Q: How do you evangelize to someone who doesn't believe in the existence of God?

In tackling this question, it is important to figure out what it is actually asking. This is one of those broad questions that we would hope had a easy simplistic answer. The truth is that this topic is so vague because there is no formula of witnessing to those who don’t believe there is a god because everyone comes from a different history and background, with their own story and perspectives.

Firstly, to clarify, atheists believe that there is no god, as opposed to theism (which is a belief that there is a god or gods). As Christians, we have a monotheistic view (one God) existing in a Trinity (the Christian belief of God existing as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – 3 in 1, one nature, three persons).

The reason for this question being so vague is that there are many various reasons why people don’t believe in God (or a god, for the matter). The most common major objections are: the problem of evil (there is evil in the world, so there can’t be an all good and loving God); the Big Bang/Evolution vs. Creation debate; God didn’t answer my prayers; and I’m doing fine, so why do I need God?

The main approach to evangelizing to someone who doesn't believe there's a god is to ask or find out: Why he/she doesn’t believe that there is a god? This is the key clincher question to approach this topic. We have to know where they are coming from, and ultimately believe and trust that God will meet them where they are at. This is our hope and confidence.

Here's what we can do:

• pray and ask God to reveal Himself to that person
• recognize that it is God, through the power of the Holy Spirit who moves and changes a person’s heart and not our own efforts
• pray for strength, discernment, and courage to witness to this person and for God to speak through you
• devote yourself to following Jesus that others may see Him through you
• ask yourself, “why do I believe God exists?” and share your personal answer with them
• Come alongside them, get to know them, see what they are all about, befriend them, show God’s love to them

As we start to understand where a person is at by answering that key question, we are able to know how to encourage them to look to God. If they just don't know anything about God and are oblivious on how to look, examine the Scripture accounts that talk about who God is and look to Jesus, who the apostle Paul says in Colossians 1:15 is the image of the invisible God. If they have rational doubts, study up on how to answer these barriers and look at some reasoning proofs, such as intelligent design or first cause. The most important aspect is to find out where they are at and the barriers they hold against believing in God. Only then we will be able to begin evangelizing to those who don't believe in Him.

[Answered by Jon]