Introduction

Focal Point: 

We live in a world of growing rejection and skepticism of the Christian faith. In recent decades, the United States has witnessed a notable increase in the number of individuals identifying as atheists or agnostics. According to a 2023 Pew Research Center survey, 4% of U.S. adults self-identify as atheists, up from 3% in 2014 and 2% in 2007. Similarly, the share of agnostics has grown, with 5% identifying as such in recent surveys, an increase from 3% a decade earlier.​ Beyond atheists and agnostics, there's a broader category of individuals who describe themselves as religiously unaffiliated, often termed "nones." This group has expanded significantly, now encompassing approximately 30% of U.S. adults, making it larger than any single religious denomination. It's important to note that while all atheists and agnostics are included among the "nones," not all "nones" identify as atheist or agnostic; many simply do not affiliate with any particular religion.​ This trend reflects a gradual shift in the American religious landscape, with more individuals moving away from traditional religious affiliations toward secular or non-religious identities. The implications of this shift are multifaceted, influencing cultural, social, and political dynamics within the country.​

More acutely, young people who were raised in the church are leaving Christianity at a staggering rate. The Barna Group, the premier Christian polling firm in the US, has reported that a substantial percentage of young people raised in the church are leaving the faith. According to Barna's research, about 64% of young adults who grew up in Christian churches end up leaving church involvement as they reach adulthood. This figure is part of a larger trend Barna has documented over the years, where young adults, especially Millennials and Generation Z, are increasingly disengaging from organized religion and identifying as religiously unaffiliated, spiritual but not religious, or outright secular. Also, According to Barna Group research, a significant factor in young adults leaving the church is that their questions about faith and life often go ignored or remain unanswered. Barna reports that 35% of young adults who disengage from the church cite unresolved doubts and unanswered questions as a primary reason for leaving. This group often feels that their concerns and inquiries about difficult issues—such as science, suffering, and moral complexity—are either dismissed or inadequately addressed by church leaders. Further studies show that young adults want a space where they can engage in open dialogue without feeling judged. The absence of meaningful responses to their questions can lead them to feel disconnected, and, ultimately, they may decide that the church isn’t a place where they can explore these issues fully. Unfortunately, we, as the Church, have failed two generations of people. We have made church into something it was never intended to be. People are drawn to the church because it is different than what the world has to offer, and when we make the Church like the world we fail to live up to the ideals of Jesus.

Introduction:

The task of addressing objections to the Christian faith is not merely an exercise in debate, nor is it an attempt to win over doubters by force of words. Instead, it is a necessary pursuit of clarity and understanding in a world fraught with skepticism, confusion, and half-truths. Christianity makes bold claims—not just of moral ideals, but of a living reality that spans from the foundations of existence to the inner workings of every human heart. If these claims are true, they are of ultimate significance; if false, they should be discarded. Thus, to give an account for our belief is not only a courtesy to the questioning mind but an obligation for every believer who would make Christ known as He is, free of distortion and simplification.

Yet, to answer objections to Christianity is not only a defense but a journey toward a greater understanding of one’s own faith. For, as is often the case, those questions raised from outside the fold can reveal weaknesses, superficialities, or half-formed thoughts in the believer’s mind. By facing honest challenges, we are driven deeper into the wisdom, mystery, and coherence of our faith. The process is not a retreat from doubt, but an embrace of it—a willingness to see if faith holds under the weight of genuine scrutiny. Through this, we not only engage the unbeliever but also strengthen our own footing, growing in confidence and conviction that the Christian faith is both a compelling answer and a worthy pursuit for any heart willing to ask.