Evangelizing to Agnostics

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Hey everyone. How would one go about evangelizing a liberal? My best friend, Darrell, is a liberal. He believes in God but he doesn’t have hardly any of the orthodox Christian beliefs. He believes in Karma and some in Taoism. How would one go about evangelizing him? I know the best way to evangelize is through living a Christ-like life but how else could one evangelize such a person?
 
If he believes in God, offer to take him to church. But if he’s a liberal who has beliefs against the Church’s teachings, I don’t think you can do anything about that except pray that the truth be revealed to him.
 
I have a friend who is an agnostic. Interestingly, he made a point of me understanding he is an agnostic and not an atheist. Hmmm. He recently discovered that Catholics believe that the Eucharist is the Real Presence. To him, this is insanity.

The Bible is myth so I can’t go there. I came to the conclusion the only way I could reach him is through his interest in math and science. EWTN has a wonderful series, way beyond my capabilities, proving the existence of God through physics etc. Fascinating to me and I don’t even understand what the priest is saying. 😃 So I would direct my friend to that series and then discuss what he thought.

Another idea that just came to mind is check out Marcus Grodi’s web site. He does THE JOURNEY HOME on EWTN. He might have a the story of a believer in Eastern philosophy who converted to Catholicism. You might give him the convert’s story to read.
 
aicirt said:
I have a friend who is an agnostic. Interestingly, he made a point of me understanding he is an agnostic and not an atheist. Hmmm. He recently discovered that Catholics believe that the Eucharist is the Real Presence. To him, this is insanity.

The Bible is myth so I can’t go there. I came to the conclusion the only way I could reach him is through his interest in math and science. EWTN has a wonderful series, way beyond my capabilities, proving the existence of God through physics etc. Fascinating to me and I don’t even understand what the priest is saying. 😃 So I would direct my friend to that series and then discuss what he thought.

Another idea that just came to mind is check out Marcus Grodi’s web site. He does THE JOURNEY HOME on EWTN. He might have a the story of a believer in Eastern philosophy who converted to Catholicism. You might give him the convert’s story to read.
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Your approach is very good.

1 Cor 8

acting on the priciple of love not knowledge.
 
57Bill said:
Your approach is very good.

1 Cor 8

acting on the priciple of love not knowledge.
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Thank You kindly sir. :curtsey: It is a planned approach. I’m still circling the wagons with him. 😉

Father Pacwa (sp?) mentioned on his show C.S.Lewis’ small book, MIRACLES. Lewis was an atheist before embracing the Anglican Church. Apparently answers many questions an atheist/agnostic and, hopefully, a liberal might have.
 
Holly3278 said:
Hey everyone. How would one go about evangelizing a liberal? My best friend, Darrell, is a liberal. He believes in God but he doesn’t have hardly any of the orthodox Christian beliefs. He believes in Karma and some in Taoism. How would one go about evangelizing him? I know the best way to evangelize is through living a Christ-like life but how else could one evangelize such a person?
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TOUGH Question 😃

WHY?

Because it God’s TASK to convert.

We can but know and live our faith fully and publically AND If the HS presents an opportunity to Catechize then be ready in charity to do so.

You MIGHT ask if an opportunity OPEN END questions like:

What do you know about God?

Have you ever read parts of the Bible?

What is YOUR understanding of “The After Life”?

Do you know “what sin” is?

Does God HAVE TO BE “Just and Fair”?

These type question; God willing can lead to further discussions.

Pray and be ready,👍

God Bless,
pat/PJM
 
Hokomai said:
Why not the old Testament?
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Because the Judaizers were rebuked.

5 word answer to a 5 word question 😛

To the OP, I would say that your friend already believes in God, that’s a good start. I would go through the Bible about the Nature of God. Just google “promises of God in the Bible” or something which reflects who God is. And you’ll find Scripture which goes against liberal Christian beliefs.

I don’t know much about what a Agnostic/ Karma/ Taosit believes 😃 So, I’d just ask him about his beliefs, and all you’re called to do is present him what you believe about the same things and why. The Holy Spirit should do the rest. [And if you don’t know where to start, I’m sure your priest would love to talk to you about this]
 
I would get him to read the Bible but he is not open to doing so.
 
First of all, it is not your responsibility to ensure a specific outcome (i.e. his conversion). That specific outcome is between him and God alone.

