Hi Tosh,
There is some great advice here on how to help in your situation. Let me add one more piece from the scriptures. Now while it is not talking about speaking with atheists, the principles are the same for it is talking about how to reach an unbeliever, in this case the unbelieving husband of a wife who is a believer: 1 Peter 3:1-4
1 Likewise you wives, be submissive to your husbands, so that some, though they do not obey the word, may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives,
2 when they see your reverent and chaste behavior.
3 Let not yours be the outward adorning with braiding of hair, decoration of gold, and wearing of fine clothing,
4 but let it be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable jewel of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.
In this case, & it is often the case with atheists, it is not what you say but what you do. How do you relate to this person? How do you behave around them? If you are walking a godly walk, they will see the difference in you & see that you are not like other people they hang about with. And if (or when) they are seeking, they will want to know why. Then THEY ask the questions which you can answer honestly & truthfully. And it becomes the opening to share Christ with them.
The other thing you need to consider is to ask yourself this question.
Why am I a Christian?
What was it that drew you to Jesus. Given this other person is a friend I guess you share similar interests & have some history together and you became a Christian but they did not. Why did you become a Christian?
For me, it was all about HOPE. In Christ there is the hope of a better life now and a future salvation that is beyond human imagination. For others there are other reasons but everyone has a reason why they came to Christ. Understand what yours is and that becomes your testimony, which no-one can argue against or deny or take away from you because to you it is truth and it is real. And you will deliver your testimony convincingly because it is real and it is YOU.
Anyway...my two cents worth. God bless & good luck.
John.
There is some great advice here on how to help in your situation. Let me add one more piece from the scriptures. Now while it is not talking about speaking with atheists, the principles are the same for it is talking about how to reach an unbeliever, in this case the unbelieving husband of a wife who is a believer: 1 Peter 3:1-4
1 Likewise you wives, be submissive to your husbands, so that some, though they do not obey the word, may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives,
2 when they see your reverent and chaste behavior.
3 Let not yours be the outward adorning with braiding of hair, decoration of gold, and wearing of fine clothing,
4 but let it be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable jewel of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.
In this case, & it is often the case with atheists, it is not what you say but what you do. How do you relate to this person? How do you behave around them? If you are walking a godly walk, they will see the difference in you & see that you are not like other people they hang about with. And if (or when) they are seeking, they will want to know why. Then THEY ask the questions which you can answer honestly & truthfully. And it becomes the opening to share Christ with them.
The other thing you need to consider is to ask yourself this question.
Why am I a Christian?
What was it that drew you to Jesus. Given this other person is a friend I guess you share similar interests & have some history together and you became a Christian but they did not. Why did you become a Christian?
For me, it was all about HOPE. In Christ there is the hope of a better life now and a future salvation that is beyond human imagination. For others there are other reasons but everyone has a reason why they came to Christ. Understand what yours is and that becomes your testimony, which no-one can argue against or deny or take away from you because to you it is truth and it is real. And you will deliver your testimony convincingly because it is real and it is YOU.
Anyway...my two cents worth. God bless & good luck.
John.
Hi there,
Personally I do not understand YOUR fear of eternity, however I can understand that a person may be afraid of it. The Bible tells us in Ecclesiastes 3:11 that we can know about eternity but not understand it. Note:
He has made everything beautiful in its time; also he has put eternity into man’s mind, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. (Ecc 3:11)
People fear what they do not understand. We do not understand eternity & so to fear it is probably a reasonable thing for some people.
God has allowed us to recognise the possibility of eternity, but not understand the reality of it or what it fully means. The Bible tells us all we need to know up until the final establishment of the new heavens & the new earth & God living once again with man. Beyond that comes...eternity. But what it will be like & what we will do...nobody knows but God alone.
