I stumbled along this piece tonight as I was going through my old "sent" emails that were directed at professors at Georgetown College. I had written and shared this piece with one of my professors on January 5, 2010. The following is mostly intact the same as I had originally written it in Jan of 2010. I have implemented some minor changes as a way to slightly clean it up as well as making some changes for the sake of annotation.
What Vessels Like Hitchens Show Us...
Christopher Hitchens is staunchly opposed to God. I have heard him in
debates and believe me when I say that he truly hates God with contempt.
This is not, however, to say that the man is not intelligent. You had better be on your game if you go against him in a debate. He makes some very astute observations and provides unsettling and daunting insight in regards to the truth vs. the worldview battlefield that we are called to fight the same as it is mentioned in the article that I have listed below (1);
debates and believe me when I say that he truly hates God with contempt.
This is not, however, to say that the man is not intelligent. You had better be on your game if you go against him in a debate. He makes some very astute observations and provides unsettling and daunting insight in regards to the truth vs. the worldview battlefield that we are called to fight the same as it is mentioned in the article that I have listed below (1);
"More to the point, though, you soon discover that many of those attending
are not so sure about all the doctrines, either, just as you very swiftly
find out that a vast number of Catholics don't truly believe more than
about half of what their church instructs them to think."
I'm not trying to cherry pick this and imply that Catholics are the only ones that Hitchens correctly observes as to being vulnerable to criticism per weak apologetics. Prior to that statement, for example, he truthfully describes the way Calvinists cringe and hesitate to own up to being a Calvinist when asked in the sense that he (Hitchens) is going to hell.
Men like Hitchens, Bill Maher and Richard Dawkins or any other name that would be right at home as being listed as a guest speaker on an Atheist Alliance International Convention event (2) are instrumental, however, in serving a purpose. I discovered the Hitchens' article through reading an article about how Christians need to man up instead of being embarrassed or afraid to defend what we believe (3). The Hitchens' article also addresses men that he debates like Doug Wilson. Hitchens states that he respects men that actually hold to doctrine and truly believe that biblical stories really happened and are not just metaphors. Hitchens respects men like Wilson, for example, more than he respects the ecumenicals that have equated church as to being a "community organizing" effort.
Without men or vessels like Hitchens, we may become complacent in our understanding of God and loose our zeal to fight for the truth and to carry on "the good fight" by going out into the world to deliver the gospel so that lost men may be saved. As Paul would ask, however ala Romans, should we go on sinning so that God may be glorified more?
Surely not!
In other words, the accusations from men like Hitchens, Maher and Dawkins force men of faith to man up and deliver the truth. Through a vigilant adherence to delivering the gospel and adhering to the Great Commission, God is given glory. Men like Hitchens, Maher and Dawkins are serving a purpose in the Kingdom of God that they may never be aware of accordingly. In spite of the purpose that men of this nature may serve, however, we should never forget that these men are lost and are in dire need of our prayers so that they may be saved. Although they hate God with all of their hearts, they are no different than we were before we were born again with a new nature; a nature that is not at enmity with God; a nature that is not a God hater; a nature that is a result from having a heart of flesh as opposed to a heart of stone. By ministering to men of this caliber (along with any other lost soul) per the Great Commission, we continue to give God glory by being obedient to His will.
As it stands now, the aforementioned men are vessels of wrath according to Romans and even in that God will receive glory when His justice is rightly distributed according to His divine will that is after His own council.
May everything continue to act in accordance to God's will to give Him glory and may we be pleasing to our Heavenly Father by having a heart for the lost and to minister unto them so that they may be saved.
As it stands now, the aforementioned men are vessels of wrath according to Romans and even in that God will receive glory when His justice is rightly distributed according to His divine will that is after His own council.
May everything continue to act in accordance to God's will to give Him glory and may we be pleasing to our Heavenly Father by having a heart for the lost and to minister unto them so that they may be saved.
May it all be for his glory!
W.
(1) What I've learned from debating religious people around the world.
By Christopher Hitchens
Posted Monday, Oct. 26, 2009, at 11:21 AM ET
http://www.slate.com/id/2233586/pagenum/all
(2) Atheist Alliance convention featuring Richard Dawkins and Bill Maher coming soon July 6th, 2009 11:46 am ET
http://www.examiner.com/x-2044-Atheism-Examiner~y2009m7d6-Atheist-Alliance-convention-featuring-Richard-Dawkins-and-Bill-Maher-coming-soon
(3) Hitchens to believers: Man up!
(3) Hitchens to believers: Man up!
By Jake
Wade,
ReplyDeleteGood post and I agree that atheist, as well as, others can keep us on our toes and keep us sharpe. At least for those of us who care.
Unfortunately, I've had my fair share of debates with atheist (and others) and have often found it "fruitless". I could be wrong and some have even become my friends but alas not one has yet been saved.
I pray some seeds were planted and will be watered and grow. Ultimately my hope and prayer is God will have grace and mercy on their souls and grant them the salvation they so desparately need.
God bless you, sweetheart! Keep on preaching...
Toni