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Great Power and Great Stupidity
- 12/13/08
- 25
It will come as no surprise to you that atheists are becoming increasingly militant in their stand against theism in general and Christianity in particular. This militancy is often taking the form of mock horror and dripping sarcasm. I find it valuable every now and again to read quotes like this one from Sam Harris, author of Letter to a Christian Nation. Why? Well, I suppose it helps me remember the old adage—the truth—that the Christian faith always has and always will appear foolish to those who, blinded by their sin, refuse to acknowledge their Creator. Quotes like this do not rock my faith; instead, they strengthen it.
According to a recent Gallup poll, only 12 percent of Americans believe that life on earth has evolved through a natural process, without the interference of a deity. Thirty-one percent believe that evolution has been “guided by God.” If our worldview were put to a vote, notions of “intelligent” design would defeat the science of biology by nearly three to one. This is troubling, as nature offers no compelling evidence for an intelligent designer and countless examples of unintelligent design. But the current controversy over “intelligent design” should not blind us to the true scope of our religious bewilderment at the dawn of the twenty-first century. The same Gallup poll revealed that 53 percent of Americans are actually creationists. This means that despite a full century of scientific insights attesting to the antiquity of life and the greater antiquity of the earth, more than half of our neighbors believe that the entire cosmos was created six thousand years ago. This is, incidentally, about a thousand years after the Sumerians invented glue. Those with the power to elect our presidents and congressmen—and many who themselves get elected—believe that dinosaurs lived two by two upon Noah’s ark, that light from distant galaxies was created en route to the earth, and that the first members of our species were fashioned out of dirt and divine breath, in a garden with a talking snake, but the hand of an invisible God.
Among developed nations, America stands alone in these convictions. Our country now appears, as at no other time in her history, like a lumbering, bellicose, dim-witted giant. Anyone who cares about the fate of civilization would do well to recognize that the combination of great power and great stupidity is simply terrifying, even to one’s friends.
Forty-four percent of the American population is convinced that Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead sometime in the next fifty years. According to the most common interpretation of biblical prophecy, Jesus will return only after things have gone horribly awry here on earth. It is, therefore, not an exaggeration to say that if the city of New York were suddenly replaced by a ball of fire, some significant percentage of the American population would see a silver lining in the subsequent mushroom cloud, as it would suggest to them that the best thing that is ever going to happen was about to happen—the return of Christ. It should be blindingly obvious that beliefs of this sort will do little to help us create a durable future for ourselves—socially, economically, environmentally, or geopolitically. Imagine the consequences if any significant component of the U.S. government actually believed that the world was about to end and that its ending would be glorious. The fact that nearly half of the American population apparently believes this, purely on the basis of religious dogma, should be considered a moral and intellectual emergency.
I am a follower of Jesus Christ, a husband to Aileen and a father to three young children. I worship and serve as a pastor at 
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Comments (25)
I loved your comment—” … the Christian faith always has and always will appear foolish to those, who, blinded by their sin, refuse to acknowledge their Creator.” So true.
This reminds me of my adult children who, after being raised in a loving, Christian home and professing belief in Christ as their Savior have decided as adults to swallow the whole post-modern mindset hook , line, and sinker. Books like “Letter to a Christian Nation” are standard fare for them. Why would you, as a Christian be comfortable with a mindset that ridicules Christianity like these books do. Their belief in a literal interpretation of Scripture has been dismantled piece by piece. They have definitely been blinded. I fear for their souls. Please pray for them.
Anonymous
There’s vitriol and hatred on lots of fronts, but in this case, let’s not mistake a non-essential point of doctrine for “the Christian faith”.
Is a 6000 year old earth a “believe it or go to hell” doctrine?
Yes, Christianity is always going to appear foolish. Scripture says it quite clearly, but that doesn’t mean that everything that we come up with that someone disagrees with is automatically right and they are just blind to “the truth”. Christians have a weird history of taking joy in being abused for things. “If we’re being abused, we must be right! God said!”. But God says we will be abused for the Truth, not that everything we’re abused for is Truth.
I don’t want to get in to old-earth/new-earth creationism or intelligent design and all that, I just want to warn people about taking “you will suffer for the Truth” too broadly.
“Is a 6000 year old earth a “believe it or go to hell” doctrine?”
Well you don’t want to get into old-earth/new earth creationism design and all that, but you know, you don’t get to just fire a salvo and then tell everyone else not to get into it.
I say Jesus identifies Himself as the Word of God, and He identifies the Bible as the Word of God. He is very closely linked with the Bible itself. Reject the portions you disagree with at your peril.
God help him.
While I do believe that the Bible is entirely inherrant and should be the authority in the Christian life, I disagree that one MUST believe in the Young earth view in order to be truly saved. Regeneration does not depend on man nor will it ever. If God so chooses to save a person, He will. After God has justified that person, He will santify Him. The enlightenment that comes from God’s Word will occur if that person truly is saved. God will reveal to Him what He will. While it is a great error to believe in evolution and all that other stuff, that is not the most important issue. Sin is universal. The belief in evolution and all that other stuff is just as bad a sin as lying, stealing, raping… We should avoid trying to make it a lesser sin (or greater sin). While a Christian should not lie, if he or she does, he repents. While a Christian should not become angry, if he or she does, he repents. And while a Christian should not believe in evolution and all that other stuff, if he or she does, God will reveal that sin in His own timing, just like all of the others.
With all that said, we should continue to remain diligent about the truths of God, upholding the wonderful truths that are laid out in His word, continuing to preach the Gospel, preaching the wonderful doctrines of repentance and faith…
Anonymous,
I agree. Today I was thinking about the fact that there are atheists, some good friends of mine, who do not believe in a God, and are perishing. I was thinking, “Why can’t you atheists not see that there has to be a designer behind all of this amazing complexity? What is wrong with you?”
Then I thought (I give God all the credit), “but Scripture tells us that they are blinded. They…are blind… Hmm. Only God can give them “eyes that see and ears that hear”.
I would be blind too if God did not provide me with “eyes to see”.
So, rather than throwing rocks at atheists or shouting at them, we as Christians need humble ourselves to this fact, speak the truth to them in love, and pray for those who are spiritually blind. That is what our 1st century Christian fathers did.
But don’t give them an inch. :-)
I am sorry Tim, but I disagree. Most of these american ”Christians” are ignorant, homophobic, racists who cling to mere family traditions as opposed to Biblical Faith. These Americans get equally upset by someone speaking spanish and gay marriage! What nonsense! They watch their TBN and think every article in the news paper is predicted in either Daniel or Revelation. These numbers do not prove the christianty of America rather its ignorance.
I would be hard pressed to say that a young earth view of creation is a prerequisite for salvation. If what I read is true Benjamin Warfield actually believed that God used evolution to create the world. However, I do believe that it is a very important aspect of the Bible. By using the same method of Bible hermeneutics we get doctrines such as the Trinity, Imputed Righteousness, Virgin Birth, etc…, so to be consistent a young earth view should be something all true Christians believe in.In many cases I have talked to Christians who actually believe that evolution could very well be true. One such person told me that he can take that view because he doesn’t believe that the Bible is infallible, that it was only meant to convey God’s truth to man in general terms. He tried to show examples where there are contradictions in Scripture, however when these so called contradictions are closely examined, one can see that they are not contradictions at all. To believe in evolution, one must (if they are consistent) have a liberal view of Scripture.
It is hard for me to even believe someone would say such a thing as “This is troubling, as nature offers no compelling evidence for an intelligent designer and countless examples of unintelligent design.”
I believe that if science proves anything, it proves the magnificent power of our God. So many systems in the human body alone, all with purpose. Even the ribcage has a purpose in protecting the more critical organs that sustain our life like the heart and lungs. Yet, each system works together for the “whole” good of the body. I remember when I took biology in high school.Things that I never really gave much thought to (and took for granted) appeared so complex. So much going on just under the skin of every living thing. Nature is so amazing and the human body is a masterpiece of design.
