A look at Spiritual Gifts

The topic of cessationism vs continuationism is still debated in today's theological arena. It began as early as the second century with a Christian sect called Montanus. It resurfaced more recently in the past century with the Pentecostal movement, where they believed the Sign Gifts of the Apostolic age were being restored. In this post, I would like to examine the text in favor of cessationism and perhaps bring some light to that particular view. The text that we will be drawing from for the most part will be 1st Corinthians Chapter 12, 13, and 14. In these chapters Paul gives quite a detailed description of the Gifts, what they are and how they operate. Our desire in looking at these chapters is to examine what is recorded in the text as best we can. I would suggest you read and examine the texts in their entirety. So as not to extend this post into a larger than necessary effort, I will only present selected scriptures out of those Chapters, but it will be important for you to examine the text for yourselves in the full context of all three chapters. 

Paul states in Chapter 12:1 "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant." (ASV) Paul's obvious intent is to educate the Corinthian Church in their understanding of the spiritual gifts. Following further in the text, we learn that there are a diversity of gifts, and they are all given by the Holy Spirit. How they are applied and how they work may also differ, but it is the same God that works all things. He assures us that each gift is given by the Spirit to profit the whole church. Paul then breaks into a list of certain gifts that the Corinthian church were familiar with. In Chapter 12 verses "8, For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom; and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit: 9, to another faith, in the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, in the one Spirit; 10, and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discernings of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; and to another the interpretation of tongues: 11, but all these worketh the one and the same Spirit, dividing to each one severally even as he will." (ASV) Paul here defines the gifts by giving them names according to their function. However, to know exactly what this looked like in the Corinthian church is difficult, we only know they were being abused both in their nature and their purpose by the Corinthians.  

He then finishes the chapter by addressing some of the confusion that was present in the Corinthian church, stating in verses "27, Now ye are the body of Christ, and severally members thereof. 28, And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, divers kinds of tongues. 29, Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30, have all gifts of healings? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? 31, But desire earnestly the greater gifts. And moreover a most excellent way show I unto you." (ASV)

Chapter 13 moves us into an explanation of that more excellent way. Paul then sets a strong distinction between this excellent way of love and the spiritual gifts they had been given.  "8, Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall be done away; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall be done away. 9, For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; 10, but when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away. 11, When I was a child, I spake as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child: now that I am become a man, I have put away childish things. 12, For now we see in a mirror, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know fully even as also I was fully known. 13, But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love." 

From these verses we learn this distinction. All these gifts, as important as they were to the Corinthians, were going to become unnecessary at some point in the future. However, the excellent way of love would never cease to be a necessary component of the Christian experience, in this life or the next. The point of disagreement comes when trying to determine when these supernatural gifts being addressed here actually ceased, or whether they are continuing today. Those who hold to the continuation of these gifts into our present day are generally referred to as continuationists, while those who hold to the belief they have ceased in our age are referred to as cessationists. It should be noted that cessationists apply their understanding to the Apostolic sign gifts, there are other groups that are referred to as hyper-cessationists, those groups will not be considered in our discussion here.

Some look at the phrase "when that which is perfect is come" and determine Paul is referring to the completion of the Scripture or Canon. Therefore, they conclude when Scripture was complete, the sign gifts ceased (Cessationist). Others see the phase as a reference to the Eschaton, or end times, and therefore conclude the gifts will continue till Christ comes (Continuationist). It seems that many who are proficient in reading the original languages see Paul speaking of the Eschaton. Our English translations also seems to read that way. Paul's statement in verse 12 does not fit well with the view of the completion of the Canon "For now we see in a mirror, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know fully even as also I was fully known."

It is certain we do not fully understand all things as they are revealed to us in Scripture. Agreeing that the reading of the text in question could indicate Paul is referring to the Eschaton, the question still remains if he was talking about the gifts themselves or the revelations that were brought forth in part by those revelatory gifts, for it is certain the mirror of which we view the revealed Word of God through is still dimly lit and will be fully opened to us in the Eschaton. The point I am aiming at is even if the Apostolic Gifts were continuing, we are still seeing through the mirror darkly. Today we do have a complete Canon, when examining the idea of a continuation of these gifts, we must ask ourselves what these gifts can reveal to us for the building and edifying of the church that the scriptures, now complete, cannot? Paul does not identify the Eschaton as the point in which the Gifts cease, but the point when our partial knowledge will be fully known. 

