Summary: Someone asked me, "How do you deal with someone who claims to be an atheist and who constantly responds argumentatively? How do you get through to them and manage to give them the gospel?" Okay, first of all, I've done it a few times myself. The first thing is: don't be nervous. Often atheists are people who suspect that there's a God but don't want to believe in Him and they begin to argue, rather loudly most of the time, and very insultingly sometimes as some of the British atheists that are trying to dismiss the faith of believers today. The first thing I do is I pray instantly. "Lord, give me wisdom." Secondly, I listen very carefully. Listen to what the atheist says. Ask him questions. For instance, "Oh, so you don't believe God created the world. Okay, how do you think the world was created?" and he'll give you some long story and listen carefully and give him time to do it and don't mock and don't roll your eyes. When you've listened, then say, "Lord, give me a Bible verse that I can give this person." I read that years ago. Pick one verse and drive it home. And, when you begin to do your part in sharing the gospel, repeat that verse over and over. I remember doing it very clearly, the first time, with a Communist secretary in South America and she gave her life to Jesus Christ. So, those are the beginning answers on how to handle an atheist. In another program, I'll give you more suggestions.