Thank God such things were created on a planet that supports such life perfectly or we would all be in trouble. Oh, I forgot… God created that, too. (Wink :))
http://www.reigningimmortal.com
I am surprised such a committed atheist can be quoted with “…nature offers no compelling evidence for an intelligent designer and countless examples of unintelligent design.” Isn’t unintelligent design an oxymoron? I see your point Tim when you say reading quotes such as these strengthen your faith. My faith is strengthened when I see such a person cannot deny there is design in the world. Enforcing for me, and all willing to acknowledge, that there is a Designer/Creator.
Mr. Pages, you’ll notice Harris lumps theistic evolutionists in with creationists. Anyone who believes in any kind of creator God is equally ignorant in his mind.
qubecAmerican, I think your comments are completely unfair. Very few American Christians are racist or homophobic (unless one defines “homophobic” as holding the view that homosexual conduct is sinful), and few are bothered by people speaking Spanish. Very few watch TBN. Your description is a caricature of American Christians that would be at home in the most yellow of newspapers.
I agree with MrPages comments. “Is a 6000 year old earth a “believe it or go to hell” doctrine?” The answer to that is no.
Although, I guess we all have our views on such things. Christ is our only saving grace. What we believe concerning how it all came to be is irrelevant in my humble opinion. God’s ways are higher and thoughts are higher than ours. What I read in God’s word is He created the world in 6 days. I wasn’t there and neither was anyone else so I’ll just go with that. How He got from point A to point B only He knows. The gospel however is supreme to all other things and for me that is enough.
http://www.reigningimmortal.com
“Among developed nations, America stands alone in these convictions. Our country now appears, as at no other time in her history, like a lumbering, bellicose, dim-witted giant. Anyone who cares about the fate of civilization would do well to recognize that the combination of great power and great stupidity is simply terrifying, even to one’s friends.”
Frankly - this bloke’s got it right there. And yes some of what he says about the outworkings of pre-millennial type eschatology is also on the mark.
Most Christians actually blindly follow a 6 24hr day view of creation blindly and do not think through some pretty irrational conclusions. (But hey - salvation is not hinged on one’s view of long day-vs short day vs framework view.)
And when it’s all said and done - what else would you expect to come from anyone who has been given over to follow sin - as we all have - except when great grace came into our lives. I’m not surprised - it’s how it’s always been.
In response to qubecAmerican. Jeez, calm down. Some Christians may be that way but we are not all that way. We are all on a path to learn and mature as we grow. It is unfair to throw us all into that pot. I agree with Chris B on this!
As far as creation goes and the details of how it all came about, I can imagine us all sitting around the throne during the 1,000 year reign of Christ as Jesus explains the specifics of creation and everyone in unison saying…. Oh…. as we humbly bow our heads with the realization that (in some way) we were all wrong.
I say don’t fret over it. If it was worth fighting over I suppose God would have told us how it all came about in His word. I am not blind… I just have trust issues. I trust in my God.
http://www.reigningimmortal.com
“…nature offers no compelling evidence for an intelligent designer and countless examples of unintelligent design.”Now that is a pretty ignorant statement…when we look at how the human body works one can ONLY believe/think/reach to the conclusion that there MUST be a designer…How about where our planet is located making it possible for it to harbor life within it? the chances of THAT happening are pretty impossible to say the least…
About the evol/creat deal…I can’t turn a blind eye to all the times in scripture someone refers to God creating the world and everything in it, especially when Christ himself affirms it:”For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be.” Mark 13:19and”But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’” Mark 10:6he quoted from the Story of Genesis in that last verse by the way….
As I look over all the posts so far, I think what Ryan said stands out to ME as the most God honoring and God centered post so far.”Anonymous,I agree. Today I was thinking about the fact that there are atheists, some good friends of mine, who do not believe in a God, and are perishing. I was thinking, “Why can’t you atheists not see that there has to be a designer behind all of this amazing complexity? What is wrong with you?” Then I thought (I give God all the credit), “but Scripture tells us that they are blinded. They…are blind… Hmm. Only God can give them “eyes that see and ears that hear”. I would be blind too if God did not provide me with “eyes to see”. So, rather than throwing rocks at atheists or shouting at them, we as Christians need humble ourselves to this fact, speak the truth to them in love, and pray for those who are spiritually blind. That is what our 1st century Christian fathers did.But don’t give them an inch. :-)”
Ryan, I believe what you said here puts everything into perspective, that is why I believe in presuppositional apologetics. In a sense, when I participate in discussions of this nature although I would like it to be used as an evangelical tool. A main concern I have is for Christians whom I believe are inconsistent in their view of Scripture.I say that humbly, with the knowledge that I don’t have everything figured out.
Does anyone here feel a sense of futility? I know we need to speak the truth in love and contend for the faith, but when is it just casting pearls before swine? When you are speaking the truth in love, how many times can you say the same thing over and over again? At what point do you leave them to God so that He can open their eyes since He is the only one who can do it anyway?
I’m sorry if I am sounding negative. I have not read the new atheist books that are out, but am familiar with them. I was in the bookstore the other day and flipped through “Letter to a Christian Nation” and was sick at heart. The anger and vitriole was so apparent on every page i looked at. I admit I become very discouraged when I think of my children.
The sad thing is my kids once had the truth and now they are blind. I need some insight on this. Do we, as parents, continue to talk about spiritual things with our adult children and drive them farther away or do we leave them completely to God to take their blinders off?
It is so hard when adult children aren’t walking in God’s ways, whatever the issue. I don’t think Anonymous’s question has an either/or answer. We do have to ask and trust God to work in their lives—and he WILL. But we also can work on our relationship with our kids. Once we’ve expressed our point of view, harping and anger lead nowhere good. But we can be let our kids know that though we disagree with or are disappointed by their attitudes or actions, we love THEM. We can spend time with them. We can affirm whatever we honestly can about their lives and character; we can let them know we believe in their ability to make good choices (they might not be exercising it, but they have it). We can stay attuned to what is going on in their lives and look for connecting points where we can express empathy. We can lightly comment on a related point occasionally “just in case you’re interested”—e-mail is great for this. Eventually we might be able to ask our kids to explain the reasons they think as they do—and simply listen. We can live strong, vibrant, loving lives of faith—an undeniable witness and guiding light over time.
Thank you Diane. Very good advice.
Sometimes we don’t realize how much of our relationships with other Christians are based on our shared faith in Christ which is a large part of the relationship. The challenge is finding those points of like-mindedness without the spiritual element we once enjoyed. Of course, we always want them to be assured of our love for them.
Perhaps I erred in putting the ID/creation bits in my original post, as those are the only parts that are being addressed. (Or perhaps the other parts aren’t worth addressing, I dunno, but I’m going to clarify them anyway.)
There are things that many Christians do/think that are, quite frankly, stupid. They aren’t scriptural, but are justified through hermeneutical backflips. They look absurd to the world because they are absurd. We behave in ways that make the world laugh at us. We behave in ways that are entirely inconsistent with our faith, or that have nothing at all to do with faith, but that we have intertwined with our whole culture of faith so completely that we can’t even see where one ends and the other begins.
When these things get mocked, we get self-righteous and claim that the others are blind, and that they just can’t see that we’re right. Notice, not that they can’t see that God is right, but that.they can’t see that WE are right. It’s pride. As soon as someone says “but that’s silly!” or “but that doesn’t make any sense!” we get proud of our absurdity because it obviously means we’re right and they’re blind.
When people call us absurd, sometimes it means we’re right and they’re blind.
But sometimes it just means we’re absurd.
Mr. PagesPerhaps I missed it, but I didn’t see any examples of what you think is “stupid” and not scriptural.What are these hermeneutical back-flips you are talking about?
To Anonymous concerning her adult children. I was brought up in a Christian home but by the time I reached my late teens I had become disenchanted with the whole idea of God. It just seemed God never showed up and I went through a terrible time of doubt and unbelief.
