Articles - God

Some Introductory Matters

1. The problem and its importance. Presently many Christians are very naïve about the danger (to the cause of Christ) of skepticism both in our own nation and around the world. But every Christian should be easily alerted to this great danger by coming to realize just how widespread skepticism is today. For example, atheism is a fundamental element of Marxist Communism, which is now the dominant power in nations which comprise approximately one-half of the world’s population. Marxism is militantly anti-God and anti-religion. The devotees of Marxism hold that it provides an all-around criticism of any and all religion and shows ways and means of ridding the world of it. In the light of this fact, it is fearful to realize that not only is Marxism completely dominant in such nations as Russia and China, but clearly gaining followers in such “religious” nations as Italy, France, and Portugal.

Further, Marxism apparently has a considerable number of followers here in America. And, other philosophies which are widely taught and accepted in our own nation are either atheistic or agnostic. I dare say that there is not a state college or university in the United States which could not be described accurately as a “hotbed” of both atheism and agnosticism. The theory of atheistic evolution is taught, not as a mere theory, but as an established fact not only in our state colleges and universities but also in our public schools. The influence of this false theory against the cause of Christ is indeed enormous.

I was supposed to be in Memphis, Tennessee, today speaking at the Knight Arnold congregation in Memphis for their annual lectureship, but both I and the doctor decided that we weren’t really in the situation to do that so at least I am glad to be here to fill in for Ferman.

I want to talk today about a topic that I feel very deeply about, and that I believe God feels deeply about. In fact, there can’t be any question about it. I’ve entitled this study: “The Power and Necessity of Love” and the passage which was read just a few moments ago gives the basic information about it.

The apostle Paul made clear the absolute necessity of loving God when he said, “If any man love not the Lord Jesus let him be anathema, let him be accursed, if you do not love Christ” (1 Corinthians 16:22). The apostle Paul here makes clear that no man who does not love the Lord will be saved. Every phase of our lives involves in some way, this matter of love. What we think, how we conduct ourselves, what goals we set for ourselves, and many, many others. In fact, there is nothing in our lives that does not involve this point. Without love, even great things, that is, the things which with love are very great, without love they are not great but with love they are. Those that are without love are worthless.

Paul made clear that without love, first, even great oratorical abilities, men who are great speakers in preaching the Word (they may preach the Word, but there is something missing) become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal; so we learn in 1 Corinthians 13:1. Even if one has spiritual gifts which can result in great deeds, the possessor of those gifts is nothing, that is, not pleasing to God, according to 1 Corinthians 13:2, if he does not have love, and third, even tremendously sacrificial acts of benevolence, giving goods to the poor, giving one’s body to be burned, and so on. We deceive ourselves sometimes into thinking that we are really loving servants of God when we are not. If these things are done without love they profit the sacrificing person nothing. This, God says in 1 Corinthians 13:3.

INTRODUCTION

In order to adequately know himself, man must know God. To know himself, man must know of his own origin. (“How is it that I am here?”)

To know how one is here, he must know of his origin. Was he created or did he evolve from some non-human thing? A proper analysis of and valid reasoning concerning one’s own body, mind, and spirit (including his conscience) will result in the conclusion that he (man) was created by the infinite Being (God).

To know why he is here, man must know God and His Will.

In order to know what to do with his own life (how to be saved, how to live as a saved person), man must know God (John 17:3) and His will.

In order to know of his eternal destiny, man must know God (Matthew 25:46; Mark 9:43-50; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Matthew 7:13-27; et al.). This study is about knowing God.

Dr. Barnhart says that he recognizes the essentiality of punishment, but that he doesn’t know what punishment should be given! This is indeed a great admission that the theory of Bentham is false because—according to Bentham’s theory—under these two sovereign masters, pleasure and pain, they will guide you and make you do things because of your natural constitution—what you ought to do and you shall do.

In my closing remarks I want to call your attention to the fact that the great God of heaven has certain rights in regard to man in the world.

According to Luke 13:69, which sets out the parable of the fig tree, there are certain things that we should learn.

Some Simple Definitions

Although these words have been defined with various shades of meaning by some thinkers, I wish to use some simple, brief definitions of three crucial terms: agnostic, atheist, and (Biblical) theist. An agnostic is a person who holds that there is not sufficient evidence available to man to warrant the deduction that men can know that God exists. (The agnostic holds that there is not evidence available so that man can answer either “yes” or “no” to the question as to whether God exists.) An atheist is one who claims that there is sufficient evidence available to man to warrant the deduction that men can know that God does not exist. A (Biblical) theist is one who holds that there is sufficient evidence available to men to warrant the deduction that men can know that God does exist. I am concerned in this article to show that while some men who espouse the basic agnostic viewpoint may classify themselves as theists, such a classification is unwarranted. To be an agnostic relative to, say, X is to hold that men cannot know X. In this article, I am concerned especially with agnosticism relative to the existence of God, the inspiration of the Bible, and the correct interpretation of the Bible.

“Kinds” of Agnosticism

Relative to the existence of God, there are at least two kinds of agnostics. The kind of agnostic who “leans toward” theism (such as Blaise Pascal) says that no one can know whether God exists but claims that “it is more reasonable” to believe that God does exist than that he does not. But the fact that this type of agnostic “leans toward” theism does not make him truly a (Biblical) theist. The other kind of agnostic is one who “leans toward” atheism (such as Bertrand Russell). This kind of agnostic holds that no one can know whether God exists, but he claims “that it is more reasonable” to believe that God does not exist than to believe that he does.

An Agnostic Is Neither an Atheist Nor a Theist

There are numerous philosophers who claim not that they know that God does not exist, but that there is not sufficient evidence available to men to enable anyone to know whether God does or does not exist. It is manifestly incorrect to refer to such men as atheists, and it is surely the case that at least most of them would resent anyone referring to them as atheists. There is a definite distinction made between being an atheist and being an agnostic. While we thus recognize the distinction between an agnostic and an atheist, we also must recognize that it is incorrect to refer to an agnostic as a (Biblical) theist. If a given person says that there is not sufficient evidence available to men for them to know whether God exists, even if he does claim that it is “more reasonable to believe” that God does exist than to believe that he does not exist, such a person is not a (Biblical) theist–he is an agnostic! This is the case simply because so long as one holds that the evidence available to man is not sufficient to warrant the deduction that men can know that God exists, even if they do say that it is “more reasonable” to believe that God exists than that he does not exist, then they are not theists but agnostics!

SOME INTRODUCTORY MATTERS

  1.  The problem and its importance. In Romans 1:18-20, Paul made clear that the “everlasting power and divinity” of God “are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made.” He further explained that, as a consequence of rejecting that evidence, even though the rejecters professed themselves to be wise, they actually “became fools” and began to worship what had been created rather than the Creator (Romans 1:21-23). In greater detail Paul then explained the consequences of rejecting God. In the remaining verses of the first chapter of Romans, three times Paul says that God “gave them up.” (1) He “gave them up . . . unto uncleanness” (1:24). (2) He “gave them up unto vile passions” (1:26). (3) He “gave them up unto a reprobate mind” (1:28). A careful study of Romans 1:18-32 will enlighten the student as to the terrible consequences of rejecting God. As we survey the situation in our own world, we can see the same results (moral and spiritual degeneration) from the same action (rejection of God).