Answers for Atheists

 Northstar team member! Welcome to the adventure of sharing the gospel with those who have never before heard! Many of those you share with in the weeks ahead will initially consider themselves to be either agnostics or atheists. However, your teammates in previous summers have found a great many of these individuals to be hungry for spiritual truth and eager to hear evidences for the Christian faith to which they have been denied access all their lives.

The following section of this book demonstrates how one might have a conversation with a skeptical, but interested, non‑Christian, leading him gently from unbelief to faith in Jesus. This is an example of how apologetics may be done.

What is apologetics, and why should a Christian do apologetics? Apologetics is giving reasons for the Christian faith-answering objections to the faith from non-Christians, and providing positive evidences and arguments for the truth of our faith. We give reasons for faith in part because the Bible instructs us to do it, and in part, because it can help non‑Christians to become Christians. "....sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts," Peter wrote, "always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence" (1 Peter 3:15).

Remember  that apologetics does not mean dragging  people into the faith. Apologetics can only remove the barriers that stand in the road between someone and the cross of Jesus. Ultimately people must come to the cross freely--but we can facilitate their coming by removing obstacles. The Holy Spirit draws people to Jesus; our apologetic work simply makes that journey to the cross less arduous.