Last night in #Apologetics (on IRC) I had a debate with an Atheist who claims to have been formerly a Christian of the Reformed tradition. It was overall an enjoyable debate (about whether his Problem of Evil argument succeeds), for not only myself but also for him, plus a couple of others that were following along. This afternoon he returned to #Apologetics and, at one point, turned his attention back to me again.

“What is your background?” he asked me. “Philosophy?”

“My background?” I replied. “I’m just a custom wood finisher in a small shop, whose highest completed grade was 9th. I have no real background to speak of.”

“Would you characterize yourself as Calvinist?”

“I would not,” I said. “Others might, however, and often do.” As he claims to have been formerly a Reformed Christian, I can see the common ground he is aiming for.

“As a non-denominational Christian, then?”

“No, I am confessional: 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith.”

“I see.” He paused a moment. “Why?”

An odd question. “Why what?” I asked.

“Why are you what you are? Why do you believe the doctrines you do?”

I thought for a moment, trying to figure out how to answer his question in a way that is both accurate and succinct, because the question really does drive at very deep and broad theological elements. “Because by God’s grace I am convinced of and committed to the truths of Scriptures,” I replied.

“I have studied Scripture also,” he said. “But I am unconvinced. Why is that?”

I saw that one coming from a mile away. “I think my response contained the answer: ‘by God’s grace.’ One plants, another waters, but it is God who makes all things grow.”

“So then I lack God’s grace and thus cannot be convinced?”

“It’s not that you cannot, but that you will not be convinced.”

“So then have I always lacked God’s grace?”

“I don’t know. I am neither you nor God.”

He paused a moment to rephrase, to get at what he was really asking. “Is it possible for someone to be filled with the Spirit, convinced of God’s truth, and then fall away?”

“Yes,” I said. “But not permanently.”

“So you think that I will eventually come back to believing the truths of the Bible?”

“That is not something I think, but something I pray—and have been praying since last night, upon meeting you.”

“Thank you,” he replied, “for your prayers.”

And with that, he turned his attention to someone else who was asking him questions, bringing up issues that were much shinier and sparkly which atheism finds easier to sink its teeth into, alas.

Other related Aristophrenium articles: