A Christian response to the Agnostic and Athiest
The Webster's Dictionary defines an Agnostic as "One who disclaims any knowledge of God or of anything but material phenomena." The whole idea of "seeing is believing" has been around for a long time. With this understanding one could say seeing is only in the eyes of the beholder because we choose what we believe based upon what we choose to see. We can easily deny the existance of anything by simply saying "I don't see it that way!" Elimination of the facts for some is easy and well received because they feel safe and justified. claiming they can't see it or touch it. To them is easier to be neutral about somethings because they claim to not see it in it's physical form. So for them God doesn't exist because they can't see God and touch God. This is the same as saying oxygen doesn't exist because they can't grab it, touch it, hold it etc. The Bible tells us of one such person that held to a similar weak stance in faith. That person's name was Thomas, better known as "Doubting Thomas" How shall we respond as Christian believers to those that disclaim or disbelieve the truth? This week we will learn several responses to the Agnostic.
Read 2Corinthians 5:7 and Hebrews 11:1-6 What questions do you have after reading this?
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Answer the following questions:
What does it mean to "walk by faith and not by sight?"
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What is the evidence of something that is not yet seen?
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What does hope have to do with proof?
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Can we be pleasing to God without faith?
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Read John 20:24-29 What questions do you have after reading this?
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Answer the following questions:
Was Thomas one of the twelve disciples that was selected by Jesus?
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What was Thomas's response when the others told him they had seen the Lord?
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How did Jesus respond to Thomas?
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What does the following verse mean? "Blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed."
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We just quickly went over a few things about the Agnostic, what about an Athiest, what is the difference? The Webster's Dictionary defines an Athiest as "One who disbelieves the existance of a God." So the Agnostic disclaims any knowledge of God and the Athiest disbelieves in the existance of a God. Sounds like these two are very close. So what then was "Doubting Thomas?" Would he have been an Atheist or an Agnostic? I would say that he leaned more towards the Agnostic because he didn't deny the existance, but instead required proof to believe. The Athiest doesn't say prove it they just disbelieve no matter what and the Agnostic asks for proof before they would even consider a claim that God exists. Either way God is not pleased. How shall we respond? How did Jesus respond to Thomas? He considered his weakness and provided proof, but what about the ones that will never accept any proof?
Read Romans 1:18-32 What questions do you have about what you read?
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Answer the following questions:
What does God do with those who willingly deny Him?
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What creature does the Athiest worship?
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What type of mind do unbelievers who have been given over by God?
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If a person has denied Jesus and has turned away from God is there any hope for their salvation? What must they do?
Read Luke 13:1-5 What questions do you have after reading this?
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What can keep someone from perishing?
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What is the importance of repentance?
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Read Luke 15:7 and Luke 17:3 How does God feel about someone who repents or turns from their unbelieving ways to accept Him?
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Finally 1John 1:9 reads "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
So if you are an Agnostic or an Athiest reading this please know that all hope is not gone! Jesus loves you and is always calling you to believe in Him and to accept Him into your heart. If you do this, and you make a decision to turn away from denial of His truth then He stands ready to receive you into His family. If you are one that says like Thomas "I'll believe it when I can see it" then ask God to show you proof. God will prove Himself, but look around and remember "FAITH is the evidence of things hoped for and the confidence in THINGS NOT YET SEEN!" Hebrews 11:1
Thank you for participating in week nine "A Christian response the Agnostic and Athiest." If you have any questions or would like to respond please contact us using the feedback form below.
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