If you’ve ever tried to debate your faith with a skeptic, then you know they can be very skillful at arguing against the existence of God and the authority and reliability of the Bible. In full disclosure, their arguments are generally valid. I know that because I tend to be very skeptical myself, so I’m pretty good at finding the cracks and holes in people’s reasoning. Here are two mistakes we make when debating a skeptic:
1. Circular reasoning. When someone asks how we know the Bible is true, we often respond with, “Because the Bible says it’s true.” For people of faith, that answer makes perfect sense. But for the skeptic, it is a flawed argument. You can’t prove something is true just because it says it’s true.
That being understood, the Bible is an extraordinary document. If you are willing to do the research, you’ll discover there is no other book on earth that can compare with it. Josh McDowell’s book, “Evidence that Demands a Verdict,” is a great starting point if you want to learn more about the Bible’s history and the vast archaeological evidence that stands behind it. Does any of that prove it is the Word of God? No, but it does prove it is an exceptional book worthy of serious consideration.
2. Counterintuitive Conclusions. Believers are very good at developing win/win narratives, even in the face of loss and suffering. This naturally drives skeptics crazy.
For example, it’s not unusual to hear a believer say something like this, “I was in a car accident last week, but I am so thankful to God that He protected me and all I suffered was a broken leg.” The skeptic is quick to point out that God should have protected you from the accident in the first place. We, believers, have to admit that our conclusions about God’s intervention in our lives can be a bit peculiar.
We look for the good in everything because that’s what God tells us to do—even in weaknesses, hardships, insults, and persecutions. See II Corinthians 12:9-10. We give thanks in all circumstances. See I Thessalonians 5:16-18.
Why do we do it? Why do we put our trust in God and His Word? Why do we look for good in everything and offer thanks even when our world is falling apart?
We do it because we have first-hand experience with the power and presence of God. As eyewitnesses, we have a powerful story to tell. While skeptics can argue with our circular and counterintuitive reasoning, they cannot argue with our personal testimonies.
The great Easter hymn, “He Lives!” ends with an eyewitness declaration that no skeptic can discount, “You ask me how I know He lives, He lives within my heart!”
Every believer has a powerful eyewitness story to tell — and that includes you. God’s grace has called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. His forgiveness has set you free from guilt and regret. His promise of eternal life has set you free from enslavement to the fear of death. The presence of His Spirit gives peace and comfort, even in the midst of pain and loss. I could go on and on. Even a natural skeptic like me can’t argue with the boundless mercy and amazing grace God has given to me. Peter describes the reason we declare God’s praises no matter the circumstance:
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. I Peter 2:9-10
Skeptics can argue against the circular and counterintuitive all they want, but they cannot argue with our stories about the power and presence of God. And friends, we have unique and powerful stories to tell—every one of us!
When Peter and the apostles were miraculously released from prison, the angel gave them this command: Go stand in the temple courts and tell the people all about this new life. Acts 5:20.
Believers, God is calling on us to do the same everywhere we go. We have the awesome privilege of telling people all about our personal experiences with the power of the presence of God. Skeptics can argue about everything else, but they can’t argue with that!