Suffice to say it will be a place & time where there will be no death, no sickness, no aging (oh...and I am 61 years old so that's a BIGGIE for me...LOL) and no sin. There will be no opposition, no poverty, no criminals & all sources and forms of evil will have been destroyed & done away with.
To me, an eternity like that is a good thing & certainly nothing to fear. The kingdom of God will be based upon the LOVE of God unlike the world today which is or should be thinking about the fear of God. Imagine what could be done, what YOU could do if you are not bound by the clock and a certain death because of sin. I am a musician & I will happily spend the first million years getting my guitar playing right...and if it still isn't right, there's always the next million years, or another million after that!!!
So let me ask. What is it about eternity which you fear? Perhaps if you can specifically identify the fear someone here can help you through it & see there is nothing to fear.
All the best & God bless...John
Personally I do not understand YOUR fear of eternity, however I can understand that a person may be afraid of it. The Bible tells us in Ecclesiastes 3:11 that we can know about eternity but not understand it. Note:
He has made everything beautiful in its time; also he has put eternity into man’s mind, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. (Ecc 3:11)
People fear what they do not understand. We do not understand eternity & so to fear it is probably a reasonable thing for some people.
God has allowed us to recognise the possibility of eternity, but not understand the reality of it or what it fully means. The Bible tells us all we need to know up until the final establishment of the new heavens & the new earth & God living once again with man. Beyond that comes...eternity. But what it will be like & what we will do...nobody knows but God alone.
Suffice to say it will be a place & time where there will be no death, no sickness, no aging (oh...and I am 61 years old so that's a BIGGIE for me...LOL) and no sin. There will be no opposition, no poverty, no criminals & all sources and forms of evil will have been destroyed & done away with.
To me, an eternity like that is a good thing & certainly nothing to fear. The kingdom of God will be based upon the LOVE of God unlike the world today which is or should be thinking about the fear of God. Imagine what could be done, what YOU could do if you are not bound by the clock and a certain death because of sin. I am a musician & I will happily spend the first million years getting my guitar playing right...and if it still isn't right, there's always the next million years, or another million after that!!!
So let me ask. What is it about eternity which you fear? Perhaps if you can specifically identify the fear someone here can help you through it & see there is nothing to fear.
All the best & God bless...John
The only thing you can do four him is to be a light to him lives Christianity for him so that it may be attractive for him and perhaps he may give his life to God. Remember also he doesnt believe God you cant be close nit friends with him because that friend ship would be unequally yoke it would draw you are from God! You can still talk to him but be careful that he doesn't influence you to disbelieve God.
?
Awesome I check that out 
a) fully understand.
or
b) have no interest in religion.
Sometimes its best for people to decide on their own what their decision is. I would say to them though...what a friend they are loosing in God and how awesome He is.
That's the odd thing about it. I'm not sure why it scares me lol. I have a problem with obsessing and when I think about it I can't get it out of my mind. I know it seems impossible but I think about it until I feel like I can grasp the concept then I panic. I have gotten a lot better just have some more work to do.
The most popular introductory work by C.S. LEWIS would be "Mere Christianity" a small paperback that challenges the unbeliever with essays on the nature of truth, belief and christian doctrine.
"Mere Christianity is a theological book by C. S. Lewis, adapted from a series of BBC radio talks made between 1942 and 1944, while Lewis was at Oxford during World War II." First published 1952. Try your local christian bookstore or an online store.
"Mere Christianity is a theological book by C. S. Lewis, adapted from a series of BBC radio talks made between 1942 and 1944, while Lewis was at Oxford during World War II." First published 1952. Try your local christian bookstore or an online store.
I stopped arguing with atheists because they always demand evidence then dismiss the evidence. Here is an example of what I have said:
The Bible never said anything about the earth being the enter of the universe, so blaming religion is not the right thing to do. Blame those Christians.
And I'm just going by my Bible right here when I say that I am not going to argue with you because you are not willing to learn.
