Simple Answers for Introducing Christianity - 1

[Uber Genius]

I posted a topic entitled, "First Do No Harm," recently with the idea that Christians prepare short, paragraph-length responses to common questions about Christianity, or theism for that matter. 

"Theism (also monotheism) is roughly the view that God has existed eternally, he has no limits to his power, his knowledge, or his love. He has created the world in order to demonstrate his love to mankind. He invites them to govern with him over creation. Mankind is valuable because God has created them with unique  aspects of his nature, chiefly, the ability to make moral decisions and to love others and to love God."

Now this paragraph above is an example (I just tossed it out rather than working with it and editing it which is a bad example of the process I'm suggesting) of the paragraph length description one might give to the any of the following questions:

Why are we humans here on your view?

I just read a book that said life is at bottom purposeless, without good or bad, right or wrong, we all are just dancing to our DNA. What do you think?

Aren't theists atheistic about all other gods except for Yahweh?

Insert any strawman derogatory idiocy by the online village atheist regarding theism here, stated in the form of a question.

PLEASE CREATE AND SHARE YOUR OWN QUESTIONS AND ONE-PARAGRAPH ANSWERS BELOW.

NOTE:PLEASE DO NOT "CORRECT" PEOPLE'S ACCOUNTS, THE WHOLE REST OF THE FORUM IS LITTERED WITH SUCH CORRECTIONS

POSSIBLE TOPICS INCLUDE:

why are we here?

how do we get meaning in life?

where do we go when we die?

how do we live a moral life?

how do we relate to God if he exists?

how can a loving God allow so much evil and suffering?

how can a loving God condemn men to hell eternally?

aren't all religions the same?

isn't it arrogant to claim your religion is the only true religion?

Religion is a matter of faith not evidence or knowledge

(That was just the one minute speed run of throwing out questions, I'm sure you can all come up with dozens of similar questions that need our scholarship and craftsmanship to produce a short, well-rehearsed response)

[Riverwalker]

Q. how do we relate to God if he exists?

A. By realizing He is God. He is not our equal, we are no place to judge him, and by rights He should judge us and find us wanting. But God chose another way.  He chose to love, and on that level we become family, Father and child and in this one way we hold something of a comparable relationship with God, and it by love that we do relate to Him.

Q isn't it arrogant to claim your religion is the only true religion?

A. In all things there is just one truth, and in the discussion of God, His name is Jesus Christ

Q. Can you prove me to me that God Exists?

A.  Yes, but it requires a rather drastic commitment, do you really  want proof?

     q.  Yes PROVE IT

      a. Okay all you have to do to get undeniable truth that God exists, is to stop breathing. I would suggest           getting saved BEFORE you do this though

       q ::crickets:::

And finally

Q . How can you possibly believe in God, It makes no sense, talking donkeys and snakes....

A. Do you really think that you are able to figure out and understand the fullness of God.  Wouldn't be much of God would He?

 

Okay so I may not use the gentle approach with atheists, but some times a kick in the butt works better than a pat on the back

 

 

Edited January 26, 2021 by Riverwalker

[DeighAnn]

Name a town 100 years in the future.  Name the name of someone to be born there.  Name the place where he will be taken next.  Never mind the 100 years, as that would be impossible.  Say 5 years from now.  Now give me 20 other distinct things that will happen in this persons life.  Don't make one mistake.   

[JohnD]

"Get your own dirt," God told scientists who believed they had

a handle on how to create life.

"We've got this, God," they said. 

"Ah," said God, "do tell."

"First, you take dirt..." they said.

Point being, God is the Source of all things.

And the only viable record of his word to man

(the Bible) says:

John 3:18 (AV)
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

[JohnD]

Just now, JohnD said:

"Get your own dirt," God told scientists who believed they had

a handle on how to create life.

"We've got this, God," they said. 

"Ah," said God, "do tell."

"First, you take dirt..." they said.

Point being, God is the Source of all things.

And the only viable record of his word to man

(the Bible) says:

John 3:18 (AV)
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

This has no qualifiers (other than being human).

John 3:16–18 (AV)
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

John 16:27 (AV)
27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.

John 6:29 (AV)
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

Ephesians 2:8–10 (AV)
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

You don't have to do or be anything

only believe.