question = help!

[Unregistered]

hey guys
i got asked this question by a non believer and it sort of stumped me. they said that they wanted to believe, but needed some evidence because it was a different way to look at things than they have had to do in the past. i tried to give him the liar, lunatic or lord arguement and he agreed with it, half-heartedly, but i'd love to give him several great arguements.
im sorry if this is wasting your time, but you guys are really helping me out.
thanks a lot
god bless
-john

[Bryan]

I suggest you buy him a copy of "New Evidence that Demands a Verdict" by Josh McDowell.

[calebb]

I've found it helpful to quote scriptures such as:

Psalm 119:3 - Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart.

2 Chronicles 15:3a - If you seek him, he will be found by you,

Deut 4:29 But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.

In other words, according to the Bible, if he seeks God, God will reveal Himself to your friend!

And it seems Biblical that you can pray that the Holy Spirit moves in him and reveals Himself to your friend.

And there are lots of great examples you can use with people, but remember, if you talk someone into something (without God's intervention), somebody else can talk them back out of it later.

We are called to be witnesses, not soul-winners.

God bless!

-Caleb

[InGodsWill]

Hey John,
well I just thought that I might suggest a few books that may be on interest to you in this area=) one book named "The Case for Faith" by Lee Strobel address a number of questions that have plagued many christians at times, and non-christians as well, questions like....

If God is good, why is there so much evil in the world?
How can a loving God consign people to eternal torment in hell? Why does God let innocents suffer?
If I have doubts, how can I truly call myself a believer?

and stuff on evolution as well... He also wrote another good book intitled "The Case for Christ" where he does the same thing, and basically builds a case for the why we should believe in Christ, and finds all teh facts and proof behind everything. Very easy reading as well, and I couldn't put the books down when I started reading them, well that's my 2 cents :) good luck, and I am also curious as to what questions your friend might have been asking you, post them on here and see if we might not be able to help. Well, God Bless!

[Chrysostom]

Not to say that those guys are wrong in their books (those are probably good books) but i suggest you tell your friend to read CS Lewis' Mere Christianity. It's a book that can turn someone who's leaning to someone who believes.

Second, i'd just tell them the gospel---Christ died for them!!!

[Chrysostom]

Also: NO you're not wasting our time! Helping the Gospel be preached is what we're all about! Feel free to e-mail me (mustbenothing@hotmail.com)

[Bryan]

Originally posted by Unregistered
liar, lunatic or lord arguement

Could someone explain this to me, I have never heard it before.

[Adam]

Actually, any of you who wants a solid book of apologetical reasoning must buy "Van Til's Apologetics; Readings and Analysis." It is amazing, but be warned that you will be thrust into some hefty philosophical thought.

[Enobmurt]

"quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Unregistered
liar, lunatic or lord arguement
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Could someone explain this to me, I have never heard it before."

It's the idea that Jesus only claimed to be God's son...so Jesus was either a liar, a lunatic, or who he claimed to be.

The first two don't end up making sense for various reasons and so it has to be that Jesus is God's son

[OnEaglesWings]

Originally posted by Enobmurt
"quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Unregistered
liar, lunatic or lord arguement
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Could someone explain this to me, I have never heard it before."

It's the idea that Jesus only claimed to be God's son...so Jesus was either a liar, a lunatic, or who he claimed to be.

The first two don't end up making sense for various reasons and so it has to be that Jesus is God's son

To expand a bit, Jesus was radical and said a lot of new things that were spurned by society. He suffered a huge penalty and would not back down. Either he was simply madly lying, or he was utterly mad...or it was true. Kinda like this quote my history teacher put up: "truth is stranger than fiction because fiction has to make sense." (Note:Enobmurt, you did a great job, I'm not undermining you at all...just thought I'd make it more detailed. Hope you don't mind.)

[guitarman]

The Lunatic Lord thingy is in Mere Christianity :) The book that John suggested.

Aaron

[Chrysostom]

Originally posted by The Philosopher Actually, any of you who wants a solid book of apologetical reasoning must buy "Van Til's Apologetics; Readings and Analysis." It is amazing, but be warned that you will be thrust into some hefty philosophical thought.This is a good book (haven't read it myself but have heard good reviews from many sources). i suggested Mere Christianity, though, because it should be read by the person questioning. i feel that it is less effective to argue them into believing than just having them read and the Holy Spirit act upon them. While alone, people are much more receptive to new thoughts and ideas as they don't have to "prove themselves" to others because of their pride.