Dan Chasing Time: Christian Apologetics

My son Sam and I had a conversation today on the hiddenness of God, the problem of evil, whether God is good, and whether God exists. I never like these conversations. I tell him that most Christians come to faith through their heart and that everyone has their own unique journey to faith. Then I tell him what I believe.

I avoid any kind of argument. Here's why. I think the atheists have about a good a set of arguments as theists, at least in the way they think about God, and my son knows all their arguments.

Most believers come to Christ through their heart. Then, they look for reasons to express to others why they believe. The reasoning isn't personal. They come up with it to apply outwardly. It's not what lead them to faith. Consequently, it's rarely persuasive.

The atheist's argument, on the other hand, is personal to him. It's his argument explaining why he doesn't believe. He thinks about it, develops it, and protects his sanity and pride with it.

We need to understand why people don't believe and how to engender faith.

John 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

Matthew 18:2-3 2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

Romans 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Mark 4:14 The sower soweth the word.

Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

It seems that a big part of unbelief has to do with our conscience. We are too afraid to look around to find God because...we might find him! Then, what gives us courage to seek God from our heart? God's goodness. We see God's goodness through another's good deeds. Then one day that living and powerful seed that that someone planted a long time ago begins to grow.

I believe knowing the truth is more for helping us live good lives than making us better arguers.

The last thing I tell my son is you're not going to understand everything, then I share with him something G. K. Chesterton wrote in 1908 from Orthodoxy.