A poor response to an atheist

[Matthias]

From my X / Twitter “For you” feed this morning -

Reasonable Faith (@RFupdates) on X

William Lane Craig Reacts: A Poor Response to an Atheist!

x.com

A two minute video. A good investment of your time.

It’s not about winning an argument.

 

[RLT63]

Discussions with atheists are difficult. At some point you begin to wonder if you are casting your pearls before swine so to speak

 

[RLT63]

6
“Don’t give what is holy to dogs or toss your pearls before pigs, or they will trample them under their feet, turn, and tear you to pieces.

 

[ScottA]

Discussions with atheists are difficult. At some point you begin to wonder if you are casting your pearls before swine so to speak

6
“Don’t give what is holy to dogs or toss your pearls before pigs, or they will trample them under their feet, turn, and tear you to pieces.

Yes, most that I have spoken with have come out to fight that war that wages within themselves, but some come out because they are against God and will be forever. Not knowing which it is, however, the movie was a good reminder of what is most important.

 

[Matthias]

Discussions with atheists are difficult. At some point you begin to wonder if you are casting your pearls before swine so to speak

Does it ever reach a point when we should stop speaking with an atheist?

“I’ve been in a long conversation, with an avowed atheist. … This person is very hostile toward Christians and he is hostile to the Gospel. He writes a blog that condemns Christianity and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In my naivety, I thought I could talk sense into this person. …

Next, I decided to check commentary from Christian writers I trusted. Here’s what they said:

BibleRef.com To be called a dog or a pig was a great insult in Jesus’ culture. Still, He does not hesitate to compare those who reject Him as Israel’s Messiah to dogs and pigs. Crucially, though, His purpose is not to degrade anyone. The emphasis is not on other people, but on God’s people. This verse is a warning to Christians: don’t waste time or invite harassment from those who are obviously hostile.

GotQuestions.org In His sermon, Jesus uses dogs and pigs as representative of those who would ridicule, reject, and blaspheme the gospel once it is presented to them. We are not to expose the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who have no other purpose than to trample it and return to their own evil ways. Repeatedly sharing the gospel with someone who continually scoffs and ridicules Christ is like casting pearls before swine.

The command not to cast your pearls before swine does not mean we refrain from preaching the gospel. Jesus Himself ate with and taught sinners and tax collectors (Matthew 9:10). In essence, the instruction in Matthew 7:6 is the same that Jesus gave to His apostles when He said, ‘If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town‘ (Matthew 10:14). We are to share the gospel, but, when it becomes apparent that the gospel is not welcome, we are to move on. We are responsible to share the good news; we are not responsible for people’s response to the good news. Pigs don’t appreciate pearls, and some people don’t appreciate what Christ has done for them. Our job is not to force conversions or cram the gospel down people’s throats; there’s no sense in preaching the value of pearls to swine. Jesus‘ instruction to His apostles on how to handle rejection was to simple go elsewhere. There are other people who need to hear the gospel, and they are ready to hear it.

John MacArthur: ‘When people not only reject the gospel, but insist on mocking and reviling it, we are not to waste God’s holy Word and the precious pearls of His truth in a futile and frustrating attempt to win them. We are to leave them to the Lord, trusting that somehow His Spirit can penetrate their hearts - as He apparently did with some of those who at first rejected the preaching of Paul and the other apostles - or leaving them to the just judgment of God.’

***********************

It’s not just that you are wasting your time. It is harmful to you. …

This is exactly what happened. I explained the love of God and the Good News of the Gospel. He denigrated the Bible, slandered Jesus, and called me names. Jesus clearly teaches us how to deal with it. I have cut off discussion with this person and in the future I will not engage with an openly hostile atheist.

If you have been through a similar experience, I hope this look at Matthew 7:6 will help you, as it did me. Have you encountered this in your ministry? What did you do? …”

(Cindy Dawson, “Should We Argue With An Atheist?”)

