My guess a sketch from Monty Python’s Flying Circus from 50 years ago is unexpected for this space today.
A man enters an “Argument Clinic”:
Man: Is this the right room for an argument?
Other Man: I’ve told you once.
Man: No you haven’t!
Other Man: Yes I have.
M: When?
O: Just now.
M: No you didn’t!
O: Yes I did!
M: You didn’t!
O: I did!
M: You didn’t!
O: I’m telling you, I did!
M: You did not!
O: Oh I’m sorry, is this a five-minute argument, or the full half hour?
M: Ah! (taking out his wallet and paying) Just the five minutes.
O: Just the five minutes. Thank you. Anyway, I did.
M: You most certainly did not!
O: Now let’s get one thing quite clear: I most definitely told you!
M: Oh no you didn’t!
O: Oh yes I did!
M: Oh no you didn’t!
O: Oh yes I did!
M: Oh no you didn’t!
O: Oh yes I did!
M: Oh no you didn’t!
O: Oh yes I did!
M: Oh no you didn’t!
O: Oh yes I did!
And for several minutes, the sketch goes on like that. A classic.
Unfortunately, this ping-pong approach to arguments is fairly common, which is why the above sketch was so funny. For every intelligent, informed debate on important issues affecting the world today are thousands or millions of Monty Python argument-clinic sketches.
Many Christian writers desire to write to those who are not Christ-followers and craft a reasonable, logical presentation of the hope, which is in them. But the nonbelieving world will likely respond with a confident “No, it’s not” to each truthful assertion about the Bible and God.
And to be blunt, simply being contrary is all they’ve got. It’s their only defense mechanism.
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles (Romans 1:18-23, NIV).
It seems somewhat logical: Writing in spiritual generalities or a nonoffensive manner would be the best way to write to “Bible Deniers,” but reality reveals just the opposite.
The Christian books that have been used most effectively in drawing interest from the unbelieving world left little doubt about the author’s perspective, their source of wisdom, and who receives praise for salvation.
So, you want to write to Bible Deniers? Write well, make your perspective clear, rely heavily on Scripture, and let the Holy Spirit do the work of opening the heart of the unbeliever. It’s that simple.
