The Folly of Practical Atheism
Notes
Transcript
The USA is frequently called a “post-Christian” nation. While we may have been founded on Judeo-Christian ethics, so much of our culture and society operates without a conscious, ethical knowledge of biblical values or of God Himself. While the founding fathers seemed to establish a nation in which we enjoy a freedom of religion, there are some (maybe even many) in our society who would like for us to enjoy a freedom from religion. That attitude permeates many sectors of our nation - speaking loudly in media, business, education, and even in living rooms. There are many places where the dominant worldview is atheism.
In their commentary on the Psalms, Danny Aiken and Josh Smith reference four kids of atheism as delineated by Paul Feinberg:
Classical Atheism - is a rejection of a particular kind of God. In ancient times, Christians were called atheists because they refused to believe or “acknowledge” the pantheon of heathen gods.
Philosophical Atheism - denies the existence of a “personal, self-conscious” deity.
Dogmatic Atheism - Danny Aiken notes that this is an “absolute denial of God’s existence. This [position] has been rarer than one might think; people more often declare themselves agnostics or secularists. There have, however, been those who claimed to hold this view (the eighteenth-century French atheists).”
Practical Atheism - “this person does not deny the existence of God, but lives as though there is no God.”
(Aiken, et al, 98)
Relatively few people are dogmatic atheists - even though they speak loudly. But I do wonder how many of us inside and outside of the church would be considered “practical atheists” at varying times. Because this area of practical atheism is the place where we are most likely threatened, I’m going to lean toward that perspective, though not exclusively. This acknowledgment of and relationship to God is the main subject of Psalm 14.
Open your Bibles to Psalm 14. You’ll find that on page 425 in the pew Bibles. It is unclear what prompted this psalm. David doesn’t give us any help in the title and there are few references in the body of the psalm.
I mentioned in the midweek email that this Psalm is repeated almost verbatim in Psalm 53 and is quoted in Romans 3 (as we read earlier). If the content of this Psalm is repeated in these ways, then there must be something to which God wants us to pay attention. (Boice)
To the choirmaster. Of David.
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.
The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.
They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.
Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread and do not call upon the Lord?
There they are in great terror, for God is with the generation of the righteous.
You would shame the plans of the poor, but the Lord is his refuge.
Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.
As we consider this psalm together, it seems like there are three things that David notes about those who either don’t believe in or acknowledge the existence of God.
They avoid the things of God
They agitate the people of God
They are or should be afraid of the plans of God.
Notice first of all that the fool or the one who says there is no God, we might even think that he practical atheist…
Avoids God’s things (1-3)
Avoids God’s things (1-3)
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.
The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.
They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.
David says that it is the “fool” who says in his heart there is no God. That word fool is the same word that is used in 1 Samuel 25 of a man named Nabal (which means fool). That man demonstrated foolishness in how he treated others and addressed God. He lived as if he was his own god.
At the heart of a fool is an atheistic worldview that ignores the reality of God.
As we saw a few minutes ago, there are really very few people who say with absolute certainty that “there is no God,” but there are a lot of people who act as if there is no God. It seems like David is pointing out that there are two ways that that the fool or the atheist, practical or otherwise, avoids God’s things - in actions and in affections.
David observes that the fool or practical atheist avoids the things of God…
in their actions
in their actions
He says that they do “abominable deeds,” to the point where it seems like they do no good, they are utterly corrupt.
We could look throughout history and find people that we might label in this way - Hitler, Stalin, mass murders, rapists, those who engage in human trafficking and so much more. Those deeds are truly abominable. Beyond the abominable, we see the corrupt all around - people scamming others or grifting for personal gain on the public purse.
Part of the challenge is that we want to take the psalmist’s perspective and look around - rather than taking God’s perspective and looking within.
You might say, “but Joel, I’m at church, how can I be a fool? How can I be a practical atheist?” I’m glad you asked.
I think we have to ask ourselves, “Where are the places in our lives where our actions betray our faith?”
time spent
search or browsing history
addictions
our speech
How we treat or talk about others
Now we won’t ever be perfect in these, but what do our actions reveal about our faith? Can people see that we believe in God in all areas of our lives?
