10 Answers to Common Questions Raised by Skeptics

Have you ever been puzzled by the objections raised by skeptics in regard to Christianity? Or maybe you are one of those skeptics? If so, I’m glad you’re here.

As Dr. Ravi Zacharias would put it, “Apologetics is the seasoning, but the gospel is the main course.” I love apologetics, I find it absolutely fascinating. I also secretly wish I had come into contact with apologetics sooner. Because then maybe I wouldn’t have had to go down so many dark holes looking for answers. I dismissed the Bible and Christianity very quickly when I was young. I didn’t think there was a reason in the world to believe any of it. I had a practical view similar to that of Richard Dawkins, that belief was considering things to be true that were in direct contradiction with reality.

I’ve now found that the really gritty down and dirty truths of reality are indeed best explained in Christianity. No other worldview can adequately explain why the world is such a messed up place. No other worldview tells me so many things that I don’t want to hear, yet I know deep down are true about me and those around me. I respect Christianity immensely for that. That’s the intellectual level. Yet I could not follow it simply on the basis of hard truth.

I found myself in love with Christianity on an emotional level, a heart level, because of the incredible love and forgiveness in the message. It all comes together beautifully in my view.

But there is no reason to be afraid of objections to Christianity. I firmly believe that we ought to respectfully answer any objection or question raised. Assuming it is raised politely! I can’t stress that enough, that it’s important to be polite when both raising an objection, and answering an objection. This is not about winning an argument. It can’t be. Too much is at stake. It’s about speaking the truth in love. Even a Christian apologist who wins a “battle argument” often ends up losing the person.

We want to win the person to Christ! (That’s the imperative to keep in mind). So give ground at times, find ways to agree with points and parts of their position. Identify with their position. Grant fair points when they make them. Be kind and compassionate, and very patient. Develop a friendship, a relationship. If losing the argument will mean bringing the person a step closer, so be it. The person raising an objection may not be listening to the argument as much as he or she is listening to the attitudes and mannerisms of the speaker.

But very often people have legitimate concerns and reasonable questions to ask. Many have had very negative experiences with Christianity. They need to be reintroduced to the radical love in the Bible. The job of the defender is very often simply clearing away all the barbed wire, bushes, garbage, and mud so that the cross of Jesus Christ can be seen unobstructed.

So here are ten answers to common questions raised by both the honest skeptic, and the upset former believer. Enjoy.

1. All the ridiculous stuff in the Bible has been disproved, hasn’t it?
Ravi Zacharias Answers: