God Doesn’t Believe in Atheists

Psalm 14:1 NKJV

The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good.

“The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’

This psalm addresses atheism (“a”—"without”; “theos”—“God”; i.e. “without belief in God”). Those who hold to atheism are called “atheists”.

An “atheist” is a person who does not hold to a belief in the existence of a deity, a higher power, a spiritual force, or any god.

An “atheist” is not to be confused with an agnostic (“a”—“without”; “gnostic”—“knowledge”). An agnostic is not convinced one way or the other but claims that if God exists, there is no way to know that He does.

While most atheists simply live their lives without a belief in the existence of God, radical atheists actively seek to disprove the existence of God. They have, in effect, declared war on God and on those who believe in Him.

Do Atheists Exist?

No. God has declared that He made His existence clear to all.

Romans 1:20 (NKJV) “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,”

Former atheist, C. S. Lewis, acknowledged this when he said, “I believe in God as I believe that the Sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”

Vision testifies to the existence of light.

Not even the devil or his demons are atheists!

James 2:19 (NKJV) “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!”

Charles H. Spurgeon: “Atheism is a strange thing; even the devil never fell into that vice.”

Atheists have an inflated view of their own intellect and reasoning.

Imagine the foolishness idea that a mortal human being can contend with an eternal, sovereign, intelligent, all-knowing, and all-powerful Divine Being who made them.

Job 9:3–4 (NKJV) “If one wished to contend with Him, He could not answer Him one time out of a thousand. 4 God is wise in heart and mighty in strength. Who has hardened himself against Him and prospered?”

Can human reasoning be trusted at all if there is no God

Regarding this, C. S. Lewis says: “Supposing there was no intelligence behind the universe, no creative mind. In that case, nobody designed my brain for the purpose of thinking. It is merely that when the atoms inside my skull happen, for physical or chemical reasons, to arrange themselves in a certain way, this gives me, as a by-product, the sensation I call thought. But, if so, how can I trust my own thinking to be true? It’s like upsetting a milk jug and hoping that the way it splashes itself will give you a map of London. But if I can’t trust my own thinking, of course I can’t trust the arguments leading to Atheism, and therefore have no reason to be an Atheist, or anything else. Unless I believe in God, I cannot believe in thought: so I can never use thought to disbelieve in God.”[1]

Do atheists possess absolute knowledge of all things?

For a person to prove absolutely that there is no God, they must possess infinite and absolute knowledge of everything in the seen and unseen realm.

Example: “There is no such thing as a green rock with purple stripes anywhere in the universe.” The only way to affirm that is with infinite and absolute knowledge of the universe. To affirm an absolute negative in regard to the existence of God is self-defeating because it says, “I have infinite knowledge that there is no One (i.e. God) with infinite knowledge.”

Atheists are obsessed with God.

Heywood Broun, a late American journalist, said, “Nobody talks so constantly about God as those who insist that there is no God.”

Former atheist, C. S. Lewis, said, “Atheists express their rage against God although in their view He does not exist.”

Some atheists have come to faith in God in their effort to disprove His existence.

C.S. Lewis who wrote many books including “Mere Christianity”.

Josh McDowell who wrote “Evidence that Demands a Verdict”

Lee Strobel, former legal affairs editor for the Chicago Tribune, who wrote “The Case for Christ”, “The Case for Faith”, and “The Case for the Creator”, and “The Case for the REAL Jesus”.

Atheism is a Heart Issue

The atheist has a heart problem.

Psalm 14:1 (NKJV) “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’”

Atheism demands proof of God through science and reasoning.

No one can “prove” or “disprove” the existence of God through the reasoning of the mind or the discovery of science.

If God is Creator, then He exists outside of what He created. He is higher and greater than what He has created. Scripture affirms that God is Spirit, then His existence cannot be proven in a test tube or under a microscope.

This being the case, are we doomed to the conclusion of “agnosticism” (“without knowledge”) that says, “If there is a God, then there is not enough evidence to know for sure”? No, the Bible teaches God has left us sufficient evidence (not “proof”) of His existence through all that He has made.

Example: The sculptor exists outside of his sculpture. The artist exists outside of his painting. In their absence, their work is sufficient evidence of their existence and nature. Creation is God’s masterpiece that testifies of His existence and nature.

Atheism demands proof while refusing evidence

God does not give us proof, but He does provide sufficient evidence through His creation that demands faith.

Court verdicts regarding past events are reached on the basis of evidence rather than proof since past events can only be proven by going back in time to the event itself. In such cases, evidence is presented, and a verdict is made that is consistent with the evidence. The evidence for the existence of God far outweighs the evidence against the existence of God.

