How to take an athiest’s advice

And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says . . . ” (Luke 18:6).

Recently, Michael Shermer wrote an open letter to Messrs. Dawkins, Dennett, Harris and Hitchens (Scientific American, August 2007). He said, “Since the turn of the millennium, a new militancy has arisen among religious skeptics in response to three threats to science and freedom . . . Whenever religious beliefs conflict with scientific facts or violate principles of political liberty, we must respond with appropriate aplomb. Nevertheless, we should be cautious about irrational exuberance.”

Michael Shermer is a science writer and an active atheist. He writes a monthly column in Scientific American (which I read religiously), is the founder of The Skeptics Society and is editor of its magazine, The Skeptic.

Of the authors Shermer addresses, Dawkins is the most prolific and Hitchens, with his controversial book, God is Not Great, has made the biggest media impact. But all are members of the same club and take great delight in finding new, creative, and provocative ways to attack Christianity.

But though he’s also an atheist, Shermer is bothered by this self-congratulatory enthusiasm and takes time to respond. He makes five points: 1) Anti-something movements by themselves will fail; 2) Positive assertions are necessary; 3) Rational is as rational does; 4) The golden rule is symmetrical; 5) Promote freedom of belief and disbelief.

Like these atheists, Christians often feel their values are attacked by the prevailing culture. And like these atheists, Christians are inclined to mount counterattacks when the intellectual, political, or cultural tide seems to be running against them. And sometimes those counter-attacks are quite militant.

Christian militancy has a long history going back to the middle of the 2nd century. The earliest Christian writings were pastoral instructions, but soon another genre developed – the apology. Many were articulate attempts to explain and justify the gospel in the language of the culture. The earliest apologies displayed the careful diplomacy that behooves a vulnerable minority.

But defending oneself can easily take a subtle shift. Shermer quotes another famous humanist, Carl Sagan. “You can get into a habit of thought in which you enjoy making fun of all those other people who don’t see things as clearly as you do. We have to guard carefully against it.”

Very quickly, well before the end of the 2nd century, the enjoyable habits of sarcasm, taunting, and invective also became part of Christian literature. They have been with us ever since.

We know there’s something very wrong with this picture. Maybe applying Shermer’s five-point counsel (rephrasing a few nuances, of course) to our own battlegrounds will be a useful corrective.

1. We were not given an “anti” gospel and must not define ourselves by what we’re against. Is our society materialistic, ungodly, and preoccupied by sex and violence? Of course it is. Does our secular society fail to appreciate godly people? Naturally. Why should we expect anything else? It’s simply the state of our world. That fact is not our good news.
2. We do have profoundly good news to pass on. We don’t have to live by the principles of a failing, decaying world order. We have been offered not only a new birth, but a transformed life. Even more, we’re told to invite friends, neighbours, and co-workers to join us in a redeemed community that lives by the principles of the kingdom of God. What a message!
3. Jesus is the Logos – the Logic that assembled and knit together all creation. If we believe this – and we must – we don’t need to be afraid of a logical challenge. We will not win every debate but we are people of the Logic, not the latest clever argument or bestseller.
4. The Golden Rule may be discernable in other religions but it was our Master who declared, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12). The “do to others” command specifically includes those with whom we disagree.
5. Freedom isn’t our highest value, but we believe God invites everyone to “freely” choose to accept the gift of salvation. The freedom to choose is a fundamental biblical premise. Those who reject the gift may yet reconsider – many have. We can honour their choice and still offer the gift.

These aren’t new reminders, but maybe they sound clearer coming from an unexpected voice.

“Listen to what the unjust judge says . . . ”

James Toews is pastor at Neighbourhood Church, Nanaimo, B.C.