The Questions Christians Hope No One Will Ask

1. God's Existence is Evident Through Creation

As I’ve been exploring these matters for the last twenty-five years or so, I’ve come to believe that today, perhaps more than in any other period of human history, the fingerprints of God have become exceedingly evident for anyone who is willing to search for them.

Cosmological Argument. The universe had a beginning, confirmed by Einstein's theory of relativity and observations from the Hubble Space Telescope. Whatever begins to exist must have a cause, and the cause of the universe must be beyond time, space, matter, and energy, aligning with the attributes of God.

Fine-Tuning Argument. The laws and physical constants of the universe appear precisely balanced for life to exist. If gravity, for example, were to change by one part in ten thousand billion billion billion, conscious life would be virtually impossible. This fine-tuning points to an intelligent designer.

Moral Argument. Objective moral values exist, and atheism struggles to provide a basis for them. Since goodness flows from God's nature, moral values are not invented by humans but discovered, grounded in a good, loving, personal God.

2. Science and Faith are Complementary, Not Contradictory

Science is not—or at least it does not have to be—an atheistic enterprise that rules out the possibility of influences from intelligent sources beyond the normal order of nature.

Harmony, not conflict. Science and religion are not inherently at odds. Many great scientists have been strong believers in God. Science provides compelling evidence for God's existence, such as the Big Bang theory, which aligns with the biblical doctrine of creation ex nihilo.

Limitations of Evolution. Darwin's theory of evolution does not explain the origin of the universe, the origin of the first life, or the origin of information encoded in DNA. These elements require a cause outside of the natural realm, pointing to a divine creator.

Philosophical Naturalism. The real opponent is philosophical naturalism, which limits explanations to only natural causes, excluding supernatural influences. Good science should follow the facts wherever they lead, even if it points to an intelligent designer.

3. The Bible is a Trustworthy Source of Truth

I submit that this story from my own experience presents no greater difficulty than that of any recorded in the Gospels, not even excepting the two divergent accounts of the death of Judas.

Eyewitness Accounts. The Gospels are based on eyewitness reports circulating among the early disciples. Luke, for example, carefully investigated everything from the beginning to write a careful account.

Reconciling Contradictions. Seeming contradictions in the Gospels can often be harmonized by considering that each writer provides a partial, but accurate, account of the same event. Just as multiple witnesses to a car accident may each remember different details, the Gospel writers offer unique perspectives on the life of Jesus.

Manuscript Accuracy. The Bible has been copied and translated with great care over the centuries. Comparisons of early and later manuscripts show minimal changes, and no major doctrine is affected by the variations that do exist.

4. Jesus is More Than a Good Teacher; He is the Divine Son of God

At an astonishingly early point basic convictions about Jesus that amount to treating him as divine had become widely shared in various Christian circles.

Early Devotion. Devotion to Jesus as the divine Son of God began very early in the Christian movement, not centuries later as some claim. The New Testament writings, dating back to within decades of Jesus' death, reflect this belief.

Exalted Titles. The earliest and latest New Testament authors use exalted titles for Jesus, such as Son of God, Savior, Lord, and even God. These titles indicate that Jesus was viewed as divine.

Jesus' Claims. Jesus referred to himself as the Son of Man, claiming to be the divine figure described in Daniel 7 who would rule over all nations. He also claimed to be the final interpreter of God's Word and the Judge who would determine people's eternal destiny.

5. God Allows Evil, But Will Ultimately Judge It

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.

The Reality of Suffering. Jesus warned that his followers would face trials and sorrows in this world. This acknowledges the reality of evil and suffering, rather than denying it.

Free Will. God created humans with the ability to love and follow him, which necessarily entails the ability to choose not to love or follow him. This freedom of choice is the root of much of the evil in the world.

Future Judgment. God promises to judge evil and create a new world where there will be no more suffering. In the meantime, he is patiently waiting for more people to turn to him.

6. The Sanctity of Human Life Begins at Conception

The human nature of the human being from conception to old age is not a metaphysical contention, it is plain experimental evidence.

Scientific Evidence. From the moment of conception, a unique human being with a distinct genetic makeup exists. The heart begins to beat within weeks, and all organs are in place within months.

Biblical Basis. God made humans in his image, and Psalm 139 describes God's active involvement in forming individuals in the womb. The Bible values all human life, born and unborn.

Moral Imperative. The Declaration of Independence affirms that all men are created equal and endowed with the right to life. This principle should be applied to unborn children, who are among the weakest and most vulnerable members of society.

7. Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin: A Biblical Approach to Homosexuality

We can’t even begin to comprehend the breadth and depth of God’s love toward every person on this planet—including gay men and women.

God's Love for All. Christians should affirm God's love for all people, regardless of their lifestyle or sexual orientation. This love should be expressed through genuine friendship and concern.

Biblical Standard. The Bible affirms the norm of sexual intimacy only between a man and a woman within the context of marriage. Sexual activity outside of this context is considered sin.

Temptation vs. Sin. Having same-sex attractions is not a sin in itself. The sin lies in acting on those attractions outside of the biblical definition of marriage.

8. Authenticity and Grace Trump Hypocrisy and Judgmentalism

All we are is beggars telling other beggars where to find bread.

Condemning Hypocrisy. Jesus strongly condemned hypocrisy, and Christians should be honest about their own struggles and shortcomings. Transparency is more attractive than pretense.

Focus on Christ. The validity of Christianity rests on Jesus, not on the flawed actions of Christians. Encourage people to put their faith in Christ, not in the performance of his followers.

Grace and Forgiveness. God offers forgiveness and grace to all who turn to him, including those who have struggled with hypocrisy or have been hurt by it.

9. Heaven and Hell are Real Destinations Based on Choices

I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.

Jesus' Teaching. Jesus taught clearly and consistently about the existence of both heaven and hell. As the Son of God, he had the authority and knowledge to speak about these realities.

Free Will. God does not send people to hell; people choose to go there by rejecting God's grace and clinging to their sins. Hell is the logical consequence of a life lived separated from God.

Degrees of Judgment. God is a fair judge and will judge people according to the amount of light they were given and what they did with it.

10. The Best Defense is a Good Offense: Asking Thought-Provoking Questions

We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God.

Shifting the Burden. Instead of solely answering objections, ask thought-provoking questions that challenge people to examine their own beliefs. This can help them see the weaknesses in their arguments and open them up to new perspectives.

Challenging Naturalistic Explanations. If someone denies God's existence, ask them how they account for the origin of the universe, the fine-tuning of its constants, and the reality of objective moral values.

Highlighting the Incompleteness of Evolution. If someone claims that evolution disproves God, ask them how evolution explains the origin of the universe, the origin of the first life, and the origin of information encoded in DNA.

Last updated: April 7, 2025