Christianity vs Atheism: A Battle of Wits?

"May the best brain win!" - Anonymous

I once joined Dinesh D'Souza, a leading Christian thinker, for a quick lunch in the food court at the Austin Bergstrom International Airport. He's a New York Times Bestselling Author, sought after public speaker and the president of The King's College in New York. His credentials are quite impressive but the one thing that drew my attention was his track record of public debates against atheists.

He's one of the few people out there who will gladly engage atheists in a public forum without fear or favor. So, true to form, near the end of our conversation he issued a stiff challenge to me. In essence he asked me, " Since you live in Atlanta and know so much about faith and science, why don't you challenge the atheists in Emory University to a public debate?" That was a great question that set my mind thinking....

According to The Free Dictionary, a "battle of wits" is defined as "a contest in which intelligence rather than violence is used." In other words, the main weapon in this type of warfare is the human brain. So is it accurate to surmise that the ongoing war between Christianity and Atheism is a "battle of wits"? If so, can we win this war by outsmarting our opponents?

To arrive at that conclusion the first assumption we have to make is that the choice between Atheism and Christianity is based on deductive reasoning. In essence, if one side can definitively prove that the other side is wrong, the other side will inevitably switch sides. However, when is the last time you've won an argument with an atheist and the direct result was the person's salvation?

Psalm 14:1(NLT) - Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good!

Romans 8:9-10(KJV) - That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

The Bible's position is that both Atheism and Christianity are heart decisions. Atheists deny God's existence in their hearts. Christians believe in Jesus and choose to give Him their hearts. Each side's arguments about science, philosophy and their connection to God's existence are side issues. When the truth is revealed, both Atheists and Christians will have to confess that they made their choices in their hearts. Even when faced with new contrasting evidence, the resistance of both sides to changing their positions reveals their true nature.

2 Timothy 2:15-16 - Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth. But avoid all empty (vain, useless, idle) talk, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness.

I do believe in defending the faith with intelligence and vigor. However, my intentions at all times must never be to win an argument but to win someone's heart. Many atheists already know the gospel so that's why engaging them in arguments is unprofitable. You can argue about scientific and philosophical deductions until you lose your voice but unless they open their hearts nothing will come out of it.

Acts 24:24-25(KJV) - And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

Acts 18:24-28(KJV) - And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

In Acts 24, Apostle Paul, who many consider to be the greatest Christian apologist in history won the argument concerning Christ with Felix. He was able to explain the new covenant and the victory Christ won on the cross. Paul also clearly understood the baptism of The Holy Spirit which began in The Upper Room at the beginning of The Church which gave him increased power. In fact, Felix was trembling when he understood the truth Paul shared with him. However, he refused to change his heart so he sent Paul away. There was absolutely nothing else Paul could do or say because Felix did not want to change.

On the other hand, in Acts 18, Apollos who only knew the baptism of John was able to convince the Jews about Jesus. Why? They chose to believe!

Is Christianity versus Atheism a battle of wits? Of course not. When you engage an atheist, the first thing to remember is that you're dealing with a person who made a "heart" decision not to believe in God. Get to know the person's heart. Find out what led to the decision for atheism. Share your heart about your decision to be a Christian. Show God's love. Don't try to win an argument. Try to win a heart.