Chapter 30

10/8/11

CHAPTER 30

There are a group of people who call themselves the “new Atheists.”

New atheists are exactly like old atheists, but much more strident.

Meh, whatever. But somehow they’re gaining a lot of publicity these days. Atheism isn’t significantly more popular than it used to be, but these people seem to have a higher profile than before.

As a young man, I used to debate atheists, a LOT. When I was at uni, I dreamed of being the atheist’s worst nightmare. I knew all the counters to common atheists’ arguments. I could demonstrate the reality of God from History, Science, Philosophy, whatever was your area of expertise. You know, I’d even let you pick the home ground – I was comfortable on your turf even if you were a PhD.

I have some more thoughts on this, but before we do, we’re reading Proverbs 30 today.

It may interest you to know that atheism isn’t new. There have been atheists for at least 3000 years – at the very latest, they existed when Solomon was writing.

We know this because Solomon addresses that very issue.

Verses 1-4 of Proverbs 30 list off a few typical atheist phrases – “There is no God! I can do whatever I like! I see no evidence of a holy God!”

Given that Solomon is the wisest person ever to walk, it’s interesting to read how HE handles this question.

Does he come up with cunning arguments? No.

Does he refer back to the authority of various writings by the atheists’ favourite authors? Again, no.

Does he rubbish and insult them? No.

So what does he do?

Solomon is quiet and gentle. He doesn’t argue or debate; he simply comments on the faithfulness of God.

Note this – he doesn’t argue or convince. Rather he simply says “Every promise of God proves true;
he protects everyone who runs to him for help”. Effectively, Solomon takes God as an axiom (a self-evident truth) and works things out from there.

I used to debate a lot, as I said at the beginning of this commentary. Things have changed – I don’t really see constant argument as a valuable use of my time or the atheist’s. But recognizing God’s hand in things and pointing that hand out to others seems to be the best way to react.

And since Soloman and his cronies are wise – the wisest ever – I’m willing to trust that Solomon knows what he’s talking about.