Podcast - Episode 3 - Created for Work: Purposeful Design

Honest Seekers

According to the American Atheists website, an atheist is an individual who does not believe in the existence of a god or deities.(1)

As Christians, we often assume that those who reject belief in God simply have not been given enough evidence for His existence, the truth of Jesus’ humanity and divinity, or the reliability of the Bible. This is one reason the study of apologetics exists.

Apologetics is the “systematic, rational defense of a specific belief system, most commonly referring to the intellectual justification of Christian doctrines. Derived from the Greek word apologia (a defense or reply), it seeks to provide reasons for faith, address objections, and explain the truth of Christianity with gentleness and respect.”(2)

Some people genuinely and open-mindedly seek evidence for God’s existence, and once they are convinced, they are willing to commit their lives to Christ. My husband was one of these people. He became a believer while in high school. Because he was interested in aircraft, amateur radio, and engineering, his analytical mind needed the evidence provided by scientists and astronomers before he was willing to surrender his life to Jesus.

Different people have different legitimate questions they want answered before they commit themselves to Christ. Some look for scientific evidence from biology, astronomy, history, or archaeology. Others see evidence for God in nature, human conscience, or philosophy. Still others are convinced when they witness the transformation that takes place in the lives of believers. This is often referred to as a person’s testimony — the visible change that occurs when someone places their faith in Christ.

Of course, none of these things alone can save a person. They may open someone up to hearing the truth of the gospel, but only the Holy Spirit can ultimately soften a heart and bring someone to faith in Christ.

Dishonest Skeptics

There are also people who use intellectual objections merely as a smokescreen to avoid confronting the truth about Jesus. These individuals raise one objection, and when it is answered, they quickly respond with, “Yeah, but…” and move on to another objection. They are not truly seeking answers. No amount of scientific proof would convince them unless the Holy Spirit miraculously softened their hearts.

My husband once spoke with a man who claimed to reject God for scientific reasons. After my husband carefully answered each objection, the man finally admitted the truth: “No matter how much proof you give me, I am not going to change my life.” At least he was honest.

Another person once told me, “I don’t want to talk to you about this anymore because I think you may be right.” I appreciated that honesty as well, and I continue to pray that God softens that individual’s heart.

Still another person responded to me sharing the gospel by waving their hands and loudly saying, “Na na na na na…” to avoid hearing more. Strange as it sounds, that reaction was also honest. They understood that hearing the truth would require a response, and they did not want to face it.

Others experience discomfort simply being around Christians because their consciences are pricked by the presence of someone openly following Christ. Rather than admit this to themselves, they may avoid Christians, mock them, or become hostile toward them. If you live openly for Christ, you have likely encountered people like this.

The Proof is Clear

Table Talk magazine from January 2014 states:

“Seasoned evangelists and apologists will tell you that the fundamental problem that people have with the gospel is not an intellectual one. Non-Christians will try to erect intellectual strongholds against belief in God and His Son, but the evidence is so overwhelming and compelling that there is no such thing as a true atheist.”

The theologian R.C. Sproul similarly noted that “the real problem for the atheist is not that he cannot see the truth of God’s existence; the real issue is that he hates the God who does exist” and does not want to submit to His authority.

Biblical Evidence

The Bible points to several major areas as evidence for God’s existence, including creation, conscience, and the order of the world. Scripture teaches that God’s power and divine nature are clearly displayed through what He has made.

In Romans 1:18–21, the Apostle Paul warns unbelievers not to suppress the truth about God:

“...Since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened."

Psalm 19:1 similarly declares:

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”

Acts 17:24–25 reminds us that God is the Creator of all things:

“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands.”

Hebrews 3:4 points out the evidence in creation of God’s handiwork:

“For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.”

In Job 12:7–9, God points Job to creation itself as evidence of His power:

“Ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you… Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?”

Human beings also bear witness to God through conscience and design. Romans 2:14–15 teaches that God’s law is written on human hearts:

“They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness…”

Psalm 139:14 beautifully describes God’s creation of humanity:

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”

David’s words express awe at the intricate and intentional design of human life. Humanity itself points to a Creator.

Famous Skeptics

In a 1966 essay titled Confessions of a Professed Atheist, Aldous Huxley, author of Brave New World, explained that he did not want the universe to have meaning because moral accountability would interfere with the lifestyle he desired. He admitted that the “liberation” he sought was freedom from moral restraints.

Others, including professors and philosophers, have expressed similar thoughts, acknowledging that resistance to Christianity is often tied to a desire for personal autonomy rather than a lack of evidence.(3)

C.S. Lewis, author of The Chronicles of Narnia, originally attempted to disprove Christianity. He argued that Christianity was merely another myth and struggled deeply with the problem of evil.

Skeptics often claim that evil disproves God’s existence. They argue that if suffering exists, then either God is not powerful enough to stop it or He is not good.

However, unbelievers also face a serious philosophical problem. If there is no God and no objective moral standard, how can evil truly be defined? Without an ultimate standard of good, the concept of evil loses its foundation.

Christians recognize that God’s wisdom is infinitely greater than ours. While suffering is painful and difficult, believers trust that God has purposes beyond what we can presently understand.

As a literary scholar, Lewis knew mythology well and once viewed Christianity as another legend. But his close friend J.R.R. Tolkien helped him see that myths reflected humanity’s longing for truth. Tolkien argued that Christianity is the singular moment when a “mythological” story of a dying and rising Savior actually occurred in real history.

Lee Strobel, a former investigative journalist, atheist, and the author of The Case for Christ, also set out to disprove Christianity. Yet after investigating the historical and archaeological evidence — and witnessing the dramatic transformation in his wife’s life — he eventually became convinced of Christianity’s truth.

First Peter 3:15 encourages us to "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." When honest skeptics sincerely investigate the claims of Christ, many ultimately find the evidence compelling. 

Application

As Christians share their faith, it is helpful to remember that the person we are speaking with is not merely lacking information. Scripture teaches that people already have evidence of God around them and within them, even if they suppress that truth.

This understanding should never make us harsh or prideful. We should not use it as a weapon against unbelievers. Instead, it should help us remain confident in God’s Word and calm when difficult questions arise. If we do not know an answer, we can simply admit it and continue the conversation later.

Remembering that “what may be known about God is plain to them” can also keep us from getting distracted by endless arguments. When someone continually shifts objections with “Yeah, but…,” we do not need to chase every rabbit trail. Instead, we can lovingly return to the central message of the gospel: humanity’s sin, Christ’s sacrifice, and the hope found in Him alone.

Is there an area of your life that you are unwilling to surrender to God? Is there something you are holding onto because you do not want Christ’s authority over it? Even believers can resist God’s lordship in certain areas of life. But if Jesus truly is Lord, then every part of our lives belongs to Him.

1 https://atheists.org/what-is-an-atheist/

2 https://seminary.grace.edu/what-is-apologetics/

3.https://www.christianitytoday.com/pastors/preaching/sermon-illustrations/two-philosophers-admit-that-they-did-not-want-to-believe/

The heavens declare the glory of God;
   the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
   night after night they reveal knowledge.