The Articulate Atheist
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesIn the Opinion section of the El Paso Times, Friday, April 20, 2012, there was a well-written article on the inconsistencies of the Bible.
The writer quoted two verses in his belief that Scripture is nothing but a collection of stories (the usual comment) and that loving one’s neighbor also is countered by Luke 12:47….”a servant not doing his master’s work will be beaten” or in Psalms 137:8-9, where the writer is praying for the destruction of Babylon and all its people. This by a God who is supposedly the Creator of all mankind!
There are many writers, more adept than I who can logically refute the charges made by those who see discrepancies in these verses. These “articulate atheists” are quick to quote verses which might cast doubt on the veracity of the Scriptures. They not only take verses out of context but they also distort the meaning behind the verses (Gal. 1:6-7 ESV; cf. 2 Corinthians 2:14-17 ESV).
For instance, the Psalms are a collection of writings by men who were expressing their own feelings as well as their faith in God (see also). They spoke in exaggerated terms and in metaphors. One must read Scripture not only as a collection of inspired writings….some were direct commands or instructions….but must be read in the historical context in which they were given (see rules of interpretation).
This particular atheist finishes his comments by saying….”I love my children and have not subjected them to a belief system that extinguishes inquiry, has such an abhorrent history and apparently retards logic.”
Christians should never be accused of backing away from inquiry. Blind faith without reasoning is not faith at all. Faith involves commitment as well as knowledge. We don’t leave our brains at the door!
The author is confusing issues. They love doing that. God is not to blame for the horrendous atrocities committed in His name. Also the Lord wrote the greatest love commandments ever given….atheists completely ignore those of course. He further states “that the Bible was written by men to an illiterate audience.”
How could it be that man alone could develop the principles that have stood the test of time for thousands of years and that has guided and shaped our great nation as well as impacted the lives of millions of people? Not to a fanatical faith such as Islam, but to a faith which has produced wisdom, charity, hope and love (Proverbs 2:1-9; 1 Corinthians 13).
I have only one question for these articulate atheists….”where do you derive your standard of moral ethics and behavior?”
—Barbara Hyland, guest writer
Related Articles:
- Articles On Atheists and Atheism
- Morality Without Religion?
- Moral Relativism or Scriptural Absolutes?
- Christian Morality Is…UnChristian?
- Christian Ethics and Legal Maneuvering
- Some Reflections on “Right” and “Wrong”