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(Titus 1:9)
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‘Holding forth the word of life...’
(Philippians 2:16)
(Philippians 2:16)
James Chittenden
Part-Time Evangelist
Open-air opportunities in Crawley, Bromley, Horsham and Redhill
Click here to read
James’ Testimony
MEETING WITH ATHEISTS
It would seem at present that there are a lot more atheists around - either that, or they have just become a lot more vocal and bold. I seem to meet, in passing, or in conversation, at least one atheist during each open-air. Some of them are very polite, but others are incredibly rude, stubborn and arrogant. As a result I have been trying to come up with some ‘new’ questions and ways of tackling the issue.
Whilst in Norwich, I was heckled by a very angry atheist man who felt I was trying to ‘brainwash people’. He had a very strong aversion to the Bible and every time I started quoting it to him he replied saying, ‘it’s all fairy tales’. When I asked him if he liked the idea of God existing, he suddenly went quiet before declaring that to be an unfair question to ask! Perhaps something in his conscience at that point was speaking to him.
Also in Norwich, a young man who had stood listening to the preaching, walked off huffing and tutting! I engaged him in conversation and he made it clear that he hated the thought of God, but admitted that he felt guilty when he did certain things, even though they pleased him! I was able tell him of God’s judgment and grace before, sadly, he stormed off in a somewhat worse mood!
In Redhill recently a group of young men from one of the offices came and stood listening to me preaching. After a few minutes one of them called out, ‘I just can’t believe God is real’. We started to discuss this publicly, which caused a number of others to stop and listen as well. Eventually it broke into smaller conversations and a member of the team with me had a chat with one of the young businessmen. He was very reasonable, but struggled to grapple with the thought of God.
Tragically, it seems to be becoming the natural position of people in this country to be atheists, despite being made in the image of God and having His law in their hearts. How do we break through this lie and bring them to a realisation of God, His law, judgment and grace? The answer is by prayer, that our God would open the eyes of the blind and save souls.
Whilst in Norwich, I was heckled by a very angry atheist man who felt I was trying to ‘brainwash people’. He had a very strong aversion to the Bible and every time I started quoting it to him he replied saying, ‘it’s all fairy tales’. When I asked him if he liked the idea of God existing, he suddenly went quiet before declaring that to be an unfair question to ask! Perhaps something in his conscience at that point was speaking to him.
Also in Norwich, a young man who had stood listening to the preaching, walked off huffing and tutting! I engaged him in conversation and he made it clear that he hated the thought of God, but admitted that he felt guilty when he did certain things, even though they pleased him! I was able tell him of God’s judgment and grace before, sadly, he stormed off in a somewhat worse mood!
In Redhill recently a group of young men from one of the offices came and stood listening to me preaching. After a few minutes one of them called out, ‘I just can’t believe God is real’. We started to discuss this publicly, which caused a number of others to stop and listen as well. Eventually it broke into smaller conversations and a member of the team with me had a chat with one of the young businessmen. He was very reasonable, but struggled to grapple with the thought of God.
Tragically, it seems to be becoming the natural position of people in this country to be atheists, despite being made in the image of God and having His law in their hearts. How do we break through this lie and bring them to a realisation of God, His law, judgment and grace? The answer is by prayer, that our God would open the eyes of the blind and save souls.