12 – Relationships with skeptics

The truth is revolutionary: Christianity is the only worldview based on facts that prove it is true beyond reasonable doubt. Christians must root out the skepticism that has infected their minds. When Christians get their minds wrapped around the truth, it will rock our world.

There are two immediate applications of this truth. The first touches on personal relationships with skeptics.

Christians can – in a spirit of love – lead skeptics toward Christ by gently posing questions that prove the skeptic’s worldview makes no sense. Once the skeptic realizes he does not actually believe what he says he believes, God’s spirit has an opportunity to show him the truth and introduce him to the Truth that will set him free.

Skeptics can’t really believe what they say they believe. The skeptic’s worldview is based on ideas that contradict each other. His self-delusion is easily unmasked by asking two questions: “Why do you believe that is true?” and “How do you know that is true?” Asking those questions persistently, in a spirit of genuine interest and concern, will press the skeptic back to a point where he is faced with the fact that he holds beliefs inconsistent with his skepticism.

Take, for example, the skeptic’s idea that religious beliefs and moral values are not absolute but are true only for those who hold them and that no religion or morality is automatically true for everyone. Christianity, however, teaches that some things are true for everyone. Is that belief true for the Christian? Then why are Christians called “arrogant” and “intolerant” for merely living out their own religion, which teaches that truth is true for everyone?

We must insist that the skeptic be consistent and admit that, by his own rule, Christian beliefs are true for those who believe them, even if the skeptic finds the beliefs repulsive.

If, however, he agrees that Christian beliefs are true for Christians, then he has admitted he himself believes in at least one absolute truth. The skeptic’s belief – that religion and moral values are true only for those who hold them, and that no religion or morality is true for everyone – is stated as an absolute truth. If a skeptic can believe in an absolute truth, why can’t a Christian?

On the other hand, if he insists the Christian belief in absolute truth is wrong even for Christians, then he has admitted that he uses an absolute truth – his own absolute truth – to judge whether the beliefs of others are true or false. He also has admitted he doesn’t really believe his own rule that religious beliefs and moral values are true for those who hold them.

Apparently the skeptic isn’t a skeptic after all. Either way, he believes in absolute truth just as much as Christians do. He just needs to decide which of his two, contradictory absolute truths he wants to keep!

Skeptics ridicule belief in moral absolutes, the idea that there are beliefs and actions that are wrong for everyone everywhere. But every skeptic believes in at least one moral absolute, and it is easy to identify.

Talk with a skeptic about a behavior or belief he abhors: racism, slavery, child sexual abuse, conducting experiments on animals, destroying the environment, eating meat, even “Christians forcing their beliefs on others.” Ask the skeptic if that belief or behavior is always wrong for everyone. Ask him if others are wrong if they disagree with him. Is it possible that something like child sexual abuse might be right for someone? Ask him why he rejects the idea of moral absolutes but expects others to agree with his moral absolute.

The skeptic’s worldview is contradictory non-sense. With love and patience, a Christian can confront a skeptical friend with those contradictions and set him on a search for truth that can only end with Christ.

The skeptic will rebel at the idea that only Christianity can prove what is right and wrong. He doesn’t want anyone – even God – telling him what he should or shouldn’t do. The crucial questions for anyone who rejects Christian values are “How can you prove what is right and wrong?” and “What else do you have to offer?” No other worldview or religion can give an answer that works. Skeptics only have opinion; religionists only have tradition.

Christians must realize that even proof beyond reasonable doubt may not persuade the skeptical unbeliever. A skeptic may continue to reject God and Christ no matter how much evidence you place in front of him. Even proof beyond all doubt wouldn’t be enough to persuade some people to live their lives for God instead of themselves.

No skeptic has ever been debated into the kingdom of heaven. Despite what they say, skeptics do not reject God and Christ because of a lack of evidence but because admitting the truth will prevent them from living their lives the way they want.

A life-transforming decision is not made solely because of evidence. Persuasion ultimately is the work of the Holy Spirit. The skeptic comes to Christ, like all of us, only when he finally acknowledges the reality of God, turns his back on a way of life that dishonors God, and submits himself in humility to the risen Christ. Many times, such a decision is made only after believers fervently pray for the friend and demonstrate God’s love for him in their own actions.

On the other hand, a skeptic whose illogical worldview goes unchallenged will never see any reason to consider the claims of Christ, and the Christian worldview – the only hope for the world – will be ever more marginalized in society.

Think about it!
Why is it important for Christians to demonstrate a spirit of love when sharing Christ with a skeptic?

Get involved!
Make a list of five unbelievers you know. Ask God to give you opportunities to talk with them about religious and moral truth.

Next installment
13 – Social justice

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