In their book, I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist”, Norman Geisler and Frank Turek said, “Atheism is founded on so many unproven assumptions. it takes more faith to be an atheist than it does to be a Christian. I just don’t have enough faith to be an atheist.”

God has provided the witness of our conscience.

Romans 2:14–16 (NKJV) “for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) 16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.”

Those who refuse to believe must suppress the witness of creation and conscience.

Romans 1:18–19 (NKJV) “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.”

Faith is not a leap in the dark. It is a leap out of the dark into the light of evidence!

Cotvos said, “We may seek God by our intellect, but we only can find him with our heart.”

Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

Atheism has a predisposition against the acknowledgement of God.

Atheism, then, is not the result of logical reasoning, careful evaluation of available data, and honest science. There is more than sufficient evidence that God exists and has created all things.

This predisposition is the result of an unbelieving heart—for the fool has said in his HEART that there is no God.

Atheism struggles against a concept of “god” that it does not “like”.

Question: “Describe to me the god you do not believe in.”

Question: “Describe to me the god that you hate.”

Often the god they describe is a distortion of the God of the Bible. I don’t believe in that “god” either!

Atheism does not want the God of the Bible to exist.

Atheists do not want to live under His authority, His design, His moral law, or under any accountability to Him.

Thomas Nagel, an American philosopher and avowed atheist, made an enlightening confession: “I want atheism to be true and am uneasy by the fact that some of the most intelligent and well-informed people I know are religious believers. It isn’t just that I don’t believe in God and, naturally, I hope that I’m right in my belief. It’s that I hope there is no God! I don’t want there to be a God; I don’t want the universe to be like that.”

Romans 1:21–22 (NKJV) “because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools.”

Atheism is an ungrateful emotional reaction against the goodness and sovereignty of God.

Such emotional reaction against the Self-revelation of God is described as the madness of a fool.

C. S. Lewis explains his transition from atheism to belief in God: “My argument against God was that the universe seemed so cruel and unjust. Just how had I got this idea of just and unjust? A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line. What was I comparing this universe with when I called it unjust?...Thus in the very act of trying to prove that God did not exist--in other words, that the whole of reality was senseless—I found I was forced to assume that one part of reality—namely my idea of justice--was full of sense. Consequently atheism turns out to be too simple. If the whole universe has no meaning, we should never have found out that it has no meaning; just as, if there were no light in the universe and therefore no creatures with eyes, we should never know it was dark. Dark would be without meaning.”[2]

Personal Testimony: I was talking to someone about the Lord when a man around sixty years old approached and stopped to listen to the conversation. He interrupted by saying, “I don’t want to hear anything about God!” I asked, “Why do you not want to hear anything about God?” He replied, “My life has been nothing but trouble. Nothing has gone right for me in life. If God is in control and this is the way He is, then I don’t want anything to do with Him.” I replied, “Sir, what does the Lord owe you?” He replied, “What do you mean?” I said, “The Bible says that the wages of sin is death.” Would you say that you have sinned at least once a day in something you have thought, said, done, or didn’t do that you should have done?” He said, “Yes.” I said, “Would you say at least five times a day?” He said, “Yes.” I said, “If you take five times a day multiplied by 365 days a year and then times sixty years, sir, that is a pile of sin! If the wages of sin is death, then you are lucky to be alive. God has been merciful to you sir! The good news is that God loves you and has sent Jesus to die for your sins if you will only believe and receive Him into your life.”

Atheism fails to consider the basis for the concept of good and evil and of justice

The late Christian Apologist, Ravi Zacharias, said: “When you say ‘There’s too much evil in this world’, you assume there’s ‘good’. When you assume there’s good, you assume there’s such a thing as a ‘moral law’ on the basis of which to differentiate between good and evil. But if you assume a moral law, you must posit a ‘Moral-Law Giver’, but that’s Who you’re trying to disprove and not prove. Because if there’s no Moral-Law Giver, there’s no moral law. If there’s no moral law, there’s no good. If there’s no good, there’s no evil. What is your question?”

Atheism does not want God to exist regardless of the evidence.

Pascal, the French philosopher, has said, “The evidence of God’s existence and His gift is more than compelling, but those who insist that they have no need of Him will always find ways to discount the offer.”

Atheism presents itself as the solution for a better world.

