Agnostics Anonymous

Recently I had a conversation with a teenager who describes himself as a seeker. He is fascinated by Jesus and is impressed by the love and sincerity she sees in many Christians. But, he said, "I'm still not sure Christianity is true. What should I do?" I suggested a number of things:

1. Look at the created order. "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands" (Psalm 19:1). Stars and trees, flowers and bees are the masterpieces of a mighty Creator. Years ago, while on a train passing through Switzerland, I had a friendly debate with the man sitting across from me - a self-described atheist - about Christianity. As we were talking back-and-forth, the train passed by a waterfall cascading off a mountainside. We both gazed upon it. Our mouths dropped. He remarked, "That makes a believer out of me." "Since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities -- his eternal power and divine nature -- have been clearly seen, being understood from what was made, so that men are without excuse" (Romans 1:20).

Contemplate the vastness and complexity of the universe. Consider the delightful spectrum of flowers and food and geography and people and languages. Ponder the million species in the animal world. Consider man. Read about the thousands of intricate biochemical processes that take place in our bodies that we take for granted. Study the breathtaking complexity of the eye. Can all this be adequately explained apart from an intelligent Creator? Try to account for our ability to reason and reflect. Contemplate the mysterious dynamics that take place when a man and a woman fall in love. Is this but a chemical reaction, as the naturalists have to conclude?

2. Read the Bible. "Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ" (Romans 10:17). If you're unfamiliar with the Bible, I would suggest you begin by reading the four accounts of Jesus' life in the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Sit under the preaching of the Bible. As you read Scripture you will discover its self-authenticating nature. You will see the fulfillment of predictive prophecy. You will discover the unity of the Bible's message. Though the Bible was written over a period of 1500 years by some 40 human authors from a variety of backgrounds, and though it was written from three different continents in three different languages, it is consistent within itself.

When I was seventeen a friend invited me to his church youth group. I began reading the Bible. I was impressed by two things. First, I found that the Bible knew me better than I knew myself. It had my number every time. It explained my behavior. It understood my aspirations. It exposed my motives. "The Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12). Second, I began to see that the Bible worked when people put it into practice. I was impressed with the quality of the marriage of the couple who led the youth group. I was impressed by the way they interacted with people.

3. Consider the evidence for Jesus' resurrection. Reflect on the transformation of Jesus' disciples from whimpering cowards to lion-hearted martyrs. Explain how Jesus' tomb, guarded by Roman soldiers, was empty. How does one account for the conversion of Saul (Acts 8-9), the persecutor of Christians, to Paul, the greatest evangelist in history? Read Josh McDowell's More Than a Carpenter or Evidence that Demands a Verdict.

4. Put Jesus' commands into practice. Jesus said, "If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own" (John 7:17).

5. Reflect on the reasons for your unbelief. For many, the real issue that keeps them from embracing Jesus Christ is not intellectual; it's ethical. Years ago I had a conversation with a pastor who served a church at Cambridge University. I asked him, "What is the biggest issue that keeps Cambridge students from embracing Christianity?" I suspected he would mention something like evolution or the problem of evil. Instead, this pastor, who has a Ph. D in biochemistry, said, "I can answer most of the questions these students raise to their satisfaction. In most cases, behind their intellectual questions, is a moral obstacle. For instance, a fellow does not want to give up sleeping with his girlfriend." What is at the heart of your unbelief?

6. Pray that God will persuade you of the truth of Christianity. "The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned" (I Corinthians 2:14). Pray that God will help you to discern whether Christianity is true or not. Pray, "Lord, if all this is true, please open my eyes to see." May we each recognize Christ, our rightful King.

Peter Kemeny, Pastor
Good News Presbyterian Church
P.O. Box 1051, Frederick, MD 21702

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