There is a repeated saying that goes: “The fastest way to become atheist is to read the whole Bible." The reason? So many people have Bibles but have never read the whole thing. The claim is Christians generally focus on the nice parts, but there are many parts of the Bible that often ignored that include verses that seem:
- anti-women
- anti-Science
- pro-violence
- pro-slavery
- hateful and divisive
Join us for a thoughtful discussion with an atheist who grew up “Christian” but reading the Bible caused him to become an atheist. And a Christian, who was an atheist but reading the Bible caused her to become a Christian. We will hear their stories and then have discussion on the troubling part of the Bible that often are leading to deconstructing and even abandoning faith.
Featuring:
Mary Jo Sharp, a former atheist and now Christian. Mary Jo is Assistant Professor of Apologetics at Houston Baptist University and author of “Why I Still Believe: A Former Atheist’s Reckoning with the Bad Reputation Christians Give a Good God” (www.maryjosharp.com )
Michael Wiseman, is a former Christian, now an atheist. He is the host of The Bible Says What!?, a podcast and YouTube channel that features his one-on-one conversations with Bible-believing podcasters, authors, pastors, and religious leaders from across the globe. He is also the author of a book of the same name.
Dialogue Moderator: Dan Kimball, Western Seminary/ReGeneration Project and author of How (Not) To Read The Bible.
For questions contact: kaylee@regenerationproject.org
Regeneration Project is a ministry of Western Seminary
Didn't get all of your questions answered tonight? Here are a few resources to help you in your search for truth. If you'd like to connect with someone regarding your questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at info@regenerationproject.org.
Trustworthiness of Scripture
How (Not) to Read the Bible: Making Sense of the Anti-women, Anti-science, Pro-violence, Pro-slavery and Other Crazy-Sounding Parts of Scripture by Dan Kimball
Why I Still Believe: A Former Atheist’s Reckoning with the Bad Reputation Christians Give a Good God by Mary Jo Sharp
7 Reasons Why You Can Trust the Bible by Erwin W. Lutzer
Why I Trust the Bible: Answers to Real Questions and Doubts People Have About the Bible by William D. Mounce
Is God Just a Human Invention? by Sean McDowell
Evidence that Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell and Sean McDowell
The Bible & Women
Two Views of Women in Ministry by Santley Gundry and James Beck
The Bible & Science
Four Views on Creation, Evolution, and Intelligent Design by Ken Ham, Hugh Ross, Deborah Haarsma, Stephen C. Meyer, James Stump, Stanley N. Gundry
The Bible & Violence
Is God a Moral Monster?: Making Sense of the Old Testament God by Paul Copan
Is God a Vindictive Bully?: Reconciling Portrayals of God in the Old and New Testaments by Paul Copan