Atheism is the supposed belief that there is no God. This is a belief that seems to be growing in popularity. Many contribute such growth to the thirteen years of teaching that children receive in our public school system. An institution that teaches that there is no God and that everything, literally everything, came about by time and chance from absolutely nothing. What is the result? At the end of their education, if all has gone according to plan, the teenager will have a good understanding of somehow the universe came into being from absolutely nothing, that life came from non-life, and that humans are just cosmic accidents with no purpose, worth, or moral obligations. Such institutionalized atheism, left unchecked by Christian homes, is, of course, resulting in a higher number of people who profess to be atheist.
Have you ever had interactions with someone who professes to be an atheist? How did it go? Was he or she kind? Considerate? Patient? Maybe you have met such an atheist. Most of the time, however, the atheist whom I have spoken to about God tend to become quite angry. Early on, I found their anger puzzling. Why would someone who doesn’t believe in God get so mad just because I believe in God? However, over the years, I have come to understand more about the source of their anger. They might appear to be mad at me for believing in God, but in reality, their hatred is rooted in the fact that they are in an extreme state of denial, so much so that it becomes maddening. By reminding them about God, we bring to the surface what they are trying to suppress. Even though atheists claim to not believe in God, God’s word reveals otherwise. According to the opening chapter of Romans, all people, even those professing to be atheist, know that God exists.
18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. (Romans 1:18-20)
Paul makes it abundantly clear that God has plainly made Himself known to people so that no one can honestly claim that he or she does not believe in God. Many people will profess with their mouths that they do not believe that God exists, but according to God’s Word, they are lying not only to you but to themselves as well.
God’s existence and power have been so clearly revealed by His creation that no one can logically say, “God does not exist.” All of creation stands as a witness to the fact it has been created by a Creator. No matter where you look in creation, it all screams that there is a Maker. Where do the stars come from? The earth? Water? Plants? Animals? As the Psalmist writes, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork” (Psalm 19:1). This is a truth that all people know, yet some, atheists, try to suppress.
So, the question is, “If people know God exists, then why do some people profess to be atheist?” The answer is that their love of sin causes them to suppress the truth. Even though the creation reveals the eternality of God, His power, and His righteousness, they strive to live as though there is no Creator. For the atheist, they believe that if they can get rid of God as the Creator, they will have also gotten rid of the God who is their Judge; thus, freeing them to live however they choose and to engage in any and all sin with no consequences.
However, such thinking is absurd. To deny the existence of God is such an absolute rejection of proper reasoning, that the Bible even says that such a person is a fool. “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.” (Psalm 14:1). Even though God has made His existence abundantly clear to humanity, the love of sin causes some to deny the truth that is in plain sight. This foolish thinking is also what we find in Romans 1:21.
21For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. (Romans 1:21)
Rejecting God is far more than a poor mental decision, it is also a heart issue. Suppressing the truth that they know about God only brings more darkness, more ungodliness, more unrighteousness, and increased sinful behavior.
So, are there true atheists? According to God’s Word, the answer is “No.” So the next time you meet a person who claims to be an atheist, you can safely assume that he or she actually knows that God exists but is involved in foolish suppression of the truth.
In the end, God doesn’t believe in atheists, and neither should you.
Dr. Trey Talley, Lead Pastor and Elder