Atheists 'Evangelizing' in America; How Christians Can Respond

Christinewjc »

Fri Oct 12, 2007 7:03 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Well this is weird to report. I had been trying for two days to log on from my computer, and the system here would not allow it! I was beginning to think that I may have been banned for some reason.

I am on my husband's computer today (the original computer when I signed up here) and I was able to log in! Isn't that bit strange? Hmm....

Anyway...

Citizen, since I could not log in to reply here, I created a post at my Talk Wisdom blog.
http://talkwisdom.blogspot.com/2007/10/greatest-experiment.html

I hope you will consider replying there. If not, then copy and paste it here (if you wish to continue our conversation, that is).

Atheists 'Evangelizing' in America; How Christians Can Respond

Christinewjc »

Wed Oct 10, 2007 9:34 pm Agree: 2   Disagree: 0

No Citizen. Your analysis of me and my beliefs is incomplete and therefore, incorrect. Taking the "believe it, then I'll see it" concept a bit further, I suggest you read about a very special, supernatural spiritual experience that I had had at the time when my dad was very ill with lung cancer. http://talkwisdom.blogspot.com/2007/10/because-of-faith-destiny-is-fixed.html

It is but one of many where God has come through and strengthened me towards steadfast faith in Jesus Christ.

I am sorry to read that you were once a believer, but have now abandoned the faith. It is never too late to turn your life back around towards faith in Jesus, though. There is always hope.

Atheists 'Evangelizing' in America; How Christians Can Respond

Christinewjc »

Wed Oct 10, 2007 9:08 pm Agree: 3   Disagree: 0

Citizen wrote, "How do you know that Burton Mack has been debunked, if you haven't read the book to find out exactly what he says? "

Because you already told me that he denies the historical writers of the Gospels! Writing a book about it doesn't make his opinions truth.

Instead of relying on the fables of a writer like Mack, why don't you take the challenge given to you to study the evidence for the truth of the Bible for yourself?

And, as savedbygrace so eloquently shared, when you put aside human pride, meet Jesus, confess and repent of your sins and ask Him to reside in your heart, a transformation occurs like none other.

The world says, "I'll believe it when I see it." God's Word tells us the opposite "believe it, and then you will see it." It requires faith. God's Word tells us that without faith, it is impossible to please God. We must believe that He is. We are without excuse. The general revelation evidence of His Creation is all around us. We have the special revelation of His Son, Jesus Christ. Each one of us must answer Jesus' question, "Who do you say that I am?" How you answer that question will one day determine where your soul will end up in eternity. If I were you, I'd be sure of my decision.

Atheists 'Evangelizing' in America; How Christians Can Respond

Christinewjc »

Wed Oct 10, 2007 7:04 pm Agree: 2   Disagree: 1

I don't need to read a book written by a questionable author who puts forth false information that has already been debunked.

If you took the time to do the research, you would see that the evidence for God is all on Christianity's side. In twenty-seven books of the New Testament, nineteen pagan writers (Gentiles), and three Jewish writers testify to Jesus Christ's historical reality.

If you took the time to do some research, you would see that Christians do not follow some cunningly devised fable, but a real person. There were, as the Bible proclaims, eyewitnesses to His majesty. Christianity is a reasonable faith. It is based on a set of incontrovertible, historical facts. Contrary to your sides' typical belief that it is a form of "intellectual suicide," given the facts, believing in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord is the most reasonable choice one can make.

But of course, anything I say here probably won't matter one bit to you. However, I will challenge you to study the evidence for the truth of the Bible. Ultimately, that is the one thing that might just work to counter your atheism and some day, I hope you will realize the saving truth of Christ.

Atheists 'Evangelizing' in America; How Christians Can Respond

Christinewjc »

Wed Oct 10, 2007 4:54 pm Agree: 3   Disagree: 1

I don't need to read that book to know the truth about each gospel writer. Genuine scholars and historians have identified the authors. They are, in fact, identified in their own writings!

Have you ever read the Bible Citizen? These are such basic things that most atheists no longer try to refute anymore.
Briefly:
Matthew (Levi) was a Jewish tax collector who became one of Jesus' disciples. His Gospel forms the connecting link between the Old and New Testaments because of its emphasis on the fulfillment of prophecy.

