Do christians realise that?

Question

Quoting the bible to an atheist is a waste of time. You may as well quote from Harry Potter.
Atheists do not recognise that god exists and certainly do not believe that the bible is inspired by god.

Atheists find it strange that some people would accept the bible as the word of god. How do you know that this is true we ask " cos it says in the bible " you reply.

Do you see a pronlem with that logic. That means anything you read in any book must be true, because it is written in the book.

Answer 1

do they realize what you said is true: Quoting the bible to an atheist is a waste of time. You may as well quote from Harry Potter.

You're right!! They are both MYTHS. Quoting either one makes just as much sense. The bible is a MYTH. Harry Potter is a MYTH. Both are mythical fairy tales about unprovable events. You may as well quote either one. Using the bible to prove itself is complete and utter nonsense...

PERFECT ANALOGY!!!

Answer 2

You make a very good point. Sometimes people are very illogical with their circular reasoning - that just quoting the Bible will convince you that the Bible is true.
If it were to expose you to some of the wonderful things in the bible, in order to make you want to read more, that would be something else. But that is not what they are doing, generally.
What Christians need to do is:
1) Live in a way that makes you wonder what makes them "tick"
2) Be like Jesus in His acceptance and love for everyone
3) Have a genuine life-changing experience with God, that he can tell others about - when they are willing to listen. Your "story" is what will draw people (after your life, of course), not a lot of quotes from a book that people neither understand nor believe.
4) Understand the objective arguments for believing the Bible to be the Word of God, and to be able to explain that
5) To be able to tell the difference between somebody who really wants to know, and somebody who is just brushing them off.
EDIT:
For those who believe they should quote Scripture anyway, in order to be "faithful Biblical witnesses", read the Book of Acts. The Apostles quoted Old Testament Scriptures with religious Jews, because it meant something to them. But they did not quote Scriptures when speaking to Gentiles (non-Jews).
If you are trying to show a person, who believes the Bible, at least to some extent, what the Gospel is all about, then by ll means quote Scripture. But if that is not the case, then don't bother. Tell your story instead.

Answer 3

Yeah I do realise that. I am a christian and I wouldn't use the Bible to try and prove something to an athiest, because to them it would mean nothing. But just because the Bible isn't believed by everyone doesn't mean it isn't true.

For example, back in the middle ages people thought the world was flat. But if you knew the truth (that the world was round) and tried to use this truth to explain to someone how you could get to China if you kept going west, it would be pointless because they don't believe the truth that your arguement is based on. BUT that doesn't mean that your wrong to think the world is round, now does it?

There are tons of things in the Bible that can be verified as true. And I've never seen anything in the Bible proven to be false. That's why I believe that the Bible is true.

Answer 4

I know that the word of God is still active and powerful- and reaches the hearts of many- maybe the reason you do not like hearing it is because you do know there is truth in it? Quoting scripture is the wisest thing a christian can do....God speaks through His word to MANY- even though one may not realize it- Just as the Bible says: And I say this because it has proven true just by seeing so much of the world and what goes on, even here on Yahoo:

1 Corinthians 1:18
[ Christ the Wisdom and Power of God ] For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Answer 5

That is why I never bother quoting bible verses to atheists.Atheists require a worldly explanation for everything.I'm not being mean when I say that,but an atheist is, technically, limited as to what they can and can't believe simply by the parameters they have set for themselves.Also,for some people who claim to be atheist's,no explanation or evidence would be sufficient enough no matter how hard one would try.

Answer 6

I would just like to point out that Harry Potter is not a Myth. There was never any foundation on fact, legend, etc. Harry Potter is pure fiction; I'm not trying to prove the bible, just pointing out the difference.

Answer 7

hmm yes, a point you have, it is only meaning full to those who have found meaning in it beforehand, therefore no one who has not found any meaning in the bible could not find meaning by someone else quoting the bible because it is just another book to them?

It makes perfect sence...

Answer 8

Yes, I agree with you. If someone has already decided that they don't believe in God, nothing you say will convince them otherwise.

I also believe if someone doesn't want to convert to your way of thinking, then you shouldn't continue to preach to them. Not only is it going to annoy them, but it's ineffective. Jesus tried preaching
to the Pharisees and the scribes, but when they refused to listen to Him, He gave up and instead preached elsewhere.

Now, if the Son of God can't change people's minds, what makes you think that you can? (And I don't mean "you" specifically, but people in general.)

Answer 9

Then it's a waste of time for an atheist to be on this site, so all atheist should just go elsewhere.

Answer 10

We quote Scripture and if the Holy Spirit wants to use it to convict He will.