An Atheist’s Perspective on Evangelism

Penn Jillett is a famous magician who has performed in Las Vegas for many years. He posted a video on YouTube relating an encounter he had with an audience member. This encounter is remarkable for its honesty and in its challenge for us to rethink evangelism.

After his show Penn interacts with the audience members. One man after greeting and complementing Penn gave him a pocket size Gideon New Testament. The man had written a personal greeting in the Bible along with his email and phone number in case Penn wanted to know more. Penn’s response was remarkable and instructive.

“It was really wonderful. I believe he knew that I was an atheist, but he was not defensive and he looked me right in the eyes and he was truly complimentary it wasn't…empty flattery he was really kind and nice and sane and looked me in the eyes and talked to me and then gave me this Bible.”

“I don't respect people who don't proselytize. I don't respect that at all. If you believe that there's a heaven and hell and people could be going to hell or not getting eternal life or whatever, and you think that well it's not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward.”

“How much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?

“If I believed beyond a shadow of a doubt that a truck was coming at you and you didn't believe it, that truck was bearing down on you. There's a certain point where I tackle you - and this is more important than that.

Leviticus 19:17 states “You shall not hate your fellow countryman in your heart; thou shalt rebuke thy neighbor in sincerity, and not suffer sin on him.” YEHOVAH is teaching that we demonstrate hate for our brethren when we fail to not point out the sin in their lives. We hate our brethren when we do not share the Gospel. We hate our brethren when we allow them, to bear the consequences for their sin instead of receiving forgiveness for their sin.

The next verse, Leviticus 19:18, Jesus quoted as part of the greatest commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Are you blessed by what Jesus did for you on the cross? Then love your neighbor by letting them know God loved them enough to die for them. Let them know forgiveness and eternal life is possible through Jesus.

Penn also said he didn’t respect “atheists who think that people shouldn't proselytize - just leave me alone keep your religion to yourself.” He describes the more common reaction unbelievers have to the Gospel. When you encounter this response, pray. Pray the God will defeat “the god of this world [who] has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel” (2 Corinthians 4:4).