Real Christian Women

realchristianwomen.blog

 

[RLT63]

Never argue with a fool. People might not know the difference

 

[Matthias]

Never argue with a fool. People might not know the difference

“Many atheists are very intelligent. It is not intelligence, or a lack thereof, that leads a person to reject belief in God. It is a lack of righteousness that leads a person to reject belief in God. Many people do not object to the idea of a Creator, as long as that Creator minds His own business and leaves them alone. What people reject is the idea of a Creator who demands morality from His creation. Rather than struggle against a guilty conscience, some people reject the idea of God altogether. Psalm 14:1 calls this type of person a ‘fool.’ …

Trying to convince oneself there is no Gid is unwise. The point of “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God’” is that it is an impious, sinful heart that will deny God. The atheist’s denial flies in the face of much evidence to the contrary, including his own conscience and the universe he lives in

A lack of evidence of God’s existence is not the true reason atheists reject a belief in God. The rejection is due to a desire to live free of the moral constraints God requires and to escape the guilt that accompanies the violation of thise constraints. ‘The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them … so that people are without excuse … Their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claim to be wise, they became fools … Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts … They exchanged the truth about God for a lie’ (Romans 1:18-25).”

What is the meaning of, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Psalm 14:1; 53:1)? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Psalm 14:1; 53:1)? Is atheism foolish? Are all atheists fools?

www.gotquestions.org

We have to give them time and the gospel. The question is knowing when it is time to walk away from them. We should be slow but prepared to walk away from them.

 

[Riven]

The idea that atheists reject God for malicious reasons is false. This is an argument Christians use to avoid dealing with the lack of evidence argument that atheists often make.

Some atheists can be a bit crass or argumentative, but that is their nature. Many of them have a strong will and they're smart.

They're also quite funny.

 

[Anchorite]

The idea that atheists reject God for malicious reasons is false. This is an argument Christians use to avoid dealing with the lack of evidence argument that atheists often make.

Some atheists can be a bit crass or argumentative, but that is their nature. Many of them have a strong will and they're smart.

They're also quite funny.

There is nothing funny about rejecting God.

Atheists are malicious in their rejection of God.

Jesus explained it clearly.

John 3:19,20,21

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.



Romans 1

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

 

[Matthias]

Spot on. You can't force a meaningful conversation if the other person is just looking for an argument. Recognizing when a discussion is no longer productive and walking away is a skill in itself.

Welcome to the forum.

I agree, but I nevertheless still find myself mentally resisting the notion that it’s hopeless as long as there’s a pulse. “One more word, fitly spoken, might …”

 

[pwg_jonathan]

Honestly the hardest part for me is remembering the person on the other end is usually carrying something. A lot of doubt I've seen isn't really about arguments, it's about being hurt or let down and not knowing where to put that. I try to just ask questions and listen before I say anything about God. Proverbs 15:1 says, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." It doesn't always change minds, but it keeps the door open.

 

[Matthias]

Honestly the hardest part for me is remembering the person on the other end is usually carrying something. A lot of doubt I've seen isn't really about arguments, it's about being hurt or let down and not knowing where to put that. I try to just ask questions and listen before I say anything about God. Proverbs 15:1 says, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." It doesn't always change minds, but it keeps the door open.

Close the door softly and leave it cracked open. I like that.

 

[Lanochka]

Honestly the hardest part for me is remembering the person on the other end is usually carrying something. A lot of doubt I've seen isn't really about arguments, it's about being hurt or let down and not knowing here to put that. I try to just ask questions and listen before I say anything about God. Proverbs 15:1 says, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." It doesn't always change minds, but it keeps the door open.

I love this perspective so much. Listening with genuine empathy makes all the difference when talking to people who have been hurt by life or bad experiences. I used to get so defensive in discussions, but treating people with kindness always opens hearts much better than debate points. When conversations get heavy, I usually take a step back, pray, or just clear my head with simple hobbies—sometimes I even read cool articles or check it out on light gaming sites to unwind. Keeping a calm spirit really helps us reflect God's patience...

 

[Matthias]

A short interview with J. Warner Wallace concerning why evidence alone isn’t enough.

 

[Riven]

 

[Matthias]

Good to know. What to do about it?

 

[Matthias]

Atheist - Christian relations.

The Christian response is crucial.

 

[Riven]

Good to know. What to do about it?

Find the evidence that they require in order to believe and present it to them.

 

[Anchorite]

Find the evidence that they require in order to believe and present it to them.

If this vast, complex, fine-tuned universe is not enough evidence for the existence of God, what can satisfy them?

 

[Mancunian]

If this vast, complex, fine-tuned universe is not enough evidence for the existence of God, what can satisfy them?

Which God?