Last week, a dear friend of mine sent me a link to a YouTube video called “How Atheism is the Big FAIL.” Coincidentally, my most recent post on this blog was entitled “Understanding Unbelief: A Christian Perspective” comprising my musings on the motivations and mindsets of nonbelievers. The vigorous exchange of comments to that article provides evidence that my musings were not far off-target.

While my post was intended primarily to offer a personal perspective to Christians seeking a framework for understanding and, subsequently, engaging skeptics, the target audience for the YouTube video is somewhat ambiguous – as is its intent.

In less than 60 seconds, the host rattles off five reasons why atheism has fallen on hard times. [Note: given that Christians are on track to soon be a minority in this country, I’m not entirely convinced that atheism has fallen on hard times]

Those reasons include:

1. Atheism struggles to objectively ground moral values and duties.
2. It fails to offer its adherents a sense of ultimate meaning and purpose in life.
3. Atheism is a worldview unequipped to lead people to a morally transformed life.
4. The naturalistic worldview that the universe popped into existence out of nothing is absurdly farfetched.
5. Atheism fails to offer hope beyond the grave.

If such points are intended to make Christians feel even more joyful and more peaceful about their decision to follow Jesus, I have no problem with that. But, if instead, the objective is to cajole atheists into embracing Christianity, such arguments are enormously counter-productive.

As a believer, there is nothing in these five points that I would consider even moderately inaccurate. I’m onboard with them. In fact, with the likely exception of #4, I think most atheists are, too.

That consensus is wherein the problem lies.

To the atheist, such rationale feeds the narrative that Christians believe only to feel good about themselves and naively dream about life after death. In fact, one comment to the video accurately reflects the widely-held atheist position on the matter, alleging that the content creator is “basically saying that wishful thinking is better than intellectual honesty.”

My advice: don’t present this to an atheist as a persuasive argument for Christianity. It will not work and will instead further entrench their lack of faith and obstinance to hearing more compelling evidence.

How then do we fulfill the Lord’s Great Commission and “make disciples” of all? The Apostle Paul’s answer, in part, was to “become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” (1 Cor 9:22-23)

Though I have spoken to this question in a previous post, I don’t have the definitive answer. I have, however, five points of my own that I try to keep top of mind:

• Humility and respect are essential. I strive to ensure that my words and my actions convey a receptivity and openness to meaningful dialogue. I will not play God by passing judgment on someone’s salvation, but I will not hesitate to explain why I make the choices I do. Nor will I compromise on my faith. As a result, I can often anticipate mockery, but the manner in which I respond is an opportunity to honor God.

• Expunge hypocrisy. There is no more dangerous path to losing credibility with a nonbeliever than to preach one thing but live another. Hypocrisy in the Christian church can be a massive impediment to evangelism. I cannot, for instance, preach the gospel of repentance, grace and love out of one side of my mouth and, out of the other, advocate for a demigod who brazenly flouts God’s commands of love, humility, fidelity, mercy and grace. You know of whom I speak.

• Present evidence. This is tricky. To me, the truth of the Bible is self-evident. I have written about why I believe that to be the case. I have also argued that creation provides ample evidence of God’s existence. But while science has not disproved God, neither has it delivered sufficient evidence to sway those firmly entrenched in their unbelief. Of course, this is why we call it “faith.” But this presumed lack of evidence is why the next point is so vital.

• Be an example. In all things, we must strive to be Christ-like. Living our faith is the greatest demonstration of our love and obedience. We must be living testimonies to our belief in Jesus, understanding that evangelism is not necessarily verbal.

• Pray. It is through prayer that we beseech the Lord through His Holy Spirit to give us the courage, the wisdom, the humility and the opportunity to effectively share the Gospel and bring others to Christ.

The words of the Apostle Peter – words that will be found frequently in my posts – summarize these five points and offer the encouragement and wisdom required by many:

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

1 Peter 3:15-16