We need to keep in mind the context we are examining. Paul is speaking to a Church where revelatory gifts are certainly operating. The cessation of those gifts is not the point of concern, but their misuse. The time of their cessation bares no relevance to the issue. We are reading from a period of time when Scripture was incomplete, the Corinthians did not have a completed canon to guide and instruct them. The revelatory gifts were necessary for the guidance and order of the Church, not only in Corinth but also the other churches being established, in the absence of the Apostles. These were all in their own respective order for the building and instructing of the Church. It would be a misuse of the text to place this necessity upon the Church today if you believe the Canon is complete and sufficient. 

In Chapter 14 Paul continues to break it down a bit more for us. In verse "1, Follow after love; yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy." In his correction, Paul certainly does not want to discourage the use of the gifts, but admonishes them to earnestly desire them. 

He specifically highlights prophesy as one to be desired. Paul proceeds and gives his explanation for doing so. Since Paul sees prophesy as one of the greater gifts, let's examine it within its context. The word Paul used is προφητεύω (prophēteúō | prof-ate-yoo'-o) Derivation: from G4396; Strong's: to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office. It is difficult for us to determine exactly what this looked like when exercised in the early church, but it would have consisted at least in part of the foretelling of future events. It was considered an office held by an individual, and when in operation, what ever was being spoken was being delivered by divine inspiration. 

Paul gives us a glimpse of what this may have looked like in verses "29, And let the prophets speak by two or three, and let the others discern. 30, But if a revelation be made to another sitting by, let the first keep silence. 31, For ye all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be exhorted;" It appears there were, at least in Corinth, multiple members who held this office, each was to judge what was being said by the other. We are not told by what criteria this judging was enacted. Most likely, there were multiple means of measuring and weighing what had been said. What was being said is identified as a revelation, which would be of necessity when the New Testament Canon did not exist in its completed form. Paul wanted all the prophets to speak, but to do so in an orderly manner. The result sought after was for the church to learn and be exhorted. 

This would of course only be a portion of the order of service. Paul gives us a little larger glimpse back in verse "26, What is it then, brethren? When ye come together, each one hath a psalm, hath a teaching, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying." 

When the Corinthian church came together, there would be a selected singing, gifted individuals would have been assigned to teaching, those that had the revelatory gifts would reveal what the Holy Spirit had shown them. Certain one's with the gift of languages would speak, and then those with the gift of interpretation would reveal what had been said. The Corinthian church appears to have been a bilingual congregation to necessitate the use of the Gift of Tongues. But this all was to be done in an orderly manner, each preferring the other before himself. The underlying motive of all being the edification of the Church. 

Paul concludes his discourse on this subject stating in verses "39, Wherefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. 40, But let all things be done decently and in order." Though foretelling of future events certainly would have been a part of the Prophetic office, it seems in the Corinthian Church the primary use of the Gift was the bringing forth of divine revelation. Certainly, the use of the Gift of Tongues as well as the other revelatory Gifts would all be speaking in unison and complimenting each other. These along with all the other Gifts would serve mightily to encourage and strengthen the church allowing it to function properly in the spirit of love and grace.

Seeing all these benefits one might ask why I or anyone would argue in favor of their cessation especially when the Scriptures are interpretable in such a way as to support their continuance? To put aside all of the fakery and false demonstrations we see in the Pentecostal and Charismatic circles, let's just focus on the necessity of their continuation.  

At the root of my objection is a concern for the sufficiency of Scripture. After the close of the first century the Apostles and Prophets now having delivered the Scriptures in their entirety, the Church began the process of collecting and distributing those writings throughout the Church. This did not happen in a day, nor do I suppose the cessation of the revelatory Gifts ceased in a day. This was all a process as the Church grew and organized in a unified body of believers all over the known world. 

