Evangelical Atheism

I’ve been amazed at the growth of Atheism in North America. Perhaps it isn’t growing but is only more vocal or visible? I suspect it is a bit of both. Atheism is not a movement that I expect will ever be the majority. History has shown us that societies just don’t go that way often. As a Christian I’ll admit that my own faith may one day be a minority (at least in this country) but I do believe that even those who walk away from organized religion will maintain some sense of belief in God.

I’ve paid attention to the “New Atheism” that has produced best selling books, videos, movies, and conversation. The web has continued the conversation. If you visit itunes you’ll find pod casts of apologetics defending the faith against atheists and atheists debating or discussing religion. I stumbled across one such podcast where an author was promoting a book she was writing. She was an atheist who is writing a book of testimonies. She didn’t call them that but the entire hour broadcast sounded like a strange anti-Christian testimony service. Each person shared their deconversion from faith. She was once Jewish and shared how she walked away form faith. Several others shared how they walked away from Christian faith. They discussed testimony stories of others who had embraced Atheism and left faith.

One man talked about how as a boy he finally decided there was no God. He said he remembered opening his eyes in church and realizing that the people during morning prayer were only thinking real hard. He decided God was not real. Another was teaching a class at church that was defending the gospel against opposition and in his studies decided there was no such thing as God. He embraced the criticism.

This new Atheism needs a label and I would give it “Evangelical Atheism.” There seems to be a move to ‘spread their faith’ or perhaps their ‘non-faith.’ Famous author and scholar atheist Richard Dawkins (author of “The God Delusion”) is hosting a summer camps for kids to promote atheism (only 24 spots in the camp). They’ll learn about various issues and sing John Lennon’s “Imagination.” I’ve read about some atheists who run Sunday Schools for their kids to learn their ‘non-faith.’ The testimony service I heard sure sounded like Christian services that had the opposite response.

Some of the atheists in our popular culture today have become rather angry. Christopher Hitchens and others seem to promote an angry anti-religious attitude that dream of a world where religion is dead. It is an open hostility at times. Others aren’t angry but talk about the feeling free and liberated when they walk away from faith.

Some thoughts that came to my mind need to be pondered.

I believe many atheists are reacting to fundamentalist Christianity. I really do. Bart Ehrman is the famous atheist New Testament professor who has many best selling books. When you read his works it is evident that the author is really reacting to fundamentalism. He was once fundamentalist and to me it is evident that his rejection of a literalistic approach to all of the Bible led him to atheism. As I listened to the podcasts one guy kept talking about his struggles with the creation and evolution issue. This seems to be the issue that broke his spirit first. Yet as I listened to him it seems that he thought that science and faith are simply incompatible and since he couldn’t see a third way it was one or the other and faith lost.

I realize that some of the criticism we are facing needs to be heard. In the ‘non-faith sharings’ I heard stories of church scandals, abuse, and non-Christian behavior. We need to hear this. Some have used the name of Christ in shameful ways but this is not Christ at work! Some complain about the problem of suffering and evil. One atheist talked about seeing the children and older people being blown up by land minds in Bosnia when in the military. He had problems believing in a God that would allow such suffering. One atheist said, “If there is a God he didn’t do a good job in creation!” As a believer we are going to have to have frank and honest conversations about evil, suffering, and such. Yet the response of belief in no God does not answer the suffering issues either. At least to my satisfaction! I realize there are areas that Christians struggle with but atheism is not a clear cut alternative. Atheism does not answer the questions of our day! For example:

“Is religion is responsible for evil and violence?” That accusation is true to some degree. There are those within religion who have done evil, violence, and suffering. But this is not God. And there have been those who do not believe in God that have done evil (the Soviet Union). And I would point to all the GOOD that the church has done in history! Sure we have those who have shamed us but we have more good than bad! And the bad is not God!

“Does science show we are wrong?” We should be honest. As a believer I can not proof God is real to 100 percent satisfaction. But the reverse is true as well. Science does NOT disproof God and a rational person would admit that. Scientists look at the world and believe in God and scientists look at the world and do not believe in God. It works both ways.

“Isn’t Christianity just a crutch for weak people?” That’s arrogance! Some think that if we just get enlightened we’d give up the God idea. So are all Christians dumb/ignorant/uneducated? Some of the most brilliant minds have been Christian. What I call hope another calls a crutch.

I could go on but I would argue that the evangelical atheism has a hard sell. Not only do they have to show that our faith is ridiculous but they have to offer an alternative that makes sense. If there is no God then this is it! There is nothing more. What does that say to the loved one at the funeral home? What does that message really offer to the dying? If there is no God then what gives us the right to declare anything right or wrong? Where does our sense of morality come from in atheism? What would such a world really be like?

Now that atheists are running camps, writing books, and running children’s activities what next? Why not atheists praise songs and hymns? How about, “I have decided to follow me,” “Nothing is in the House,” “I Believe in Me,” and “Me, Me, there’s just something about my Name”? How about atheist missionaries coming to your door two by two? They can knock on doors and say, “If you were to die tonight and rot and the worms eat you….well that’s about it. Say have a nice day!”

Blessings,

Derik

Let’s NOT Do the Time Warp!!!

Remember the movie “Rocky Horror Picture Show” movie (admit it you’ve seen it)?  That’s the movie that Meatloaf was in!  Remember the song “Time Warp”? Here is a sample–

RiffRaff:

With a bit of a mind flip

Magenta:
You’re into the time slip.
RiffRaff:
And nothing can ever be the same.
Magenta:
You’re spaced out on sensation.
RiffRaff:
Like you’re under sedation.
All:
Let’s do the time-warp again.
Let’s do the time-warp again.

Time magazine recently wrote an article called “10 Ideas that are Changing the World.” In the midst of this article coming in as number 3 is “Calvinism!“  Here is the link:

http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/0,28757,1720049,00.html

Calvinism is the theological system named after Reformer John Calvin from the 1500s. This movement grew, then waned, and now in the 21st century is red hot among conservative Christians.  I admit that bits of Calvinism have never gone away (especially in Baptist life) but now a full blown Calvinism has exploded on the scene in such a large way that a news magazine lists it as number 3!

In my archives you can read my thoughts on Calvinism (I’m not a fan) but wow is this a big change to see in our culture.

Baptists have always been divided on this issue. There is a historical Calvinist Baptist tradition and a historical non-Calvinist tradition.  The evidence is in the history books.  Many Baptists eventually took a blend.  The Southern Baptists in the 20th century believed in parts but mixed their Calvinism and took it less strictly.   Now younger Baptists coming out of seminary and beginning to pastor churches in the SBC and other evangelical denominations are loving John Calvin.  Their heroes are like rock stars to them and they buy their bobble heads of John Calvin at their seminary in Louisville.  There is the political and vocal Al Mohler (president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary), Pastor John Piper (not a young guy) and the cursing, drinking, sex talking mega-church pastor Mark Driscoll (just google the controveries over this guy who loves to preach on the Song of Solomon).  Wow.

What’s the big deal?

In the early 90s when Baptists saw this coming the moderate Baptists out there said that while we saw this small group rising up it was not yet young folks and it seemed small.  I read a book of theologians who dismissed this new movement.  They saw that fundamentalists and conservatives tended to be dispensational (rapture) and evangelistic/missionary and those two camps don’t go well with Calvinism and they just would not accept this reform movement.   Sadly we were wrong.  After the fundamentalists took over the SBC and pushed out professors the new young students accepted this Calvinism.   The statistics still show the majority of Baptists in the SBC are not five point Calvinists (90 percent) but among recent graduates the numbers are rapidily increasing and are now at 30 percent.   The studies show that the pace is increasing and while it may be awhile before the majority swings it is very possible.  And those churches tend to be smaller in size and baptism rates.   This past SBC in Louisville had flare ups over the issue and it is increasing.

