Why Christians CAN’T Argue With Atheists

27 CommentsAtheist Tuesday, E-vangie VIDEO!

A few years back I posted a video called “Why Christians Don’t Argue With Atheists” where I tried to have a conversation with a guy named Ted that went absolutely nowhere. Well, here’s another “Ted-like” guy who wanted nothing to do with my answers. What could I do but smile, speak graciously and deliver the Word of God when given the opportunity. How did I do?

What I try to do in these encounters is listen and share a little.

I’m not trying to be right, (I am, because the Bible is), I’m not attempting to correct their misunderstanding of Scripture (let them have their opinions), and I sure as heck refuse to speculate where I think long-dead people are spending eternity. No; I want to be the nicest Christian they ever encountered without even once compromising the truth.

Comments (27)

  2. Nohm

    Reply

    To be blunt, while I don’t think you’re coming off as a jerk in that video, I don’t think you’re coming off as “the nicest Christian they ever encountered” either.

    When you approach people, and then attempt to control the amount of time someone can talk, I wouldn’t consider that to be “nice”. Unless we missed something that happened before you starting filming, you approached him with something you you (and obviously not he) wanted to talk about, and not the reverse.

    Just my two cents.

      • Nohm

        Okay, if he invited you over, then that’s a different situation, and I don’t have as much of an issue with what you did.

        As for you being shocked, I think you misunderstand me in this. I don’t know what you think I think a “nice Christian” is, but I’m willing to bet that you’re incorrect.

        To clarify, a “nice Christian”, in my opinion, is NOT someone who tells me what I want to hear (e.g., “God only punishes bad people, but you’re a good person, Nohm, so you should be okay”). A “nice Christian” is someone who I can have an equal discussion with, where they are actually listening to me, and not just waiting for me to finish so they can get to the next part of their script.

        Makes sense?

      • Steve Sanchez

        He asked me what I was handing our (tracts) and invited me to come over. I do try to limit the blather mindful that a five minute video gets more viewings than a 10 minute one. I a normal, unvideotaped encounter, I let them talk as much as they want, for the most part.

        And I’m shocked, SHOCKED! that you don’t think that I”m coming off as “the nicest Christian they ever encountered.”

        I still have room for improvement. 🙂

  3. Dr Samuel Joseph Cheah

    Reply

    Our Lord Jesus instructed that when we interact with non-believers in the faith (e.g. sharing the good news of Jesus Christ) we ought to be “as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16) Never get into contention or trying to prove who’s right or wrong. Sometimes by winning an argument doesn’t mean we are right. Jesus Himself doesn’t have to prove He’s the begotten Son of the God and whatever He said is true. You conducted yourself worthy of as a good steward of the Lord, a believer of the faith. The outcome of our communication with people is between God and the hearer. Even with fellow believers in Christ, a word of misunderstanding can stir strife between people – like driving a wedge between parties. The book of Proverbs 17:14 (NIV) says “Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out”. As children who dwell in the love of God, we ought to walk in His love. Bravo, bro Steve. I’m proud of you. BTW, would you like to be on my Facebook? I’m a partner with Kenneth Copeland Ministry, International.

  4. dede

    Reply

    hey steve…

    is there a continuation to this video? were you able to finish with the message of grace at the end of the this conversation? what happened…i have an inquiring mind!

      • Nohm

        Sorry to hear that he was swearing; I don’t think that’s okay in any kind of discussion with someone that disagrees with me.

        Maybe around friends of mine who are okay with it, but definitely not around anyone I don’t know well.

      • Whateverman

        Honestly, I understand wanting to limit kids’ exposure to profanity – but I’m often surprised at how negatively some adult Christians react to it (and I’m not necessarily implying you’re one of these kinds of people, Steve).

        If there was no possibility of sensitive (aka. young) ears encountering the coarse language, would you still have trimmed it out of the video?

      • Steve Sanchez

        Yes I would have edited it out because I post this on a Christian site. If I can limit one person’s profanity or obscenity by asking them to refrain nicely, then I will request it.

      • Whateverman

        Yes I would have edited it out because I post this on a Christian site.
        This is the part I don’t understand. What does a rejection of profanity have to do with Christianity?

      • Steve Sanchez

        Profanity in general means to profane God’s name. Why would I want to have some publicly profane my God’s name? Also, I want this site to “be safe” for everyone. I don’t want anyone to “be surprised” with a bad word when they might be sharing a post with a child. If a word is in an interview, I put a warning on it.

        I try to be seperate from the world’s way of doing things. I just bought a “bad language filter” for our TV called “the TV Guardian.”

      • theB1ackSwan

        I’m fine with you wanting to prevent your children from hearing swear words, Steve. I can’t say I will do it when I become a father, but I don’t think it’s a horrible thing to do. My issue with your comment is simply that I understand from your perspective if someone says “OMG”, where “G” stands for God or “***dang (you get my point in examples, I’m sure), but what about words that never have any religious connotation? It’s easy to say that God wouldn’t appreciate those words, but those words change overtime to mean something completely innocent and non-harming. I’d provide examples, but I dont want to be censored.

        Also, if I may ask, what exactly does “the TV guardian” do?

      • Steve Sanchez

        The TV Guardian edits out offensive language. You set it for how strict you want it. Google it and see!

        My kids do hear those words out on the street but not in movies (we don’t watch public TV). They do go out into the world but are not of it. If you met them you would be truly impressed with their personalities: sweet, engaging, eye contact, proper English, and very polite. That is why we train them and supervise them closely, and protecting them when it is appropriate. Read this article about some of the environments they have been exposed to: https://stonethepreacher.com/2009/11/05/the-man-named-lena.html (They are 13 and 11 in 2012, by the way.)

  6. Thomas Moore

    Reply

    Great post Pastor Steve, very well done this is an example to be followed indeed in sharing the gospel with people! God bless!!!

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