Ephesians "2:19, So then ye are no more strangers and sojourners, but ye are fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, 20, being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone; 21, in whom each several building, fitly framed together, groweth into a holy temple in the Lord; 22, in whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God in the Spirit."

Jude "3, Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write unto you of our common salvation, I was constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints."

With the foundation being laid and the faith once for all delivered, it is difficult to see a need for the revelatory Gifts. Some will argue that the office of Apostle and Prophet no longer exist, but the gift of prophesy as well as the other gifts of wisdom, knowledge, special faith, healing, miracles, as well as tongues continue with certain modifications. They would suggest none of these gifts are any longer revelatory, that no more new revelation is being given, but they operate in a mode that is less authoritative. That appears to be a redefining of the nature of the gifts, for the gifts in the Corinthian church were revelatory. If they are no longer revelatory then they are no longer the gifts that were operating in the Corinthian church. 

We have all had that unusual thought pop into our heads. That feeling when you see someone and you just seem to know something is wrong. You seem to be prompted to say something, and upon following though you discover you were right. But we have all experienced this only to discover that we were also wrong at times.

That time you awoke during the night and felt strongly you should pray for a particular person. Then you discover later it was at that very time they had some need in their life. 

Some Christians would want to attribute that feeling when it was right to this gift of wisdom or knowledge, even if in some lessor authoritative mode. Not to even dwell on the fact non-Christians have the same experience, but mainly we do not find this phenomenon in Scripture listed as a spiritual gift. Sometimes we get a feeling something is going to happen, we seem to have this strong sensation we know the outcome of a certain thing. When these feelings are confirmed accurate many Christians want to point to that as evidence for their interpretation of Scripture for a continuation of the gifts.  

Not to even consider Nostradamus, these feelings are so subjective there can be no certainty placed upon them. These feelings are not unique to Christians, but to human beings in general. To assign such things as the gifts within the Corinthian church seems to me a difficult task. The gifts mentioned in the Corinthian church were not subjective, they were not strong suggestive thoughts or promptings, they were authoritative gifts of the Holy Spirit. To attribute these other sensations to be a continuing of those gifts is a misnomer. 

Now to aim at the root, say I have one of those experiences mentioned above, I just seem to know I need to talk to a person about a particular issue in their life. What could I say that would be more helpful than what is already revealed in Scripture? It is certainly true that in God's providence I may be placed in a situation where I could help someone. It is certainly true the Holy Spirit may bring certain Scriptures to my mind that would enable me to give some very godly advise in a very timely manner. These things do happen and they are unique to the Christian experience, but they are not a continuation of the gifts spoken of in the Corinthian Church.

Paul instructed the Corinthians to desire the spiritual gifts, we should understand his command and the necessity of the gifts in context of that age. However, if I am desiring those gifts today, am I not saying I need something else, some other guidance besides the Scriptures to guide me? Especially when that guidance is so subjective and uncertain, even when we act upon it we do so with no more confidence than a non-believer does a hunch. Surly we are not to consider this a continuation of the gifts mentioned in the Corinthian church!

2 Timothy "3:15, And that from a babe thou hast known the sacred writings which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16, Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness. 17, That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work."

No where do we find instructions to be open to these thoughts, premonitions, and feelings to guide us, but that the Scriptures are sufficient. 

2 Peter 1:"19, And we have the word of prophecy made more sure; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts: 20, knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation. 21, For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit."

No where are we told that this continuing prophecy is more sure, but that we already have the word made more sure. 

Hebrews 1:"1, ¶ God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3, Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;"

God has spoken to us through the prophets, and in the last day through the Son, but it says nothing about strong feelings, thoughts in our head, or dreams in the night.

James 1:"5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

James does not say ask for the "gift of wisdom" but wisdom in general and you will be given wisdom, not a gift. 

Ephensians 2:"19, Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20, And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21, In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22, In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."

I know first hand how harmful it can be when someone thinks that a thought or strong impression upon their mind is a word from Lord. I also know how frustrating it is when you are taught these kinds of things are spiritual gifts and you are left wondering when you experience one of these phenomenons if it was God or just you. 

