Here is a very interesting dialog featuring a pastor, an ex-atheist and a fundamentalist atheist. (H/T Two or Three)
Check out a summary from Two or Three.
Excerpt:
But what made him convert? Two things. First, Robertson asked him two simple questions. Why are you an atheist? What would it take to convince you that God is real? Morgan, who was used to philosophical arguments rather than more personal, emotional arguments, was taken aback. He realized that he was not open to actually being convinced otherwise. Second, he remembered the following scripture, which led to his conversion experience, an experience of love which made him a believer:
1 John 4:19
We love Him because He first loved us.
This conversion, and discussion in the interview, bring out a few interesting things that Christians might want to observe in their outreach:
- We should pray before posting responses when arguing with unbelievers
- Often, simple repetition of the truth of God’s love go around philosophical barriers that opponents have in their mind
- We must engage respectfully and kindly (argh!) and consistently
- The *experience* of God in genuine conversion is critical
This show was extremely interesting and helpful for understanding how atheists think, and why they become atheists. Don’t forget the testimony of former atheist A. N. Wilson that I wrote about before.
WINTERY KNIGHT 