What Do You Say To A Non-Believer? (Part 1)
Spiritual Questions with Scriptural Answers.
We live in a godless society. While there are certainly godly people, the majority of individuals in our world are anti-God.
According to CIA World Factbook, “the fastest growing religious status may be “no religion.” This includes all kinds of atheists and agnostics.” In 2018, a poll was taken which showed that 26% of Americans claimed to be atheists (Gervais, Will M.; Najle, Maxine B. (2018). How sad it is to know that so many fail to recognize the existence, presence, and goodness of God!
The psalmist said, “The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good” (Psa. 14:1).
Since the number of non-believers is rising, believers have a very important opportunity and responsibility to “always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Pet. 3:15).
This article begins a short three-part series that will hopefully help better equip us to answer a non-believer.
External Evidence.
First, external evidence must be provided to prove there is a God.
While internal evidence is powerful and sufficient to spark belief (John 20:30-31), external evidence must be employed to help a non-believer. The sad reality is that one who does not believe in God will not care what God’s Word has to say! If they don’t believe in the God of the Word, why would they believe the Word of God?
External evidence is that which is presented outside or beyond the Scriptures.
The most powerful evidence available is the world around us. The world is here; how did it get here? Can something come from nothing? We are here; how did we get here? Was it some kind of “explosion” that produced us? Is there an explanation?
For there to be something created, there has to be a Creator. For time and space to exist, there must be an essence not confined by time and space.
Start with the concrete evidence of factual and rational reality!
Internal Evidence.
Second, internal evidence must be provided to prove there is a God. While creation is a great external proof, the Scriptures are the internal proof!
The Bible is the Word of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17). It was penned by forty different men over a period of 1600 years. It was written in three languages (Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic) and covers three dispensations of time (Patriarchal, Mosaic, Christian).
The most amazing fact about the Bible is that there are no inconsistencies. There is perfect, flawless harmony from Genesis to Revelation because the Holy Spirit revealed the truth from Heaven (John 14:26; 16:13; 1 Cor. 2:9-13; 2 Pet. 1:19-21).
Consider these passages and commit them to memory that you may share them with non-believers:
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1). “The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork” (Psa. 19:1).
“The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein” (Psa. 24:1).
“By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth…For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast” (Psa. 33:6, 9).
“God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their pre-appointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings” (Acts 17:24-26).
"For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse” (Rom. 1:20).
These passages are just a few that teach us that there is one, true God and faith in Him comes by “hearing the Word of God” (Rom. 10:17).
God, by means of creation, is sovereign.
He is all-knowing (omniscient), all-loving (omnibenevolent), all-powerful (omnipotent), and is everywhere (omnipresent). We learn these facts from the Word of God (Psalm 139; Eph. 3:20; 1 John 4:7-10).
Starting with external evidence that proves God’s existence and building up to internal evidence, you will be able to establish the existence of God, the authority of the Scriptures, and hopefully peak the interest and prick the heart of a non-believer.
In the next two articles, we will discuss more passages and examine more practical ways to respond to a non-believer.
Drew Suttles is a minister for the Quitman church of Christ in Quitman, Georgia, and one of my best friends in this world. They live-stream all their Bible classes and sermons on their YouTube channel.
Drew also hosts the “Weathering the Storm” podcast on the Scattered Abroad Network. Drew talks about facing life’s challenges as a child of God. His podcast will be a blessing to your life.
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