However, you can aid and abet his conversion -
  1. St. Francis said “Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words only when necessary.” Be an example. Channel God’s love at every opportunity. Mother Teresa also said “You know my God. My God is called Love.” So, basically, someone who knows love knows God, even if they don’t know that they know God.
  2. Be familiar with common agnostic / atheist objections, and be familiar with the common reesponses. It’s great for showing an agnostic / atheist that religious people are not intellectual imbeciles (a common misconception) but that they can be just as intellectual (if not more so) than the next person).
  3. Exercise the Socratic method. This is a great way to ask questions and put the burden of proof on your friend. I do this with my husband all the time, who generally accepts modern notions of right and wrong, and I put on my Socrates hat and lead him, through questioning, to admit that even though he doesn’t believe in Christianity, it is the Judeo-Christian intellectual tradition that informs his ethical beliefs. A great way to start this line of questioning is simply to ask “Why?” when your friend asserts something. Another great question is, “How do you know?”
Please note the order I put these in. Many people may not have the time / energy / whatever to be effective at #2 and #3 (although it’s a great challenge to stretch yourself!), but #1 is something that we are ALL called to do and should be your primary technique.

Hope this helps!
 
Holly3278 said:
Hey everyone. How would one go about evangelizing a liberal? My best friend, Darrell, is a liberal. He believes in God but he doesn’t have hardly any of the orthodox Christian beliefs. He believes in Karma and some in Taoism. How would one go about evangelizing him? I know the best way to evangelize is through living a Christ-like life but how else could one evangelize such a person?
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I would evangelize him the same way I would evangelize anyone: I would start by presenting the law to him and explain to him that, by transgressing God’s law, he has made himself an enemy of God. If there is any reaction, then I would move on to the Gospel and explain to him God’s plan to save sinners.

athenac said:
1) St. Francis said “Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words only when necessary.”
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Actually, although that quote is often attributed to him, there’s no evidence that he said that. But what we do know about Francis is that he was a prolific preacher of the Gospel, so we have to wonder why he would spend so much time following the Biblical model of evangelism by proclaiming the Gospel. If we’re only to “use words” if it’s “necessary”, then the Biblical model shows that it must be necessary every time.
Be an example. Channel God’s love at every opportunity. Mother Teresa also said “You know my God. My God is called Love.” So, basically, someone who knows love knows God, even if they don’t know that they know God.
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The issue isn’t whether or not they know God, but whether or not they are among the unregenerate who are enemies of God because of their sin.
 
Holly3278 said:
Hey everyone. How would one go about evangelizing a liberal? My best friend, Darrell, is a liberal. He believes in God but he doesn’t have hardly any of the orthodox Christian beliefs. He believes in Karma and some in Taoism. How would one go about evangelizing him? I know the best way to evangelize is through living a Christ-like life but how else could one evangelize such a person?
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Live your life in such a way that he wants what you have, and is willing to find out about it in order to get it.

🤷

I really think that is the best way to evangelize almost anyone.
 
Hi Holly,
I completely agree with Julianne, just continue to be christ like and loving and pray for him that his eyes made me opened to the truth. Also, say a rosary for him and make sure you use the sacraments ie. Confession and Communion to keep yourself spiritually healthy.

God Bless :hug1::signofcross:
 
Hokomai said:
Why not the old Testament?
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That is also a good idea, but it should come after you want to know about Jesus. I did not understand the paschal mystery until I became familiar with the Old Testament. Reading it without true faith can confuse and turn people away.
 
Holly3278,

Ask him questions about his beliefs. Listen carefully and consider everything he says. Take time to form your understanding of his positions, then ask him further questions. The more you listen, the more you learn; the more you learn, the better you can ask questions; the better questions you ask, the more intrigued he will become by your beliefs; the more intrigued he is, the more questions he will ask, and the work of evangelization comes to you. Then simply propose modest, humble answers with proper substance, and leave the rest to God.

Yes, I know. It’s a lot of work, time, practice, trust and hope. And I haven’t done it myself, yet. But in my eyes, that is the ideal to strive for. I hope it helps.

God love you,
sandomenico
 
You say he is a liberal? I would assume he self-identifies with caring for the poor? Many people have no idea of the Catholic teaching and practice on the behalf of the poor, and presenting the real teaching is a good discussion starter. I have a liberal bible study friend who is a Church of Christ member. He thought Catholicism is all about “the rules” etc… We talked about care for the poor at a few of our meetings and he was amazed at how much his cares and concerns align with those of the Catholic Church. I gave him the Mother Theresa bio “Come Be My Light” and that made a deep impression.

I don’t know if he will ever convert or not, that’s not up to me, God will handle it.
 
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