¶ … Christian gospel is perceived differently by each individual in a society as diverse as ours. Those with a Christian upbringing will perceive the gospel as fact and truth, whereas those who are raised in households of different ethnic or religious heritages will not view this gospel in this way. Non-Christians perceive the gospel as a religious artifact and nothing more. Some go so far as to disavow the legitimacy of the gospel and its relevance in the modern world.
What are some specific reasons (moral, emotional and intellectual) that people reject the Christian gospel?
Reasons for rejecting the gospel range from atheism and materialism on one side and on the other side, divergent religious doctrines. Atheists and materialists reject the gospel out of hand but also reject all other sacred texts and forms of religious expression. Those who are religious but not Christian such as Jews or Muslims might value the gospel for its spiritual merits but deny the truth of gospel. Moral reasons therefore include one's loyalty to his or her own faith and family traditions. Emotional reasons are similar: a personal conviction in another religious tradition precludes one from accepting the gospel. Intellectual reasons are those used by atheists and usually include arguments such as the existence of God cannot be proven using the scientific method.
3. What can Christians do to address these objections and better communicate the Christian gospel?
Christians can most easily address the objections raised by the materialist or atheist communities. The scientific method has become like a religion in itself. Not everything can be proven using the tools of science. Yet even science can prove that the gospel has had a transformative effect on the lives of individuals and whole communities. Therefore, the best way Christians can address objections to the gospel is to illustrate the glory of the gospel in action, in daily life.