I once heard a nationally known Pastor tell his congregation to seek for these gifts. I personally do not see a scriptural mandate to seek them now. Certainly, you are not seeking thoughts in your head, promptings, hunches, premonitions, feelings, or even expectations of special faith based upon such subjective notions. If you are going to seek the gifts mentioned and described in the Corinthian Church, then you should seek those gifts as they were in nature and purpose. Doing other wise has led to much confusion in the church today. Many cults have been established because someone thought they heard a voice in their head that was God. If you insist on holding to continuationism I urge you to do so with caution and by all means avoid suggesting such subjective means as mentioned above could possibly be considered as these spiritual gifts.

As a cessationist, we certainly hold to the understanding that God is sovereign and is not restrained in doing whatever He pleases at anytime He pleases. We hold to the truth that God still heals, works miracles, and guides every aspect of our lives in His providence.  As Christians we can be certain God hears our prayers and answers according to His will and purpose, wither that be healing or any other need we might experience. However, He meets these needs through prayer and fellowship, not through the giving equipping of some Apostolic gift. 

God bless,

David 

Questions "Part IV"

 

The next question down the Atheist list will again be superficial. The question itself has no real meaning, but because he asked it, we will attempt to address it. He asked, "When is the Bible being literal?" He is implying by his question no one cannot discern between literal and symbolic language when reading the Biblical text.

I can remember reading through the entire Bible when I was 13 years old, when I finished, nor at anytime during the process did I ever stop and have to wonder was that literal or symbolic language.  I had no more difficulty discerning the intent of the sentence structure than I had when reading any other book or paper. The Bible is not written in some obscure syntax where you cannot apply normal grammatical tools and techniques to determine the meaning of the text at hand. 

Modern translations render the reading more readily comfortable to the modern eye, but it is so easy to read that even as a 13-year-old boy I had no difficulty even with the old English version. It is true after 53 years I understand the Biblical text in greater depth than I did in the beginning, and I expect to continue to grow in that understanding as I progress in my study. Though my understanding is in greater depth, it is not a different understanding than I obtained as a 13-year-old. As a young boy completing the reading of the Bible for the first time, I readily understood the message and concept of what it was about. Now after 53 years I simply understand that message and concept in greater dept.

He (the atheist) points to a number of examples to support his thesis, one being the account of Jonah being swallowed by a whale. In his commentary, he points out that some Christians take it symbolically and others literally. Thus, he rests his point and demands to know, which is it? Who can know?

But this has nothing to do with the clarity of syntax, the obvious reading of the text reveals it was intended to be taken literally. That is the way I read it as a young boy, and it is the way I read it now. The text requires a literal reading, the reason some such as Bill O'Reilly and others determine to take it symbolically is because of the miraculous content, not because it cannot be determined by the text. There is symbolic language in the Bible, but when it is used it is easy to determine from the language itself, or many times the text itself identifies the symbolism.

The next question he brings to our attention addresses a valid issue, but he miss-applies the application. He asks, "Why do God's morals keep changing?" His argument is related to the fact as secular society and cultural changes occur, the Christian moral value eventually changes with it. 

Unfortunately, he is correct in his observation, however, he miss-applies it suggesting God's standards change. The Biblical standard of Christian morality has not changed, the fact Christians no longer want to walk in them is not something new to our era. The Church throughout history has been politicized and corrupted in various degrees because men are sinful and do not love God's law. The visible church has gone through various levels of correction and corruption throughout history, but the Biblical standard never changed. 

This is the 3rd posts addressing a number of questions the atheist brings to our attention. They have all either been mis-applied or asked from a misunderstanding of Christian doctrine. There is no real substance to these or the remaining one's he brings to the table. I feel this is a sufficient response for the time, and we will move on to hopeful something of more substance value in the next post.

God bless,

David 

Questions "Part III"

Continuing our discussion concerning questions that are often posted by Atheist is one that actually deserves addressing. The atheist ask, "Why are God's miracles untestable?" Unfortunately, the question is either purposely misguided or he is ignorant of Christian doctrine.  This particular atheist promotes himself as once being a Christian minister, if that were true, he would know most Protestant denominations do not hold doctrinally to current day miracles. The Roman Catholic Church and the Pentecostal Charismatic churches are mostly responsible for this error. The idea of modern day miracles in most cases is a misunderstanding of what constitutes a miracle.

