Answers to 60 Atheist Objections Against Christianity

Note: These are just brief answers. Obviously, much more can be said about each of these questions.

Questions 1-30

1. Objection: “There is no scientific evidence for God’s existence.” Response: God’s existence is evident in creation itself, and the intricacies of the universe point to a deliberate Creator. Scripture asserts this truth clearly (Romans 1:19-20).
2. Objection: “The problem of evil: If God is all-powerful and all-good, why is there suffering?” Response: Evil and suffering are consequences of the Fall. They serve a purpose within God’s sovereign plan, ultimately leading to His glory and the redemption of His people (Romans 8:28, 9:22-23).
3. Objection: “The Bible contradicts scientific understanding, like the creation story versus evolution.” Response: The Bible, including the Genesis account, is the authoritative word of God and is accurate in all its statements, including those about creation. Apparent conflicts with science arise from human misinterpretation of nature.
4. Objection: “There are so many religions. How can Christianity claim to be the only true one?” Response: Christianity is unique in its teachings, particularly about Christ’s deity, His atoning death, and resurrection. These core doctrines set it apart as the only path to salvation (John 14:6).
5. Objection: “The Bible is just a book written by men and has been changed over time.” Response: The Bible is divinely inspired, and its manuscripts have been reliably transmitted over centuries. Its consistency and fulfillment of prophecy affirm its divine origin (2 Timothy 3:16).
6. Objection: “Christianity is anti-science.” Response: Christianity encourages the pursuit of knowledge about the natural world, seeing it as discovering God’s handiwork. Many foundational scientists were devout Christians (Psalm 111:2).
7. Objection: “A loving God wouldn’t send people to Hell.” Response: Hell is a just consequence for sin. God’s character is both just and loving, offering salvation through Christ while rightly judging unrepentant sin (Romans 6:23).
8. Objection: “Miracles are not credible; they violate natural laws.” Response: Miracles are acts of God, who is sovereign over His creation and can intervene supernaturally. They serve specific purposes in God’s redemptive plan (John 11:40-42).
9. Objection: “Religion is just a way to control people.” Response: Christianity is a relationship with God, not a means of control. It transforms lives with the message of grace and redemption (John 8:32).
10. Objection: “How can a good God command violence in the Old Testament?” Response: God’s actions in the Old Testament must be understood in the context of His holiness and justice. His judgments are righteous and serve His purposes in redemptive history (Deuteronomy 32:4).
11. Objection: “Atheism is more rational than faith.” Response: Faith in God is rational and grounded in both Scripture and the evidence of God’s works in the world. The belief in God’s existence and revelation is the foundation of a coherent worldview (Hebrews 11:1, 3).
12. Objection: “How can you believe in the virgin birth of Jesus? It’s scientifically impossible.” Response: The virgin birth, as a miraculous event, transcends natural law and is a testament to God’s power and the divine nature of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:23, Isaiah 7:14).
13. Objection: “Christianity promotes blind faith.” Response: Christian faith is not blind but is based on the historical reality of Jesus Christ and the reliable testimony of Scripture. Faith involves trust in God’s revealed truth (John 20:29-31).
14. Objection: “If God created everything, who created God?” Response: God is eternal and uncreated, existing outside of time and space. He is the necessary being who is the source of all existence (Revelation 22:13, Psalm 90:2).
15. Objection: “The concept of the Trinity makes no logical sense.” Response: The Trinity is a profound mystery revealed in Scripture. It is a unique aspect of Christian doctrine, reflecting the complex nature of God as three persons in one essence (Matthew 28:19).
16. Objection: “There’s no historical evidence for the resurrection of Jesus.” Response: The resurrection of Jesus is well attested in the New Testament documents, corroborated by eyewitnesses, and is the cornerstone of Christian faith (1 Corinthians 15:14-17).
17. Objection: “Christian morality is outdated and oppressive.” Response: Christian morality, based on Scripture, reflects God’s holy nature and design for human flourishing. It is timeless and grounded in love and truth (Matthew 22:37-40).
18. Objection: “Religion causes wars and conflict.” Response: While some have misused religion for conflict, Christianity advocates peace and reconciliation. Conflicts involving religion often have complex cultural and political causes (Matthew 5:9).
19. Objection: “The universe can be explained without God.” Response: The complexity and order of the universe point to a deliberate Creator. The existence of God provides a comprehensive explanation for the universe’s existence and purpose (Psalm 19:1).
20. Objection: “Christianity is intolerant.” Response: Christianity upholds truth and love, calling for respect and compassion for all people. Adherence to biblical truth is not intolerance, but faithfulness to God’s word (Ephesians 4:15).
21. Objection: “Evolution disproves the Bible.” Response: The Bible’s account of creation is a revelation of God’s sovereign work. Evolution, as commonly presented, contradicts this account and is therefore questioned on both theological and scientific grounds (Genesis 1, Psalm 104).
22. Objection: “The idea of a personal God is wishful thinking.” Response: Belief in a personal God is rooted in both the scriptural revelation and the experiential reality of God’s involvement in the world, validated through the person of Jesus Christ (John 20:30-31).
23. Objection: “How can God be just if He allows innocent suffering?” Response: Suffering in the world is a result of sin and the Fall. God’s justice and mercy are ultimately reconciled in Christ. Suffering is used by God for His purposes and glory (Romans 8:18).
24. Objection: “Christians are hypocritical and judgmental.” Response: While Christians, being imperfect, can fail to live up to Christ’s teachings, true Christianity promotes humility, repentance, and grace, not hypocrisy (Romans 3:23-24).
25. Objection: “Faith in God is a psychological crutch.” Response: Faith in God is a reasoned response to His revelation in Scripture and in Christ. It provides a solid foundation for understanding reality, not a mere emotional crutch (1 Peter 3:15).
26. Objection: “The Bible condones slavery.” Response: Biblical references to slavery must be understood in their historical context. The Bible’s overarching themes point toward spiritual freedom and moral responsibility (Galatians 3:28).
27. Objection: “Christianity suppresses women.” Response: Christianity values the dignity and worth of women. The Bible teaches mutual respect and love, with men and women fulfilling complementary roles (Ephesians 5:21-33).
28. Objection: “The Bible is full of myths and fairy tales.” Response: The Bible, though containing various literary genres, is a reliable record of God’s interaction with humanity, including historical events (2 Peter 1:16).
29. Objection: “Why would a loving God create a world with natural disasters?” Response: Natural disasters are part of a fallen world affected by sin. They are not an indication of God’s lack of love, but a reality of a world in need of redemption (Romans 8:22-23).
30. Objection: “Christians are anti-LGBTQ.” Response: Christian ethics, based on Scripture, uphold specific standards for human sexuality. This stance is not about hatred or fear, but about faithfulness to biblical teachings (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

Questions 31-60

1. Objection: “The existence of so many denominations shows Christianity is inconsistent.” Response: The existence of denominations reflects differing human interpretations of Scripture, but does not negate the truth of Christianity’s core doctrines, which are consistent and grounded in the Bible (Ephesians 4:4-6).
2. Objection: “Prayer doesn’t work; it doesn’t change God’s mind.” Response: Prayer is not about changing God’s mind, but aligning ourselves with His will. It’s a means of communion with God, and He often uses it to accomplish His purposes (James 5:16).
3. Objection: “If God knows everything, why pray?” Response: Prayer is an act of obedience and relationship with God. While God is omniscient, He commands us to pray as a means of participating in His plan (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
4. Objection: “The concept of original sin is unjust.” Response: Original sin represents the fallen state of humanity due to Adam’s sin. It’s a biblical doctrine showing the need for redemption through Christ (Romans 5:12-19).
5. Objection: “Christianity is just a means of escaping reality.” Response: Christianity confronts the reality of sin, the need for redemption, and offers a hope that is grounded in the historical reality of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:17-19).
6. Objection: “The Bible’s teaching on hell is morally repugnant.” Response: Hell is a just consequence of sin. The doctrine of hell highlights the seriousness of sin and the holiness of God, while emphasizing the urgency of salvation through Christ (Matthew 25:46).
7. Objection: “Christianity is a relic of a primitive, unscientific age.” Response: Christianity is based on historical events and transcendent truths that are relevant in all ages. Its teachings offer profound insights into human nature and morality (Hebrews 13:8).
8. Objection: “There’s no proof Jesus ever existed.” Response: Historical evidence for Jesus’ existence includes New Testament accounts, early Christian writings, and references by non-Christian historians. This evidence is widely accepted by scholars (1 Corinthians 15:3-8).
9. Objection: “The Bible supports immoral practices like genocide and infanticide.” Response: Biblical accounts of warfare and judgment must be understood in their historical and theological context, as part of God’s righteous judgment and overarching redemptive plan (Joshua 11:20).
10. Objection: “Christianity discourages intellectual inquiry.” Response: Christianity values truth and reason, encouraging believers to engage thoughtfully and critically with their faith (Isaiah 1:18).
11. Objection: “Faith is believing without evidence.” Response: Christian faith is based on the evidence of Scripture, the historical reality of Jesus Christ, and the transformative experience of believers. It’s not blind belief, but trust in revealed truth (Hebrews 11:1).
12. Objection: “Science has disproven the soul.” Response: The concept of the soul is a spiritual matter beyond the scope of science. The existence of the soul is affirmed by Scripture and the innate human sense of consciousness and moral awareness (Matthew 10:28).
13. Objection: “The Bible’s view of women is misogynistic.” Response: Scripture teaches the equal value and dignity of men and women. While acknowledging different roles, the Bible uplifts and honors women (Galatians 3:28).
14. Objection: “Christianity is based on fear and guilt.” Response: Christianity addresses sin and its consequences, but its core message is one of grace, forgiveness, and redemption through Christ, not fear and guilt (Romans 8:1).
15. Objection: “The God of the Old Testament is different from the New Testament.” Response: God’s character is consistent throughout Scripture. The Old Testament’s emphasis on justice complements the New Testament’s focus on grace, both integral to God’s nature (Hebrews 13:8).
16. Objection: “The concept of sin is just a way to control people.” Response: Sin is a biblical doctrine describing humanity’s rebellion against God. It’s not about control, but understanding our need for God’s grace (Romans 3:23-24).
17. Objection: “How can a loving God command the killing of entire nations in the Old Testament?” Response: These commands were specific to particular historical contexts, serving as part of God’s judgment and redemptive plan for humanity (Deuteronomy 9:5).
18. Objection: “Christianity is irrelevant in modern society.” Response: Christianity addresses fundamental human questions and needs that are timeless. Its teachings continue to offer profound guidance and hope (Hebrews 4:12).
19. Objection: “The universe’s size disproves the idea of a personal God interested in humans.” Response: The vastness of the universe showcases God’s power and majesty. His interest in humanity is a testament to His immeasurable love and grace (Psalm 8:3-4).
20. Objection: “Christianity’s focus on the afterlife devalues this life.” Response: Christianity values this life as a gift from God, while also offering eternal hope. It teaches stewardship of life and caring for others (John 10:10).
21. Objection: “The Bible endorses harsh punishments like stoning.” Response: Biblical laws must be understood within their ancient Near Eastern context. They served specific purposes at the time and point to the seriousness of sin and the need for a savior (Galatians 3:24).
22. Objection: “Christians only believe because they were raised that way.” Response: While upbringing influences beliefs, many Christians have made a personal decision to follow Christ based on personal conviction and the truth of the Gospel (John 3:16).
23. Objection: “The Bible is full of contradictions.” Response: Apparent contradictions in the Bible often result from misunderstanding the context or genre. A thorough study reveals a harmonious and consistent message (2 Timothy 2:15).
24. Objection: “Christianity is just another myth or legend.” Response: Christianity is grounded in historical events, particularly the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, supported by historical evidence and eyewitness testimony (1 Corinthians 15:3-6).
25. Objection: “Jesus’ teachings were not unique; they are found in other religions.” Response: While some moral teachings are similar, the uniqueness of Christianity lies in the person and work of Jesus Christ, especially His claims to divinity and the resurrection (John 14:6).
26. Objection: “The Bible promotes violence and war.” Response: The Bible contains accounts of violence, but its overarching message is one of peace and reconciliation through Christ. Historical events must be viewed within their broader redemptive context (Matthew 5:9).
27. Objection: “The church has a history of oppression and violence.” Response: While acknowledging failures in church history, these do not negate the truth of Christianity. The Gospel promotes love, justice, and compassion (John 13:34-35).
28. Objection: “The idea of the Trinity is illogical and contradictory.” Response: The Trinity is a complex yet coherent doctrine revealed in Scripture. It is a mystery that reflects the depth and richness of God’s nature (Deuteronomy 29:29, Matthew 28:19).
29. Objection: “The concept of salvation through faith alone is too simplistic.” Response: Salvation by faith alone is a profound doctrine that emphasizes God’s grace and the sufficiency of Christ’s atonement. It’s not simplistic but deeply transformative (Ephesians 2:8-9).
30. Objection: “Christianity condemns those who don’t believe, which is unfair.” Response: Christianity teaches that salvation is available to all through faith in Christ. This doctrine reflects God’s justice and the seriousness of sin (John 3:18).

Read More

1. “Reasonable Faith: Christian Truth and Apologetics” by William Lane Craig – A renowned philosopher and theologian, Craig presents sophisticated arguments for the existence of God and critiques atheistic positions, offering a compelling case for Christian theism.
2. “The God Who Is There: Finding Your Place in God’s Story” by D.A. Carson – Carson, a respected evangelical scholar, explores the narrative of the Bible and its implications for understanding God, reality, and the shortcomings of atheism, providing a thorough theological and apologetic perspective.