. Constant prayer, making it the most important concern.
3. Getting acquainted with person.
4. No accusation, no arguments.
5. Making available to one's self for the person.
6. Preach the Gospel without fanciful words "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost" (19:10).

(All quotations from the NKJV of the Bible.)

January 27 2014 3 responses Vote Up Share Report


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Profile picture John R Villesvik Supporter
In my experience talking to atheists, I have found that they are frequently very well educated and often come from Christian backgrounds. Many having been believers previously. They often know the bible more thoroughtly than most christians and have very good and reasonable questions. They stumble most of the time with reconciling reality as they see it with scientific clarity and the Old Testament stories of Creation, Noah's Ark, the Exodus, difficult narratives such as Numbers 31:9-18, and others where biblical characters and God himself are portrayed as "unfair" or "immoral" (Deut 21:18-21, Ezek 23:1-21 among several others).

It is important to take their questions seriously, understanding that our common enemy has deceived the human race for so long, we all are touched in some way by doubt, having difficulty reconciling biblical accounts with what we think we know about history, science, morality and fairness. In the final analysis however, God reigns supreme and his love endures forever. 

It is his love that has the power to change hearts. Debate and discussion ultimately only stirs brain cells, but love changes hearts. We must pray for and love our atheists friends with Christ-like love, for this is the most powerful evidence of God anyone will ever see.

It is easy to get caught up in endless debates about evolution/creation. Atheists' minds are usually made up regarding this, and any debate only ends in driving us father apart. When we see this happening we must disengage and reorient the conversation. We must understand their confusion and wrestle with their doubts and questions in the same way many of us have wrestled with our own doubts. We must be genuine and real, most of all loving. 

Jesus told his disciples in John 13:35 that the most powerful evidence of God in us is his love... "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” This is especially true in dealing with atheists.

January 01 2015 3 responses Vote Up Share Report


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Stringio Santos Garcia Supporter Striving as a Biblical Christian in "Advancing Christ's Kingdom" through the ministry of intercession.
Carrying a prayer burden from the LORD for someone that is lost in the deception of this 'world system' compels us to pray.  Sharing our lives in a spirit of humility will prepare us and the individual to connect on a more personal level based upon trust (1 Peter 3:15) . 

I sought the LORD in prayer for 'tools', resources that can turn a person's heart to the our Savior and King Jesus Christ.  He abundantly blessed my prayers by bringing two reference works to my life: one for personal edification in the increasing love for His Holy Word, and the primary one which is an 'Apologetic' written by a former atheist who upon investigating Christianity and the claims of Christ in the Bible, fully surrendered to the LORD!  I wrote a detailed book review of both in this Weblog post:

http://zionsgate.wordpress.com/2011/05/02/the-everlasting-god-the-king-of-saints/

May the LORD bless your efforts with fruitful results, treasures out of darkness- that will be your eternal reward in Heaven; since after all it IS all about souls!... in Jesus' Name, AMEN!

June 04 2013 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


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Mini Laura Nelson Supporter
I try to live my life in front of the atheist like I believe there is a God. I display any characteristics of my God that I can and when I don't,  I have accountability for my actions. I have made amends to atheists for not demonstrating Christlike behavior. This has gone a long way in helping me remember that there is a God and not furthered the cause for atheism.

October 21 2013 1 response Vote Up Share Report


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Stringio Charles Abraham Supporter
avoid arguments,about the Gospel colossians 4:5 says...Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.we were not on our knees constantly, when we have nothing to offer anyone. Jesus told his follower to wait until the Holy Spirit comes upon you then you will be my witness to all the world Jer 1:8-9 God said to Jeremiah that he would put His words in his mouth Luke 21:14-15 Jesus says He will give us a mouth of wisdom which none of your adversaries will be able to contradict and Last but the most important thing is to PRAY! 1Tim 2:1 tells us  to pray for ALL people.....hope this helps you God Bless!

May 17 2013 2 responses Vote Up Share Report


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Mycontactpic Michael Sisson Supporter
In reading about the “fall of man,” what would you say was man’s first sin?

His disobedience of partaking of that which G-d had forbidden?

His pride in wanting to be G-d’s equal?

I think R.C. Sproul is correct in suggesting man’s first sin was unbelief—unbelief in the goodness of G-d. For the Adversary tempted Eve by questioning the truthfulness of G-d regarding the consequences of eating from the tree, and by inviting her to question whether G-d had her best interests at heart.

