RSS FeedAtheism is making a comeback, and it is not all bad news
Written by Peter Youngren on October 9th 2007Have you checked the bestsellers lists recently? Atheism has an audience in our nation. This could mean that the number of so-called atheists is on the increase, or that believers are buying books to find out what the atheists are saying. Two authors, whose books have reached considerable popularity, are Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens. I have read enough of one of Mr. Hichens’s books to recognize he is re-hashing the arrogant thoughts of those who have defied God throughout the centuries. The Bible is clear that only the fool says in his heart “there is no God”. This does not mean that atheists are fools in all areas of life, but to deny a Creator in the face of nature’s splendor is utter foolishness.
It is of particular interest to me when so-called atheists (whether they really are atheists is another argument) critique the Old and the New Testament. They actually have one common trait with the Ethiopian eunuch described in Acts chapter 8: they don’t understand what they read. However there is also one significant distinction between atheists and the Ethiopian; the atheists think they understand what they read, while the Ethiopian knew better.
I think there are several reasons why atheism is on a resurgence. The type of Christianity we have promoted has too much self-righteousness in it. Some Christians openly talk of “holy war”, and are all too ready to speak words of condemnation and judgment, while you rarely hear much of God’s love or what God in Christ has done. If the main propagators of Christianity carry such a message, we are no different than any other religion. All religion is based on human merits, dictated by religious legalists.
A few observations:
1) The propagation of atheism itself is an indication of God. Why do people devote so much time to deny someone’s existence? We don’t see books denying the existence of Santa Claus, or the Wizard of Oz, or Superman. In fact, the energy put into denying God’s existence is an indicator that He really does exist.
2) Some of the attacks from atheists come because we Christians have not been able to articulate the Gospel of the grace of Jesus Christ. Instead we have come across as power hungry, narrow minded, condemning Pharisees, causing resentment among those who are not believers. This stands in contrast to Jesus, who was the friend of sinners, and whom “these common people” heard gladly.
3) The failure of legalistic religion is an opportunity for the Gospel of the grace of Jesus Christ. Obviously the human heart is searching. In Christopher Hutchins current bestseller he opens with these words:
“If the intended reader of this book should want to go beyond disagreement with this author and try to identify the sins and deformities that animated him to write it (and I have certainly noticed that those who publicly affirm charity, compassion and forgiveness are often inclined to take this course), then he or she will not just be quarreling with the unknowable and ineffable creator who - presumably - opted to make me this way.“
I respond “Amen” to some of that. Yes, Mr. Hitchens, God made you in a way that you would search and wonder and wrestle with questions about Him. He put eternity in your heart and I think you are closer to His kingdom than you think.
Give me your thoughts. I put some recommended teaching material below. Keep blogging. - Peter Youngren
Recommended Materials
The Real Bible Code: by Peter Youngren (2 CD’s)
The DaVinci Code De-Coded: by Peter Karl Youngren (1 CD)
Are We the Craziest People on Earth?: by Peter Karl Youngren (4 CD’s)
millington
Absolutely tender,
Absolutely true;
Understanding all things,
Understanding you.
Infinitely loving,
Exquisitely near;
This,is God our Father,
What,have we to fear?
Deanie Molloy
I don’t know if this is the place to do it, but I just want to say ‘thank you’ Peter, for preaching GRACE! I had heard you about a year ago and my legalism said ‘ach’ another man seeking a way to make his ministry big!! Slowly, slowly, I came to be led to listen and read Joseph Prince’s book(still skeptical), but now the Holy Spirit has taken me back to when I first believed and is confirming this revelation to me as that which I had when I was first saved!!!!
More than this, my prayers for others are now so full of Jesus and faith. Before I was so concerned that something they had wrong in their life would block the answers, now if I know they are a believer, I have trust in Jesus that miracles and answers can flow freely!!!! I am thanking God for this freshness and rest every minute and asking the Holy Spirit to continue to make it more and more real in my heart..Thank you
Alex
Your blog is interesting! Keep up the good work!
Daniel Fennessy
Yes Pastor Peter. It does seem like we rarely hear much about God’s love and what God has done in Christ.
Although I did not know that there was a resurgence of atheism, I am not surprised.
I live in a city that has many ministries, and para-church ministries. The type of Christianity presented by a number of ministries and para-church organizations has created a back-lash against Christianity.
Why does there seem to be so many angry preachers on Christian television and radio? Why does so much of what they have to say sound like condemnation? So much of what I’ve heard in churches is about how we are the problem and about what we have to do.
I’m so thankful that ‘...God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, that the world through Him might be saved.‘ John 3:17
It seems obvious that the Church needs a new kind of reformation. The Church needs some new kind of reformers. Reformers that will entreat both the prodigals and the older brothers (the legalists)—by the love, compassion, and grace of God—to come home to Father’s house and join the party of celebrating Jesus and what He has done.