And finally, you will know if your atheism is fact. You say Jesus didn't die on the cross. You weren't there. You say God didn't make the universe. You weren't there. You say we evolved from some monkey men. You weren't there. You weren't there, just like we weren't there.
Just like I will never know for certain if these perfectly timed lessons in life, dreams, and success aren't from Jesus, you will never know for certain that there is no God. But I am going to keep my faith no matter what and you cannot stop me, just like I cannot stop you. We will see whose right in the end. But for now, I'm not going to argue with you or give you any evidence, because you will just dismiss it, saying it's not evidence, like every single atheist does. You have your mind made up, and I am not going to change it or even try to.
Enjoy.Edit
"Just like I will never know for certain if these perfectly timed lessons in life, dreams, and success aren't from Jesus" That was sarcasm.
The Bible never said anything about the earth being the enter of the universe, so blaming religion is not the right thing to do. Blame those Christians.
And I'm just going by my Bible right here when I say that I am not going to argue with you because you are not willing to learn.
And finally, you will know if your atheism is fact. You say Jesus didn't die on the cross. You weren't there. You say God didn't make the universe. You weren't there. You say we evolved from some monkey men. You weren't there. You weren't there, just like we weren't there.
Just like I will never know for certain if these perfectly timed lessons in life, dreams, and success aren't from Jesus, you will never know for certain that there is no God. But I am going to keep my faith no matter what and you cannot stop me, just like I cannot stop you. We will see whose right in the end. But for now, I'm not going to argue with you or give you any evidence, because you will just dismiss it, saying it's not evidence, like every single atheist does. You have your mind made up, and I am not going to change it or even try to.
Enjoy.Edit
"Just like I will never know for certain if these perfectly timed lessons in life, dreams, and success aren't from Jesus" That was sarcasm.
Amens/Likes:
Waggles and KingJ
What stands out in your post is your conviction. Conviction like that speaks of you having a real spiritual experience with Jesus. You just don't have all the facts yet worked out. Discussion like this must prompt you to study further. God is not against us using our brains and having logical answers for every question.
What your 'friend' is doing is a classic god bashing type miss-representation of the facts. They only quote the facts that agree with their belief / they have construed toward their belief. They hold onto the Galileo affair as grounds for any scientific claim being > scripture. A case of laughing at you for the speck in your belief and they in turn are swallowing a camel
.
Please read this link. There is no better explanation for the Galileo affair debacle..http://www.catholiceducation.org/en/controversy/common-misconceptions/the-galileo-affair.html
Job 9:6 says, "Who moveth the earth from its place…" Galileo cites the Commentary on Job (1584) by Didacus a Stunica which concluded that the mobility of the earth is not contrary to Scripture. Today, creationists would term this passage “observer true.” In Galileo's day, they used the equivalent phrase or expression “speaking according to appearances.” That is, for us who live on the earth it does not appear to move under our feet.
What your 'friend' is doing is a classic god bashing type miss-representation of the facts. They only quote the facts that agree with their belief / they have construed toward their belief. They hold onto the Galileo affair as grounds for any scientific claim being > scripture. A case of laughing at you for the speck in your belief and they in turn are swallowing a camel
.Please read this link. There is no better explanation for the Galileo affair debacle..http://www.catholiceducation.org/en/controversy/common-misconceptions/the-galileo-affair.html
Job 9:6 says, "Who moveth the earth from its place…" Galileo cites the Commentary on Job (1584) by Didacus a Stunica which concluded that the mobility of the earth is not contrary to Scripture. Today, creationists would term this passage “observer true.” In Galileo's day, they used the equivalent phrase or expression “speaking according to appearances.” That is, for us who live on the earth it does not appear to move under our feet.
Amens/Likes:
Juk
So, I was thinking how you should reply in a way that will actually help him.
If I were you, I would say 'It is great that you have thought about God and religion such that you appear so confident in your claims. Has all this studying helped your confidence toward the day that you just may meet your Creator? Are you ready to explain all your deeds before God 1 Cor 11:31. Are you ready to tell God why you didn't repent of your evil acts? Are you ready to tell God why you ignored Jesus knocking on the door to your heart Rev 3:20? Do you really really really really really believe that saying ''I never believed you exist'' will hold any water on that day? Do you really think a great God gives two hoots as to whether or not you believe in Him? You think I am here to convince you that God exists? The discussion of God vs no god is plausible only for blind people. Are you really that naïve / proud / arrogant / foolish that you think 'God of the universe' will jump through hoops at your request? I am here to tell you that God wants to reveal more of Himself to you then just the fact that He exists. Come to Him on His terms....bend the knee / repent of your sins / hate what is evil. You are an awesome creation. God did not make you for the sole purpose of living 70 years in a zoo called earth. He wants us to know Him 1 Cor 12:3. Not ''of Him''.
It should be common sense that an ant approach God of the universe on His terms Psalm 51:17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.
How in the universe can any person not be willing to approach God on these reasonable / logical / loving terms? The only people that would object to bending the knee to a God that died for them and simply wants them to repent of their sins would be a wicked person who loves the darkness. John 3:19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
If I were you, I would say 'It is great that you have thought about God and religion such that you appear so confident in your claims. Has all this studying helped your confidence toward the day that you just may meet your Creator? Are you ready to explain all your deeds before God 1 Cor 11:31. Are you ready to tell God why you didn't repent of your evil acts? Are you ready to tell God why you ignored Jesus knocking on the door to your heart Rev 3:20? Do you really really really really really believe that saying ''I never believed you exist'' will hold any water on that day? Do you really think a great God gives two hoots as to whether or not you believe in Him? You think I am here to convince you that God exists? The discussion of God vs no god is plausible only for blind people. Are you really that naïve / proud / arrogant / foolish that you think 'God of the universe' will jump through hoops at your request? I am here to tell you that God wants to reveal more of Himself to you then just the fact that He exists. Come to Him on His terms....bend the knee / repent of your sins / hate what is evil. You are an awesome creation. God did not make you for the sole purpose of living 70 years in a zoo called earth. He wants us to know Him 1 Cor 12:3. Not ''of Him''.
It should be common sense that an ant approach God of the universe on His terms Psalm 51:17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.
How in the universe can any person not be willing to approach God on these reasonable / logical / loving terms? The only people that would object to bending the knee to a God that died for them and simply wants them to repent of their sins would be a wicked person who loves the darkness. John 3:19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
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What stands out in your post is your conviction. Conviction like that speaks of you having a real spiritual experience with Jesus. You just don't have all the facts yet worked out. Discussion like this must prompt you to study further. God is not against us using our brains and having logical answers for every question.
What your 'friend' is doing is a classic god bashing type miss-representation of the facts. They only quote the facts that agree with their belief / they have construed toward their belief. They hold onto the Galileo affair as grounds for any scientific claim being > scripture. A case of laughing at you for the speck in your belief and they in turn are swallowing a camel.
Please read this link. There is no better explanation for the Galileo affair debacle..http://www.catholiceducation.org/en/controversy/common-misconceptions/the-galileo-affair.html
Job 9:6 says, "Who moveth the earth from its place…" Galileo cites the Commentary on Job (1584) by Didacus a Stunica which concluded that the mobility of the earth is not contrary to Scripture. Today, creationists would term this passage “observer true.” In Galileo's day, they used the equivalent phrase or expression “speaking according to appearances.” That is, for us who live on the earth it does not appear to move under our feet.