What’s the big deal? The basic question is how much is controlled by God?  Does God elect only some and therefore are we saying that some people are created who can not be saved because they are the elect?  Would God create people and elect them to damnation?  Can we resist salvation or do we have a choice? Issues of free will and grace are at stake.  I believe this issue will eventually impact churches when it comes to evangelism and mission.  Future Calvinist generations may follow previous ones and be less mission minded and evangelistic.  After all in the logical thinking of that system God saves who God chooses.

Some would argue with me that I am misrepresenting this movement but classic five point Calvinism does say that God elects some and damns others.  Free will is very limited and I believe this is a divisive and dangerous obsession for new ministers.  I have a problem with the thought that some people have no hope.  I believe all can be saved if they trust in Christ and we accept or reject and this is our choice. I take this seriously.

And the fatalism and determination that comes with this thinking troubles me. Do we become pawns in God’s chess game?  Many concerns come up in my mind when I consider this.  I also predict that this is a issue that will divide congregations and possibly denominations.  I believe it will impact mission growth and evangelism at some point.  I also believe it is going back rather than forward.  We can learn from the past but I don’t want to return to the past.

Blessings,

Derik

Musings on the King of Pop’s Passing

Michael Jackson is not going away.  He’s dead for sure.  I saw a web site claiming that he faked his death to later come back and stage a big comeback.   The article said (I’m sure in jest) that he learned to do this from Elvis who is also still alive.  Jackson’s death reminds me about Elvis’ death in many ways.  I’m already sure there will be folks dressing up and performing like Jackson just like they are for Elvis.   Maybe one day soon there will be stage shows with Jackson impersonators and perhaps Neverland is the next Graceland.  New CDs will be coming.  Lost and never released recordings will be coming out.  His image will go on commercially.   The end is the beginning for the Jackson legacy.  But Michael will not see it.  He longed for a come back before retirement and sadly it seems his comeback is found in his death.

When you get past the chimp, the Elephant man’s bones, the plastic surgery, and the scandals you do have a canon of amazing pop music and some that are less than exciting.  I grew up with “Thriller” and the great 80s hits that have yet to go away.

I’m not a music critic so what does this have to say about faith?  I believe there are many lessons from his passing.  The truth is that this man was a lonely and tragic figure.  The money did not give him peace and the celebrity was more of a curse than a blessing.   In this story we quickly see that fame and earthly wealth does not bring peace.   We also are reminded that even if your name is a household name life is not forever.  We all live and we all die and this is true for the person on the street or celebrities on the red carpet.

I’m also reminded that my life is moving fast!  It wasn’t that long ago that I was that kid jamming to my tape of Thriller or watching the awards show where Michael first did the moon walk.  I can still remember how excited we all were about Michael.  I can remember trying to do the moon walk in my friend’s kitchen.

Life moves fast doesn’t it?  You blink and you are eighteen.  Turn around and you are thirty.  Before you know it your past songs are oldies and your heroes are dead or ‘not cool.’  The days of Madonna, Michael Jackson, “Back to the Future,” “The Cosbys” and Pac-Man are long gone.  I can rent those movies, play the games still but it isn’t the same.

So we must move forward in life.  We must learn that there is more to life than the things of life.

At Jackson’s funeral his daughter spoke about her love for her dad.  I’m sure that he would testify that this was more important to them than the fame and money.

I don’t know about Michael’s faith and I’m not sure where he was in terms of God.  He grew up Jehovah’s Witness but I have no clue where he wound up.  Years ago there was mention that the Nation of Islam courted him.  I don’t know and it isn’t my job to make that call.   But I hope that Michael found peace in the end.  I hope he did.  The media drove him crazy and he never really had a life of peace here.

So what about us?

The King of Pop or King of Rock may entertain us but it is the King of Peace we need.  Only in the King of Kings will we find true joy and life.

Blessings,
Derik