Should we quote Scripture when debating non-believers?

[Northern Christian]

Personally, I do not like to quote Scripture when debating non-believers. All it does is irritates them, and since they don't believe anything in the Bible anyway, I see no point in referencing it.

Do you quote Scripture when debating them? If so, why?

[JMRE5150]

Non-believers? Nah...its a waste of breath. The don't believe it anyway.

I try and use archelogical, historical, and eye-witness evidence from scholars/historians/apologetics authors like Lee Strobel/Josh Mcdowell etc.

Its the only thing they can relate to, until they are saved! :cool:

[Wilfred of Ivanhoe]

When debating issues of morality, it is useless to base your arguments upon the foundation of your moral beliefs when the other person does not put any stock into the foundation of your moral beliefs.

As stated above, scientific evidence is necessary to get past an un-believer's skepticism as to the validity of the Bible, or your particular issue. The Bible calls for us to be diligent and knowledgable so that we may give an account as to why we believe what we believe.

[Bulldog]

Quoting scriptures is good, but they usually mean nothing to atheists (except of course when atheists are trying to use scripture to prove you wrong. ;) )

[seebs]

I will quote Scripture to articulate what I believe, but not as "support" for a claim.

So, if someone wants to know what I think about forgiveness, I might cite the passage about how many times you should forgive your brother as part of an explanation of what I believe and why.

[Isaiah 53]

The scriptures are the word of God. Of course we should quote them. How else will they hear and understand the truth?

PEACE IN CHRIST!!!

[BBAS 64]

I vote YES they are truth. God said it that settles it and it does not rely on my/any opition to make it so.

BBAS

[BBAS 64]

Why do some people hold to this type of view on Scripture::

God said it I believe it therefore it is true?

BBAS

[12volt_man]

I do.

I understand the logic that says that it's no use because they don't believe scripture in the first place but if we believe that God's word doesn't come back void, then I think we just need to be faithful in presenting His word and let Him worry about the convincing.

That having been said, I do try to be sensitive to where they're at and I don't throw scripture at them as a bunch of cliches and bumper sticker phrases. I always try to prevent it in a relevant way, usually explaining the logic behind Christian teaching or why Christians believe what we do.

[Lotar]

I will quote Scripture to articulate what I believe, but not as "support" for a claim.

So, if someone wants to know what I think about forgiveness, I might cite the passage about how many times you should forgive your brother as part of an explanation of what I believe and why.
Ditto.

[Lotar]

Why do some people hold to this type of view on Scripture::

God said it I believe it therefore it is true?

BBAS

And they think they sound so smart when they say it. ;)
Maybe some day they will understand that they are presenting circular thinking and self qualifying statements.

For those who don't know what I am talking about, read my signature and why I say you should vote for me. Perhaps then you will get the irony.

[eldermike]

Every hear of Bill Fay?, He developed a method of sharing your faith called "share Jesus without fear". His method calls for the hearer to read a selected passage of scripture in place of "us" quoting it to them. It seems that even if we use the word of God the hearer is still rejecting us as if it's our words. In you allow them to read it then it's a different decision they are now facing, they have to reject the bible. Intresting method, i have used it often.

[JVAC]

Luther taught that all we could do is "Proclaim the Word of God and let it work on ones heart." I think that is best, if it falls on a soft heart it will stick and do great good, but if it falls on a hard heart it will slide a way. They'll be no worse for it, but if the heart be soft, then it could do great good.

Proclaim, therefore, always the Word of God, every chance you get, you never know who or where it will do good!!

[Col]

I always like to quote a bit of scripture when I am sharing my faith or answering questions I can't help it. If someone is asking about my beliefs of course I will use scripture in my explaination if I can, afterall I would be surprised if someone didn't expect me to use scripture to ground my discussion. Of course I may end up paraphrasing a bit, if I don't have a Bible at hand or cannot remember an exact quote. I am not at all worried about "scaring" people off (as someone said), if they are scared off, then the "Good News" has simply falled on "rocky ground". I think if you start worrying about someone being "scared off', you are in danger of watering down the Message and comprimising the task of spreading the Good News just to make someone feel "warm and fuzzy". I don't mean you have to ram the Bible down their throat, just simply proudly proclaim the Good News and not be afraid to speak in name of Jesus without hesitation.


Bless Ya
Col :) <><

[theseed]

Personally, I do not like to quote Scripture when debating non-believers. All it does is irritates them, and since they don't believe anything in the Bible anyway, I see no point in referencing it.

Do you quote Scripture when debating them? If so, why?
Look in Acts 17, Paul does it using Pagan ideas and peotry instead of scripture.

[seebs]

I have found that most non-believers have a much easier time rejecting the Bible than they do rejecting people they know.

[eldermike]

I have found that most non-believers have a much easier time rejecting the Bible than they do rejecting people they know.Yesterday 10:02 PM
That totally line up with what the bible says. The bible is foolishness to those that do not believe. However, to those that God has elected it will be the very thing that brings them home. My Calvinists beliefs are reinforced every time I see one that God has called read the bible for the first time, it's like reading a love letter, they can't get enough of it.

[Crazy Liz]

I will quote Scripture to articulate what I believe, but not as "support" for a claim.

So, if someone wants to know what I think about forgiveness, I might cite the passage about how many times you should forgive your brother as part of an explanation of what I believe and why.

Me, too! :cool:

[PreacherFergy]

I think you should as Ephesians 1:13 and Romans 10:17 points out that a sinner is saved by the Word of God. If your goal in debating a non-believer isn't for evangelical purposes, you need to check your motives!

[reformedfan]

Isaiah 55:8-11 is why we have to use the Word of God- that's our only weapon, Hebrews 4:12. I couldn't do evangelism with only human words, examples, & experiences. I'd rather witness to someone by quoting Scripture than telling a testimony, and I do evangelism 2x a week formally at the local jail, & informally with anyone I can. God's Word, not mine, has the power to convert the elect. God's stories, not mine, are compelling & effectual.

[reformedfan]

Sorry, Psalm 19 to me is always catagorized as a defense of presuppositional apologetics in that little niche in my brain, it didn't occur to me to drag it out & dust it off until after I hit "submit reply"!!
Psalm 19, read it & see why you need the Word! Heathens know God is real, it's His word that converts their souls, it's perfect, it makes wise the simple... etc.