A few weeks ago a friend of mine posted some really good thoughts on a quotation I had heard many times before.
The quotation was, "The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today are Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable."
Here are my own thoughts:
I disagree with this statement. There is no doubt that Christians need to step it up when it comes to living holy and loving lives. However, to claim this as ones reason for disbelieving in God is utter foolishness. We deny God not because of others, rather because we are self-centered, self-glorifying, and filled with hatred toward the one true God who created us.
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But could you make the argument that Christians who live like Christ help others see their own selfishness and even stir a longing for something they do not have?
Granted, many will use the behavior of Christians as an excuse for not believing in order to mask the hardness in their own hearts, but I think there is logic in this quote.
I get his logic in writing the statement - Christians stop being hypocrites. Which, I think needs to be said. However, I think he used bad theology to say it. By doing so he gives fodder to those who deny God and confirms them in their self-righteousness.
Could it also have something to do with love others as i have loved you? They will know you are Christians by your love. Maybe the quote follows those lines. Maybe the other idea which could become a simple bumper sticker idea, about being the only Jesus some will ever see could be what this quote reaches at. People are responsible for their actions, yes and Christians are too (better a stone around the neck than a little one stumble) but the fact that the world hears and sees God through his people, His Creation and His Spirit all fall into play. This quote for me says that. When the world can't accept God because they've seen those who claim to be in HIm that to me is what is being denied by their lifestyle. That is just how I take it. I don't see it as bad theology on the guy who said this, just the people who say this as their sole reason for not believing. That's the unbelievable part, that the believing world would hinder the approach of the sinner to the God who would save.
Yes, but that is my whole point. I think people like the statement because it makes for a good bumper sticker (though a very long one) but it is not accurate claim.
"The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today are Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle."
That is simply not true... it is bad theology. This is not why people are atheists.
"...but the fact that the world hears and sees God through his people, His Creation and His Spirit all fall into play."
I am not 100% sure on what you mean by see God. I am guessing you mean the type of sight that is necessary for salvation. If so, we must be careful, because this type of sight only takes place through the giving of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3
"In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." 2 Cor. 4:4-6
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things." Rom. 1:18-21
I understand what you're saying Scott and at the same time I believe you're missing the point of what the person who said this quote is saying. I don't believe he was making a theological point but a sociological one. Those who are perishing because of their sin are blinded by their sin, they don't see their need for a savior or their need to be redeemed but they do see those who claim that they are saved and redeemed and don't seem to really live out those beliefs and so therefore reject hearing anymore of what they have to say and thus the remain in their unbelief. Of course we could say that they are being foolish but that seems kind of redundant since a fool says in his heart there is no God. The author of the quote was making a point to Christians who delay or hinder those who might come and investigate closer this God-Man Jesus. So I agree with Ryan about the logic in the quote and it's main point to believers not non-believers.
He made a definite statement about why people are Atheists. "The Cause of Atheism." The post was about what he declared as "The Cause". No Christian has ever caused someone to be an Atheist. Enable and confirm, possibly - But the post is about cause. He might be trying to make sociological point to Christians - but he uses wrong theology to make that point. This type of theology says, "we can hinder God's sovereign plan in redemption." That is pretty scary and it makes God look pretty weak.
Like I said in my response to Ryan - I get what he is trying to say. However, he is saying it by making statements and claims that are not true.
so when he said the greatest single cause of atheism in the world to day that he calculated what the greatest cause of atheism is?! You are missing the point of the whole quote! Of course the cause of Atheism is the degenerate sinner...however that's not what he's talking about. He's obviously making a point about Christians who misrepresent their beliefs to an unbelieving world. The truth is Scott you can hinder people from knowing God. Why would God use people to deliver His message? The people must hear that message, right? The Sovereign God and will do what He wants when He wants to and He has chosen to use weakened earthen vessels such as you and I to spread His Word. Love is the greatest commandment both God and others. Love can be both shown and influenced...but it can also be hindered.
I don't think we disagree in fundamentals just practicality of the quote.
I do appreciate the dialogue.
Good distinction looking at the word, "cause". Perhaps the author (Churck Colson I believe) should have said, "The greatest excuse given for being atheists is..."
Excuse is probably better anyway because I don't believe there are very many actual atheists in the first place. Even Dawkins (the renown agnostic) says that no one can whole-heartedly be an atheist.
Also in thinking about this quote, Paul says in Phil 1 that some preach Christ out of selfish ambition and conceit (arguably a sign of hypocracy) but he is still thankful that the message is being preached. This confirms the idea that some use hypocritical Christians as an excuse for their unbelief but not necessarily the cause because many come to faith through hypocritical Christians.
.... go Vikings. (not related to the post).
Well said Ryan. Excellent usage of Phil. 1, I didn't even think about that. As for the Vikings... I hope they get negative points.
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