I started down a strange road of new age thought and experimented with anything I could including witchcraft, golden dawn, etc. I will spare you the details but it was a horrible time for me. When my first child was born, I noticed that I had over 11 bibles in my house. Some belonged to my wife and some were mine. I just never read it that much. Didn’t make sense to me anyway.
God brought me back to Him by continually influencing me to pick up the word. I didn’t know what I was doing as a child when I accepted Christ just seemed like the right thing to do but this time God showed me that even the unbelieving time period I went through had purpose. It was necessary to help me to understand who He was and why I needed Him. It needed to happen in order for me to realize and value what Christ did for me.
I hope you get some encouragment from that and as far as advice goes I think Peter gives us the best insight into dealing with unbelievers in the following verse. It is about unbelieving spouses but I believe it applies to all other situations as well.
1 Peter 3:1-41Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
And again.1 Peter 3:8-98Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 9Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
http://www.reigningimmortal.com
Thank you for your kind words, Winston. I have to say that going through this difficult time with my kids has taught me spiritual lessons I never would have learned otherwise. And I believe absolutely in the sovereignty of God in working out His purposes in their lives.
Really, your experience is one I have heard many times. When all the philosophies of the world have been exhausted, there is still no rest, no peace, and no answers. Only God’s truth can satisfy our souls.
Anonymous,
Your welcome. We are seed bearers. Sometimes all we can do is sow seeds of the word and trust the Holy Spirit that He will intervene and pray that He will. Outside of that the we must show them that we love Him. We are the only clear representatives of Jesus Christ on this Earth. If we do not show God our love openly for others to see, no one else will. If we do not carry on His cause, no one else will. If we do not sow seeds, no one else will.
Let these children be part of every prayer and try to rest in His promise that He will fulfill it. Move on in joy as if it is already done and thank Him for their acceptance of Christ. I know it is brutally hard as I have a similiar situation with my own daughter who is 17 and (as you mention) I too am learning from the experience. Maybe, that is why she is the way she is… to teach me how to love.
Fear grips me for her but I must always remind myself that God must be real to her through her own experiences not just because I know He is real. This may take some time. I may not live to see it but I know that He will make an impact on her life and turn things around in His own time. He is God and all things are possible through Him. God bless you and your children!
The Lord on silent on many things.The age of the earth is not in the scriptures. The interpretations are by man. The ‘gap theory’ in Gen. 1 is just that, a theory.The fact many reject the ransom paid by Jesus is a sad truth. That is exactly why Jesus denied Himself…..mercy. He extended His hand of mercy to those who believe. If you accept His mercy of Grace, you have eternal life. If you deny the grace of God incarnate, Jesus, you have lost your life. He is fair to those who have not heard and understood. He is fair to the confused and bewildered. He is fair to the deceived . His anger is toward the deceivers. Who are the deceivers? Those who declare Jesus is a liar. Jesus never lived. Jesus is NOT God in the flesh. Those who say there is NO god. The deceivers are children of satan. They willfully attack Christ and His words with anger and hatred. They are militant in their approach and they are humanist atheist!! The anti christ with a small A is the unbeliever. You are either with or against Jesus. That simple. The Big A is .which means ”instead of” Satan.the spirit that will deceive the deceivers into the false god until Christ RETURNS and settles it once and for all. So I never gain strength when someone publicly denounces Jesus.it causes a child to stumble………We must fight the good fight until we are called home. My faith is never hendered by what anyone says for or against Jesus. My faith is in JESUS! No debate. The sciptures make it clear……….who Jesus is and declares Himself to be is NOT debatable. If an atheist rejects Christ.so be it………don’t cast your pearls to swine. Dust your shoes off and go where the Light of Life is welcomed. It will set those free from the bondage of religion and naturalism. It will set them FREE from FEAR! To say i beleive in God is not enough. You must I say I want Jesus as my Savior and beleive as a child. Now……….YOU ARE FREE FOREVER! You shall pass from life to life!