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Ten Objections to Christianity and How to Respond
Christianity Today ^ | 1/03/04 | Frank Harber

Posted on 01/02/2005 9:06:26 PM PST by freedom44

Recently someone approached me with the following problem: "Nobody can talk me out of being a Christian, but I can't talk anyone else into it. Can you help me?"

Perhaps she thought she was the only one struggling with this, but I've been asked this question hundreds of times. You see, I was once an atheist who set out to prove Christianity was untrue. But during my investigation, I discovered overwhelming evidence that demonstrates the validity of Christianity. And because of a dedicated Christian who was prepared to answer my questions, my heart was reached.

Are you prepared to answer the spiritual seekers in your world? Are you wondering if Christianity's really true? Here's a look at ten objections skeptics pose toward Christianity—and how to respond.

1. Christians are hypocrites.

A hypocrite is an actor, a person who pretends to be something she isn't. Jesus' harshest words were reserved for hypocrites.

The reality is, there always have been and always will be some hypocrites in the Church. But Jesus doesn't ask us to follow others; he asks us to follow him.

Although Christians can represent Jesus either poorly or well, the real question isn't whether there are hypocrites in the Church, but whether Jesus is a hypocrite. If someone can prove that Jesus was a hypocrite, then the whole structure of Christianity falls into ruin. The Bible, God's Word, presents Jesus as nothing less than perfect. Jesus' disciples testified that Jesus was without sin (1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5). Even Jesus himself challenged others to prove that he'd ever sinned (John 8:46).

2. What about the atrocities Christians have committed?

Some blame Christianity for religious wars, the Crusades, burning witches, the Inquisition, slavery, even the Holocaust.

The issue of atrocities is simply an extension of the question of hypocrites. So-called believers who didn't practice true Christianity have perpetrated evil. In reality, these people were Christian in name only.

Focusing on their atrocities is a smoke screen to avoid the real issue. Christianity has far more positive achievements than negative influences. It's been instrumental in the formation of countless hospitals, schools, colleges, orphanages, relief agencies, and charity agencies. No other religion in history can compare.

3. Christianity is a crutch.

Karl Marx, author of The Communist Manifesto, said, "Religion is the opiate of the masses." Critics such as Marx have charged that religion is an invention designed for people incapable of coping with life's pressures. Some critics respond that they don't need this type of emotional comfort, as though that fact falsifies Christianity. Such individuals often claim to be "stronger" because they're brave enough to face life without a "crutch." To imply non-religious people don't need a crutch is misleading. Dependence on drugs, alcohol, tobacco, sex, money, power, other people, and material possessions demonstrates some people's need for a crutch. Atheism—the belief that there is no God—can become a crutch for those addicted to a lifestyle contrary to God's standards of morality.

Rather than being weak, Christians are strong—not because they depend on themselves, but because they depend on Jesus.

Everyone needs assistance. The question is, what will you lean on? Christianity provides what atheism or other religions never can: spiritual fulfillment, peace, and forgiveness.

4. It's narrow-minded to think Jesus is the only way to God.

Jesus claimed he was the only way to God (John 14:6). Such a claim is either totally true or totally false. Some people claim to be Christians, yet ignore Jesus' claim to be the only Savior. Critics argue this view is exclusory.

But if Christianity is true, then we must accept Jesus' own teachings. If one believes Jesus' assertions to be true, then the issue is settled.

5. Being a good person is all that really matters.

Some argue that even if a person's religion is false, what really matters is that she's sincere about being a good person. This notion is based on the mistaken belief that God is pleased by "religion."

Sincerity doesn't determine truth, however. One can be sincerely convinced of the truth—and be sincerely wrong. For example, many evil men such as Hitler were very sincere in their beliefs. God judges people based on truth, not opinions—and that truth is Jesus Christ.

6. What about those who've never heard about Jesus?

Such a question implies that God lacks compassion because he's imposed his plan of salvation on us. Often such inquirers seem to imply that they're more compassionate than God!

An important biblical principle to understand is that no one has ever remained lost who wanted to be found. Just as God sent the apostle Philip to the seeking Ethiopian (Acts 8:26-39), Jesus promises all who seek will find (Matthew 7:7-8).

7. The Bible is filled with errors.

Because the Bible is God's Word and God cannot lie (Isaiah 55:10-11; John 17:17; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 4:12), it's totally trustworthy, free from any error. God's Word is described as "the word of truth" (2 Corinthians 6:7; Colossians 1:5; 2 Timothy 2:15; James 1:18). Inerrancy isn't a theory about the Bible; it's the teaching of the Bible itself.

What most people claim as errors in the Bible aren't errors but difficulties. People think they've stumbled upon apparent inconsistencies when they haven't taken the time to find out all the facts, or made an in-depth study of the passage. Many Bible questions have been answered as new discoveries have been made in fields such as language, history, archeology, and other sciences.

