Why Mike’s Not a Christian | Ben Young

Ben Young. Why Mike’s Not a Christian: Honest Questions About Evolution, Relativism, Hypocrisy, and More. Harvest House, 2006. 144 pp.

A while ago I was flying from Pensacola, Florida, back to Houston. I was sitting next to a businessman from Connecticut, and we got into a conversation about what we did for a living. I was just returning from one of our youth retreats, where I’d been talking on the subject “Who Am I?” So we got into a little discussion about philosophy, and it kind of meandered into theology. And as my fate would have it, during the course of conversation he found out I was a minister.

This usually shuts down communication right away, but for some reason we were able to continue. One of the things he said to me was this: “I believe your faith is merely a psychological projection.” In other words, he believed I have some need for a father figure and that as I’ve grown older, I’ve projected this need onto a God I have created in my mind. We went on after that point and dialogued about our different worldviews regarding ethics and how we all got here, and how we’re to order and to live our lives. We had a very meaningful conversation. I knew he was thinking hard when he said, “Can you order me another Scotch? This is getting kind of heavy.”

Consider your response if you were seated next to the same guy on the plane and he made that challenge to you: “Your faith is merely a psychological projection.” How would you answer him? I can tell you that 10 or 15 years ago I was not ready to give a reason for the beliefs I held.

Be Prepared

Why is it important that we study the philosophies and worldviews of others? Why is it important to be able to give a reasoned and rational defense of what we believe? The Bible challenges us to a greater discipline in understanding our faith and a greater proficiency in communicating that faith to our friends, our family, and the people we work with day to day.

The apostle Peter has something to say about this subject:

In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

The Greek word for “answer” is apologia. This is where we get the word “apologetics,” which is the rational or intellectual defense of a particular belief system. So Peter, one of the original followers of Christ, is saying we need to be prepared to give a defense for not only what we believe, but also why we believe it. And—he says we must be able to give this defense to everyone. His words are still appropriate today.

We live in a time where Christians are bombarded and challenged by everyone—relativists, pluralists, nihilists, hedonists, Buddhists, Muslims, Jews, agnostics, atheists, just plain skeptics . . . and the list goes on. Our society is a smorgasbord of belief systems. In the midst of all this, Peter says, “Listen, as someone who claims to believe in Jesus Christ, you’ve got to be prepared; as someone who claims to believe in the truth of God’s word, you must be ready to give a defense and a reason as to why you believe the way you do.”

If we need more inspiration on the subject, all we need to do is study the first-century disciples as they appear in the book of Acts. These men and women were eyewitnesses of Christ’s resurrection. Who were they? Well, they came from all different walks of life. They were fishermen, businessmen, lawyers, tentmakers. And what did they do? They gave reasons for the hope they had to anyone and everyone they met. . . .

Gentle and Respectful Advice

Here are five brief pieces of advice for giving a defense with gentleness and respect:

1. Learn the art of listening. Business guru Stephen Covey reformulates some ancient but excellent advice in this phrase: “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.” This is especially helpful when talking with someone about your beliefs. Many times Christians try to cram their views down someone’s throat without even hearing his or her story. When I was seated by that gentleman on the plane, I would have never gotten that conversation off the ground if I had not chosen to listen before I spoke.

2. Learn the art of asking good questions. I love to ask questions, because I love knowledge and love listening to people’s stories. Jesus was great at asking questions. How many times in the Gospels did Christ answer a question directly? Rarely. He usually responded with another question. Ask people (who are interested in talking!), “What is your religious background?” “Why was that important to you?” If someone makes a statement you can’t respond to, the best way to answer is with this question: “How do you know that?” Keep asking the “How do you know that?” question about four times in a row and you’ll be dealing with ultimate issues-whether you’re talking with Stephen Hawking or Steve Martin.

3. Learn the art of passing on a good book. We are all busy. No one has the time to read every book that counters every attack on the Christian faith. (That’s one of the reasons the book you’re reading is short.) However, you can acquaint yourself with a little knowledge of key books dealing with a variety of issues. For example, if someone is struggling with doubts about the historicity of Jesus, I’m going to point them to books by British scholar N.T. Wright. If someone has questions about evolution or other creation issues, I’m going to point them to books by Hugh Ross or William Dembski. If someone is struggling with philosophic issues, I might point them to books by Gregory Bahnsen or John Frame. If someone doubts the possibility of the resurrection, I’m going to point them to books by Gary Habermas. Christianity has survived for 2000 years not because ladies with pink hair piled to the sky and men with bad toupees peddle “Jesus Junk” on TV, but because Christians have given thoughtful, rational responses to difficult questions skeptics have asked.

4. Learn the art of being normal. Too many times we get really uptight and nervous when we get into a conversation with a skeptic like Mike (especially if Mike is a relative). The best thing you can do is dial down. Take a deep breath. Laugh at yourself. Don’t take yourself so seriously. If you really believe in the Christian message, you know you are powerless to change anyone. It’s not up to you.

You may be thinking, “What if they ask a question I don’t know the answer to?” I’ve got good news for you—they will. The best way to answer is by saying, “I don’t know.” Isn’t it great to be able to say that? Try it. Besides, God has only revealed a morsel to us in the first place—there is more to come. Sometimes I’ll say, “I don’t know the answer to that question, but let me recommend a book to you.” Or I’ll simply say, “I don’t know—and no one knows the answer to that question.” Everyone lives by faith at some point.

5. Learn the art of being respectful. Some of the greatest people on the planet are Christians, and some of the most obnoxious people on the planet are Christians. When you are talking with someone about ultimate issues—life, death, heaven, hell, God—you are treading on sacred ground. Everyone has a unique story. Be respectful of their story—where they come from, and why they believe what they believe at this point in their journey. If they don’t want to talk about these issues, don’t talk. If they want to bail out in the middle, let them bail. You may never have the opportunity to tell them all the marvelous truth you know—but that’s okay. As Saint Francis of Assisi explained to his disciples, “Preach always. If necessary, use words.”

Taken from Why Mike’s Not a Christian by Ben Young with Sarah Fuselier; copyright © 2006 by Ben Young; Published by Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, OR; Used by permission.

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