It is never enough to just accumulate knowledge when it comes to accomplishing God’s purposes in this world. We must take that knowledge and apply it out in the world to accomplish His purpose for our individual lives. The final part of this four part series on Atheism takes us into that arena. There is a particular weakness that Atheism has as a religious point of view, and it is understanding that weakness and pointing it out to Atheists we witness to that will help break down their beliefs and create an opening for the gospel message.
If you have not had a chance to read the previous parts of this series that give all of the background for this final part, you may do so at:
Part 1 – Historical Background of Atheism – http://www.marketfaith.org/2022/03/a-deep-dive-into-the-atheistic-religion-part-1
Part 2 – Naturalistic Atheism – http://www.marketfaith.org/2022/03/a-deep-dive-into-the-atheistic-religion-part-2
Part 3 – Modern Naturalistic Belief Systems – http://www.marketfaith.org/2022/03/a-deep-dive-into-the-atheistic-religion-part-3
Now let’s take a look at how to use this information in the real world.
Developing a Dialogue Between Naturalism and Christianity
When people who hold entirely different worldview beliefs engage one another in conversation, the likelihood of misunderstanding is very high. After all, what we are dealing with are entirely different ways of understanding what is real vs. what is fantasy. It is difficult to imagine a wider chasm to cross.
As difficult as it might be, however, it can be crossed … but it will require a willing effort on the part of both parties. Coming to an understanding of the beliefs of a person who holds a different worldview requires an educational process. That education consists of both parties understanding the very concept of worldview, then taking the time to learn the worldview beliefs of the other.
Common Ground Between Naturalistic Belief Systems and Christianity
The first thing we must do to promote a dialog between naturalistic belief systems and Christianity is to discover their touch points – what they have in common. While the differences between the two approaches to understanding reality are quite profound, there is one point that they have in common. They both believe in the objective reality of the natural universe operating by natural laws.
While Christianity believes that something exists outside of the natural universe, it still agrees with Naturalism that the natural universe objectively exists, and that it operates based on the natural laws of the universe. As such both sides can agree that the scientific method is a valid means for discovering things about the natural universe.
Distinctives of Naturalistic Belief Systems and Christianity
In order to promote a dialog between those who hold naturalistic beliefs and Christians, the next thing we must grasp is the distinctives of each worldview. We do this by comparing the answers both sides give to the essential worldview questions.
1. What is the nature of ultimate reality?
• Naturalistic belief systems – The natural universe is all that exists. There is no God.
• Christianity – God exists and He created and sustains the natural universe.
2. What is a human being?
• Naturalistic belief systems – Human beings are purely natural animals that happen to have the largest and most complex brain of all creatures in the animal kingdom.
• Christianity – Human beings are persons created in the image of God, but fallen.
3. What is the ultimate a person can get out of this life?
• Naturalistic belief systems – The ultimate a person can get from this life is survival and personal fulfillment.
• Christianity – The ultimate a person can get from this life is eternal life through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
It is not enough, however to simply see the differences, we must also understand why each side believes its beliefs are true. Naturalistic belief systems believe their point of view because they don’t acknowledge any other possibility. Christians believe their point of view because they assert that they have actually met God by entering into a personal relationship with Him.
At this point, it is critical to circle back to the point made earlier that ALL worldview beliefs are held by faith. There is no empirical way to prove one side or the other. This does not mean that the truth about this matter can’t be known, it is just that it can’t be known using purely empirical means. Those holding naturalistic beliefs must hold their belief (that coming to an understanding of all reality is empirically possible) as an assumption without any way to empirically verify its validity. Those holding Christian beliefs assert that if a spiritual part of reality actually does exist, and God has indeed revealed Himself, it is not unreasonable to believe in His existence based on a relationship with Him, and this relationship is verified by personal experience.
Attraction Points Between Naturalistic Belief Systems and Christianity
Since different worldviews are, literally, different ways of understanding reality, it is hard to imagine that people who hold the beliefs of one worldview would ever be attracted to a different one. All the same, it happens. Generally, that attraction results when individuals who have not been exposed to the beliefs of a different worldview finally become exposed, and the new one somehow makes sense to them. When that happens, it generally results in a rather dramatic and emotional experience. A person’s worldview beliefs are closely connected to their very identity, and getting shaken out of that is a life changing experience.
But what could possibly be the cause of a change like that? Why would some Christians become attracted to atheistic Secularism, or some Secularists become attracted to Christianity?
Why are some Christians attracted to Secularism?
Generally when a Christian becomes attracted to secularist beliefs, it is because they have, for some reason, bought into the prevailing naturalistic worldview. The truth is, naturalistic beliefs dominate virtually every institution of modern society. People are surrounded by them as they participate in the educational process, listen to the news media, enjoy entertainment, engage in business, and for many, even in their participation in church. To maintain Christian beliefs requires people to “buck the tide” of societal pressures – and that is primarily an educational process. Unless people are specifically taught in ways that help inoculate them against naturalistic beliefs, buying into them is difficult to avoid, and many people simply fall into it.
Why are some Secularists attracted to Christianity?
Regardless of a person’s philosophical beliefs, they have a spiritual sense by virtue of being a human being – even those who attempt to deny it. There are questions and situations in life that simply can’t be dealt with by human reason alone. When difficult times invade a person’s life, or they are somehow confronted with ideas that their naturalistic belief system can’t adequately deal with, there is an a strong tendency to look for solutions that are outside of the realm of naturalistic logic. When people reach one of these critical points and they hear a message that speaks to the void they feel, there is a tendency to pay special attention to it.
The Possibility of Dialog
Once the above matters are understood by both parties, it then becomes possible to engage in a reasonable dialog. This does not mean that there will be agreement, of course.
Those holding naturalistic beliefs are going to continue to reject Christian beliefs as long they are convinced that the natural universe is, indeed, all that exists. The bridge cannot be crossed personally unless and until the Naturalist experiences the person of God for him or herself.
By the same token, Christians are going to continue to reject naturalistic beliefs as long as they are convinced that God does exist and that they have personally met Him. The bridge to cross over to Naturalism will not be crossed unless and until the Christian somehow becomes convinced otherwise. There are two implications for the Christian as it relates to these facts.
The first implication has to do with guarding one’s own faith. God actually does exist and has revealed Himself to mankind. Consciously grasping the what and why of this truth gives us the kind of confidence in our relationship with God that can’t be broken.
The second implication is that there is a way to effectively share the gospel message with Atheists that has the potential to open them up to Christ. Being equipped with the knowledge of how to do that will help Christians break down the false walls of secular religion that are so prominent in modern society.
In this four part series, we have truly taken a deep dive into atheistic religions. We have looked at its history, its progression in modern times, its various expressions, and how to bridge the gap that will allow us to effectively share the gospel message with those who hold those beliefs. It is my hope and prayer that you will now take this knowledge and use it to effectively share the message of eternal life with those who are far from Christ.
© 2022 Freddy Davis