But beyond just the actions of the foolish or the practical atheist, David notes the atheist avoids God’s things…
in their affections
in their affections
Notice what he says in verse 2 - Yahweh looks down to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.
The late evangelist Billy Sunday stated that the atheist looks for God in the same way that a criminal looks for a cop - they don’t (Wiersbe).
As we again take God’s perspective on our affections, what is it that we truly seek after or long for?
pleasure
distraction
entertainment
quick wealth
Are we seeking the things of God or the things of this world?
For some of us, we can feel like we are covering our bases by coming to church and then compartmentalizing other parts of our lives - in our actions and our affections.
We get to walk this fine balance in our lives - resting in the salvation that Jesus has secured for us by faith - and yet walking in the new life that He purchased for us. We wrestle with putting off our old ways and putting on Christ
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ!— assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
I think this was a bit of what Jesus was dealing with as He preached the “sermon on the mount” in Matthew 5-7. He was addressing people who were seeking the approval of God (or the religious leaders) through outward performance.
Hold your finger in this Psalm at flip over to Matthew (p. 769). Even just scanning some of the headings in your Bible - you’ll notice that Jesus is not simply addressing outward actions - but inward affections
Anger - “do not murder” and yet the issue that he gets at is anger or bitterness toward a brother or sister.
Lust - “do not commit adultery” - and yet Jesus gets to the heart and equates lust with adultery.
Divorce - he addresses the importance of the vow
Oaths - he urges us not simply to make a promise and then look for a loophole, instead he urges us to fulfill our promises - let your yes be yes…
Retaliation - rather than doing an eye-for-an-eye in retaliation - he encourages grace and going the extra mile.
Loving enemies -
We could go on and on, but Jesus turns the table on what it means to be a follower of God. Let me encourage you to go back and re-read Matthew 5-7 this afternoon in light of Psalm 14.
So, David seems to observe that the fool or the one who says there is no God avoids God’s things in their actions and affections.
David notices secondly that this person…
Agitates the people of God (4)
Agitates the people of God (4)
Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread and do not call upon the Lord?
David notes that these people “have no knowledge.” Like someone who is utterly ignorant, the fool or the atheist of all variations does not take God’s ways or God’s people to account.
It’s as though these people love things and use people. They act out of selfish interest and treat others - especially the people of God - poorly, treating them as something to be consumed.
One of the dangers with this world view or outlook is that the practical atheist fails to see people as image bearers of God.
advertisers - prey on us for our pocket-books
pornography - creates addictions in the viewer and treats “actors” like objects to be bought or sold
the gaming industry - whether video games or gambling - lock people into addictive good feelings
politicians - see people as a path to power
pastors - even pastors wrestle with this - seeing attendance and giving numbers as sources of pride or personal success - rather than getting personal in discipleship.
I think the point that David is getting at is that practical atheists fail to call on God. When we act like practical atheists, we ignore His ways and His expectations. We lose sight of an eternal perspective in how we treat others.
Finally, atheists are or should be…
Afraid of the plans of God (5-7)
Afraid of the plans of God (5-7)
There they are in great terror, for God is with the generation of the righteous.
You would shame the plans of the poor, but the Lord is his refuge.
Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.
David notes that the fool is in great terror or is afraid. On one hand, this seems like it doesn’t fit here. The fool or the atheist doesn’t believe in God or at least doesn’t act like there is a God. If that’s the case, the how can they be afraid?
Ignoring a truth doesn’t affect the veracity of that truth. So these fools, these atheists (whether dogmatic or practical) are humiliated when their ignorance is displayed for what it is. David notes that this happens in a few ways.
They fear the plans of God because…
God’s presence with the righteous
God’s presence with the righteous
In Acts 12 - as the church is expanding, there is a persecution that persists. James the brother of John had been killed. Peter had been imprisoned and then freed with the aid of an angel. Herod was taking bold actions, ignoring the plans and message of God. Then, when giving a speech, people began to praise him calling him a god. Immediately, angel of God struck down Herod in his prideful ignorance - in the folly of his atheism.
As people of God, we can rest assured that God is with us. In the face of persecution - He is our refuge. He will bring His plans to pass.
On the other hand, when we are acting like practical atheists and ignoring God’s ways in our lives - know that he will require an accounting. He will bring judgment.
God protects the poor
God protects the poor
He is their refuge. Where the fool/atheist might bring shame or humiliation to the poor, God protects them. We’ve seen this in various places throughout the OT as God acted to protect His people:
Gideon - with an army of 300 defeating the Midianite army (Judges 7)
Daniel - as God shut the mouths of the lions (Daniel 6)
David - as God defeated Goliath with a sling and a stone (1 Sam. 17) or when God protected David from his own foolishness with the intervention of Abigail (1 Sam. 25)
Brothers and Sisters, we need not fear when it seems like laws are passed that hinder our faith or when culture slides away from biblical values, God is our shield and protector. We must continue to trust in His sovereign plan and act with humble faithfulness.
Finally, God invokes fear in the lives of fools as He executes…
God’s plan of salvation
God’s plan of salvation
This plan brings both hope and dread.
God’s plan of salvation brings hope because in the cross of Christ that salvation has come from Zion. When we recognize our own folly and come to Jesus, He brings us His righteousness, His salvation. He becomes our shield and protector, our Savior.
And yet God’s plan of salvation also brings dread. For those who reject the offer of salvation through Jesus, their judgment is on their own heads.
Closing thoughts
Closing thoughts
Brothers and sister in Christ…
Where are we acting like practical atheists? May we repent of our folly and return to Christ. I believe this is where the community of faith can be of such encouragement and help to us - community groups, women’s bible studies, ISI, Men’s breakfasts, even casual, intentional conversations.
Where are we living in fear of the abominations and corruption around us? Rest in the plans of God.
Friend…if you are checking out the things of God - I’m so glad that you are. David makes some strong statements here about the folly of living life as if there is no God. Come to Jesus. Lay aside your atheism and trust in His eternal plan.
Let’s pray.
Benediction
Benediction
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Sources:
Sources:
Boice, James Montgomery. Psalms 1–41: An Expositional Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2005.
Coughenour, R. A. “Silversmith.” In The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised, edited by Geoffrey W. Bromiley. Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1979–1988.
Coughenour, R. A. “Refine.” In The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised, edited by Geoffrey W. Bromiley. Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1979–1988.
Crossway Bibles. The ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008.
Henry, Matthew. Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume. Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994.
Ross, Allen P. “Psalms.” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, edited by J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.
Smith, J. Josh, and Daniel L. Akin. Exalting Jesus in Psalms 1–50. Edited by David Platt, Daniel L. Akin, and Tony Merida. Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2022.
Wessel, W. W. “Blessed.” In New Bible Dictionary, edited by D. R. W. Wood, I. H. Marshall, A. R. Millard, J. I. Packer, and D. J. Wiseman. Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1996.
Wiersbe, Warren W. Be Worshipful. 1st ed. “Be” Commentary Series. Colorado Springs, CO: Cook Communications Ministries, 2004.
Wilcock, Michael. The Message of Psalms 1-72. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2001.
Questions for reflection and discussion
Questions for reflection and discussion
1. According to the psalm writer, what do foolish people fail to recognize? (14:1)
2. Does being an atheist mean a person will do only bad things? Why or why not? If you answered no, how do you explain any positive things atheists do?
3. Could someone claim to be a Christian but practically live as an atheist? Explain. What are some ways you act that do not match with what you believe?
4. What does God look for? (14:2) What has He found (14:3)?
5. Why are wicked people “overwhelmed with dread”? (14:5)
6. Who protects the poor from the evil plans of the wicked? (14:6)
7. How will the Lord restore the fortunes of his people? What promises does Scripture give? How does this hope help us live now?
8. Why should God’s people rejoice (v. 7)? What does a lack of joy indicate about your beliefs?