It will be helpful to consider some definitions so we understand what is being referred to. The modern Merriam-Webster dictionary defines "Miracle" mir·​a·​cle ˈmir-i-kəl
1
: an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs
the healing miracles described in the Gospels
2
: an extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing, or accomplishment
The bridge is a miracle of engineering.
3
Christian Science : a divinely natural phenomenon experienced humanly as the fulfillment of spiritual law

However, this does not quite grasp the Biblical definition. The 1823 Webster dictionary comes closer. 

MIR'ACLE, n. [L. miraculum, from miror, to wonder.]
1. Literally, a wonder or wonderful thing; but appropriately,

2. In theology, an event or effect contrary to the established constitution and course of things, or a deviation from the known laws of nature; a supernatural event. Miracles can be wrought only by Almighty power, as when Christ healed lepers, saying, ""I will, be thou clean,"" or calmed the tempest, ""Peace, be still."

Our problem arises when confusing our understanding of miracles with the doctrine of divine providence. Divine providence is the understanding that God governs the world sovereignly through natural every day occurrences. To ensure that His purposes are fulfilled, God governs the affairs of men and works through the natural order of things. The laws of nature are nothing more than God’s work in the universe. The laws of nature have no inherent power; rather, they are the principles that God set in place to govern how things normally work. They are only “laws” because God decreed them. 

In Mathew 6:26 we see an example of this providence.  (26) Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? (ESV). 

The birds go out and simply do what birds do, and the natural course of their life is governed by the natural course of things, God providence. We get up and go do what we do each day, one day we decide to go to work using a different route. We later discover that by doing so, we averted being involved in a grave accident. A miracle? I would say simply God's providence using the natural course of our lives. In the scope of things, God's governance of the world through His providence is so much beyond measure, greater than a simple miracle. In my lifetime, I have been amazed and astonished at God's providence in my life, and yet I have never seen one miracle. 

During the Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin spoke of this providence saying, "In this situation of this assembly, groping, as it were, in the dark to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it when presented to us, how has it happened, sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of Lights to illuminate our understandings? 

In the beginning of the contest with Britain when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for the Divine Protection. Our prayers, sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending Providence in our favor…. And have we now forgotten that powerful Friend? Or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance? 

I have lived, sir, a long time; and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured, sir, in the Sacred Writings that except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build it. I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel…and we ourselves shall become a reproach and a byword down to future ages.I therefore beg leave to move, that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one or more of the clergy of the city be requested to officiate in that service. - Benjamin Franklin on June 28, 1787.

It is true, we do read about miracles in the Bibles, and no doubt there have been accuracies throughout history that would constitute a miracle. However, the Biblical accounts as well as historical accounts are rare. There were only three periods during Biblical times when miracles were recorded in frequency, outside that they were very rare. The Biblical miracles recorded would have been testable and undeniable, and any true miracle today would be also. 

The atheist in his question correctly points out the misconception many people have concerning miracles, which has largely been promoted by Christian TV and is not in line with historical Christian teaching. As a result, everything that appears to be an answer to pray is considered a miracle, anything that works out in our favor is a miracle. This is the results when the true doctrine of providence is not taught or is ignored in Christian churches.

In Matthew 17 there is an interesting account recorded. 

    24, And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Does not your master pay tribute?
    25, He said, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What think you, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
    26, Peter said to him, Of strangers. Jesus said to him, Then are the children free.
    27, Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go you to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first comes up; and when you have opened his mouth, you shall find a piece of money: that take, and give to them for me and you. KJV

A miracle? I wonder how many people have sense caught a fish with something in its mouth? There is no record of God miraculously creating a coin, a fish, or anything. Yet, in the natural course of things someone lost a coin in the water, a fish seeing the shining coin flickering in the water hit it like a lore. The coin being lodged in the fishes mouth and Peter later casting a hook and catching that fish. All of this being orchestrated by God's divine providence using the natural course of events. There is no testable way to verify such an event, it just happened. However, it did not happen outside God's providence, had Jesus not directed our attention to the event prior to the catching of the fish, it would have been no more of an event than what has happened numerous times since. 