John Lenin’s song: “Imagine”: “Imagine there's no heaven. It's easy if you try. No hell below us. Above us only sky. Imagine all the people living for today. Imagine there's no countries. It isn't hard to do. Nothing to kill or die for. And no religion too. Imagine all the people living life in peace. Imagine no possessions. I wonder if you can. No need for greed or hunger. A brotherhood of man. Imagine all the people sharing all the world. You may say I'm a dreamer. But I'm not the only one. I hope some day you'll join us. And the world will be as one.”[3]

Is atheism the solution for a better world? What is the record?

Consider crimes against the Image of God (Imago Dei) inspired by atheism and evolution.

Abortion (over 62,000,000 since Roe vs. Wade in 1973)

Eugenics, Ethnic cleansing, Euthanasia, Physician assisted suicide

Racism—that God did not create all men equal. It was the belief in God as the Creator that confronted and ended the evil of slavery.

Nazi Germany: Under the reign of Adolf Hitler, an estimated 6,000,000 Jews were killed by gun shot, gas chambers, labor camps, beatings, and starvation. In addition, the Nazi killing included 11,000,000 more comprised of Poles, Soviet civilians, prisoners of war, the Roma, the handicapped, political and religious dissidents, and gay men.

The Red Terror (1917-1922) Victims of Bolshevik repression led by Vladimir Lenin (Inspired by Karl Marx) are estimated to be between 100,000-200,000.

Soviet Union: Victims who died under the reign of Joseph Stalin are estimated to be 20,000,000 or higher.

Communist North Korea: Perhaps from 710,000 to slightly over 3,500,000 people have been murdered, with a mid-estimate of almost 1,600,000.

Communist China: Estimates of 100,000,000 killed.

The biblical truth about those who say there is no God

They are corrupt: No moral compass.

They have done abominable works: No moral accountability.

There is none who does good: No moral end.

Even their “good” is corrupted by the motives and corruption in their own heart.

Gustave le Bon, a French polymath (having encyclopedic knowledge of many subjects), sums it up, “If atheism spread, it would become a religion as intolerable as the ancient ones.”

God doesn’t believe in atheists. He does believe in fools who say in their heart that there is no God.

Confronting Practical Atheism

The problem with practical atheism in Christianity: Many so-called Christians are practical atheists. They claim to believe that God exists but living as if He does not. The result in lifestyle is the same as atheism.

RESPONSE TO THE WORD

Don’t be a fooled by the arguments of atheism.

Consider the evidence of creation.

Listen to the inner witness of your conscience that knows that there is an intelligent designer of our world and this universe. He is the God of the Bible.

This world is not what God intended because of the gift of human free will.

We have all sinned and need redemption.

God has provided redemption through His Son, Jesus Christ, who died on the Cross for your sins and then rose from the dead.

Believe the witness of creation, the witness of your conscience, the witness of the Word of God, and then take the step of faith to believe. Put your faith and trust in the God who loves you and sent His Son to save you.

Take that step of faith today.

Today, if you are unsure if there is a god, then are you willing to find out? I once encountered a man in another town who was a visitor in a church where I was ministering. After the meeting he said that he was an atheist. I asked him if he could say that he possessed all knowledge of the universe, both seen and unseen, so that he could say absolutely what did and did not exist. He said no. I asked if it were possible for God to exist in the areas he did not possess knowledge. He said, “I guess.” I said, “Then I would say that you are not an atheist but an agnostic since you indicated it could be possible. You are really saying that if there is a God, then you don’t know that He does. Is that right?” He said, “Yes.” I said, “Well, if you are right and God does not exist, then you have nothing to lose when you die. But if you are wrong, then you have everything to lose when you die. If God does exist and the Bible is true, then one day you will stand before God and give account for your life. Heaven and Hell are the two destinations for those who die. If God exists, wouldn’t you want to know it before you died rather than after you died?” He said, “Well, yes.” I told him that God loves him and wants him to know that He exists and has a plan for His life. I asked him if he would be willing to pray a simple prayer to ask God that if He exists to reveal Himself in such a way that he might know and believe. He agreed. I led him in a prayer along the line of, “God, I don’t believe you exist, but if you do, I want to know. If you exist, I am asking that You reveal Yourself somehow to me so that I can know and believe.” After the prayer I asked him that if God answered that prayer, would he believe. He said, “Yes”. I then told him that I believed God would answer that prayer. I told him to actively look and listen. God can reveal Himself in different ways and through various circumstances. He said he would do that. I trust that God answered that prayer although I have never seen the man again.

[1] C.S. Lewis as quoted by Lee Strobel in his book, The Case for Christianity, p. 32

[2] C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (pp 45-46)

[3] Songwriters: John Winston Lennon. Imagine lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing.