An Open Letter to a Closed Heart

Dear Unbelieving Friend,

I hope it doesn't sound strange to see those words side by side: "unbelieving" and "friend." You don't believe in God, and it appears your heart is closed to matters of faith. But be assured I consider you a friend.

I'm not better than you. I'm not a religious fanatic. I'm not your judge and jury. And I don't have all the answers, but I do have some questions for you to consider.

What Do You Believe?

Anyone can be against something, but what are you for? If you choose not to follow Christ, then for whom (or what) are you living?

Is it really God you reject, or an inaccurate caricature of him? Have you read the Bible carefully and pondered its message for yourself, or have you simply heard what others say about it? Rich or poor, educated or uneducated, beautiful or plain, we all face death. On what basis do you have any hope beyond the grave?

It's easy to find fault with the church or point out difficult statements in the Bible, but skepticism alone makes a pretty weak religion. If you reject the Christian faith, what do you affirm in its place?

It's not enough to say you're an atheist and you don't believe in God. I am not a Buddhist or a Muslim, but I don't call myself an "a-Buddhist" or an "a-Muslim." I define myself not merely by what I reject but by what I believe; in Christ I have something positive to affirm. What do you believe—and on what grounds?

Why Don't You Believe?

Some doubters have serious intellectual reservations about God and the Scriptures, and I have my share of questions myself. But let's be fair. Science, art, and philosophy raise questions we can't fully answer, but that doesn't invalidate what we know is true in those fields. Questions about God can actually lead to a strong and well-informed faith. A number of well-written books (Lee Strobel's The Case for Faith comes to mind) offer thoughtful answers to common queries about God and the Bible. Christians don't believe in spite of the evidence; we believe because of the evidence.

Perhaps you reject God for other reasons. Has a church or a minister let you down? Did you offer a heartfelt prayer that seemed to fall on deaf ears?

Have you considered the possibility that if you're angry toward God, it's subtle evidence that he actually exists? It doesn't make sense to be angry with a non-existent being! When you struggle to square human brokenness with God's love and justice, you're in good company. The Psalms, the book of Job, and other parts of the Bible express similar emotions over and over again. And yet, the Bible's final word is always one of hope, not despair.

In Whom Do You Believe?

If you distrust religious leaders, I agree that caution is justified, for a lot of harm has been done in the name of religion and even the most sincere believers are flawed. But just because some doctors make mistakes, it's foolish to decide you will never seek the help of a doctor again. If you dismiss all Christians as hypocrites, you're not being fair to those who are genuine. Give them a chance, and you might find some authentic believers who can help with your spiritual journey. What is the alternative—believing in yourself? If you merely trust your own intellect, abilities, and good deeds, you ultimately will be disappointed and lost because you are flawed too.

I don't want to quarrel with you about "religion"; I'm encouraging you to believe in Jesus. Have you considered the Bible's central theme—that the Creator himself intersected human history in a supreme act of humility and love, giving his own life so we can live? Read the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) for yourself. You might be surprised how frustrated Jesus felt with the religious establishment and how much compassion he extended to those on society's margins. His teachings are challenging, his miracles are intriguing, his death is an unparalleled demonstration of sacrificial love, and his resurrection is a beacon of hope. Jesus reveals what God is like, and it's a portrait of amazing grace. When the apostle Peter told a crowd in Jerusalem about Jesus, they responded to God's grace through personal repentance (deciding to turn from sin to God) and baptism (immersed in water as a humble act of submission and faith), and God gave them incredible gifts that could be yours as well: forgiveness, spiritual strength, a sense of purpose, and community with others (Acts 2:36-47).

The apostle Paul went to Athens, Greece, and explained about Christ and his resurrection. Some of his hearers "sneered, but others said, 'We want to hear you again on this subject,' while still others 'became followers of Paul and believed'" (Acts 17:32-34). These three responses are typical when Christians share our faith: (1) Some mock the message and firmly refuse to believe. (2) Some remain undecided, but they're open to further discussion. (3) Some believe in Christ. If you've read my letter this far, then even if you're not ready to believe, at least you're willing to keep exploring. Why don't we continue the conversation? I promise not to do all of the talking.

In the meantime, when you hear a guest knocking at the entrance to your heart, please consider the possibility that it's not just me rapping on the door. It might be the best friend you will ever encounter—the Lord himself. I pray that one day you will open the door and invite him in.

Sincerely, Your Believing Friend