For example, you wouldn't, expect to find a century old manuscript inside a cod. Yet that is exactly what happened the summer of 1626 in a local market. I doubt that many other manuscripts have made it to the press after being found in a fish, but the story must have been a tremendous boost to sales, though it did little good for the author, thought to have been John Frith, because he had been locked up in a Tower before being burned as a heretic at Smithfield in 1533. I would imagine there must have been a fierce debate about how three religious tracts ended up inside a fish and how long they had been there, but given that a teenage cod was the case in play, the manuscript couldn't have been there very long. Just one of life’s little conundrums, or God's providence? Story from the Fishing Museum.

God bless,

David

 

 

"Against the motions of Sin"

The Questions (Part II)

 

We are continuing in this post by examining some questions posed by inquisitive atheists provoked by their unbelief. One question you might hear is, “Why does God need your defense?” The short answer is, “He doesn't.” This question is either a crafty intent designed to place you on the defensive or a misunderstanding of Christian apologetics. Nowhere in scripture is the Christian instructed to defend the existence of God. On the contrary, God makes it clear He needs no defending.  

Romans 1:19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. (ESV) 

Of course, that does not mean they will not offer an excuse or demand you show them evidence, however, that is beyond your responsibility, creation itself leaves them without excuse. However, the Christian does have the responsibility to answer for his faith and defend his doctrine. 

1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to every man who asketh you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear. 

"To give an answer" (ἀπολογίαν apologian.) Anyone has a right respectfully to ask another on what grounds he regards his religion as true; for every man has a common interest in religion, and in knowing what is the truth on the subject. If any man, therefore, asks us candidly and respectfully by what reasons we have been led to embrace the gospel, and on what grounds we, regard it as true, we are under obligation to state those grounds in the best manner that we are able. We should regard it not as an impertinent intrusion into our private affairs, but as an opportunity of doing good to others, and to honor the Master whom we serve. Nay, we should hold ourselves in readiness to state the grounds of our faith and hope, whatever maybe the motive of the inquirer, and in whatever manner the request may be made. - Albert Barnes

Jude 1:3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.

The system of religion revealed in the gospel. It is called "faith," because that is the cardinal virtue in the system, and because all depends on that. The rule here will require that we should contend in this manner for all "truth." - Albert Barnes

In one case we are explaining why we believe the Gospel and in the other we are defending what we believe about the Gospel. We should be able to do both from the scriptures. 

Another question you might hear is, "If the Bible is the ultimate moral guide, why do so many Christians disagree on what it says." These are not questions for serious inquiry, you might as well ask why people in general disagree about anything. If politics are real, why do people disagree about politics? If climate is real, why do people disagree on climate change. Some say people are the ultimate moral guide, why do so many people differ in their morality? The fact people disagree has nothing to do with Biblical truth, it has everything to do with people. The question itself misses the point completely, the Bible is not intended to be a moral guide for anybody, it is the history of man's redemption from the fall and a means to his Salvation.

Atheist will sometimes inquire, "Why is God so hard to find?" This question is particularly interesting because it comes from an atheist who professes to have onces been a minister of the Gospel. It reveals he never understood the Gospel, regardless of what he claims to have been. 

God is not hiding Himself, he has very acutely described how He has chosen to reveal himself. The atheist have their own idea's of how God should reveal himself, but God being God has the right to reveal himself in whatever manner he has chosen. The atheist perhaps can say God has not revealed himself in the manner they like, but they cannot say He has not done so. The verse in Romans we have already mentioned is just simply ignored.

