The Folly of Atheism, Part 7

Reflections on Psalm 14:1

In most of these entries I have focused on theoretical atheism; challenging its presuppositions, countering its claims, and uncovering its internal inconsistencies. My aim has been to better equip you to engage secular humanists and materialists in our culture. But there is another kind of atheist, the practical atheist. These are people who claim some sort of belief in the divine but, in reality, live independently of God. Most of them would resent the charge of atheism though their lifestyles confirm it.

It is tempting to identify the fool in this psalm with Israel’s enemies who worship other gods, but that does not seem to be the thrust of Psalm 14. Rather, it is primarily directed against those within Israel, within the covenant community, within the church that lives as if God is irrelevant to their decision-making.

While there are those in our culture who unequivocally reject God’s existence, there are countless others who give a token assent to God but, for all practical purposes, live autonomously. They feel little or no accountability to him, or they ease their conscience by dismissing a future judgment. No matter what the fool may claim, he lives as if God were inconsequential. Within a church the fool may mimic the sounds of faith, but his true self shows a blatant disregard for Christ, his church, and his commands.

It is not easy to challenge practical atheists because they have convinced themselves their declaration of faith is sufficient. What they need to understand is that the dominant patterns of their lives demonstrate what they truly believe. The proof is in the pudding. If our beliefs govern our behaviors, then we must seriously reflect on our choices to discern what ultimately drives us. Actions do speak louder than words. As Jesus said, “By their fruit you will recognize them” (Matthew 7:20). Assent alone is not saving faith. James says, “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder” (James 2:19). It is quite absurd to be self-congratulatory about one’s profession of faith when you are in the same boat with demons! Again, James reminds us, “Faith apart from works is dead” (2:26). A living faith will bear fruit.

About twenty years ago, Richard Dawkins wrote The God Delusion. It made waves when it was first released, but all the rave about the New Atheism movement has since faded. Atheism solves nothing and does nothing to benefit society. It puts the onus on man to resolve his problems when mankind is the problem. Ultimately, it leads to nihilism because apart from the grace of the gospel, humanity will never change. Despair and hopelessness are the result. We need to be rescued, redeemed, and reborn. Clearly, someone outside ourselves must do it. Thankfully, God sent a Savior and his name is Jesus.

Here is the real God delusion; believing God will spare anyone who stubbornly continues to pursue his or her own way. There are many instances in Scripture where we are presented with two ways to live; the way of God or the way of man; the way of wisdom or the way of folly. Wisdom calls for a response, a response of love and loyalty to God. The Lord must give it and we must seek it. If we seek him, it is evidence the Spirit is at work. Remind the atheist that while he cannot change his own heart, he can ask God to give him a believing heart. What exemplifies true worshippers of God is reverent submission to his will. This is the fear of the Lord: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7).

I think it is fair to say every time we sin we think and act like a fool, but biblically the fool and the wicked are set in contrast to the wise and the righteous. They represent two categories of humanity. The fool’s willful ignorance, independence, and negligence do not typify the Christian. Whereas a believer confesses and repents when convicted, the fool neither learns nor listens: “Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly” (Proverbs 26:11).

So the question we pose to the practical atheist is, “What characterizes your life? Faith, repentance, and submission or unbelief, indulgence, and self-rule?” Atheism, whether theoretical or practical, is the death of hope, but hope is always held out for those who repent and turn in faith to the Lord Jesus for forgiveness and new life. This is our message to the atheist, one of hope through reconciliation with God. Each day the Lord is graciously subduing the hearts of tens of thousands of sinners, making his former enemies his friends. He turns away none who come to him. The sinner must delay no longer: “Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).

We do not speak to the unbelieving with arrogance but with deep humility, for we know that God saved us from a life of folly not because we were smarter or better or more deserving than others but only because of his mercy. Even now we still struggle with sin in our hearts, but the whole orientation of our lives has changed through the gospel. By his grace we are on the Lord’s side calling others to faith in Jesus Christ, “who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30).