truthgiver

Bible References
John 8:12
2 Cor. 5:20-21
1 Peter 3:15
2 Tim. 2:24-25
1 Cor. 1:18
John 3:16


Other References

The Bible Gateway
Chancellor Baptist
Answers In Genesis
The Bible Answer Man
Living Waters

How to give scientific proof that God created the earth: 

You:  That painting over there, was there a painter?

Atheist:  Ah, yes, very nice painting.

You:  Did you see him paint it?  How do you know?  Were you there?  Can you see him, touch him, and hear him?

Atheist:  Don’t be silly, the painting is evidence enough to know there was a painter!

You:  Do you see that tree over there… ?

93 Million Miles

The distance from the Earth to the Sun is 93 million miles.  If I get on a step-ladder, I’m closer to the Sun, but still 93 million miles.  If I get on the Empire State building, still 93 million miles.  If I get on Mount Everest, still 93 million miles.  This is how far God’s holiness and righteousness is compared to ours.

Science in the Bible from Livingwaters.com

The earth is a sphere (Isaiah 40:22)

Innumerable stars (Jeremiah 33:22)

Free float of earth in space (Job 26:7)

Creation made of invisible elements (Hebrews11:3)

Each star is different (1 Corinthians 15:41)

Light moves (Job 38:19,20)

Air has weight (Job 28:25)

Winds blow in cyclones (Ecclesiastes 1:6)

Blood is the source of life and health (Leviticus 17:11)

and more…

Next month’s topic:  Good works


Question for an intellectual:

You:   Hey, out of all of the information in the known Universe, how much would you say you know?

Atheist:  I would say probably 10 percent, perhaps?

You:  Could it be that you have not come across the information that proves God’s existence yet?

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This month’s topic:  How to witness to an atheist or an agnostic

Question:  How can I witness to an atheist or an agnostic?

          Last month, we learned that it is our duty to be light in this world, with Christ living in us.  Jesus said: “I am the light of the world.  He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12), and that we are ambassadors of Christ with a duty to witness, giving the Gospel message to all people, and to tell them how to be reconciled to God(2 Corinthians 5:20-21).

         It may be particularly challenging to witness to an atheist (one who believes there is no God), or an agnostic (someone who thinks God is unknowable whether He exists or not).  They are generally very intelligent people, but think the cross of Christ is foolishness.  You may want to use two approaches:

         1.  Speak to his intellect
         2.  Speak to his conscience.

Speak to his intellect

         In the left column, there is some helpful information to help if you want to speak to one’s intellect.  And, there are many great apologetic web sites like:

Hank Hanegraaff’s web site “The Bible Answer Man” http://www.equip.org/ Answers in Genesis:  http://www.answersingenesis.org/. 


         It is always very useful to know your apologetics, but the primary focus of this article is to help you speak to one’s conscience.  Having answers to anyone’s questions about various topics is always beneficial to gain credibility in the eyes of the one to whom you are witnessing, but it won’t bring them to the realization that they are lost without a Savior, and that the law is written on their hearts (everyone knows it’s wrong to sin), and their conscience testifies.  Romans 2:14-15 says:

“{2:14} (for when Gentiles who don't have the law do by nature the things of the law, these, not having the law, are a law to themselves, {2:15} in that they show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience testifying with them, and their thoughts among themselves accusing or else excusing them).”

Speak to his con  science

         Con = with , science = knowledge = conscience

         God has given every man and every woman a conscience.  Romans 2:15 says:  “in that they show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience testifying with them.”  Every man knows it’s wrong to steal, to lie, to lust, and to murder.  God gave us the 10 commandments so that we would have a mirror of God’s standard.  But there’s a problem here – that this law won’t save anyone because no mere human mortal person can keep this law perfectly. 

Show him his desperate situation

         Eternal punishment is the payment for our sin against an eternally holy and righteous God.  If a man who is 40 years old, and commits three sins per day in a lifetime, that’s over 40,000 sins!  If he pulls cats from trees and helps old ladies across the street for the rest of his life, that is not enough good works to make up for the sin he has accumulated.  In fact, James 2:10 says, "For whoever keeps the whole law, and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all."

         When you show someone this desperate situation, do so with gentleness (1 Peter 3:15 and 2 Tim. 2:24-25).  Remember, you were lost once, but God found you.  Isaiah says:

“{53:6} All we like sheep have gone astray.  Everyone has turned to his own way;”

         Remember that the cross of Christ may have been foolishness you also (1 Cor. 1:18).  The danger when you show people that they are sinners is that you lose them altogether, and they discount you and your credibility.  The Bible says in Proverbs: 

“{11:9} With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, but the righteous will be delivered through knowledge.”

And

“{9:7} He who corrects a mocker invites insult.  He who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.  {9:8} Don't reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you.  Reprove a wise man, and he will love you.  {9:9} Instruct a wise man, and he will be still wiser.  Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.  {9:10} The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom.  The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

Tell them of His great love

         The Bible says that the wrath of God abides on sinners, and God is angry with the wicked every day, but because God is love, the love of God is what motivated a just, holy, righteous God to save us through Jesus:

Romans {8:39} “nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

         How could this be, that on one hand, He is angry at sin, but on the other, He loves us?  Don’t think of love in human terms.  The love of God is not based on human emotion.  The love of God is motivated out of what is best for the person.  John 3:16 states:  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”  God’s son perished on the cross, yes, but He (Jesus) drank the cup of the wrath of the Almighty God on the cross in place of sinners.  In Mark, he said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Please remove this cup from me.”  But this was not possible under God’s perfect plan of redemption, and Jesus perished on the cross, but rose again just as the scriptures prophesied.

Romans   {5:9} Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we will be saved from God's wrath through him. {5:10} For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we will be saved by his life.

That’s love in action.

What would motivate me to do share to an atheist?

         Imagine walking down the road in your neighborhood, and you come across a burning house, and a small girl out of the second floor window is begging you to help.  You would not ignore her please and go about your business would you?  No, of course not.  You would help this child, even if it meant that you would give your life to save hers. 

         The same is true with people who don’t know Jesus, and are lost.  If you come across someone who doesn’t know the Lord, what will you do?  Their very souls are at stake. 

         Matthew 16:26 says, “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his soul?”