The Christian tradition, rooted in scripture, places profound emphasis on the pursuit of wisdom and knowledge. Biblical wisdom literature, particularly in Proverbs, asserts that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7). Similarly, Proverbs 18:15 proclaims, “The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.” Christians are, therefore, encouraged to seek truth and understanding, not only through God's word but also through observation and engagement with the world (Psalm 119). While it is widely accepted that Christians should learn from their faith and the lives of the saints (1 Corinthians 11:1), the possibility of gaining wisdom from atheists—those who deny the existence of God—has received little academic attention. Yet, a rigorous examination of atheistic critiques can yield significant insights, offering believers an opportunity for self-reflection and growth.
The Ethical Imperative of Evangelism: Insights from Atheism
One of the most compelling challenges posed by atheists to the Christian community concerns the ethical responsibility to evangelize. Penn Jillette, an atheist entertainer, offers a critical perspective on this issue. In 2010, Jillette shared a video recounting his encounter with a Christian who, after one of his performances, gave him a Bible. Despite being an outspoken atheist, Jillette admired the man's sincerity, stating, "He was really kind and sane...and talked to me, then gave me this Bible." Jillette, although critical of evangelism, voiced a significant critique of Christians who fail to share their faith:
I don’t respect people who don’t proselytize. If you believe that there is a Heaven and a Hell, and people could be going to Hell or not getting eternal life...how much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them?1
Jillette’s critique exposes a logical inconsistency among many Christians who claim to believe in eternal life and eternal damnation yet avoid sharing this belief with others due to social discomfort. The ethical imperative to evangelize is central to the Christian mission, as Jesus' teachings in Matthew 28:19-20 mandate the proclamation of the gospel to all nations. Jillette’s observation highlights a moral responsibility that should not be avoided but pursued with kindness, compassion, and humility. Furthermore, his challenge encourages a re-examination of the evangelical mandate as a deeply moral obligation that transcends cultural discomfort.
The Atheistic Critique of Hypocrisy: Misguided Rejections of Authentic Christianity
A frequent critique leveled by atheists is the perceived hypocrisy within the Christian community. This criticism, while often valid, is sometimes used as a flawed argument to discredit the validity of Christianity itself. A popular expression of this critique was articulated by atheist commentator James Veverka, who stated:
We hear an awful lot from conservatives in the Bible Belt about how we should all live. Certainly, a culture that teaches conservative religious values should be morally superior. It isn’t. Far from it. People who talk the loudest may be the ones walking the slowest.4
The critique highlights an observable disjunction between the moral teachings of Christianity and the lived experiences of some Christians. For example, data from the Pew Research Center indicates that regions with higher self-reported levels of religiosity, particularly within the U.S. Bible Belt, also have disproportionately high rates of social ills, including divorce, teenage pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases. In Montgomery, Alabama, for instance, a city with over 250 churches and where 86% of the population identifies as Christian, the city was ranked as the most sexually diseased in the nation in 2015.5 These statistics underscore the troubling reality of moral failures within Christian communities.
Atheist critiques of hypocrisy in the church are valid to the extent that they expose a failure to live out the tenets of the faith. However, they often fall short by conflating individual failures with the discrediting of Christianity as a whole. The existence of hypocritical Christians does not negate the truth claims of Christianity any more than flawed practitioners discredit an entire discipline. Jesus himself condemned hypocrisy (Matthew 6:1-6), and the Bible frequently acknowledges the moral shortcomings of believers. The logical error lies in assuming that the failings of individuals invalidate the veracity of the Christian faith.
The Role of Faith and Reason: Atheist Critiques of "Blind Faith"
A common charge levied by atheists against Christianity is the notion of "blind faith." Atheist philosopher Sam Harris, in The End of Faith, captures this critique by asserting:
Tell a devout Christian that his wife is cheating on him, and he will demand evidence. But tell him that the Bible was written by an invisible deity who will punish him with fire if he fails to accept its every claim, and he requires no evidence at all.6
This caricature of Christian faith as being devoid of reason is widespread in atheist circles. However, it fails to account for the rich intellectual tradition within Christianity, which has always encouraged the use of reason in matters of faith. The apostle Paul, in his defense before Festus and Agrippa, presented a rational case for Christianity, asserting that his beliefs were grounded in observable events (Acts 26:24-26). Similarly, early Christian apologists like Justin Martyr and Augustine argued that faith is supported by evidence and reason.
Furthermore, recent scientific discoveries, including findings from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), provide a deeper understanding of the universe's complexity and design. The JWST, launched in 2021, has revealed intricate details of distant galaxies, star formation, and cosmic structures that point to an underlying order in the universe.7 Such discoveries reinforce the argument for a rational belief in an intelligent creator, aligning with the cosmological argument for the existence of God, as posited by philosophers such as William Lane Craig. The intricate complexity observed in the universe, from the laws of physics to the fine-tuning of conditions necessary for life, presents compelling evidence that belief in God is not an exercise in "blind faith" but a rational conclusion drawn from empirical evidence.
Conclusion
Atheist critiques of Christianity, while often harsh, offer valuable lessons for believers. The ethical challenge of evangelism, the exposure of hypocrisy, and the critique of "blind faith" all serve as important prompts for self-reflection within the Christian community. However, these critiques do not discredit Christianity; instead, they encourage a deeper engagement with the faith's intellectual and moral foundations. Christians are called not only to defend their beliefs with reason and evidence but also to live lives that reflect the transformative power of their faith. In this pursuit, they will find that even the most ardent criticisms of atheists can ultimately lead back to the truth of the gospel.
Endnotes
1. Penn Jillette, "A Gift of a Bible," YouTube, January 1, 2010, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6md638smQd8.
2. Ibid.
3. Luke 19:10, 1 Timothy 1:15, Mark 16:15-16.
4. James Veverka, quoted in B.A. Robinson, "U.S. Divorce Rates for Various Faith Groups," Religious Tolerance, 2000, http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_dira.htm.
5. Kym Klass, "Montgomery Rated Most Sexually Diseased City in Nation," USA Today, July 27, 2015, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/07/27/montgomery-rated-sexually-diseased-city-nation/30722091/.
6. Sam Harris, The End of Faith (New York: W.W. Norton, 2004), 45.
7. “James Webb Space Telescope: What We’ve Learned So Far,” NASA, accessed January 10, 2024, https://www.nasa.gov/james-webb-space-telescope.
Comments