What your 'friend' is doing is a classic god bashing type miss-representation of the facts. They only quote the facts that agree with their belief / they have construed toward their belief. They hold onto the Galileo affair as grounds for any scientific claim being > scripture. A case of laughing at you for the speck in your belief and they in turn are swallowing a camel
.Please read this link. There is no better explanation for the Galileo affair debacle..http://www.catholiceducation.org/en/controversy/common-misconceptions/the-galileo-affair.html
Job 9:6 says, "Who moveth the earth from its place…" Galileo cites the Commentary on Job (1584) by Didacus a Stunica which concluded that the mobility of the earth is not contrary to Scripture. Today, creationists would term this passage “observer true.” In Galileo's day, they used the equivalent phrase or expression “speaking according to appearances.” That is, for us who live on the earth it does not appear to move under our feet.
Juk, you also have the right to demand evidence from atheists. Where is their evidence? Two hundred years since Darwin and still NO real evidence for evolution, only supposition (speculation, imagination). The fossil and geological evidence has produced nothing to show the transition of supposedly less complex organisms into more complex creatures. Where is the evidence? Only fossils of complete creatures. Why is the planet Earth the only planet with an abundance of water and life? So many wonderful and complex creatures and plants, and microbes. All on one planet. Why haven't the animals evolved. If apes became highly intelligent beings, us, in a million years of evolution; then what has the rest of the animal kingdom been doing? Why are Orang u tangs still apes? Why are elephants still elephants? How is it that animals are still animals? Why are they not the fabulous evolved animals we see in Star Wars?
The real geological and fossil evidence is for DEVOLUTION. Before the flood animals and humans were gigantic in size. There were giants on the Earth in those days... After the flood animals and humans definitely became much smaller as the Creation loses its potency, its initial power.
Megafauna are the fossils of colossal sized animals that existed before the flood - did you know that Sid the sloth was once the size of a polar bear? Sabre tooth tigers were like three times the size of today's big cats. Kangaroos were once 12-16 feet high, now they are about 6 foot for the biggest.
Let the atheists prove that there is no God, and all of this wonderful planet of life came from nothing. Let them show it to you. They already admit in the Big Bang Theory that the universe suddenly came into existence from a singularity - a single beginning. Just like the Bible declares: Genesis 1: 1
"There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn't true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true" (Soren Kierkegaard 1813-1855)
The real geological and fossil evidence is for DEVOLUTION. Before the flood animals and humans were gigantic in size. There were giants on the Earth in those days... After the flood animals and humans definitely became much smaller as the Creation loses its potency, its initial power.
Megafauna are the fossils of colossal sized animals that existed before the flood - did you know that Sid the sloth was once the size of a polar bear? Sabre tooth tigers were like three times the size of today's big cats. Kangaroos were once 12-16 feet high, now they are about 6 foot for the biggest.
Let the atheists prove that there is no God, and all of this wonderful planet of life came from nothing. Let them show it to you. They already admit in the Big Bang Theory that the universe suddenly came into existence from a singularity - a single beginning. Just like the Bible declares: Genesis 1: 1
"There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn't true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true" (Soren Kierkegaard 1813-1855)
Amens/Likes:
Juk
It is a spiritual process, converting hearts to Christ. We do not do it in our own strength. Our responsibility is to preach the gospel of salvation. Like I wrote before, yes, that does come with experience, but it certainly starts with your own personal testimony and faith for others to see. A few favourite scriptures about salvation. But in the end, Juk, three things: If a person is not ready to really hear the word of God and take it to heart then they have their spiritual eyes and ears closed. It's not their time. 2/ Being a servant of God means that we pray to Jesus for him to bring someone to us, for him to provide the opportunity to speak. Generally things go better this way. 3/ Just because you spoke to someone with love and conviction, and they have not embraced the gospel there and then, doesn't mean that they have no future hope. Some nuts are harder to crack than others. Look at a coconut versus an almond. Unfortunately, there are more coconuts than almonds. But in the end it is spiritual. Jesus calls people to himself. The word of God is spiritual. You are not selling vacuum cleaners.
Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 1Corinthians 3: 5-7
Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 1Corinthians 3: 5-7
Amens/Likes:
KingJ