Focus on the Family with Jim Daly
Episode: Best of 2024: Evidence for the Existence of God (Part 2 of 2)
Release Date: December 31, 2024
Host/Author: Focus on the Family
Guest: Lee Strobel
Introduction
In this compelling episode of "Focus on the Family with Jim Daly," host Jim Daly engages in a profound conversation with seasoned Christian apologist Lee Strobel. Building on the first part of their discussion, they delve deeper into the evidence supporting the existence of God, addressing cultural skepticism, personal struggles with faith, and the enduring power of testimonies.
The Decline of Belief in God
John Fuller introduces Lee Strobel by highlighting his role as the founding director of the Lee Strobel Center for Evangelism and Applied Apologetics at Colorado Christian University.
Lee Strobel presents a stark contrast in belief trends:
- 1967 Gallup Poll: 98% of Americans believed in God.
- 2024 Statistics: Only 81% believe in God, with belief dropping to 64% questioning God's existence.
"[03:39] Lee Strobel: 'Back then, in 1967, according to the Gallup poll, 98% of Americans believe in God. Today, the number is 81%, the lowest in history. People, are you sure that God exists?'”
Personal Journey from Atheism to Faith
Lee Strobel shares his personal journey, emphasizing the impact of his troubled relationship with his father on his early atheism. This painful experience led him to question the existence of a loving God.
"[05:22] Lee Strobel: 'I fit the mold. I remember my dad looking at me on the eve of my high school graduation. We had a big blowout argument, and he said, I don't have enough love for you to fill my little finger.'”
He attributes his eventual shift to faith to embracing the notion of a heavenly father distinct from his earthly experiences. Citing C.S. Lewis, Strobel illustrates the perfect nature of God's love:
"[06:17] Lee Strobel: 'Your heavenly father is not just a magnified version of your earthly father. He is fundamentally different. He is the perfect father.'”
Free Will and the Problem of Evil
A central theme of the discussion revolves around free will and its role in the existence of evil. Lee Strobel explains that God endowed humans with free will to enable genuine love, which inherently allows the possibility of evil:
"[17:44] Lee Strobel: 'What has humankind done with its free will? We've turned our back on God. We hurt each other. We're selfish.'”
He references Peter Kreeft, who poignantly states:
"[20:54] Lee Strobel: 'God has taken the worst possible thing that could ever happen in the universe, which is the death of the Son of God on a cross. And from that he has drawn the best thing that could ever happen in the universe, which is the opening of heaven to all who follow him.'”
Transformative Personal Experiences
Lee Strobel shares several powerful testimonies illustrating how individuals overcame skepticism and embraced faith through personal experiences and divine interventions:
-
Evel Knievel: The iconic stunt performer, known for his rebellious lifestyle, experienced a divine encounter in his later years.
"[07:34] Lee Strobel: 'He had a dream where God spoke to him, guiding him to seek Jesus. After reading my book, he became a radical born-again believer, leading to 700 people being baptized in two services.'” -
Nabeel Qureshi: A former Muslim and anti-Christian debater who had a transformative dream leading him to Christianity.
"[12:25] Lee Strobel: 'Nabeel had a dream about a banquet where he realized he was excluded. This led him to embrace faith, becoming a renowned apologist before his untimely death in 2017.'” -
Charles Templeton: A prominent skeptic from Canada who, despite his profound doubts, returned to faith on his deathbed.
"[19:40] Lee Strobel: 'Charles Templeton, once a leading skeptic, appears to have come back to faith in Jesus Christ before his death.'”
Dreams and Divine Guidance in Conversion
The conversation highlights how dreams play a significant role in guiding individuals toward faith, especially in hostile environments:
"[09:15] Lee Strobel: 'In closed countries where it's illegal to share the gospel, a third to a quarter of Muslims who convert to Christianity report having a Jesus dream that leads them to faith.'”
Example:
- Noor from Cairo: Dreamt of Jesus and a man walking alongside Him. The next day, she encountered the same man, a missionary, who shared the gospel with her, confirming the divine nature of her dream.
Responding to Suffering and Evil
Jim Daly raises the profound question: "If there is a loving, kind God, why does evil occur? Why do babies die?"
Lee Strobel responds by emphasizing God's ability to redeem suffering:
"[14:38] Lee Strobel: 'Sometimes Christians are flippant with Romans 8:28, but God can take even our sufferings and redeem them for good.'”
He shares how his own wife's chronic pain has deepened his understanding of empathy and suffering, moving beyond intellectual arguments to genuine compassion:
"[23:00] Lee Strobel: 'What he needs from me is to put my arm around his shoulder and be Jesus with him in that moment.'”
The Power of Testimony and Personal Change
The discussion underscores the importance of personal transformation and testimony in overcoming skepticism:
"[22:46] Lee Strobel: 'They can't challenge the fact that God has changed your life.'”
Jim Daly echoes this sentiment, referring to Revelation 12:11, highlighting that personal experiences and testimonies are unassailable evidence of God's influence.
Conclusion
The episode concludes with a heartfelt call to action, encouraging listeners to explore the evidence for God's existence through Lee Strobel's book, "Is God Real? Exploring the Ultimate Question of Life." The hosts emphasize the importance of building a personal relationship with God, supported by evidence and transformative experiences.
Key Takeaways
- Statistical Decline: Belief in God has significantly declined in America from 98% in 1967 to 81% in 2024.
- Personal Influence: Troubled relationships and personal suffering can lead to skepticism, but also pave the way for deeper faith.
- Free Will: The existence of evil is a consequence of human free will, essential for genuine love and relationships.
- Transformative Experiences: Personal encounters, dreams, and testimonies play a crucial role in leading individuals to faith.
- Compassion Over Sermons: Addressing suffering with empathy is as important as providing intellectual explanations.
- Enduring Testimony: Personal transformations and testimonies are powerful evidence of God's reality and influence.
Resources Mentioned
- Lee Strobel's Book: "Is God Real? Exploring the Ultimate Question of Life"
- Previous Conversations: Focus on apologetics and the resurrection of Christ.
- Future Episodes: Featuring comedian Jeremy Nunes discussing family humor.
Listeners are encouraged to visit the Focus on the Family website or contact them directly to obtain Lee Strobel's book and explore additional resources to strengthen their faith and navigate the complexities of modern family life.