QUESTIONS SKEPTICS POSE

The Nine Toughest Questions Skeptics Pose

By Ravi Zacharias, a Christian Apologist

Here are the questions I have been asked most often. By developing a clear response to each, we can increase our ability to talk to those who are not Christians. It is important to note that while these are the attacking questions, as the conversation goes on, the questions become kinder and more personal, until one can focus on the Cross and present the Gospel in its simplicity and beauty. This has happened in every venue in which I have spoken.

1. Is it really possible to defend the supernatural when every scientific theory argues for a naturalistic explanation of this universe? (The question pertains to evolutionary theory and modern cosmology.)

2. What convincing arguments can you give us for the existence of God?

3. How can Christians possibly argue for an exclusive claim to truth in Christ when there are so many other religions in this world? There have been and are so many good people in this world who were not and are not Christian. If the Gospel is true, then they are destined for hell. Is that right?

4. The God of the Bible is portrayed as all-loving and all powerful. Then evil must be of his doing. This is a contradiction of his character. There is not only moral evil but gratuitous evil. How can you justify it? What sort of God is this, anyway?

5. We do not have the original manuscripts of the Bible. How can one possibly argue for their authority and accuracy? (This comes quite often from Muslims or those sympathetic with the findings of the Jesus Seminar.)

6. If the law of non-contradiction does apply as a test for falsehood, what about the concept of the Trinity or the sovereignty of God as it relates to the responsibility of man? Are these not contradictory concepts?

7. There is no discipline that subscribes to truth as absolute, particularly in matters of morality. How can Christians still hold to it? (Here some of the major moral issues of our day emerge.)

8. Religion has caused so much suffering and violence in this world. How do you explain that?

9. Isn’t religion only a political theory espoused by one who wants to impose his or her views upon others?

{Copyright 1995, Christianity Today, Inc.; Leadership, Spring 1995 Volume XVI Number 2, p. 22}