[SlowBoat407]

I’m a Christian, but I have trouble with using these arguments to convince non-believers.

It’s hard enough to convince people of something when there’s solid evidence in its favor. It’s even harder when you present a document such as The Bible and say “It’s true because it’s in here, and this doesn’t lie.”

To them, it’s the ultimate in circular reasoning, and if they’re not inclined to believe in the first place, they’ll just roll their eyes and walk away.

To me, the most effective witness is the way you live your life, and they way you treat other people. Jesus did not talk out of a book: He spoke from His heart, and led by example.

If you want to prove Christ lived, died, and rose again, then live your life as if you believe it with all your heart, and be a witness in your own life, death, and rebirth.

[melsec]

I’m a Christian, but I have trouble with using these arguments to convince non-believers. I agree with you mostly that if a person does not have a desire, want or inclination to beleive then apologetics has little to no effect. For those who do have an inclination and for increasing people's faith apologetics is invaluable. People should not use apologetics as proof but rather as aid to faith Mel

[ScubieNuc]

To me, the most effective witness is the way you live your life, and they way you treat other people.

Amen. I completely agree with that statement. In fact I believe when you read Scripture, you will find more encouragement to take care of others over preaching supporting evidences.

Matt. 25:34-36 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

That being said, we are to be ready to give an answer for what we believe and why.

1Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

There are some people out there that are so mis informed about Christianity, that they think believers in Christ are as crazy as believers in Santa Claus.

As others have pointed out, you can't "Prove" Jesus is God by the evidences, but there are provable evidences that show that Jesus was a real person. There are evidences that can point people in the direction of accepting Christ, but ultimately it takes faith to open that door and step into Jesus's open arms.

I think that you are right to focus on living and loving as Christ would, but don't completely shut the door on reasoned evidences. They are also a tool that can be used to point people to Jesus.

Sincerely