Four things that two ex-skeptics got wrong.
Introduction
This is an open letter from two ex-skeptics (Greg and Dave) to you (the skeptic?) for your consideration and possible response.
It contains four notions that we once thought were true but now firmly believe are false.
False notion 1: Scientists conclude there is no God
Albert Einstein, the greatest scientist of all time said; “”Everyone who is seriously interested in the pursuit of science becomes convinced that a spirit is manifest in the laws of the universe – a spirit vastly superior to man, and one in the face of which our modest powers must feel humble.”
Louis Pasteur said; “Science brings men nearer to God.”
Isaac Newton commented; “Atheism is so senseless.”
There are only two options; God either exists or He doesn’t. Other brilliant scientists (like Hawking, Heisenberg, Faraday and Joule) agree; God exists!
Second false notion: Being an atheist is the only logical position for modern man
For over six decades, Antony Flew had been an outspoken atheist, publishing many books. But in 2007, he surprised everyone by publishing his latest book There is a God (How the world’s most notorious atheist changed his mind). Flew said he was always committed to follow the evidence no matter where it led.
Flew commented “No, I did not hear a Voice. It was the evidence itself that led me to this conclusion. The design that is apparent in nature suggests the existence of a cosmic Designer … I have since come to see … a persuasive case for the existence of God.”
Third false notion: Faith in God has nothing to do with logical thought or evidence
Was Jesus put to death by Pontius Pilate when Tiberius was emperor just as the bible says? The answer is a definite ‘yes’. The Roman historian Tacitus (who was no friend of Christians) wrote; “Christus, the founder of the name, was put to death by Pontius Pilate, procurator of Judea for the reign of Tiberius.”
The following three people were cemented in their position that Christianity was not true. All three looked at the evidence, changed their minds and say that their lives were radically changed for the good as a result. They include Josh McDowell (an agnostic who set out to collect evidence to prove the bible wrong), Lee Strobel (atheist, legal editor of the Chicago Tribune) and Nicky Gumbel (atheist, lawyer, once wrote an essay on disproving the existence of God).
Simon Greenleaf (one of the greatest legal minds of the 19th century) mocked Christianity until he was challenged by some of his students to apply his own classic three volume legal work A Treatise on the Law of Evidence to the resurrection of Christ. Greenleaf concluded that, according to the laws of legal evidence used in courts of law, there is more evidence for the historical fact of the resurrection of Jesus Christ than for just about any other event in history!
Fourth false notion: Believing that Jesus rose from the dead is simply a matter of blind faith
Christianity is about an historical event which stands or falls on the resurrection of Christ. Now there are only two options; Christ has risen from the dead or he has not.
Pamela Ewen (an agnostic attorney) spent 15 years investigating the resurrection of Jesus applying her rigorous legal training. She concluded Christ did indeed rise from the dead.
The apostles would have known whether Christ had really risen from the dead or not because they lived with him, saw Jesus die and were present afterwards. They were so sure of the fact that they were prepared to die for it. Now, people are sometimes prepared to die for something they believe is true but it is inconceivable the apostles would die for what they knew was a lie!!
Conclusion
For millennium, Jesus has inspired and miraculously changed the lives of millions. The bible remains the world’s bestselling book.
“Twenty centuries have come and gone since Jesus lived and today He is the central figure of the human race. All the armies that have ever marched and all the kings that ever reigned put together have not affected the life of mankind on earth as powerfully as that one solitary life.”
Concluding that there is a God or that Christ did rise from the dead is not blind faith! Atheists, skeptics, and archaeologists have all been persuaded of the truth of the resurrection of Christ when they finally looked objectively at the evidence.
Over a period of thirty years we developed the view that the bible was a ‘fairy tale’. We would mention the bad things done in the name of Christianity and confidently assert, “We will believe God exists if you can prove it scientifically”.
Our generation (in the sixties) heard the messages of “If it feels good do it” and “You are here by a cosmic accident” loud and clear. It is not surprising that many of us concluded; “There is no God” and “Life has no ultimate purpose”. But now some of us realize we were conned!
After examining the evidence, we concluded we were wrong. God does exist. Jesus did rise from the dead. The evidence is more than compelling and it is well worth our most earnest consideration.
All the best with your journey through life,
If you wish to read how we changed our minds, read our life stories by clicking on our names below,
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