• Home
  • About Me
  • Blog
    • Apologetics
    • Atheism
    • Bible
    • Devotion
    • Church
    • Evangelism
    • Hiddenness of God
    • Leadership
    • Philosophy
    • Religious Pluralism
    • Science and Faith
    • Theology
  • My Books
  • Video
  • Talks
  • Invite Me
No Result
View All Result
Rick Mattson Outreach Ministry
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Blog
    • Apologetics
    • Atheism
    • Bible
    • Devotion
    • Church
    • Evangelism
    • Hiddenness of God
    • Leadership
    • Philosophy
    • Religious Pluralism
    • Science and Faith
    • Theology
  • My Books
  • Video
  • Talks
  • Invite Me
No Result
View All Result
Rick Mattson Outreach Ministry
No Result
View All Result

Love Your Atheist Neighbor Part 2: Don’t Strike Back

October 13, 2017

One of the currents winding its way through the church these days is that atheists don’t deserve our love and that we should treat them in the same manner they treat us, whether good or bad.

Thus, we allow them to determine our behavior. If atheists are respectful and kind, so are we. If not, we’re not.

But a different current winds its way through the New Testament: love your enemies.

Return curses with blessings.

Turn the other cheek.

Rejoice that you are considered worthy to suffer for the name.

Many of the so-called “new” atheists offer little in the way of argumentation, either for their position or against mine. Rather, they engage in mockery and ridicule of their opponents.

Their main weapon is insult, not logic. Snicker, not syllogism.

I absorb this sort of rhetorical attack quite often from one of my atheist friends, and I can tell you, it’s no fun.

But if I strike back I’m actually allowing him to set the terms of our interaction. I’m stooping to his level and affirming that I’m no different than him. 

And if I’m no different than him, why should he change?

Let’s say on the other hand that I show love to my atheist neighbor, even when he’s shooting me down.  This is the way of Jesus.

I ask you: what might be the result?

 

Share120Tweet75
Rick Mattson

Rick Mattson

Comments 3

  1. PK says:
    7 years ago

    This is very timely for me. One of my atheist friends has just decided to take on the challenge of my faith. I am not sure how to respond to him, but I want to not respond to him in the tone that he is using with me. Thanks for the reminder.

    Reply
    • Rickmattson100 says:
      7 years ago

      You’re welcome! I just hope I will always follow my own advice, PK.

      Reply
  2. Kate Norlander says:
    7 years ago

    Amen.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

About Me

Rick Mattson Outreach Ministry

Rick Mattson

Evangelist & Writer

Hello & welcome to my blog! My name is Rick Mattson and I'm a traveling evangelist/apologist.

SUBSCRIBE! You'll be notified by email whenever a new post comes out
Loading

Categories

  • Apologetics (152)
  • Atheism (47)
  • Bible (32)
  • Church (67)
  • Devotion (102)
  • Evangelism (52)
  • Hiddenness of God (9)
  • Leadership (65)
  • Philosophy (7)
  • Religious Pluralism (14)
  • Science and Faith (3)
  • Theology (1)

Popular

  • Apologetics for Kids

    Apologetics for Kids

    328 shares
    Share 131 Tweet 82
  • Tradition as a Guardrail

    326 shares
    Share 130 Tweet 82
  • Muslim Dialogue

    312 shares
    Share 125 Tweet 78
  • Objective Truth is Back

    306 shares
    Share 122 Tweet 77
  • What I’m Working On: Part 1 of 3: Inside-to-Out

    306 shares
    Share 122 Tweet 77
Facebook Twitter

© 2022 Site by 5BCreative

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Blog
    • Apologetics
    • Atheism
    • Bible
    • Devotion
    • Church
    • Evangelism
    • Hiddenness of God
    • Leadership
    • Philosophy
    • Religious Pluralism
    • Science and Faith
    • Theology
  • My Books
  • Video
  • Talks
  • Invite Me