Why do Christians use the Bible to convince others that God exists?

Question

If someone is a non-believer, there is no amount of Bible-quoting that will change his mind. Why not redirect that energy into something productive?

Lois_the_Apostate makes an excellent point:
How can someone use the Bible to prove that the Bible is true?

To address some of these "answers":
I'm not asking for advice. I know what I believe and, more importantly, why I believe in it. I have read the Bible. This is not a debate about the existence of God. This is a question about the methods of converting others to one's own beliefs.

Answer 1

I use the Bible when it is appropriate to show examples of what I am attempting to get across to another person. The Bible is the true world of God and proves itself simply because it was written by over 40 authors and over 1500 years. It is the only book that has never gone out of print. The Old and New Testaments support each other. But only long time study and discussions with those wiser than I would prove that out and most people don't have the motivation for that.

If you are asking how I would convert someone who is a non-believer, I would give them my testimony and how my life has become more blessed the closer I grow to God, but I would also show by example. God tells us that it is better to allow His light to shine on earth through our actions than through our words because our tongues can and often do speak untruths or words designed with an ulterior motive. Our actions tend to be a more accurate representation of who we are. So that is where I would redirect my energy - walking the walk more than I talk the talk.

Answer 2

Good question!

When one believes in something--anything--he or she will use the most logical approach to convince others to believe also. Since the Bible is the Word of God, and since they are so closely tied, it makes sense to refer to it.

We would use the Constitution of the United States to convince someone else that this is an organized country. (I'm not sure we refer to ourselves as a 'sovergn nation.') Because the Constitution states our purpose, our intent and our beliefs. Same concept with the Bible.

It is true, however, that if a non-believer chooses to remain a non-believer quoting the Bible won't change his/her mind. And some people DO use their energies otherwise.

There is one thing tho that a compassionate person will always do. A compassionate person will always give the other person the opportunity to share in his or her blessings. That's what Christians are trying to do when they try to share the Bible with somone. It may be clumsy or awkward, but that is their intent.

Answer 3

The way to use the Bible to prove that the Bible is true is really very simple, just read it for your self. The fact that the Bible is 66 books wrote by 40 different authors over a 1500 year span and it all ties together, that there are literally hundreds of prophesies make about Jesus in the Old Testament, and then He fulfills every single one of them in His life. The odds of Him fulfilling even one of them, is about 1,000,000,000 to 1. When I was a non-believer, I felt the same way, so I started to do research to disprove the Bible, but do you know what I found out? I couldn't find anything to disprove it. Everything I found proved it even more. And then comes faith, I now have the faith that the Bible is without a doubt the inspired Word of God. And I would love to talk more about it with anyone who has questions. But do yourself a favor, pick the Bible up for yourself, and just check it out.

Answer 4

Because that is all they got. Which is why whenever I answer a question on religion I include a phrase like; "and I don't mean with bible verses."
Their belief in religion is faith, and faith is the belief in something that cannot be proven, so all they have are the words from a nearly 1800 year old book, that has been proven (at least in part) to be wrong. When Galileo proved that the moons of Jupiter don't revolve around the Earth, he proved that the Earth is not the center of the universe. For that the church imprisoned him for life. There is no way to deal with people who can't see the truth just beyond the end of their nose.

Answer 5

The power of the written religious text among other things teaches doctrine, gives a focal point to rally around, and helps to create organization. There have been some oral traditions but much gets lost in this process. In fact the story of the woman caught in adultery was not found in the bible until over 600 years after the death of Christ. This is thought to be a product of oral tradition. As for Christians using the Bible, I agree most do so too much and do not rely on logic and deduction as much as they could. Often their arguments come across as a little scripted. I believe this is in part because many of them to one degree or another have been indoctrinated. But I am also sure there are true believers out there voicing their own opinions. It also should be noted that I have heard reasonable arguments for the existence of God based of design as well as man's necessity for religion. Last but not least it is best not to make too many generalizations as Christians like many other subcultures have quite a variety of beliefs and approaches.

Answer 6

Because they never took a critical thinking class in college and they think that converting people will bring them brownie points in heaven. First you have to convince someone that God exists, then you convince them of divine revelation, then you show how the Bible, not the Quran or the Upanishads, is God's Holy Book.

There will always be Christians who are so drunk with the spirit that a rational approach to witnessing seems unspiritual, boring, and difficult. They are usually ex-something-addicts who like getting high on Jesus. God Bless Them, along with the special kids on the yellow school bus.

Answer 7

Because Christian faith is based on the Bible (or at least it should be). Therefore it would not make any sense if they did not use it to back up their beliefs. In fact if they cannot use the Bible to back up their beliefs are they really Christian?

The point you make is a good one though. When making an effort to share the Christian faith with others they have to realize that the Bible is not the authority for people who are not Judeo-Christian, therefore the greatest testament that they can give to their faith should be the way that they apply the Bible's principles in their lives. Sadly this is where many Christians are failing.

Answer 8

Exactly, however in answer to your question. Christians use the Bible and quote from the book not because the words hold any magic in themselves but because it is the Word of God and God Himself, through His Holy Spirit CAN enable a lost person to see God revealed to them through the words. The people (Christians) cannot do anything of themselves although many seem to think they can but God has to be the one that enlightens and opens the eyes and minds of someone lost and only then can they see and understand what spiritual meanings lie in the scriptures but the Bible isn't always necessary. God can use a persons testimony or story about their experiences or He can use anything He wants to use. That though is why Christians use the Bible a lot though.

Answer 9

The bible is so mystic--- History dates within decades-- The books of Moses never -- Named one single Pharoa correct even though --They were captives of this Pharoa 400 years... Probably mystic -- GOD works in mysterious ways------Yet Christians deny Christianity is a mystery religion..... This inerrant book errors before it begins ___ It starts " IN THE BEGINNING" ---Yet GOD HAS NO BEGINING ??? Its "the evidence of things not seen " +There is many things they see in it and can be used --- There is far more they do not see in it --They only look for what they need........ If GOD thought humanity needed it -- It would reveal itself --Once -Twice --Millions if needed-- How is a post it note -- Found by Hellenized jews -- the best THE ALMIGHTY could do ?? And do not give me I could not handle revelation---- I have seen the universe from planet earth --Yea knocks me out -- But I am come in around

Answer 10

The Bible is living and active, sharper than any double edged sword. A non-believer may attempt to discourage you from quoting the Bible by saying, "Ah, I don't believe in that." But does that mean you don't use it? If your go into battle with a sword, would you NOT use it only because your enemy thinks that swords are no longer effective for killing in battle? Absolutely not!! What is going to happen as you slice that blade accross the tender flesh of his neck? Use your imagination.

So why would't a Christain use that which is indispensible in the battle to win souls to Christ? The Bible IS the WORD of God. God WILL change a man's mind. I've sat under His sharp edge...Yes, even when I didn't "want" to be. He convinced me of my sin, causing me to repent and run to the Savior. That is WHY we should use the Word of God; to convince men of their sin that they may run to the place of forgiveness, the cross of Christ alone.

Use HIS WORD! He commands us to. "Go into the world and preach the gospel to every creature." Nuff said.

Also, the "circular reasoning" (saying, "You cannot prove God exists by looking into the Bible")argument is absurd. That�s like saying you can�t prove that the President lives in the White House by looking into the White House. It is looking into the White House that will provide the necessary proof. The fulfilled prophecies, the amazing consistency, and the many scientific statements of the Bible prove it to be the Word of God. They provide evidence that it is supernatural in origin.