Reading: Psalm 14
For the director of music. Of David.
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, their deeds are vile;
there is no one who does good.
The LORD looks down from heaven on all mankind
to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.
All have turned away, all have become corrupt;
there is no one who does good, not even one.
Do all these evildoers know nothing?
They devour my people as though eating bread;
they never call on the LORD.
But there they are, overwhelmed with dread,
for God is present in the company of the righteous.
You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor,
but the LORD is their refuge.
Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
When the LORD restores his people,
let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad! (NIV)
The forest surrounding Lake Fortune in Gatineau Park — photo by David Kitz
Reflection
Apparently, atheism is not a modern phenomenon. Three thousand years ago in David’s time, there were people who said in their heart, “There is no God.” Atheism has a long and ignoble pedigree. I say ignoble because as David observes, it is the fool who says, “There is no God.”
There is a footnote in my Bible indicating that the word translated in this psalm as fool denotes someone who is morally deficient. David goes on to describe this moral deficiency. He uses the words corrupt and vile. In fact there is a complete absence of anything good. But this isn’t just David’s indictment against a few errant atheists; this is the LORD’s view of all mankind. All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. In the New Testament, Paul the Apostle quotes from this psalm in his epistle to the Romans as he outlines the depravity of humanity.
Is there a link between unbelief and the sinful state of the human soul? Does sin breed unbelief? There is ample biblical and anecdotal evidence that it does. When Adam and Eve sinned, in an instant, they turned from God seekers to God avoiders. Add a little more sin, and it’s only a short step for a God avoider to become a God denier.
We deny the existence of God to avoid accountability for our sin. We foolishly assume that since we can’t see God, He can’t see us and our misdeeds. Better yet, why not pretend that God doesn’t exist? Then we are at liberty to sin as much as we please without fear of God’s judgment. That sounds like morally deficient reasoning to me. The fool fools only himself.
Response: Father, I want to seek you always, especially when I sin. That’s when I need you most. You have the remedy for my sin—the blood of Jesus. You forgive me and clean me up. Amen.
Your Turn: Does sinful conduct affect or infect your belief system? Does sin cloud our reasoning?
I love the Psalms 
Atheism is the ultimate display of integrity. Against the indoctrinated masses, persecuted as immoral, yet we are not willing to validate what is unbelievable to us. “Straight is the gate and narrow is the way, and few there be that find it” With 2.4 billion Christians, I hardly think any of you have a monopoly on “few What you call evil doers is rampant in the churches. Go figure.
Jim, you are so right about evil being present in the church. It’s shameful. I sometimes cringe over the conduct, and language of hate spewed out by many who identify themselves as Christians. In this world we stumble about in the dark. Some encounter the Light and are changed by it. Others are good at pretending. For me, much about the gospel was unbelievable until I personally experienced a number of eye opening miracles.
Thank you. I see little difference between Christians and atheistic behavior. I think your statements about immorality don’t hold any truth in reality. Just like most of the Bible, we have to justify gods immorality at every turn. .02% of the prison population is atheist. Think about that. Your broad assertion through scripture is false. While Christianity has had a monopoly in numbers and government positions (the body of Christ) still no bliss. Secular morality has led the way to personal equality, while the churches did in their heels for 500 years till the people demand better. It’s happening now. With all do respect, your assertions are false.
I should have added “I see little difference but the depth of depravity in Christianity”. Google clicks don’t lie, and the most porn in the country is viewed in the most religious areas. Hypocrisy doubled!
Jim, your comment simply reinforces the words of the psalmist: “The LORD looks down from heaven on all mankind
to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.
All have turned away, all have become corrupt;
there is no one who does good, not even one.
Do all these evildoers know nothing?”
I include myself in that “all”. Seeking God does not come naturally to anyone. We prefer to avoid God. Religious structures often do a good job of holding God at a distance rather than inviting Him into the mess of our lives. This results in the hypocrisy you describe.
Setting scripture aside (which took me 50 years to do) my argument is sound. I can see that by the way you dismissed it with more scripture. Line by line I’d like to see you reason away anything I’ve said. The submission to Jesus has taken away your ability to think for yourself. Like the fluke virus in the ant (look it up, Dan Dennett you tube) if your care to see. If not, I already have your answer.
No one will ‘reason’ you into the Kingdom of God, Jim, and those who attempt to are on a fool’s mission. After 50 years you have reasoned God away. God reveals himself to some. That’s His job, not mine. He’s not finished with you yet. He’ll have the final say. I wish you the best in your quest for truth.
