The positive (BY DEFINITION) precedes the denial. Atheism lives off belief like a filthy bird lives off a carcass. Only atheists and foolish fundamentalists would take a personal interpretation of the Bible as the thing to defend when Jesus said that was how EVIL started.
Satan tempted Jesus by Scripture, Jesus answered by Scripture. Jesus taught from Scripture, and was killed by those of a different interpretation.
It struck me early in my conversion that 3 things contested by atheism and theism come directly in the Bible as causes for Jesus' DEATH !
RESURRECTION
29But Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God.30“For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.31“But regarding the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God:32‘I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.”33When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at His teaching.
SABBATH
The Pharisees were saying to Him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?”25And He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions became hungry;26how he entered the house of God in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the consecrated bread, which is not lawful for anyone to eat except the priests, and he also gave it to those who were with him?”27Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.28“So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”
NATURE OF THE MESSIAH
21From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day.22Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.”23But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan!