Isn’t it bigoted to tell people about Jesus or say that Christianity is true?

You aren’t alone with this question. Many Christians hesitate to talk about their faith for fear that they will be misunderstood. Why would anyone risk being called a bigot? 

It is helpful to understand what the word “bigot” means: Someone who stubbornly holds an unreasonable belief and hates people who disagree with them. You are not bigoted to tell people about Jesus or say that Christianity is true.

First, it is not unreasonable to believe that Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead (1 Cor. 15:3–4). Christianity has historically embraced the life of the mind, and the Holy Spirit has been pleased to use reasoned arguments to show people that Christianity is true. On the Day of Pentecost, 3,000 individuals were persuaded by Peter’s argument that Jesus is Lord and Messiah (Acts 2:14–40). Similarly, Jews and Greeks believed after Paul spent three Sabbath days at a synagogue, reasoning from the Scriptures and proving that Jesus is the Messiah (Acts 17:1–4).

Second, Jesus prohibits us from hating people: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matt. 5:44). However, even if we try to live at peace with everyone (Rom. 12:18), some will insist on making themselves our enemies. As Peter warned, “scoffers will come” (2 Peter 3:3). When Paul preached to Greeks in a city filled with religious options, he was met with both interest and insults (Acts 17:16–21). Still, he wrote, “[B]e kind to everyone” (2 Tim. 2:24).

Paul’s words are convicting. Do we ever come off as less than loving in our witness? Together, we can diminish the popular misconception that evangelism is bigoted by treating our engagement with unbelievers as part of a loving ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:20). Let’s listen patiently. Let’s work to understand people and the issues they face so we can have better gospel conversations.

But I would insist that it is not bigoted to tell people about Jesus or say that Christianity is true. If your friends were deathly ill and you had the cure—wouldn’t it be unloving not to tell them about it? If Jesus is the only way to salvation, it would be unloving not to tell people about Him. While we risk being misunderstood or demeaned, we should not be afraid (1 Peter 3:6, 14). Instead, let’s be prepared to gently and respectfully share the reason for the hope we have in Jesus (1 Peter 3:15).