In Peter 3:15 there is an answer to Y/A?

Question

My bible says:

:and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meakness and fear.

Other versions say something like this but what they all have in common is that a believer, by the word of God, can NOT attack a non believer. My direct question, then, is: if the bible is the authentic word of God what is the justification for calling out the atheists or anyone else that disagrees? Is this behavior acceptable to any Christian?

I have questions and I'm trying to understand but the more hate and anger I hear here (not letting the Atheists off the hook either but they, because they do not accept the Bible as the authentic word of God, at least have a kind of justification in their frustrations on occasion), the less I wish to learn.

Answer 1

Remember you are talking about "Christians" that may support the wars of their nations. Some support the death penalty, and may be as Obama said "gun packing, angry people who turn to their faith".

So, don't let the rudeness of some be the tool that you use to measure the value of faith and confidence in God.

Most of the really stupid arguments are like two school kids yelling at each other. They are not behaving as adults and some times the power to be "invisible" on the internet using fake names and avatars cause the stupid factor to grow.

Answer 2

It doesnt say we can not

but if the bible does teach that we should teach the truth in love.

Answer 3

That verse is most accurately translated to regard witnessing to non-believers, not telling other Christians why we believe as we do.

We are to always be ready to defend the authenticity of the Word of God, but are to do it in a knowledgeable, literal way.

Answer 4

If I have offended, I do apologize. Christians are only human.

Answer 5

Simply put, Christians are not perfect... just forgiven. Granted, we should strive for perfection, we are called to be sanctified like our Savior, but we fall short so often.

We are instructed here to give reasons for our faith and actions with love and meekness. The entire letter by Peter is about faith under persecution. Christians need to rise above and endure through all the hatred that the world throws at us, not with spite or a hateful attitude, but with love and an attitude of Jesus Christ.

Answer 6

Being an Atheist is not a religion or faith it is an opening of the mind to look forward and enjoy the learning curve along the way. The Atheist have met around the world have a higher moral and ethical standard that most religious people I have meet because they see the problems and work at solutions.Always looking at one side of a problem causes separation of the human race. Some people have the abilities to look at the whole picture and some don't.

Answer 7

This actually sounds like an attempt for atheists to get carte blanche privleges to brow-beat on the Christians...

Don't take the forum so seriously...in the scheme of things, this place has less importance than a rain drop...

Answer 8

Well, there are people here disguised as Christians, who are thoroughly convinced that they are Christians, who will stab you in the back at the first sign of disagreement.

I'd say they were not Christians to begin with, and I totally agree with your chastisement of them.

If everyone simply practiced good manners, of course, this would be an ideal, mature and safe place to come for religious answers.  

But it sure would not be very challenging or insightful.  Very often, the basic questions at the foundation of your faith are brought to your attention for you acknowledgment and verification.  This place is like a testing ground, complete with land mines and heat-seeking missiles.

Answer 9

And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Matthew 3:2

Blow a trumpet in Zion, And sound an ALARM on My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, For the day of the LORD is coming; Surely it is near

Joel 2:1

no behavior like that isn't accepted. though through meekness and fear it is. it is the sense of urgency whereby we confront the unbeliever. wether they hear or not isn't our problem, our duty is to be faithful in response to the word as is theirs.

Answer 10

One of the goals for theists is to spread the word of "god" to others. Ofcourse it is hard to do when they face atheists so they make verbal threats and meaningless bible quotes. They seem to forget we know that bible was written by man so it's not  proof of anything.

Answer 11

1 Peter is written to converted Jews- not gentile Christians.

This reference is to converted Jews dealing with other Jews who have not converted.

It has nothing to do with Christians dealing with atheists. Perhaps this is why you don't understand. You are attempting to apply something intended for one specific group to an unintended group. It never works right when you do.