Thanks sir. I didn’t reason God away. He never showed up. Even in my most difficult times. It’s people, nothing more that help people.
I do not like being mis judged like in your blog post. All the sin talk evil doers. It’s not true. I live a peaceable life with my wife and children. Am am a devoted father and friend. I have adopted, fostered, rescued, and lived the best I can. Most atheist you’ll find as neighbors. There are also some loud mouth activists. I do not follow them. Please don’t tag atheism if you don’t care to learn.
Even though you’re statement is demonstrably false, you ignore correction. You are no Christian. “Prove all things”
Sorry, Jim. I don’t need to prove anything. As you said, God is the one who needs to prove Himself to you. I don’t need to defend Him. He is quite capable of doing that Himself. I’ll let Him take up that challenge with you.
Prove all things relates to your article. You really haven’t addressed one thing, like I said, your picking and choosing and making false accusations. Something very telling. Sorry for your inability to see that you are a walking contradiction, the type and shadow of Christianity never produces what it is supposed to.
The key to understanding the mysteries is unbelief.
I agree with you on that point, Jim. When you personally encounter a number of inexplicable miracles as I did, it shakes you out of your God denying mindset.
There are explanations for them all. The human brains ability to heal is well documented and studied as well, and other explanations are pretty readily available… One just has to look. Neurotheology other studies have proven this beyond any reasonable doubt. It’s not really that complicated.
Yes, there are none so blind as those who will not see.
David, instead of attacking atheists for what they dont believe, please try providing the Evidence for them that what you Believe actually accords with reality, history, archaeology and demonstrable facts. You have the burden of proof for your claims that they are in fact True. They don’t have the burden of proving your claims false.
Do your responsibility of “giving an answer” with “meekness and respect” to all who would ask for “the reasons” that you Believe and that they should too. Posts like this are not respectful at all. They are aggressive and insulting.
Thanks for your thoughts. There is ample evidence for God in nature, in history and archaeology. For any of us the question is will we take the time to examine that evidence? Ultimately the decision to believe or not believe rests with each individual. I did not come to faith easily. I had plenty of questions and doubts. Questions and doubts are legitimate as we seek to know the reality of God. God makes himself real to some people. I don’t fully understand why, if I did I’d be god. We don’t grasp God by our intellect. It’s the complete reverse. He grasps us by His Spirit.
The idea is, less posts attacking, more posts supporting. Thx again
And have you bothered to study the relevant scholarship
Yes, I have on both sides of the issues. With that said the scholarship for and against God is almost limitless.
And you are aware of the archaeological and scientific evidence that disproves many of the bible’s narratives
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
As an atheist, it’s not about “there is no god”, it is that I don’t have evidence of a god. You pointed out “God makes himself real to some people” and if that’s the case, perhaps he hasn’t reached out to this atheist yet.
Which god should I be expecting? The Christian? The God of Islam? The God of Judaism? Hindu? Or perhaps it wil be a God that is undocumented by men?
Be mindful of the final two…
“There are six things that the LORD strongly dislikes, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.” Proverbs 6:16-19
Seems you are just posting to… sow discord. 😦
I am posting devotionals that run through the entire book of Psalms. As such I want to stay true to what the scriptures are saying. If you find that offensive or divisive, your argument is more with the word of God than it is with me.
Perhaps God has reached out to you already, but you haven’t realized it. I often miss things that are staring me in the face. God knocks on a lot of doors. Not everyone hears or answers. At times I have not answered. Wishing you the best encounter with God imaginable, David K.
My issue is not with a god, it is with you standing behind a religious text to justify your offensive/divisive behavior. You can be better than that!
It’s your choice to be offended. Your response does not offend me, David K. You have every right to live out your beliefs and defend them as do I. As for division, of course there is division on this topic. The only way there would be no division is if there was total silence. As long as we live in a free society we will always have disagreements on various matters. I don’t want you silenced on this issue. I would hope that you extend the same grace to me.
I have been reading your posts a long time, David, And I discern nothing you said to justify these attacks against you. If the evil one finds you a worthy opponent I would count that an honor!
Thanks, G.W. “We wrestle not against flesh and blood…”
That’s ridiculous. The opposition is in response to false statements. Basically accuse, then deflect any reasonable data is truly problematic and divisive.
“The only way there would be no division is if there was total silence.” How true, there is no middle ground when the choice is between good and evil. Stand firm!