Regardless of the kind of difficulty found, not a single irreconcilable error can be found in the Bible's pages.

8. If God is so good, why is there evil?

The thrust of this charge is that evil's presence disproves God's power. But is the presence of evil consistent with the God of the Bible? Consider:

God didn't create evil. Sin entered the world through Adam's disobedience (Genesis 3).

Evil is necessary for a free world. Freedom, or free will, gives humans the opportunity to make wrong choices.

God hesitates to stop evil for an important reason. Just as parents often allow their children to make mistakes and suffer the consequences, God acts in a parental fashion with his creation.

God has the solution for evil. Jesus accomplished the ultimate defeat of evil on the cross. But just as we don't yet have eternal bodies, evil has yet to be removed from the world.

9. Why is there suffering?

Many hold that pain is evidence against God's concern for humankind. However, pain can be used for good and bad purposes. Not all pain is bad. Pain is an essential mechanism for survival. Without pain, the body is stripped of vital protection. Pain is an important signal to warn of even greater danger.

Suffering is a signal. It also can be a spiritual signal that reminds us of the fragile balance of life and our mortality. In The Problem of Pain, Christian apologist C.S. Lewis writes, "God whispers to us in our pleasure, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts to us in our pain; it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world."

Some suffering actually helps to bring greater good. This is best seen in Jesus' own suffering. Jesus traveled down the road of pain, loneliness, and death—a road that led to the cross. Jesus isn't just a Savior, he's our suffering Savior. The cross is the ultimate example of innocent suffering.

At the heart of this issue is the underlying challenge that God isn't fair. The problem is, society holds pleasure as its chief goal in life. This philosophy is known as hedonism, and those who live by this philosophy find any form of suffering offensive. To say God isn't fair is an extremely dangerous charge.

If God gave us what we deserve, we'd be in trouble. It would be foolish to ask God for justice; what we need is mercy. God's mercy and grace are so taken for granted that suffering and pain shock us.

10. If there's a hell, why would a loving God send people there?

God hates evil, and one day, evil will cease. While evil and suffering and pain are very real, they are also very temporary.

The day God deals with evil, he will deal with all evil. In the meantime, God strives for as many people as possible to accept Jesus' death and resurrection as payment for their sins, so they can live eternally with him. The sad fact is, many will make the decision not to be a part of God's heaven. God won't send them to hell; they'll send themselves.

For God to force people to go to heaven against their wishes wouldn't be heaven—it would be hell. Atheist author Jean-Paul Sarte noted that the gates of hell are locked from the inside by the free choice of men and women.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: chirstiananswers
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To: Red Sea Swimmer

Only the Father knows the appointed time of Christ's return. Since, I am not God the Father it would be vanity for me to take such a bet. If Christ doesn't come until I am long in the grave I could care less because I know that I serve a risen Savoir that will come to call his own back home.


81 posted on 01/02/2005 10:58:42 PM PST by weshess (I will stop hunting when the animals agree to quit jumping in front of my gun to commit suicide)
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To: Red Sea Swimmer
Red Sea Swimmer [post 11]: "...a saviour who will never return..."

Red Sea Swimmer [post 59]: "Holding onto a false belief..."
________________________________________________________________

You have now stated twice that Jesus is a liar and will never return as He promised.

On what do you base your claim to know the future?

82 posted on 01/02/2005 11:00:14 PM PST by Bonaparte (Of course, it must look like an accident...)
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To: Quinotto

I never understood the "Christ Killer" line of reasoning. God calls Isreal his chosen people, therefore, who am I to say anything bad about them? It was my sins that killed Christ as well as the sins of every man and woman.


83 posted on 01/02/2005 11:01:23 PM PST by weshess (I will stop hunting when the animals agree to quit jumping in front of my gun to commit suicide)
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To: weshess
Left Leg Status Update...At least three minutes have gone by, and my left leg is still here. It hasn't been severed by a lightning bolt from the big guy, and it is showing no signs of plague.

Gee, bizrat hashem, I just might get a few more decades good use out of it.

84 posted on 01/02/2005 11:01:41 PM PST by Red Sea Swimmer (Tisha5765Bav)
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To: Quinotto
I would think that by now, Jews and Christians would understand that they have a common goal for survival, co-existing in peace and love

Based on prophecy, we know that certain events regarding Israel and the rebuilding of the Temple will occur. The New Testament tells us that any nation that lifts its hand against Israel will be destroyed. Some of our Jewish brothers don't understand what allies they have in us backward fundies....

