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Point of Reference
by Fred Price
What’s that? A newly named geological epoch? No. Neo or New-Atheism is really just a re-packaging and restating of unbelief – with an attitude. Re-packaged as academically sound and scientific, restated loudly, exaggeratedly, and offensively; a radicalized version of the old objections to faith. Taking inspiration from the 911 disaster, the New-Atheists have gone on the attack, emphasizing the evil done around the world in the name of religion – which is undeniable to some extent – but more than that, they then go on to insist that all religion, without exception, is dangerous.
To be fair and honest, there’s nothing wrong with pointing out the ignorance, immorality, and hypocrisy that believers of all kinds sometimes commit. (Although there’s a huge difference between a critique and criticism.) Jesus warned of such (Matthew 7:15-23), characterizing some individuals who appear pious as “evildoers.” Which is tragic, but hardly Jesus’ fault, a truly discerning person recognizing that Jesus isn’t – or shouldn’t be – blamed for the abuses sometimes committed in His name. And let’s not forget, all of us are guilty of living less well than we ought; some accidentally, ignorantly or intentionally using and/or abusing scripture to achieve their own goals. But sometimes we don’t get it right for less sinister reasons; immaturity in faith – and experience – being a big one, a misunderstanding or misapplication of scripture being another.
Neo-Athiests such as Dan Dennett, Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris and Chris Hitchens however, are insistent, incessant and confrontational in their assertions that matter is all there is – particularly the randomly selected and evolved matter of humankind – and when you die, it’s over. Period. The concept of God and thus morality, ethics, etc. are merely constructs of our own imagination or need at the time. We creating God in our image instead of Him creating us in His. (Which we must be careful not to do.) A major argument against New-Atheism’s proposition that man, left to his own devices, will figure life out without using God and His principles as an emotional crutch, is the long list of horrific atrocities perpetuated in the name of atheism by the likes of Lenin, Stalin, Pol Pot, Meo Zedong and even Hitler, who tried to use a much-adulterated brand of Christianity to validate his own godless vision of what the world could and should look like.
At issue is the apparent need for humankind to worship – somebody or something – with the accompanying need to promote order in our families, clans, tribes, towns, cities, states and countries through that other being who is bigger, wiser, stronger and more capable than we are. Most evolutionary atheists believing theology begins with biology; that somehow we’re pre-disposed to believe in a higher power as that belief enhances our chances of survival. Some believe there is actually a God gene – a religious urge if you will – either as a product of evolution or part of God’s design – to inspire us to seek Him out. Which would make sense. If He is actually there and desires to be found, why wouldn’t he create and design us with that desire, drive and capability?
Bob Dylan wrote a song years ago expressing a real Biblical truth, the refrain of “Gotta Serve Somebody” being, “It may be the devil or it may be the Lord, but you’re gonna have to serve somebody.”1Scripture asserting that we all end up worshipping something – either God or a God substitute – which is nothing less than an idol. Jesus declaring that we can’t serve two masters, we must choose between Him or whatever is in competition with Him. (Matthew 6:24) Whether that be material possessions, family, sex, fame, etc. Anything or anyone taking precedence over our relationship with God being that aforementioned idol. Paul affirming that we will be in voluntary “bondage” to Christ and obedience to His word and will, or an involuntary “slave” to disobedience and the Devil. (Romans 6:14 An indifferent, noncompliance to Christ’s call to “Repent, and follow me.” still being a refusal to do so and thus rebellion against Him.)
One other “concern” raised by Neo-Atheists is God’s insistence that we worship Him and Him only. Which is not based in vanity or pride, but a desire for our participation in His will and “life”, as worship expresses an awareness of God and our proper place in His order of things, transforming us into the beings we were designed to be. The implication – and problem for Atheists – being that God then has a right to expect certain responses from us.
These and many other topics are addressed in a book titled, ‘Is God a Moral Monster?’ by Paul Copan, attempting to answer questions believers and unbelievers alike have concerning “difficult” scripture, particularly in the Old Testament.2Mr. Copan asserting that one key to understanding issues such as slavery, women’s rights, “total” war, God’s “jealousy” and demands of worship being an appreciation of time and place. It being difficult, and perhaps unfair, to judge people from the distant past by our standards and expectations. Yes, some things are always right while others are likewise wrong; but culture, time, and environment should always be considered when judging people of other times and places. Even today, one of the more frustrating aspects of shepherding new Christians in their faith walk is the adjustments we must make in our expectations of their incremental “successes”, softening a hardened heart by degrees. (As God did with Israel.) Some things being allowed – for a time – that we might not expect from a more mature individual, with the expectation being that the situation will change as people grow in their faith and years of experience.
In establishing a covenant people, God gave them new laws to live by, in the process creating a new culture for them to grow into. In doing so, He adapted His ideals to a people whose worldview was still influenced by a deeply flawed social structure surrounding them on every side. Which raises the question: Why didn’t He just miraculously change their minds – and thus their actions – all at once, and remove the possibility of controversy? Because they would then become mere automatons, not genuine followers and lovers of His word, will and being.
Although an improvement on the status quo, many of the Mosaic laws weren’t the permanent, divine ideal for all people and all times, but a practical response to a thick-skulled, hard-hearted people who would take time to perfect. (Sometimes the ideal giving way to what’s actually achievable – short-term – until the ideal can be realized. As in the question of marriage and divorce put to Jesus in Matthew 19:3-9) So, while not being perfect, they were still a far cry from the surrounding attitudes and practices of their neighbors. God instituting laws for Israel that began where the people were, challenging and encouraging them to better behavior through “oneness” with Him; which found completion in Christ. (See Jeremiah 31:31-34 & Hebrews 10:15-18) Even unbelievers demonstrating that the morals and ethics of “righteousness” are hard-wired into their genetic make-up when they do “by nature” things required by God’s law. (Romans 2:15 & Romans 1:19,20)
The fruit of that law being, “…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22,23 (See also Romans 13:10) How dangerous is that?
1 “Gotta Serve Somebody” – Bob Dylan, 1979
2Subtitled, “Making Sense of the Old Testament God”, Baker Books Publishing
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Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.
Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker. He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today. Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.
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