3 Encounters I Had With Atheists

Encounter is a funny word. It sounds like a word to use when perceived danger is near. As in a Discovery channel special: Tonight at 8pm: Encounters with Sharks or Polar Bears. 

This past year I had three conversations with self-proclaimed atheists or skeptics to Christianity. One conversation was in person, another was via email and the last interaction I may or may not have provoked a discussion with an Instagram user that had the words "savage" and "atheist" in his name. 

All three conversations were agreeable, kind and fruitful (well besides the Instagram sparring but more on that in a minute).

If you want to witness how to engage someone with contrasting perspectives, Dr. Sean McDowell's YouTube channel is refreshing, informative and entertaining. No throwing punches just a genuine, respectful showcase of differing worldviews.

The more confident I become in my beliefs, the more I want to attempt to engage in these kind of conversations. The kind of discussions that have meaning but are still blanketed in kindness.

Our culture has largely lost the capacity to disagree respectfully and discuss important matters. 

In all honesty, I consistently need to remind myself that I'm dealing with people not just their ideologies and that while Christians are called to give reasons for the hope they have, they need to do so with gentleness and respect. Admittedly, I am not always gracious and gentle and so feel the need to regularly question myself: Am I speaking in a way that will bring God glory or am I just trying to win an argument?

One of the best things to come out of studying the objective evidences for Christianity? There has been a greater depth to my understanding of how much I need God. And how I can be so prideful. And a greater grasp of God's goodness.

So one day, I decided to message Savage Atheist and just asked him: "hey dude what do you make of the historically verified empty tomb?" We went back and forth for a half hour(it was a smidge snarky but never nasty) and then my husband reprimanded me and told me I was being crazy. Which he never does. But yeah, he had a point... The guy was wholeheartedly committed to his worldview. Go figure.

I was getting nowhere and our kids were getting hungry. 

But I believe this interaction was not entirely pointless. It sent me on a trek to extensively study (agnostic) New Testament scholar Bart Ehrman's position. I learned so much of value and I still pray for savage atheist.

Author Greg Koukl in his book Tactics highlights that it is impossible to win over every skeptic in every conversation but that our goal in doing evangelism is simply to put a "stone in the shoe" of  the skeptic. 

When I asked savage atheist what was the best explanation for the apostle Paul's conversion he countered with: "So what, you're going to believe one guy?" To which I responded - "So  what, are you going to listen to one New Testament scholar guy(Ehrman), when there are thousands of other scholars who do not agree with Ehrman's claims and interpretations?"  And then I prayed for him one day and that same day he got hacked and I received a dm. I'm sure I won't do the interaction justice because it was hysterical. The hacker was asking for me to help him by copying and pasting my email address somewhere (hello red flag) and I would reply I don't know man, I'm pretty much a skeptic at heart. What evidence can you give me you won't screw me over?  And why do you keep sending me the prayer emoji?

Kind of funny? For sure. Fruitless interaction? Maybe. Oh well, lessons learned. I don't see myself engaging in too many future conversations with Insta users that have atheist in their name.

The second discussion occurred at a playground with a grandpa and former fundamental Christian.  My children have never been so well behaved. Maybe they were just a bit over the theology talks or maybe the Holy Spirit was leading them to be cool because normally without fail, someone starts bleeding or shrieking whenever a conversation of importance ensues. 

God had to be involved because I wanted to go to a different park but for some reason I let my kids choose that day. The conversation with Bob was incredible.  I recall feeling so grateful to have such a valuable, warm conversation all before lunchtime. This man really seemed like he wanted to believe but had been burned by the Is God dead article from Time Magazine in the 1960's. 

Bob was a history major so when I asked him which particular historical events were imperative for my kids to learn, well he name dropped Jesus so don't you know it, we went there( just as I was hoping). 

He already recognized that the Resurrection was indeed a historical, public event and I encouraged him that there were strong arguments for why the Bible is the authoritative, inspired word of God. 

I gently rebutted his claim that Jesus could just be a good, moral teacher. I hope he understood what I meant when I said I thought the best explanation for the empty tomb was a supernatural one and a result of God's love. "I can see that you love your grandson very much." I recall saying.

 Lastly, I encouraged him to read: I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist (Good old Frank Turek) and said the author of this book wrote it in 2004 but he has a weekly podcast and turns out he still does not have enough faith to be an atheist. When I began to leave, Bob looked me in the eye and said: "You keep the faith." To which I responded: "You keep searching sir!" 

The last conversation has by far invoked the most emotion in me. An acquaintance from many years ago was challenging the Christian faith.  A few respectful people in my life advised me not to respond. I decided to take a day and pray. God made it clear: Responding graciously and proclaiming God's goodness is in part why I'm walking this earth. 

I continued to pray that I could concoct a response that would glorify God but still kindle a desire in my friend to honestly investigate the evidence for Christianity. I'm one of the most forgetful people on the planet but in the coming months the Lord would consistently remind me to pray for my friend. And my kids would spontaneously pray for him as well.

I don't know if he ever did research the evidence for Christianity but I did learn several months later that he was faced with a horrible, unimaginable tragedy. When I learned the details of the situation, I wept. It's amazing how invested you can become when you regularly pray for someone. 

I don't know so many things but I do know that God is good, that He dearly loves my friend, "savage atheist" and Bob. I am so grateful that I got a chance to say it. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit is the one at work and as God, He knows what people need. As God, He is all loving and while he will not override free will, He is powerful, merciful, patient and fair. 

I'm not entirely sure who said this but I've heard: "Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary."

With all due respect, we are living in a time when truth is in question. The time certainly seems to have come when words are necessary. Kind words, prayerful words are needed and they matter because people matter. God can work with humility and a willingness. Seeing God work can be a life-changing blessing. When in doubt, just gently suggest the truth in love and recommend good books!

Sean McDowell's YouTube Channel