I am taking a class in “Systematic Theology”. I had to write a paper on Theism and the basic quesion in the paper was addressing a person that doesn't believe in God that is visiting your church.
I want to say that I took this paper very seriously. I wanted to write something that I would definitely use in the future during such occurences. It was my goal to write something that all people can understand and relate and not something that condemns nor sets off Christian “weirdo” alarm bells. It may do that any way. LOL. There is no Hemingway...here. I do think there are reflections of people that are currently influencing me...such as Bill Meyer, Pat Sharkey and Rick Warren....doh....and oh....the Big Guy Himself.
Hey...did anyone catch the episode of “Seventh Heaven” with the associate Minister constantly calling on the Sr. Pastor for help. I really appreciated that episode... Sorry....ADD moment.
Here it is.
A. Theism A person begins to attend your church, invited by a member of the congregation, but this person declares the he does not believe that God exists. How would you help this person to understand who God is and how the person can know Him?
Years ago I would have stumbled through addressing this exact question. As a young Christian I was constantly asking myself does God exist? Is this spiritual experience for real? Am I fabricating these feelings and occurrences in my head? Am I undergoing a knee jerk reaction that is chemically induced from my brain? These were questions that I wrestled with for a long time. More than once I felt like I was defeated. God did not exist and I had been wasting my time following a shadow. Those times were very lonely and distressing and this was even after I had already had belief. It is from those times that I can pull together an answer, along with my theological studies, which should satisfy the beginning of this unbelievers understanding.
I would point out first that it is impossible for us as human beings with finite intellect to understand the origin of God. He is the cause of all things yet not the cause of himself. He is an infinite being that has no beginning and no end. He says, “I am who I am”. (Ex 3:14) God is not limited by space or time; on the contrary all space and time is limited by him. Jesus says God is a spiritual being. (John 4:24) We can add that God is omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent, and immutable. He is everywhere in all his creation, infinite in knowledge, all powerful and able to do all that he wills, and importantly he is unchangeable in his essence, attributes, consciousness and will. Love, benevolence, mercy, grace and truth are all his to give. He delivers them to all mankind whether they are seeking him or not. The key is to open your eyes to God and allow him to reveal himself to you.
It really is up to God to reveal himself to the non-believer. You, the non-believer, can help him along by giving him a chance to reveal himself. God gave man free will, the freedom to choose. God will not force himself upon the unbeliever; however he will act to reveal himself upon a free will choice of the non-believer to believe. If we take the old saying “seeing is believing” and reverse it, a person can unlock the door to God’s realm. By “believing” first that there is a God of the universe, a person’s eyes and heart will open to “seeing” God. It is during the action of “believing” that God will reveal himself.
Once you make that choice to believe in him you will begin to see him in all things. He will reveal himself in nature which is his creation and glorifies him. God will reveal himself in your conscious. There are no atheists in foxholes. Man’s conscious reflex is to always turn to God. He is the creator, making man in his image. It is man’s natural instinct to turn to God.
He will reveal himself in relationships. After you made an effort to believe, you will find more people that believe in him, adhere to him, obey him, and follow him. You will find these relationships compounding daily and the word coincidence will soon be removed. There will be further revelation in the form of the Jesus the living God. The Holy Spirit will make his presence known, he will comfort you and guide you. If you turn to the Bible he will reveal himself in scriptures that will address your life and daily walk.
You might not realize this, the fact that God is trying to reveal himself has already begun. He has brought you here to this church and you have made a free will choice to come. Along with free will, he has given you the ability to question and reason. By questioning it can be reasoned that you are seeking, and by seeking you are acknowledging that there is something greater out there. That is God. Believe that he exists, and he will reveal himself.
I definitely would appreciate all feedback. If it is totally bad....be gentle. :) By the way...the paper was only a two page requirement. I know that this subject could fill books....but I believe brief and to the point is one of the requirements to train for effective ministry.