Present Opportunities for Christians to Bear Witness

Last October, a British comedy writer called Ariane Sherine started an atheist advertising campaign. She placed ads on buses with the backing of several prominent atheists and human rights organizations. The slogan read, “There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.” At first they only planned to raise 5,500 pounds and run their campaign for 4 weeks on 30 buses. But their efforts actually garnered the support of many. Right now, this anti-God advertising can be seen on 800 buses and underground transit systems in many cities in England, Scotland and Wales. Although churches have also placed counter-response ads on buses, the atheist promotion has now spread to Spain, Italy, the U.S. and Canada. The American Humanist Association has published a similar anti-God slogan on buses and trains in Washington, D.C. that reads, “Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness’ sake.” In Canada, the B.C. Transit Authority has not yet ruled on an application by a group called Humanist Canada. According to reports, they propose to place ads at the SeaBus Terminal that says, “You can be good without God.”

This writer feels that the widespread atheist promotion actually affords us several areas of opportunity:

1. Opportunity to reflect on our faith – The public pronouncements of these slogans by atheists represent the world view of many people, views such as “There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life”, “Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness’ sake”, and “You can be good without God.” We should not be frightened by pointed questions. This is an opportunity for us to reflect on our relationship with God and examine how much we know about Biblical truths. We should use it to understand the general world view of non-believers, and contemplate on how to respond to the atheists’ challenge of our faith by combining the word of God with our own experiences before Him.

2. Opportunity to testify for the Lord – These ads of the atheists provide us with an opening to start a dialogue on religion with strangers. It is the best chance for us to share the Gospel and testify for the Lord. “…Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15)

3. Opportunity to give our all for the Truth - According to the code of the British Advertising Standards Authority, a marketer must present documentary evidence to substantiate all dissemination of information. This is the basis on which Christian Voice in Britain has complained to the governing body regarding the proof behind these anti-God messages. On the other hand, the faith that we testify to is built upon the unchanging Truth of God and the mighty work of the Holy Spirit. As well, there is the joint testimony of many Christians over 2000 years and our own subjective experiences. The conclusive evidence is far stronger than that of the atheists’. We should be loyal to the name of the Lord and fearlessly contend on behalf of the Truth.

This writer also believes that these atheists and human rights proponents will be restrained in their anti-God promotion, not because they accept the testimony of Christians, but because they fear repercussions from Muslims. Yet, the Son of the World will continue to search out opportunities to massively trumpet human rights so as to marginalize traditional moral values and push de-Christianization. These are certain trends at the end of age that will finally bring about the Anti-Christ. “Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for (that day will not come) until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped... For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work… The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan...” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-9) Therefore we must be vigilant and steadfast, and stand firm in the Truth.

By: Daniel To