Objections from Unbelievers

On Thursday night, January 27th, from 9 to 10 pm Eastern, our webchat time will focus on the topic, “Practical Reasoning with Unbelievers”.

[Continued from the previous blog entry, “Evasive Arguments from Unbelievers”]

When unbelievers present evasive arguments against biblical truth, we need to be prepared both to understand the question, and to give a fair and reasoned answer. We have a responsibility to prepare ourselves to explain the faith God has put into our hearts.

1 Peter 3:14-15. “But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;”

This does not mean that we need to be experts in all the fields of science, psychology, and religion
that the world calls upon to make its objections. It means that we should always be ready to clarify and explain the grace that has made us confident in our salvation.

There are two basic classes of objections:
1. objections that are really excuses to reject the truth
The unconverted heart will not submit to the truth of God’s witness in nature or in his word. He will deny the truth in every way imaginable and will continue to invent new theories, and to improve upon old ones, to avoid his accountability to an offended Creator.

The inability of a fallen person to accept what God says is only overcome by the Holy Spirit. Our duty is to present the gospel by word and example, and to pray.

Remember that all who are converted to Christ begin as unbelievers. The work of the Spirit by means of the inspired word is the way God changes hearts. Once the heart is change by regenerating grace, it will not continue to look for excuses for rejecting the gospel. Even when brought to Christ a person should not expect to find easy answers to every question that comes to mind. There are some issues that are not easily resolved. This leads to the second class of objections.

2. objections that raise legitimate issues in trying to understand God’s truth
God’s word includes many more things than a single person can comprehend. Some of the ideas in it are very profound and take much study to appreciate. When a person is being introduced to the Bible, or approaches it with pre-conceived ideas, the complexity of it may confuse him and make him see conflicts that are not really there.

No one can be expert enough to answer all imaginable problems in all fields of study. God doesn’t call us to that. This is why the Lord provides his church with many gifted scholars. It is why we demand that pastors should well trained in the study of God’s word. Each question asked should be treated with respect and a good effort should be made to find answers.

But the job of the average Christian is to focus on the central issue of the gospel, and the clear demands of God’s law which convicts of sin. Understanding the more complex details is never the reason a person believes in Christ.

>> To be continued in our next blog: Difficult Passages in the Bible