Atheist is introduced as a ‘man with his back toward Zion’. For twenty years he has allegedly searched for Zion, and now ‘I am going back again and will seek to refresh myself with the things that I then cast away, for hopes of that which, I now see, is not’.
As a wise man once said, ‘There is nothing new under the sun…’ (Eccl.1:9). Not even Atheism has managed to re-invent itself in the last 400 years. It still carries its blend of contemptuous mockery (‘Atheist fell into a very great laughter’) and smug intellectual superiority (‘I have gone to seek it further than you’). It’s strange how something that looks so sophisticated from one side can look so tiresome from the other.
Nevertheless, Atheist can present a compelling picture of intellectual integrity, open mindedness and spiritual searching. These may all seem laudable characteristics, but it turns out that they aren’t ones that necessarily lead us into truth. God will not deign to become a plaything for our philosophical curiosity. He will not be patronised by those too arrogant to confess their need of Him, or too self-righteous to feel their sinfulness (Ps.36:2). It is little wonder that he has not discovered God even while on the path to Zion (Dt.32:20). God hides Himself from such as these, and their confidence in what they haven’t found is part of His judgement. Atheist cuts a sorry figure, no longer willing to recognise the realities of heaven and hell, the truth of Scripture, or even of the Living God Himself. What presents as wisdom is in fact tragic folly (Ps.53:1). As Paul puts it so powerfully: ‘For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” Where is the wise person? … Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe’ (I Cor.1:18-21).
There will always be atheists. But the idea that atheism is a force to be reckoned with is hardly one we can take seriously any more (if we ever could after what we saw atheism achieve throughout the 20th Century). The vaunted claims of the most recent batch of atheists (Hitchens, Harris, Dawkins et al) seem almost absurd in the light of the last few years. If we ever needed proof that atheism (or by its new trendy name: secular humanism) lacked the resources to sustain a coherent world view, or a stable, tolerant society, we now have it in abundance. But that won’t stop us feeling challenged by atheists at a personal level; by those who paint religion as a product of a by-gone, pre-scientific era, when people didn’t know any better. Or as a tried-and-found-wanting experience on a personal pilgrimage (as Atheist whom Christian and Hopeful meet: I tried religion, but it didn’t work!) How should we respond? In part, it is simply knowing our history well enough to debunk Atheism’s errant claims. But Hopeful helps us think our response through more carefully. He is alert after his experience with Flatterer, and feels strident in facing Christian’s questioning. But there is wisdom in his sermon, both in what is not said and in what is:
First, ‘take heed’. No discussion is ever a purely intellectual thing. Behind every intellectual position held is a spiritual dynamic that is rarely acknowledged (e.g. Job 4). We are far too holistic to ever be ‘purely spiritual’, or ‘purely intellectual’. It puzzles me how reluctant Christians can be to engage in evangelism when they are constantly being evangelised by others.
Hopeful remembers what happened last time he failed to ‘take heed’ and doesn’t wish to endure the Lord’s discipline again.
Second, remember not only the truth we have believed, but also the truth we have experienced. The life of a Christian is supposed to be one of rich experience of the things of which we speak and sing. The paucity of our devotional life, and our general lack of spiritual vision for life means that we exist as Christians rather than live. But Hopeful is able to draw on his having 'seen‘ from the Delectable Mountains, the gate of the city’. Fortified with such vision, we would be much less susceptible to intimidation by those who scoff at our faith.
Third, remember that spirituality is also intellectual. There is a dangerous idea abroad in the Church that we somehow have to by-pass the mind if we are to really encounter God. Let’s be clear that this method, and any experience that comes by way of it, is not and never has been genuine Christianity. The mind is a crucial part of being an authentic Pilgrim. Hopeful counsels Christian to guard his mind and to remember what he was taught by the Shepherds. If we stop listening to instruction, we will stray from the words of knowledge (Prov.19:27). There is a kind of spiritual entropy at work in us.
There is a time to be silent (Eccl.3:7). There are those who will not listen, who will not see. Tragic though it is, the wisdom of God is to not get caught up with such. We can spend a lot of time debating, discussing, engaging in polemic and apologetics, and we will make no progress.
‘So they turned away from the man, and he, laughing at them, went on his way’.
Questions to ponder:
Who do you know who claims to be an atheist? What are their main arguments and complaints about religion? What have you done to develop ways of responding to their concerns?
