Atheism
Summary
The denial of God's existence, which Scripture identifies as both intellectual folly and practical wickedness.
☩Biblical Assessment
The Psalmist declares that 'the fool has said in his heart, There is no God.' This denial leads to corruption and abominable works. Scripture identifies both theoretical atheism (denying God's existence) and practical atheism (living as though God does not exist). The latter takes the form of complete indifference to God's claims or outbroken wickedness.
☩Arguments Against Atheism
Scripture presents natural revelation as evidence against atheism. Job appeals to the animal creation as testimony to God's existence and wisdom. Paul declares that God's invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived in what has been made, leaving humanity without excuse. Those who suppress this truth are given over to futility of thinking.
☩Historical Forms
Throughout history, atheism has taken various forms. In classical usage, 'atheist' meant one who denied the gods recognized by the state—even Christians were called atheists by pagans. In scientific theology, atheism is opposed to theism—the belief that God is absolute, self-conscious, personal spirit, the beneficent creator and upholder of the universe. Systems that seek to explain phenomena without God are considered atheistic, whether they take materialistic, pantheistic, or idealistic forms.
☩Refutation
Atheism is considered contrary to reason, as history shows the impossibility of the mind resting in its doctrines. It is contrary to human experience, since religious instincts within the human breast imply a Being who can satisfy them. It fails to account for design in the universe and for the existence of man and the world. Christian writers from Bacon to the present have noted that while 'a little philosophy inclines man's mind to atheism, depth in philosophy brings men's minds about to religion.'
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Atheism," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Atheism," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.Philip Schaff and Johann Herzog (ed.), "Atheism," in The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, vol. I (Funk and Wagnalls, 1908–1914).
- 4.Charles G. Herbermann et al. (ed.), "Atheism," in The Catholic Encyclopedia, vol. II (Robert Appleton Company, 1907–1912).