John is identified as "the disciple whom Jesus loved" and called one of the "sons of thunder" by Jesus in Scripture. His Gospel message was to prove conclusively that Jesus is the Son of God and that all who believe in him will have eternal life.

Luke is known as the physician (Colossians 4:14), a Greek and Gentile Christian. He is the only known Gentile author in the New Testament. Luke was a close friend and companion of Paul. He also wrote Acts, and the two books go together.

Mark (John Mark) was not one of the 12 disciples but he accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey (Acts 13:13).

Atheists 'Evangelizing' in America; How Christians Can Respond

Christinewjc »

Wed Oct 10, 2007 3:55 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

P.S.
I don't know which "scholars" you are following who incorrectly claim that the gospel writers were not eye witnesses. That is not true.

Atheists 'Evangelizing' in America; How Christians Can Respond

Christinewjc »

Wed Oct 10, 2007 3:53 pm Agree: 2   Disagree: 0

Citizen's objections are proof of the truth that I originally stated in my first post in this thread:

(Jesus' spoken words):
Luk 16:31 "But he said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.'"

Jesus knew that many would reject him. The rich man thought that if someone were raised from the dead, then surely they would believe. But Jesus said that if they did not believe Moses and the prophets, then neither would they be convinced when he (Jesus) was resurrected from the dead.

Today, there are those who are also so set in their ways that neither Scripture nor God's Son Himself would shake them loose from their unbelief.

Mat 7:14 Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.


The gate that leads to eternal life (see also John 10:7-9) is called "narrow."

This doesn't mean that it is difficult to become a Christian. The gospel message is simple enough that even a child can understand it. However, it is also profound enough to "confound the wise."

There is only one way to God, and only a few that decide to walk that road. Jesus' own words tell us that "there are few that find it."

All that we are required to do (as Christians) is share the gospel. It is each individual's choice to answer Jesus' question, "Who do you say that I am?" The answer is actually in that question! He is the great I AM!

Believing in Jesus is the only way to live eternally with God.

Atheists 'Evangelizing' in America; How Christians Can Respond

Christinewjc »

Wed Oct 10, 2007 3:27 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

Obviously, Citizen has chosen to ignore my list of evidences and probably didn't even bother to seek out Simon Greenleaf's essay.

For the sake of others reading here:

Greenleaf, one of the principle founders of the Harvard Law School, originally set out to disprove the biblical testimony concerning the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He was certain that a careful examination of the internal witness of the Gospels would dispel all the myths at the heart of Christianity. But this legal scholar came to the conclusion that the witnesses were reliable, and that the resurrection did in fact happen.

http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/jesus/greenleaf.html

Atheists 'Evangelizing' in America; How Christians Can Respond

Christinewjc »

Wed Oct 10, 2007 2:48 pm Agree: 4   Disagree: 1

Citizen,

You asked:
"Christinewjc: why would the bible have any greater weight as evidence than the Bhagavad ghita, the Koran, greek mythology, egyptian mythology, Aztec mythology, comic books (modern day mythology)... "

There are many reasons why the Bible has greater weight for truth than any ot those you had listed. I will share just a few.

First, the Bible is the only Holy Book that is truth without any mixture of error. It is the Book that Jesus affirmed during his earthly ministry when he stated in his prayer to God the Father, "Your Word is truth."

Second, it is the only book that points to Christ as the Savior of the world. He is present within it's pages; even in the Old Testament passages.

Third, Jesus Christ is the only genuine, authentic Messiah whose life is an historical fact, archaeological fact, physical presence fact, and spiritual, supernatural fact. The death and resurrection to life of Jesus Christ has enough evidence to pass as "beyond any reasonable doubt" in a court of law. Again, do an internet search for Simon Greenleaf's essay on this.

Fourth, the Bible attests to it's own truth and authenticity. Briefly, the following shows evidence of this fact:

The Bible is God's Word to all mankind. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any mixture of error.

Fifth, there are over 350 prophecies regarding the Messiah in the Old Testament and New Testament; many of which have already been fulfilled by Jesus Christ. The rest are to be fulfilled upon his second coming in the end times.

Of course, none of this would matter to you because, apparently, your mind is made up.

Perhaps you might like to read my blogpost about a recent debate between two Christians and two atheists from "rational response squad."

My blog is called Talk Wisdom. Here is the url for the post:
http://talkwisdom.blogspot.com/2007/05/folly-of-god-haters.html

Happy reading...

2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalms 12:6; 119:105, 160; Proverbs 30:5

A Better Place to Go to Hell From

Christinewjc »

Wed Oct 10, 2007 11:14 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Even though this post isn't exactly related to my Talk Wisdom blogpost <a href=" http://talkwisdom.blogspot.com/2007/10/because-of-faith-destiny-is-fixed.html">here</a>, still the title alone drew me in to read it.

Unlike the author, I did like Evan Almighty. I have always been told I'm an easy laugh, though.

However, most of my laughter was directed at the silly (yet sometimes entertaining) content of the movie whereas, my feelings against the movie were because of its obvious Biblical inaccuracies. I quickly came to that conclusion because, quite frankly, I have learned not to ever expect anything of Godly or biblical importance out of Hollywood anyway.

Greg Stier makes some really good points.

1. The movie paints the picture of an eco-obsessed god.

2. This movie sideswipes the seriousness of the original Genesis 6 flood account.

3. The movie itself was not all that funny.

Actually, I got my biggest laugh when the movie showed what Stier mentions here:

"Forget rampant sexual depravity, perversion, hedonism and homosexuality; it was trying to pass a bill in Congress that would allow the development of homes on protected land that brought God’s divine wrath in the politically correct Evan Almighty."

Here's how the author got to the title:

"They asked me what I thought of the evangelicals who were putting a priority on creation care and waging war against global warming. I made it clear that on one hand I strongly believed in stewarding creation and that all human beings have a God-given mandate to take care of this great gift that God has entrusted us with called planet Earth. I then said, “On the other hand, God didn’t put us on this earth just to make it a better place to go to hell from.” They got their sound bite right there."

You know what? That's a great line! It single-handedly points out the fact that what the liberal left side of the Christian spectrum deems is important, have actually skewed the gospel message right out of importance and towards a landslide (forgive the pun?) of error and heresy.

Stier closes with a good truth to remember:

Maybe you really liked Evan Almighty when you watched it. That’s fine. Different strokes for different folks, especially in flood waters. But consider the messages being preached and the picture of God being portrayed in this movie. Measure it by the Biblical description of the true and living God of the Bible and it’s not even close."

That's why it was called "Evan" almighty. It had nothing to do with God Almighty in the first place; except, maybe, if you're a liberal! ha ha!

Atheists 'Evangelizing' in America; How Christians Can Respond

Christinewjc »

Wed Oct 10, 2007 7:11 am Agree: 11   Disagree: 2

The resurrection of Jesus Christ has enough evidence to pass as truth even in a modern day courtroom. See Simon Greenleaf's essay. Therefore, "Citizen's" argument (as well as his/her fellow atheists) about whether or not God exists is in his (their) own mind(s). Atheism is their religion of choice.

I think that the account of Lazarus and the rich man in Luke illustrates the extent of pride, arrogance, and closed-mindedness of the atheistic mind quite well. There will be those who will just refuse to believe; no matter what a Christian shares with them.

Some background on this passage of Scripture. The rich man dies and goes to hell. He wants to warn his living brothers so that they won't make the same mistake he did in life. Jesus is sharing a conversation between the rich man (while in hell) and Abraham (father in the story):

Luk 16:27 "Then he said, 'I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house,
Luk 16:28 'for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.'
Luk 16:29 "Abraham said to him, 'They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.'
Luk 16:30 "And he said, 'No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.'
Luk 16:31 <b>"But he said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.'"</b> (bold mine)

Jesus knew that many would reject him. The rich man thought that if someone were raised from the dead, then surely they would believe. But Jesus said that if they did not believe Moses and the prophets, then neither would they be convinced when he (Jesus) was resurrected from the dead.

Today, there are those who are also so set in their ways that neither Scripture nor God's Son himself would shake them loose from their unbelief.

Mat 7:14 Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.


The gate that leads to eternal life (see also John 10:7-9) is called "narrow."

This doesn't mean that it is difficult to become a Christian. The gospel message is simple enough that even a child can understand it. However, <b>it is also profound enough to "confound the wise." </b>

There is only one way to God, and only a few that decide to walk that road. Jesus' own words tell us that "there are few that find it."

All that we are required to do (as Christians) is share the gospel. It is each individual's choice to answer Jesus' question, "Who do you say that I am?" The answer is actually in that question! He is the great I AM!

Believing in Jesus is the only way to live eternally with God.