The cut and thrust of make-believe sword fighting was a favourite game when I was a boy! Recently a friend who’s been professionally trained in sword craft explained the trap most amateurs fall into – they slash wildly, miss, overbalance and expose their weakness.
In recent years atheists such as Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris and Daniel Dennett seem to be gaining ground in their attack on theism in general and Christianity in particular. In January this year the British Humanist Association, supported by Dawkins, put the following slogan on over 30 London buses; ‘There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy life.’ The plan was so successful that other cities now run these ads on buses throughout Europe. These atheists are bright, articulate and intent on exposing and demolishing faith in God.
However there are signs that this campaign has overreached itself because it’s brought the subject of God back on the agenda – a weakness has been exposed! In the past many Christians have been coy about mentioning God but there seems to be an emerging openness. Even in Nelson in recent weeks I’ve had a number of stimulating discussions about God. One guy I spoke to believed and lived by the moral values of Christianity but didn’t believe in the rest of it. I gently suggested that it wasn’t consistent to select a part of Christianity without taking the whole thing seriously. I mentioned CS Lewis’ famous line about Christianity being either supremely important or totally unimportant but it could never be moderately important.
I also raised the topic of Antony Flew who was a professor of philosophy and the world’s leading atheist. In December 2004 he renounced his atheism and became a theist. Over a lifetime of intellectual exploration and ‘following the evidence wherever it leads’ Flew came to the conclusion that rational and conscious human life cannot have emerged from nothing. An infinite mind is required as the first cause of the universe. Flew was also forced to concede that a designer must have been behind the integrated complexity of life revealed most clearly in the structure of DNA and the human genome. An infinite designer is just another way of talking about God! Flew is now an elderly man of 83 but since 2004 has consistently and publically renounced his atheism. This has produced shock waves in the western, intellectual establishment. Some have likened the impact to Billy Graham renouncing Christianity!
However there are still problems and issues for Christians who want to bear witness to their faith. I discussed this with a group of young adults from All Saints recently. In relating to others they were concerned not to have a ‘hidden evangelistic agenda.’ We discussed how we could have integrity and sincerity in our relationships but also be true to our identity as followers of Christ. In the end we came up with a concept we dubbed ‘social’ or ‘network’ evangelism. This involves intentionally including non-Christians in our social networks so that our faith is shared naturally through the ups-and-downs of life.
Now is not the time to be shy about our faith! Atheism has overreached itself and exposed its weakness! Science is seen by more and more people as a friend and ally of faith and not an enemy. Be encouraged. Speak up for your faith. You may be surprised at the growing openness to God in the community!