Atheist ... Really?!

In his recent release, "The Faith," Charles Colson tells of an interesting encounter while attending a dinner the night before a governor's prayer breakfast.
"The gentleman seated next to me greeted me with a blunt warning that he was an atheist. I looked at him for a moment — graying temples, a wise expression, handsomely attired — the very image of a community leader. I told him I was glad to sit next to him because 'I've never really met an atheist.'
As his eyebrows arched, I explained, 'An atheist believes the existence of God can be disproved. So please, tell me how you've done that.'
He looked momentarily uncomfortable, 'Well, perhaps I should say I'm an agnostic.'
'When did you give up studying about God?' I asked.
Now his neck began to redden. He admitted he'd never really tried.
'But an agnostic is one who says he doesn't think God can be known, and you can only be an agnostic if you've tried to know Him and exhausted the search.'
I'm not sure even now what made me so bold, but I added, 'So I would say that while you appear to be a very well-educated person, you've made an unsupportable statement.'
Not surprisingly, he was offended and rather quiet for the rest of the evening.
Some weeks later I received a copy of the editorial page of the state's largest newspaper. It turned out my dinner companion was the publisher. His lead editorial was an explanation of how religion was indeed an important element of all of our lives. What struck the publisher was that his own point of view proved unsupportable." 1
The flurry of atheistic writings in recent years plays well into the moral relativism of our post modern age. Frequently, their cry is that belief in God is irrational.
So what gripped many throughout the Roman Empire in the early centuries following Christ's life, death and resurrection? Rodney Stark in "The Rise of Christianity" explains it this way.
"In the midst of the widespread plagues, urban squalor, and general helplessness of Rome, Christians lived a profoundly different and more hopeful life. When people witnessed their flourishing families and healthy lifestyles, contrasted with pagan decadence, they rationally decided that Christianity was a better choice as to how they would live their lives." 2
Amazingly, a survey of history reveals that some of the most brilliant intellects employed reason even as they exhibited faith in Jesus Christ. C.S. Lewis, the Oxford scholar, although at one time an atheist became one of the leading Christian apologists of the 20th century.
Blaise Pascal, the famous French philosopher and mathematician was a defender of the Gospel.
One of the premier learned leaders in 20th century academics was Mortimer Adler, editor of the Great Books. For much of his life he was a skeptic. When questioned about why he had not embraced Christianity, he answered, "I am not prepared to give up all (the) vices and weaknesses of the flesh." 3 He eventually accepted the rational conclusion that Christianity was true and surrendered to Christ.
Is it not more likely that Adler's initial sentiment reflects the deeper issue at stake? As human beings, we want to maintain our "autonomy" over our lives. To acknowledge God's existence may have implications that impinge upon our lives, our values, our choices and our indulgences.
More than likely there are not too many atheists reading this article in the Faith and Values section of The News Herald. So why am I writing this piece? Actually, there are two very critical reasons. First, I desire to encourage and fortify you as Christ followers to stand firm, knowing God intends for you to fully utilize your intellect in your walk of faith with Jesus Christ. Second, I would challenge you, especially students, to apply the counsel of Professor J. Budziszewski (University of Texas).
"Rule one is speak up. Even the most bigoted professors often change their tune when challenged. Other rules are be logical, be respectful, keep it brief, limit yourself to a single point, and 'remember that you don't have to win. You may ask, 'Sir, I understand the insult, but what is the argument?'" 4
Seek to be gracious as you stand for the truth … but stand. Who knows? Maybe they are only an atheist in name but not in substance.

1 Charles Colson; The Faith
2 Rodney Starks; The Rise of Christianity
3 Charles Colson; God and Government
4 J. Budziszewski's interview with Marvin Olasky; World Magazine; Sept. 6/13, 2008
David Doster is the pastor of Burke Community Bible Church and gladly welcomes your response to his article. You may reach him at 430-8881, e-mail bcbc@directus.net or perhaps drop by for a cup of coffee.