(Rom 1:20) For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
Atheism. The belief that there is no God. Don’t laugh because this conviction is gaining popularity and its major proponents are selling books like crazy. So how do you answer an atheist when you encounter one? Let’s start with some classical arguments for the existence of God:
ONTOLOGICAL ARGUMENT - An attempt at proving the existence of God by stating that God exists because our conception of Him exists and nothing greater than God can be conceived of.
COSMOLOGICAL ARGUMENT – Also called the “first-cause argument.” An attempt to prove that God exists by appealing to the principle that all things have causes. There cannot be an infinite reasoning backwards of causes, therefore, there must be an uncaused cause: God.
TELEOLOGICAL ARGUMENT - An attempted proof of God's existence based upon the premise that the universe is designed and therefore needs a designer: God.
MORAL ARGUMENT - The moral argument seeks to prove the existence of God from the fact that there are moral laws. Moral laws have the form of commands; they tell us what to do. Commands cannot exist without a commander though, so who is it that commands us to behave morally?
When I talk to an atheist I like to focus on three basic things. One is that nature itself points to God: (Psa 19:1) The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Next, I tell them that God came down for a visit in the form of His Son. He came to show His love by dying on the cross and rising again: (2 Cor 4:6) For it is the God . . . who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Finally, I tell them that the Bible is the inspired record God’s truth and is accurate and dependable. (2 Tim 3:16) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God . . . Of course, all the above takes faith to believe but it also takes faith not to believe.
When someone tells me they are an atheist I usually tell them, “That’s okay. God still loves you!” If they want to talk, I will, but I won’t argue with them or get heated up. I want them to see the love and the joy and the peace I have . . . if by any means I may provoke to jealousy . . . (Rom 11:14). Hopefully I’ll be the next argument for the existence of God! (1 Cor 14:24-25) But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. 25 And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.
Louie