I've realized that sometimes Christians will give a passage or two from the Bible to an atheist as if that's supposed to prove something. If an atheist doesn't believe in your god, why would quotes in your god's book be any better or any more believed in by them? In fact, most atheists have read more of the Bible than most Christians. And a lot of times, it's BECAUSE of reading it (fully) that they turned to atheism. And yet some you Christians will take things out of context from the Bible and present it to atheists as if that's supposed to mean something.
2006-12-18 14:28:18 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I am a missionary living on a small island in the Pacific. I went on a Bible study several weeks ago. The first thing the person I was studying with said was "I do not believe in God or the Bible." So I put my Bible away and we started talking about Chrsitian evidences. Then we looked at a few Scriptures to show why I believe the Bible. I told the person it was up to them to decide if what I showed them was compelling enough for them to believe. After a few days they told me to come back and talk about it with them some more.
This is the approach that needs to be taken with an atheist that is not antagonistic to a Christian, but willing to talk with an open mind. Just quoting Bible verses is stupid.
2006-12-18 14:37:47 · answer #1 · answered by pwone mwahu 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I am a Christian and I do not take the Old Testament litterally at all. You need to summarize all of the stories and come up with a moral meaning. Example: I'm sure most uneducated christians would take Jonah and the Whale story and try to prove something like 'God made that guy survive in a whale's stomach.'
I take from that story that if you rely on God he will be there for you just keep praying. I'm not going to slap an atheist in the face with something about a flood that took over the earth. I do believe though that Jesus was alive as God and performed miracles but that is just because people of all different cultures at the time have proven that a 'prophet' Jesus existed and plus i need to believe cuz its in my faith. Anyway, atheist or christian God says to love everyone and what they believe in.
2006-12-18 22:33:58 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
i doubt many Atheists have read their Bible. From their questions it is obvious they do not understand it and since Christians see the Bible as their authority then it is used as a referance. If you do not want Bible ref.s then do not ask questions about Biblical topics. I for one am not trying to prove anything to the group, but if you ask I will understand you as a seeker and give you my reasoning in the process and that might include giving a Bible ref. Why?? Cuz the Bible says to witness to seekers.
2006-12-18 22:35:17 · answer #3 · answered by ronnysox60 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why quote the Bible? Because I could talk to you for years and nothing happen. But when we use God's word from the Holy Bible, there is power in his words,Supernatural power.
Heb.4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and merrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
2006-12-18 22:48:09 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is sowing seed.
Mat 13:3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
Mat 13:4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
Mat 13:5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
Mat 13:6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
Mat 13:7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
Mat 13:8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
Mat 13:9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<
2006-12-18 22:34:23 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Bible is the word of God. It is a Christian's back up to their opinion. Athiests quote scientific books and studies etc., all the time. Do you think that Christian's think man's knowledge is more important or truthful than God's?
2006-12-18 22:31:55 · answer #6 · answered by luvnlvn 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
That is the biggest problem with the bible, everyone gets different meanings when reading the exact same chapter.. the bible is full of stories that would take a Christan and make him rethink what god really is..
I believe let everyone believe in what they want and let them live how they want....
In the end we may or may not know the truth....
2006-12-18 22:34:41 · answer #7 · answered by Mark B 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
well, if you're debating with a Christian you might attempt to make your point within their context, perhaps to highlight contradictions or contrary morality concepts and also to make the point that anyone can cherry pick holy verse to further an agenda.
not Atheist ... Agnostic but i also sometimes use to Bible when debating Christians.
2006-12-18 22:34:59 · answer #8 · answered by nebtet 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ah, they may have read it but unless they are SAVED they do not have the Holy Spirit's guidance when they read it. The Holy Spirit reveals the Bible's truths to us. They don't believe it because the devil blinds their eyes to the truth. Without the Holy Spirit no human can possibly understand all that the Bible has to teach us.
2006-12-18 22:36:44 · answer #9 · answered by tas211 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You should Quote This!!!
Each morning upon rising, and each evening before sleeping, gives thanks for the life within you and for all life, for the good things the Creator has given you and for the opportunity to grow a little more each day. Consider your thoughts and actions of the past day and seek for the courage and strength to be a better person. Seek for the things that will benefit others (everyone).
2. Respect. Respect means "To feel or show honor or esteem for someone or something; to consider the well being of, or to treat someone or something with deference or courtesy". Showing respect is a basic law of life.
3. Once a council has decided something in unity, respect demands that no one speak secretly against what has been decided. If the council has made an error, that error will become apparent to everyone in its own time.
4. Be truthful at all times, and under all conditions.
5. Always treat your guests with honor and consideration. Give of your best food, your best blankets, the best part of your house, and your best service to your guests.
6. The hurt of one is the hurt of all; the honor of one is the honor of all.
7. Receive strangers and outsiders with a loving heart and as members of the human family.
8. All the races and tribes in the world are like the different colored flowers of one meadow. All are beautiful. As children of the Creator they must all be respected.
9. To serve others, to be of some use to family, community, nation, and the world is one of the main purposes for which human beings have been created. Do not fill yourself with your own affairs and forget you’re most important talks. True happiness comes only to those who dedicate their lives to the service of others.
10. Observe moderation and balance in all things.
11. Know those things that lead to your well-being and those things that lead to your destruction.
12. Listen to and follow the guidance given to your heart. Expect guidance to come in many forms; in prayer, in dreams, in times of quiet solitude, and in the words and deeds of wise Elders and friends.
Wahoo!!!
2006-12-18 22:33:56 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