Gen1:4 The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die!  5 “For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Whether in my own personal evangelism, or when asked to give advice on bringing others to a saving knowledge of Yeshua, I usually suggest that both the sincere seeker and the long time believer who struggles in his faith start at the same place. We must resolve in our minds, once and for all, that G-d is only good, all of the time. We must resolve that G-d is only good, all of the time… that He always has your best interests at heart…even when we don’t have G-d’s omniscience…even when we may not have the benefit of G-d’s perspective on our circumstances this side of eternity.

June 04 2013 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


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A 1x And Ande Supporter
You can pray for them and fast and atheist people will still go to hell ! If you do not preach the Gospel nobody will be save. ( Rom 10:17 ) 
Jesus did not told us to pray and fast and people will get saved, but Preach the Word, His Word.
If we have the Son we have Life, if we do not have the Son we  do not have Life. 
Tell me on case in the Bible where Paul prayed so that people get saved ? If the Gospel ( Good News) is not preach is not Gospel at all. Good News is Good News when is communicated ! If you do not comunicated the Gospel well is not a Good News. If the Gospel would not be preached, today all of us we still go to hell !

June 04 2013 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


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Mini Anonymous
Telling people about the Cross is the power of God...1 Corinthians 1:18

"For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God"

But there is a time for everything, a time to speak, a time to be silent ..... (Eccle 3) ...... As one who was on the receiving end of 'Bible bashing' for 10 years, it was God's timing and God's loving messenger who led me to Christ.  Thanks be to Him for Eileen.

June 05 2013 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


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Open uri20130527 25554 eb4m7e Steve Haworth Supporter
you can prove God exists ...

1. cosmological argument (from beginning of the universe)
2. Design argument 
3. moral argument 

Study these arguments so you can articulate them to your friend ... a good starting place .... read the book: : "i don't have enough faith to be an atheist" ...

June 05 2013 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


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Mini Jadah Pleiter Supporter
Above all be led by the Holy Spirit and he will direct when to speak and when to refrain from speaking. 

Lee Strobel was an atheist who tried to disprove the resurrection to destroy Christianity and found so much evidence he converted and wrote the book The Case For Christ- lots of good stuff in there. Also Ray Comfort has some good evangelistic tools and has recorded debates with atheists. It helps to read and listen to people like this to know how to give an answer to many of the curly questions/ arguments an atheist can throw up. 

Always keep in mind though that the bible says 'The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.'(Psalms 14:1 KJV) it can help to read what scripture says about fools too.

October 21 2013 1 response Vote Up Share Report


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Mini ainsley chalmers Supporter Medical Research Scientist, devoted family man.
Atheists scoff at those Christians with faith in God. But let me put it that one needs a lot of faith to be an atheist. For example atheists believe in:

1. The big bang in the creation of our universe ie that nothing + nothing gave our universe (even a kindergarten kid knows that 0 + 0 = 0). That hydrogen and helium released after the bang with dark energy and dark matter ultimately gave our elements and eventually us. Bad luck that dark matter and energy cannot be identified even after much searching.
The 1st law of thermodynamics says energy/matter/universe cannot arise spontaneously. Therefore then it can only be created supernaturally ie by God.
2. Evolution created you from goo ie from microbes to monkey to man. This cannot happen in biology. That is it is impossible that evolution can ever occur. Mutations and natural selection, the drivers of evolution, result in death not higher life forms.
3. Science will eventually give us all the answers, we wont need the concept of a God. Empirical biological science, however, screams out the existence of God because of the incredible design there is in just one cell (consider DNA alone). The heavens also scream out God's reality (Rom 1:20) and emperical science just confirms the reality of God's creative genius.

In contrast consider the Christian worldview that Go d in Christ created this universe and everything in by his word (John 1:1-4; Coll 1:16-18). If you cannot still believe in God just realize that he was an actual historical figure who came to this planet 2,000 years ago. He proved that he was God by the miracles he did whilst here and by rising from the dead. That he sent us his Holy Spirit to confirm his truth in us that he is the way, truth and life and light (John 14:6; 1 John 1:5). Without the Holy Spirit conviction it is impossible to believe in God and that salvation is in him alone. That Holy Scripture, the Bible, is absolute truth.

March 15 2017 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


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