85 posted on 01/02/2005 11:04:18 PM PST by freebilly (Go Santa Cruz Basketball! Win CCS!)
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To: Red Sea Swimmer

Jesus answered him , "It is also written, do not put the Lord your God to the test"

Matthew 4:7


86 posted on 01/02/2005 11:05:33 PM PST by weshess (I will stop hunting when the animals agree to quit jumping in front of my gun to commit suicide)
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To: Red Sea Swimmer
I don't think anyone here on this thread has forced you to believe in Him, but nobody asked of you to ridicule or deny our faith. Despite my family being on opposite ends of the spectrum, somehow holidays manage to be a wonderful occasion of celebration of my Judeo-Christian heritage. But that alone has allowed me a glimpse on both ends of the spectrum, to see how people with extreme and uninformed and narrow-minded views think about the other. And you know why I find this a tragedy? Because in all the faiths in the world there has yet to be any other two so closely tied together as the Jewish and the Christian faith. And again, remember, our fight should be a common fight against the ones who are trying to destroy us and not against each other, our fight should be for ensuring survival of Israel (for spiritual and political reasons) and our fight should be against the new enemy which parades around the world as being a religion of peace but its plans are being more sinister and more in depth than most people realize.
87 posted on 01/02/2005 11:06:20 PM PST by Quinotto (On matters of style,swim with the current,on matters of principle stand like a rock-Thomas Jefferson)
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To: Bonaparte
It would take too long to tell you here now. This is not the forum, although it does help. I don't know the future but I think I have a pretty good picture of what is going to unfold and a returning carpenter from Nazareth is definitely on the radar screen.

The only "Rapture" that might be played out in the near future will be an old Blondie track at a party.

Time is on my side.

88 posted on 01/02/2005 11:06:21 PM PST by Red Sea Swimmer (Tisha5765Bav)
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To: freebilly

That was basically my point is that Jesus came fiorst for the Jews then the Gentiles.


89 posted on 01/02/2005 11:07:04 PM PST by weshess (I will stop hunting when the animals agree to quit jumping in front of my gun to commit suicide)
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To: weshess

dagnabbit Fiorst should be First.


90 posted on 01/02/2005 11:07:46 PM PST by weshess (I will stop hunting when the animals agree to quit jumping in front of my gun to commit suicide)
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To: Red Sea Swimmer
Correction to last post. Should read -

...I think I have a pretty good picture of what is going to unfold and a returning carpenter from Nazareth is NOT definitely on the radar screen.

Zoe the Malamute started howling outside and distracted me for a second. She howls when she hears a siren in the distance. Smart and very sensitive dog that she is.
91 posted on 01/02/2005 11:08:32 PM PST by Red Sea Swimmer (Tisha5765Bav)
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To: Red Sea Swimmer
my left leg is still here. It hasn't been severed by a lightning bolt from the big guy, and it is showing no signs of plague.

Gee, bizrat hashem, I just might get a few more decades good use out of it.

Send us a message from eternity and let us know how the leg's holding up....

92 posted on 01/02/2005 11:08:35 PM PST by freebilly (Go Santa Cruz Basketball! Win CCS!)
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To: weshess

And I thought you were posting with a Swedish accent :)


93 posted on 01/02/2005 11:08:55 PM PST by Quinotto (On matters of style,swim with the current,on matters of principle stand like a rock-Thomas Jefferson)
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To: weshess

I need a spelling bee aswell..


94 posted on 01/02/2005 11:09:17 PM PST by Red Sea Swimmer (Tisha5765Bav)
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To: Red Sea Swimmer

I have a pretty good picture of what is going to unfold and a returning carpenter from Nazareth is definitely on the radar screen.

see even you admit that Christ will come back.


95 posted on 01/02/2005 11:10:20 PM PST by weshess (I will stop hunting when the animals agree to quit jumping in front of my gun to commit suicide)
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To: Quinotto
Would that be North Swedish or South Swedish dialect ?

In the north they spell - "Moose", in the south they spell "Mooose". It's somehow related to the Northern Lights..
96 posted on 01/02/2005 11:11:32 PM PST by Red Sea Swimmer (Tisha5765Bav)
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To: weshess

See my post 91. There was no Freudian Slip. More like a Zoe Slip.


97 posted on 01/02/2005 11:12:33 PM PST by Red Sea Swimmer (Tisha5765Bav)
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To: Red Sea Swimmer

Sorry post 95 was according to your post 88. If you don't believe it is your choice, since God gave us freewill. But you are being pretty degrading to those of us that have had their lives changed through our acceptance of Christ.


98 posted on 01/02/2005 11:12:53 PM PST by weshess (I will stop hunting when the animals agree to quit jumping in front of my gun to commit suicide)
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To: freedom44

Bump! Great Post.


99 posted on 01/02/2005 11:12:55 PM PST by Captain Beyond (The Hammer of the gods! (Just a cool line from a Led Zep song))
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To: freebilly

Are you wishing death, or as you put it "eternity", on me ?


100 posted on 01/02/2005 11:14:18 PM PST by Red Sea Swimmer (Tisha5765Bav)
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