Skepticism isn't new. Thoughtful people have questioned Christianity for centuries. These questions deserve serious answers—not dismissals, but evidence-based responses grounded in philosophy, history, and Scripture.
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find"
— Matthew 7:7 (KJV)
Explore 30 interconnected questions across 6 categories. Click any question to dive deep into comprehensive answers.
Evil exists because God gave humans genuine freedom to love or reject Him. A world without the possibility of evil would be a world without authentic love, courage, or moral growth. God doesn't cause evil but can use it redemptively.
While scientific proof isn't possible for a being beyond the physical universe, multiple philosophical arguments (cosmological, teleological, moral) combined with historical evidence and personal experience provide strong cumulative evidence for God's existence.
Christianity makes a unique historical claim: God became human in Jesus, died, and rose from the dead. This claim is testable through historical evidence. The resurrection of Jesus is attested by hostile witnesses, early testimony, and transformed lives.
God's omnipotence means He can do anything logically possible, not contradictory things. A world with free will but no possibility of wrong choices is logically contradictory. God works within the laws He established to preserve human agency.
God Himself experienced innocent suffering through Jesus on the cross. God doesn't remain distant from suffering but enters into it. While all suffering isn't explained, God promises presence in suffering and ultimate restoration.
Multiple non-Christian sources (Josephus, Tacitus, Pliny) confirm Jesus's existence, crucifixion under Pilate, and early Christian movement. Virtually all historians—including skeptics—accept Jesus's historical existence as established fact.
The resurrection explains multiple established facts: empty tomb, post-resurrection appearances to groups, transformation of skeptical disciples, conversion of Paul and James. Alternative explanations (hallucination, legend, theft) fail to account for all the evidence.
Jesus claimed to BE God, not just a prophet or teacher. He predicted His death and resurrection. He offered forgiveness through faith, not works. His tomb is empty. Other founders' tombs contain their remains. Jesus's resurrection validates His claims.
Humanity's sin created separation from God. Justice requires payment for wrongdoing. Jesus, being sinless and divine, could pay the penalty for all humanity. His death satisfied justice while His resurrection offers new life to all who believe.
The resurrection accounts appear in writings dated within 20-30 years of the event—too soon for legend. Paul's letter (1 Cor 15) contains a creed from within 3-5 years of the crucifixion. Eyewitnesses were still alive to correct false claims.
The New Testament has vastly more manuscript evidence than any other ancient document. Over 5,800 Greek manuscripts exist, with early copies dating to within decades of the originals. Textual criticism confirms 99.5% accuracy in transmission.
The vast manuscript evidence allows scholars to identify and correct any copyist errors. The Dead Sea Scrolls proved the Old Testament was preserved accurately for 1,000+ years. Modern translations go back to original language manuscripts, not translations of translations.
Most alleged contradictions involve differences in perspective (four Gospels give different details), copyist errors (identified and noted in footnotes), or misunderstanding of genre (poetry, apocalyptic, history require different reading approaches). Context and scholarship resolve most issues.
The Bible was written by men inspired by God. Its unified message across 1,500 years and 40+ authors, fulfilled prophecies, historical accuracy, textual preservation, and transformational power suggest divine origin beyond human capability alone.
The canon was determined by apostolic authorship/approval, early church acceptance, consistency with established teaching, and divine inspiration indicators. The process was organic, with broad consensus emerging over time rather than arbitrary decisions.
Biblical faith is trust based on evidence, not blind belief. Faith means trusting what evidence points toward even when not everything is proven. We exercise faith in many areas (trusting a pilot, believing historical claims) based on good reasons, not certainty.
Science explains how natural processes work, not why the universe exists, why it's fine-tuned for life, or why we have consciousness and morality. Science operates within methodological naturalism but can't address questions beyond the physical realm.
God provides sufficient evidence for those seeking truth, but not coercive proof that eliminates free choice. If God's existence were obvious, faith would be impossible—belief would be forced. God values relationship freely chosen over coerced acknowledgment.
Science and Christianity address different questions. Science studies the natural world's mechanisms. Christianity addresses purpose, meaning, and existence beyond the physical. Many leading scientists are Christians. The two are complementary, not contradictory.
Millions of highly educated people—scientists, philosophers, scholars—believe in God. Belief in God is not anti-intellectual but supported by philosophical arguments, historical evidence, and personal experience. Intelligence doesn't guarantee correct worldview assumptions.
Christianity doesn't claim Christians are perfect, only forgiven. Hypocrisy occurs when people fail to live up to standards they claim. This doesn't invalidate Christianity's truth any more than bad doctors invalidate medicine. Jesus condemned hypocrisy and offers transformation.
Truth claims are exclusive by nature. Christianity's exclusivity centers on the resurrection—a historical claim that's either true or false. Jesus claimed to be the only way to God. If He rose from the dead, His claim is validated. If not, Christianity is false.
Scripture indicates God judges based on light received. Those who've never heard will be judged by what they could know of God through creation and conscience. God is both just and merciful. Christians are called to share the gospel so all can hear.
Christianity teaches that sex is sacred, designed for marriage between man and woman. This isn't arbitrary judgment but reflects God's design for human flourishing. Sexual ethics aren't unique to Christianity—all worldviews have sexual ethics, Christian or not.
God doesn't 'send' people to hell—people choose to reject God. Hell is separation from God, which is what rejecting God means. God respects human freedom enough to allow people to choose eternally. C.S. Lewis: 'The gates of hell are locked from the inside.'
We live in a fallen world where natural laws operate consistently and humans make free choices, both good and evil. Suffering isn't always punishment for personal sin. God allows suffering but promises presence in it and ultimate redemption beyond it.
God often does intervene, but not always in ways we recognize or timing we prefer. God's help may come through others, through strength to endure, or through growth from hardship. God promises presence and ultimate deliverance, not immediate relief from all difficulty.
Without God, meaning is subjective and temporary. Atheism provides no basis for objective purpose. Christianity offers ultimate meaning: serving God, loving others, extending His kingdom. Purpose is found in relationship with the eternal God who created you intentionally.
Being good doesn't fix the fundamental problem: separation from God due to sin. We can't earn God's favor through good works. Christianity isn't about being good enough—it's about being restored to relationship with God through Christ's sacrifice.
Christianity doesn't promise escape from suffering in this life, but hope and purpose in suffering. Christians have God's presence, eternal perspective, and promise of ultimate restoration. Suffering produces spiritual growth. Death isn't final for believers.
Intellectual honesty leads to honest answers. Honest answers clear the path to faith. This is the journey from skepticism to surrender.
Every great thinker starts with questions. Doubt is not the enemy of faith—pretending questions don't exist is.
Evidence matters. Philosophy matters. History matters. Faith grounded in evidence is not blind faith.
When intellectual obstacles are removed, the heart is free to respond. Truth becomes compelling.
From questions to relationship with the living God through Jesus Christ. This is the journey.
30,000+ words of comprehensive, gracious responses to the questions skeptics really ask. Evidence-based answers grounded in Scripture, philosophy, and history.