Reading this rebuttal by Christopher Hitchens’ brother got me thinking. Christopher is an outspoken atheist (or ‘anti-theist‘ as he puts it). His brother Peter is a believer. Peter makes a good point when he talks about the differences between what we believe to be reality in our mind and what actually is the reality of our actions:
Look at the annual massacre of unborn babies, done away with for the convenience of adults.
In the harsher parts of our great cities, strong, violent people rule their neighbours with pre-medieval savagery, demonstrating a fine understanding of what it means if there is no God: that if something works for you, and you can get away with it, then you may do it without fear of consequence in this world – and there is no next world.
That is practical atheism. Those who follow it probably cannot even spell it. Comfortable, suburban unbelievers hate to have this pointed out to them.
They would never behave like that, surrounded as they are by the invisible web of ten centuries of Christian law and morality, which still protects the nicer parts of our country.
But it is the application of what they preach, the worship of self and power.
What about folks who fight against the inerrancy of scripture? How is that in effect any different than what Marcion did in the 2nd century? What he did was so grievous to the truth that it was known as heresy. A scholar of that time remarked that he ‘interpreted the bible with a pen-knife’. Few people have ever heard of Marcion as I hadn’t until recently. But that doesn’t mean the effects of error are lessened any because of ignorance. The reality of the situation is what it is. The consequences of our actions remain.
I can’t stop there as I’m not exempt either. None of us are. How many times have we said ‘I believe God’s word is true‘ but then live our daily lives in direct opposition to the truths we just acknowledged as true? Far too many times than we care to admit. What we say we believe and what we practice are not the same.
So, what is the truth? How do we know anything about spiritual things (outside of what God has revealed in His word) - and the realities of sin, death, heaven, hell, and salvation? How do we live a life governed by truth instead of error?
God help us all.
I believe Peter Hitchens has put his finger on the problem:
But it is the application of what they preach, the worship of self and power.
From God’s Word…
Matthew 16:24
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”
John 12:24
Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.
How can we get rid of this love of self and power and do what is right, good, and true? God help us … for we can’t do it.
If we die to self, can we really live?
Matthew 19:25-26
When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”
But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 16:25-26
For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
