Everyone has a god—
even those who claim that there is no God.
American atheists are planning to initiate a TV channel dedicated to god-lessness.
We were reminded of this again when we read that American atheists are planning to initiate a TV channel dedicated to god-lessness. According to a spokesman, the purpose and intent of this channel is to fill a void for those who claim to be god-less or for others who, in his words, are “looking for a way out of faith.”
The spokesman said that the atheist channel “will have shows about philosophy, science, history…a critical examination of the facts.” One of the features of this channel will be to promote the theory of evolution to “fill in the gaps in knowledge that pastors have left behind.” (After we read the aforementioned news report on line, TV news also reported that there is a push to have atheist “chaplains” in the military.)
Scripture describes those who deny the Triune God of Scripture when it says, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Psalm 14:1). Nature itself (“natural knowledge”), while it does not witness of God in the person of Christ Jesus who is revealed to us in Scripture (“revealed knowledge”), testifies to God’s existence. For that reason Scripture says that atheists and any others who deny the existence of God will stand on judgment day without excuse before the God whom they deny
(Romans 1: 20,32)!
But how can it be claimed that those who say there is no God in fact have a god? The god of the atheist is his corrupt mind and reason. In time of need and in the hour of death God-deniers turn to a god who is no greater than themselves. A TV channel dedicated to god-lessness is a channel dedicated to unbelief. What of a substantive nature will a chaplain of atheism share?
The Triune God—the Creator, Redeemer, Sanctifier God—is the God of the capital G in contrast to the god of the small g—“a deity in mythology; a person or thing valued above all, an idol.”
Notice how Peter responded to a question of Jesus. “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). How blessed are the believing children of God who in their need in time and for eternity can turn to the risen Lord God who gives substance to life on Earth as well as in heaven!
On the other hand, we are reminded of the atheist on his deathbed who was told by a fellow of like unbelief to “hang on, hang on.” The dying atheist said, “I am trying to; but what is there to hang on to?” The fool who has said there is no God will receive the fool’s reward. When he dies, his god dies with him.
John, the apostle, walked with the Lord. He was taught by the Lord. He testified to the reality of God in the first chapter of his Gospel. In his first epistle the same apostle wrote by inspiration of the Spirit: “He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God” (1 John 5:10-13).
These words express the child of God’s confident faith in and assurance of eternal life through the atonement of the Savior-God—something the fool will never know.
Lord God, keep us in this faith and in the good hope of eternal life. Amen.