It's been my observance that over the course of the last few years that the Atheist movement has grown not only in size but in pure audacity. The boldness of those who call themselves atheists has turned from a mostly silent head nod against believers to outright snickering and belittling. This fact is troubling to me and I challenge every reader of this who is a child of the light to challenge those who don't believe. Not all are created to be children of the light, even Christ attests to this...but our job is to be light where there is dark, truth where lies are spread and a pillar of faith where scruples are demanded. God does not call us to blind faith, but I encourage you TO NOT argue with an Atheist on the basis of THEIR atheism. It's pointless. However, demonstrate truth before them, so that anyone who has eyes to see, will see and ears to hear, will hear.
On with our discussion.
Here's what is wrong with not believing the Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that he died, and rose again to save us;
1. Atheism in it's truest form doesn't deny Christ's life, rather Christ's deity. Atheism says that Christ was a good guy, but probably slightly demented. However, they have no answer other than trying to discredit the sources used, that Christ is was who he says he was. The simple fact of the matter is the question of the empty tomb;
2. Contemporary historians both Roman and Jewish corroborate the Gospels account of Christs life and works. FACT. There's is passage in Luke that talks about the Pharisee's bribing people to spread lies that the apostles took Christ's body...a fact that was spread even unto THIS day.
2a. Problem; Jesus' body was guarded by Roman soldiers...armed and willing to die to protect the tomb, since they would most assuredly face that fate if they didn't. That was contemporary Roman law. So it seems unlikely at BEST that a fisherman, tax collector and doctor, overpower the best trained killers of their day so that they could steal Christ's body. Bear in mind another fact...the apostles by the Gospel account were defeated. They had given up...they thought that they and furthermore Christ had failed, since they did not understand that Christ would rise again!!!! So it's not plausible they had a desire to steal the body of Christ, they wouldn't at that point had a reason to do so.
3. The Gospel accounts for women discovering the body...while certainly acceptable in Modern Society, in ancient Jewish times, that would have been like a dog getting credit for something...that just wouldn't have been the best way to make up a story. Women weren't even allowed to be used as witnesses in courts!
4. Most of these men died because of what they believed. Not of old age, except John...they died because they were asked to renounce what they believed was the truth and they said NO! Now why would someone die for something that they KNEW to be a lie? There's a modern, story about this very precept that you may be familiar with...Salem witch trials. John Proctor was told he could live...if he just admitted he'd practiced in witchcraft. He hadn't of course, but he was going to die if he didn't say he did. He was going to die, because the people prosecuting him wanted him to deny truth so that they could have their way. And his will was tested and he decided it was was better to die with the truth on your lips than to live with a lie in the air. Now isn't that strange...John knew the truth, and he died for it. Do you think he would have done the same thing if he HAD practiced witch craft? This is akin to the apostles dying to protect their lie...you might get 1 or 2 people to do that...but not 12. That stretches even the most of fanciful definitions of credulity. Yet Atheists believe this very thing. Because they don't EXAMINE the evidence.
5. Faith, this by far is the biggest stumbling block for all people, including Christians. But it is also the biggest area of concern for Atheists. I am not sure if Atheism as a practice does not allow for faith in any form, or just faith in God only. Clearly all people operate with some level of faith. But there is a clear delineation, and this is important so listen closely, between FAITH - the belief in things unseen and BELIEF which is the building blocks of FAITH. Here's an example;
A man was doing a high-wire show and he demonstrated that he could walk, run, jump and even drive a bike across the high wire. The crowd goes wild. The announcer says, "how many of you believe he will make it across" all of them raised their hands; "how many of you would like to get on the bike with him" the hands go down.
Faith is the belief in things unseen. You have to believe that things can be done and with ACTION you demonstrate your belief and THAT is called Faith.
Atheism at it's very definition denys the existance of God. So be clear, you're not trying to convince an Atheist to become a Christian...baby steps little ones. You're demonstrating the truth that there is a God, and his name is Yahweh...and that like it or NOT he's YOUR God.
My final point here; Atheism at it's core scoffs at faith, but there are intellectuals out there who truly are seeking the light, but they need Christs love. So do not use the devils tactics to demonstrate God's love. That is, approach with mutual respect, and in Love. Love covers a multitude of sins...Keep your anger and frustration away from the conversation. Atheists need Christs love as well and just because they attack you, you needn't resort to angry confrontation. You after all have God on your side.
Love thy neighbor as thyself. This is the one place in the Bible where Christ IS talking about everyone, including Atheists. You have the strength of truth, right and the Almighty on your side; attacks only demonstrate your weakness of faith. Resort rather to truth, and the evidence that our creator has left for us. Not the least of which his is word and creation.
peace and love.