Romans 1:19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. (ESV) 

John describes it this way: John 1:1, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
    2, The same was in the beginning with God.
    3, All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made.
    4, In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
    5, And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness apprehended it not.
    6, There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John.
    7, The same came for witness, that he might bear witness of the light, that all might believe through him.
    8, He was not the light, but came that he might bear witness of the light.
    9, There was the true light, even the light which lighteth every man, coming into the world.
    10, He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world knew him not.
    11, He came unto his own, and they that were his own received him not.
    12, But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name:
    13, who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (ASV)

In his further pondering, the atheist suggested if God really wanted to make himself known, he would. However, the atheist ignores the fact God already has. John 1:14, And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth.
    15, John beareth witness of him, and crieth, saying, This was he of whom I said, He that cometh after me is become before me: for he was before me. (ASV)

What the atheist is doing is described in Paul in the book of Acts. Acts 17: 27, That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: John Gill explains: That they should seek the Lord,.... Or "God", as the Alexandrian copy and others, and the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions read; their Creator, and kind Benefactor, and who has appointed their time of life, and their habitations for them; and this should engage them to seek to know him, who has done all this for them, and to fear and serve him, and to glorify his name: 

The atheist speak of God as if he is one like unto ourselves, they want Him to show up and demonstrate himself to them. If He is real, surely He would show himself. But God is not like us, no man has ever seen God, nor ever will. Who and what He is in relation to us has been shown to us in the person of Jesus Christ. 

John 1:18 ESV
No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.

1 Timothy 6:16 ESV
Who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

Co. 4:4 ASV In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 

Colossians 1:15 ESV
He [Jesus Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

Romans 1:20 ESV
For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

He attributes and eternal power and divine nature is clearly seen in His creation. The atheist wants to see the unseeable, to know the unknowable, to conceive the inconceivable. So he challenges your faith in hopes to get you to do the same. But Hebrews 11:3 ESV By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. This is simply the nature of things between a believer and non-believer. Our responsibility is to articulate the Gospel and demonstrate why it is we believe and hope God will grant them repentance and faith to see the invisible

Hebrews 11: 24–27 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible.

 May God bless,

David

The Questions

Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear. -Thomas Jefferson

Atheists are certainly bold when it comes to questions concerning the existence of God. However, their questions for the most part are not for their own satisfaction as much as to cause you to question yours. They lean upon this quote by Mr. Jefferson as support for their inquiry. However, a better understanding of the context of this quote is helpful. 

The quote is taken from a letter Mr. Jefferson wrote to his son Peter. It contained recommendations about his studies in his second year at William and Mary. The fourth section was on religion and by far the longest. Mr. Jefferson wanted his son to know what he [Peter] believed and why he believed it and be able to defend his beliefs. Questioning with boldness was a part of obtaining that objection in all the fields of study. It was not an attempt by Mr. Jefferson to turn his son away from religion, simply to come to his own conclusions.  

In the previous section preceding this quote, Jefferson stated, "He who made us would have been a pitiful bungler if He had made the rules of our moral conduct a matter of science. . . . The moral sense, or conscience, is as much a part of man, as his leg or arm." Jefferson's belief in God is unquestionable, however, he did not want his son to have that as his only basis of belief, he needed to be able to defend his belief from his own perspective. So, let's take Mr. Jefferson's advice and examine some of the questions atheists have put forth for us to consider. 

Atheists often ask, "What if you were born in a different country?" The implication is to suggest you are only a Christian because you were born in America. This question is aimed more specifically at Christianity than solely at the existence of God, but let's examine it anyway. It's like comparing apples and oranges, if I grew up with parents who owned an apple orchard I would be inclined to know a lot about apples. However, if my distant cousin grew up with parents who owned an orange grove, he would be more versed in oranges. 

The Atheist thinks this way because he sees all religions as equal, equally foolish. He does not understand the distinctions made when examining Christianity. The first thing that must be addressed is that belief in God is not a path to heaven and does not remove guilt. The atheist assumes the Bible teaches a path to God in the same way other religious writings do. Therefore, he concludes religious views are determined by outside influences that may weigh upon them. It is true what religious people believe about God is very much dependent upon the culture in which they live. The obvious answer to the question is if you were born and raised in a portion of India that was predominantly Hindu, you would likely hold religious beliefs based on Hinduism. Likewise, if you were born and raised in a predominantly Muslim country you would most likely hold religious beliefs conducive to Islam, etc. 

