Agnosticism
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· 2 viewsThe inability to decide whether or not God exists. It is characterised by indecision and compromise when faced with the challenge to wholehearted commitment, and is condemned as sinful, inexcusable and unnecessary in the light of God’s clear self-revelation.
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Agnosticism is inexcusable in the light of God’s self-revelation
Agnosticism is inexcusable in the light of God’s self-revelation
In the creation
In the creation
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
See also Ps 19:1–2; Ac 14:17
In the person of Jesus Christ
In the person of Jesus Christ
No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
See also Jn 14:9; Heb 1:1–3
Agnosticism is sinful
Agnosticism is sinful
Because God calls for wholehearted commitment
Because God calls for wholehearted commitment
Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
See also Ex 32:26; Dt 6:13–14; Dt 30:15–19; Ac 14:15
Because God’s call demands total obedience
Because God’s call demands total obedience
And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
See also Mt 4:18–22
Agnosticism results in compromise
Agnosticism results in compromise
In worship
In worship
1 Ki 18:21; 2 Ki 17:41
See also 2 Ki 17:29–33; 1 Co 10:21
In commitment
In commitment
Mt 6:24 in the attitude to money; Mt 8:19–22 in service; 2 Co 6:14 in relationships with unbelievers; Eph 4:14 in accommodating false teaching
Agnosticism as a result of ignorance
Agnosticism as a result of ignorance
Ignorance through being uninformed
Ignorance through being uninformed
For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
See also Ac 3:17–18
Foolish ignorance of God’s existence
Foolish ignorance of God’s existence
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.
They are corrupt, they have done abominable works,
There is none that doeth good.
See also Ps 92:5–7; Je 5:4
Ignorance of God’s presence
Ignorance of God’s presence
Wherefore should the heathen say,
Where is now their God?
See also Ps 42:3; Joe 2:17; Mic 7:10
Ignorance as a result of rejecting God’s truth
Ignorance as a result of rejecting God’s truth
The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God:
God is not in all his thoughts.
See also Ps 36:1; Je 5:21–24; Zec 7:11–12; Ac 2:22–23
Ignorance as a result of sin
Ignorance as a result of sin
This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
See also Is 1:3–4; Je 4:22
Ignorance is no defence against God’s judgment
Ignorance is no defence against God’s judgment
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
See also Jdg 2:10–14; Is 44:9–11