Converting an Atheist: Do What Jesus Did
Converting an atheist is not hard for Jesus. He understands what’s in a person’s heart and what contributes to unbelief. First, let’s look at atheist beliefs
The definition of an atheist is “a person who disbelieves or lacks belief in the existence of God or gods.” Many are hard-working people who live among us peacefully. According to a survey by the Pew Research Center in 2014, some identify with a religious affiliation without believing in a divine creator and may or may not attend church.
The majority of atheists are men, align with the Democratic Party, and at least 1/3 turn to the science community for answers about religion. The survey indicates that Americans who call themselves atheists doubled in size from 2007 to 2014.
So, how does current-day information about atheists relate to Jesus’ ministry on earth?
Converting an Atheist: Pharisees and Sadducees Would Qualify as Unbelievers
The following scripture informs us what Jesus thinks about the religious leaders of His day. John 8:19, 44–45,—(19)
Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also. (44–45) Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”
The word atheist was coined in the 16th century so Jesus didn’t call them atheists. However, Jesus’ words to them describe who they are. Since atheists do not believe in a deity (God), Jesus points out that they are of the devil, not God.
Jesus regularly calls out Pharisees and Sadducees on the carpet for their misguided beliefs and corresponding actions. These religious men served others like a corporate board of directors, from a distance and impersonally.
Their legalistic approach to life kept people in bondage; whereas Jesus came to bring life and set people free. They fail to interpret scripture correctly and seek power by drawing attention to themselves. Essentially they are fakes.
Jesus refers to them as false teachers in Luke 20:46, “Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets.”
They want others to see them as pure but Jesus calls them “white-washed tombs” and hypocrites. Even so, Jesus would know how to convert an atheist. First, He would look for a difference in their hearts.
More on Atheist Beliefs
These religious leaders of Jesus’ day try to trap Him in their superficial knowledge and hate Him for how well he understands scripture. That hatred leads them to make sure Jesus dies. They replace truth with lies and kill the messenger, or so they think.
Their opinions and thoughts lead them away from scripture. Along with other Jews, they continue to wait for the arrival of the Messiah and refuse to acknowledge Jesus’ existence.
Contrast their behavior with Jesus and His ministry to the people.
Luke 4:18 – “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.”
Do You See Similarities Between the Pharisees, Sadducees and Atheists?
What is an atheist and what do atheists believe?
- Focus on unbelief and shy away from deity
- Turn people away from salvation
- Try to prove God doesn’t exist
- Flaunt intelligence to answer spiritual questions
- Establish their own set of beliefs or religion
- Believe that Jesus was merely a prophet and not the Son of God
- See themselves as the final authority
Converting an Atheist: Jesus Encountered Many Unbelievers
The final betrayer of Jesus, Judas, has a plan and works it. He is a thief from the beginning and waits for opportunities to steal (not just money). That doesn’t mean that every sinner is an atheist, but in his case Jesus identifies the heart of Judas in Mathew 24-25.
Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said so.”
Notice how Jesus knows how to convince a non-believer to believe in God. Jesus gives Judas an opportunity to repent and turn from evil by exposing him to His ministry for 3 plus years. Notice that Jesus doesn’t try to dissuade Judas from carrying out this betrayal.
Jesus lives His life close to His Father and knows an unbeliever is part of His team. I’m sure Jesus reflects on Psalm 14:1, “The fool says in his heart, there is no God.”, every time he looked at Judas. Seeing into Judas’ heart must have saddened our Lord.
But not everyone turned away from Jesus’ offer of salvation.
Converting an Atheist to Christianity
Nicodemus struggles with his faith. Jesus doesn’t mind spending time with you when He knows you seek answers. Nicodemus is a ruling member of the Sanhedrin and visits Jesus in the middle of the night. His penetrating questions take him from unbelief to conversion.
Read John 3:1-21, but here is a brief synopsis. The well-educated leader realizes Jesus comes from God and confirms no man can perform miracles outside of God’s help. Jesus gives him a lesson on the difference between flesh and spirit and John 3:16. He asks Nicodemus how can he believe in heavenly things if he doesn’t believe in earthly things.
We see from scripture that Nicodemus ultimately chooses Jesus as his Savior when he prepares His body for burial along with Joseph of Arimathea. These two staunch supporters become risk-takers in the kingdom of God.
How to Convert an Atheist
Jesus doesn’t want you to presume to know God. He has compassion for anyone blinded by lies and falsehoods. He deals with atheists based on what’s in their hearts.
Likewise, Jesus doesn’t bow to the ruling elders as Jews did in the marketplace. Instead, He gives authority to where it’s due, His Father. He takes as much time as necessary with people to strip confusion. The Savior delivers the Gospel so that people focus on the Creator and not a set of religious rules.
You and I can do the same. By reading scripture about Jesus’ ministry, we can educate ourselves on converting an atheist the way Jesus did when on earth. Then, we can point others to God so they depend on the Bible and Holy Spirit to live a Christian life.
We don’t need to knock people over with our Bibles or adore ourselves in flowing robes to draw others to Christ. When we know God personally, that relationship flows out of us in everything we do and say.
At just the right time, someone’s heart may be ready to hear the Gospel message and receive Jesus as Lord and Savior.