I failed an important challenge :-(

[Shayna]

I have a blog on another (re: secular) online community. One of the people who subscribes to my blog (and I to his) has continually baited Christians on the community to prove to him that God exists.

He insults God, distances, is angry, etc., but I admire him in a way because in his own crusty manner, he is seeking.

I tried to connect to him on his latest posts, which center on why God allows bad things to happen in the world. There was a particular horrible event that happened to a baby in his neighborhood, and he thinks that God allowed it to happen and doesn't care....

I don't want to repeat everything I posted online to try to explain to him, unless you think it would help. Basically, my point was not to try to prove myself "right" but instead to assert that we as humans accept a lot of things in our lives that we don't fully understand, and yet we benefit from the same.

We kept going round and round, and I had to admit that I don't have all the answers. I offered to find someone in his area for him to speak with, a pastor or someone. He declined.

What could I have said differently? Do you need more details?

[Born Again 2006]

Only God has the answers. Plant the seed; let the Holy Spirit convict!

[Metania1]

I failed an important challenge :-(

:console Some have and done worse. Trust me.

I tried to connect to him on his latest posts, which center on why God allows bad things to happen in the world. There was a particular horrible event that happened to a baby in his neighborhood, and he thinks that God allowed it to happen and doesn't care....

In a sense he has part of it correct. God allowed it to happen, but he is wrong in his conclusion that God does not care. If he has anger towards God, then seeing evil in the world only feeds and justifies that anger. I don't know what his attitude is. There is a difference between a person who is an atheist who still is "seeking" and one who is antagonistic, regardless of what is said.

What could I have said differently?

I tried to connect to him... That is all that matters.

[Bernardd]

We kept going round and round, and I had to admit that I don't have all the answers. I offered to find someone in his area for him to speak with, a pastor or someone. He declined.
You didn't fail at all. Sounds like you've made a friend who might need a friend.

[jesusislord65]

you didnt fail at all. Its only if the Lord convicts his spirit that be will come to Christ. You can take that weight off yourself.

[HeIsEnough]

What could I have said differently? Do you need more details?

I have some comfort for you anyway...


Psalm 1

BOOK I : Psalms 1-41

1 Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.
4 Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.



He is sitting in the seat of a mocker. Until he gets out of his seat, he will continue to mock.

I wouldn't stand in his way, nor counsel him with my own thoughts.

I would, however, let the Lord bring to mind the word to say to this man, at the right time, in the right way. He will bring to remembrance His word, which you can give at the perfect time.

[Shayna]

Thank you all for your reassurances. Sometimes I feel like the worst person in the world to give witness, because I am not in a church home right now and not doing everything I should be doing, etc. Also, since losing my job a couple of months ago, my personal confidence has been really affected -- and I feel why would anyone listen to what I had to say, etc.

However, then I remember what it was like to have doubt, first as a Jew and then later as an agnostic. I can acutely recall people witnessing to me and things they said or did to make me shut down. I don't ever want to do that to someone.

In any case, the way the blog discussion wrapped up was that "people like me" (aka Christians) find "solace" and that God is "an opiate for the masses". I don't even know where to begin in addressing that, so I haven't replied. I'm hoping that God will show me what to do and say when the time is right.

Meanwhile, I am just hoping on the one hand for His return and on the other hand for just a little more time to reach a few more.... KWIM?

[HeIsEnough]

Yes, I know what you mean.

You could relate how we needed an ambulance, because we were so dead. A little opiate or a crutch would clearly not have been enough, for me anyway. That a man will not find 'solace' in anything but Christ, and maybe relate how that was true for you. A human can recognize shared experiences. I go on the premise that people who make much bluster, are actually quite frightened in and by life. Especially those who have heard the truth of the gospel, yet their guilt remains.

Sometimes I feel like the worst person in the world to give witness, because I am not in a church home right now and not doing everything I should be doing, etc. Also, since losing my job a couple of months ago, my personal confidence has been really affected -- and I feel why would anyone listen to what I had to say, etc.

Strange things make our faith grow by leaps and bounds. I will pray for you. :hug

[Glory in print]

I have a blog on another (re: secular) online community. One of the people who subscribes to my blog (and I to his) has continually baited Christians on the community to prove to him that God exists.

He insults God, distances, is angry, etc., but I admire him in a way because in his own crusty manner, he is seeking.

I tried to connect to him on his latest posts, which center on why God allows bad things to happen in the world. There was a particular horrible event that happened to a baby in his neighborhood, and he thinks that God allowed it to happen and doesn't care....

I don't want to repeat everything I posted online to try to explain to him, unless you think it would help. Basically, my point was not to try to prove myself "right" but instead to assert that we as humans accept a lot of things in our lives that we don't fully understand, and yet we benefit from the same.

We kept going round and round, and I had to admit that I don't have all the answers. I offered to find someone in his area for him to speak with, a pastor or someone. He declined.

What could I have said differently? Do you need more details?In my opinion this person isn't really seeking anything but to cause trouble...I have seen it countless times where atheist will ask you loaded questions under the disguise of searching for answers but truthfully they want to start trouble almost everytime.

[WordyTrees]

I have a blog on another (re: secular) online community. One of the people who subscribes to my blog (and I to his) has continually baited Christians on the community to prove to him that God exists.

He insults God, distances, is angry, etc., but I admire him in a way because in his own crusty manner, he is seeking.

I tried to connect to him on his latest posts, which center on why God allows bad things to happen in the world. There was a particular horrible event that happened to a baby in his neighborhood, and he thinks that God allowed it to happen and doesn't care....

I don't want to repeat everything I posted online to try to explain to him, unless you think it would help. Basically, my point was not to try to prove myself "right" but instead to assert that we as humans accept a lot of things in our lives that we don't fully understand, and yet we benefit from the same.

We kept going round and round, and I had to admit that I don't have all the answers. I offered to find someone in his area for him to speak with, a pastor or someone. He declined.

What could I have said differently? Do you need more details?

Shayna, you did not fail. There are MANY folks around like this. THey engage only to WIN and don't really care about being convinced. It's a power trip. Still, maybe even those on a power trip will have a seed planted. The truth is, they are not 100% sure of their position and do not have EVERY answer either. No one has all the answers. Have you read the book I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist? If not, you really should get it. It lays out the groundwork for logically proving God, starting with logic outside the bible and then logically moves through the bible. Don't let the outside the bible part scare you, it is an amazing book written by some of the apologists Frank Turek and Norman Geislar. This book helps be to logically debate those antagonistic atheists, but more importantly share th truth with all kinds of people. Remember, most people are not angry challenge seeking atheists, but he loves them too and will remember your faithfulness.

T