What the atheist suggests is also true for many of the Christian religion. They have obtained their Christian beliefs from culture in the same manner as Hindus, Muslims, etc. Therefore, if those Christians had been born in some other culture under those influences they would have a different religion and believe that religion as firmly. However, One does not become a Christian based on what culture they were born in nor are they a Christian because their parents were. There are many in churches today professing to be Christian based solely upon these influences and they are no closer to the Gospel than any other religious belief. 

 

The Gospel is not culturally bound, a Christian culture did not exist when the church was born in the Book of Acts,. There were no Christian influences in society. Their entire life experience was overcome by hearing the Gospel message. 

That message was primarily to religious people, Jewish first and later to pagans with various religious beliefs. Romans 1:16 ESV

(16)  For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

So their beliefs were already ingrained in them from their cultural surroundings as the Atheist suggest would be. But the Gospel message overcame all the cultural influences. The message they heard revealed first despair and then a glorious hope. For the first time they understood regardless of their religious efforts, their condition was hopeless. There was no hope of redemption at the hands of their own efforts. Their hope lay solely in the work of another. They had to put away all their religious efforts to appease God and place all hope of salvation in the work of Christ alone. 
        

This concept eludes most religious people, for all sects of religion tend toward working and being good enough in the end to be accepted by God in whatever form they imagine Him to be. The Atheist simply denies any accountability to a supreme being to find comfort in whatever he contributes to the goodness of the society in which he lives. He finds purpose in bettering his society and leaving it hopefully better than he found it. As a result, you find many morally good people who contribute greatly to our society that hold to atheism. It is the Gospel alone that breaks through all such attempts of human effort to bring clarity to the hope of salvation. 

The account of Nicodemus is very revealing when understanding the effects of the Gospel.  

John 3:1-8 ESV

(1)  Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.

(2)  This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”

(3)  Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

(4)  Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?”

(5)  Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

(6)  That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

(7)  Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’

(8)  The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Nicodemus was a religious man steeped in his religion, yet was troubled by things he had heard Jesus teach. He was convinced Jesus was a prophet because of His miracles and was a man who firmly believed in God. However, his trust was in the efforts and advancements he had made in his religion as a means to be blessed by God. Jesus explained to Nicodemus he was never going to see the Kingdom of God based on his own efforts. It would come as a spiritual work by the Spirit of God, something he could not do for himself. He must be born of the Spirit, or as Paul would later put it, 1 Corinthians 15:22 ESV (22)  For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. We cannot make ourselves spiritually alive, it must be a work of God. This work is accomplished not through our works but through faith alone. And lest we should think something of ourselves for having such faith, Paul tells us it is a gift of God. Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV (8)  For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, (9)  not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

What if you were born in a country steeped in some other religion? What if you are an Atheist? What if you are a professing Christian trying your best to make it to heaven? You will continue to hold to such beliefs until you are born of the Spirit, without which you will never see the clarity of the Gospel and the work of Christ on your behalf. You will find yourselves in the position of which Jesus spoke,

Matthew 7:22-23 ESV

(22)  On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’

(23)  And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ 

All their good works are but lawlessness and will be useless to them on that day. There is only one Savior offered to the world, Islam speaks of Jesus in its writings, but it does not offer him as the Savior. There are Christian sects who speak of Jesus as their savior but deny Him his divinity. They offer a Christ less than God which could never take away our sin. Some offer Christ plus some other necessary work by their own hands which again leaves them in a hopeless situation. Salvation is found in Christ alone and that by grace through faith alone. This gift is given to His people and they are made alive regardless of their country or culture, it is worked within His providence and governance of the world as He accomplishes His plans and purposes established from all eternity. 

One does not choose Christianity as one does any other religion, Christianity is being born into a spiritual state beyond your reach. A Christian is not someone who has turned over a new leaf or changed the direction of their life because of past regrets. He has supernaturally become something he was not before and will never be what he was again. 

2 Corinthians 5:17-19 ESV

(17)  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

(18)  All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;

(19)  that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

The atheist argument is reasonable to the natural mind who lives solely in the natural world, but it is an ineffective argument to the mind of the Christian that has been regenerated by the Spirit of God. 

David