How To Break Free From Skepticism With One Simple Question

We have all run into the buzzsaw of skepticism at some point in our lives and it’s not a fun experience.

Perhaps your conversation went something like this:

Skeptic: So as a Christian you must believe in God right?

You: Yes. I believe in God…don’t you?

Skeptic: Actually, no, I don’t. Are you saying that you have 100% certainty that God exists? I mean , isn’t it possible that God doesn’t exist?

You: umm…

There are several things going on in a scenario like this, but I just want to highlight one.

The One Question That Will Help You Break Free From The Grip Of Skepticism

Whether from a well meaning friend or an aggressive critic, the problem of skepticism can be hard to break free from. The unspoken assumption of skepticism is that if it’s possible you could be wrong about something, then you can’t know it. Usually this comes in the form a “How do you know that you’re not wrong?” (which could be repeated forever….)

This is mistaken. Here’s why.

chainJust because it’s possible I could be wrong about a belief, it does not follow that I am wrong about that belief. 

In other words the mere possibility that I could be wrong doesn’t mean that I actually am wrong. I’m going to need some reasons to think my belief is mistaken before I should begin to doubt that particular belief.

There is a better way. Here is the basic template of a question you can ask when you find yourself dealing with a skeptic.

“That’s an interesting question. Just because it’s possible I could be wrong about a belief, it does not mean that I am wrong about that belief. Can you tell me why you think I am wrong about ______________ .”

Specific examples:

  • “I admit that it’s possible Christianity isn’t true, but can you give me some reasons why you think it’s not?”
  • “I admit that it’s possible God doesn’t exist, but can you give me some reasons why you think God doesn’t exist?”
  • “I admit that it’s possible Jesus didn’t exist, but can you give me some reasons why you think Jesus never existed?”

Bottom line. Don’t play the skeptic’s game.

Ask them this question and clarify what the real issue is and then have a productive spiritual conversation exploring the evidence together.

If you found this post helpful, you would enjoy How to Respond to the “That’s Just Your Interpretation” Objection

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