Christ Through the Ages, 30: What the Atheists are Missing & Conclusion

Douglas Jacoby Podcast

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

Atheists

• Wrong thinking
  • They will say that Jesus was a man of his time (yet he was countercultural!).
  • A recycling of ancient myths. But there was no ancient dying / rising god before the time of Jesus. If there was “borrowing,” it took place in the opposite direction!
  • Remember the bad of Christian history, but nearly none of the good.
  • Straw gods (old men in the sky) and distorted Christs.
  • Accuse Christians of being intolerant, whereas in fact quite a few atheists are intolerant.
• Unfortunate experiences?
  • Poor arguments from Christians
    • Bogus science
    • Inconsistent interpretation
    • Ignorance of history
    • Predictable and pro-establishment positions
    • Platitudes and proof-texting
  • Poor examples in Christians
    • Failure to walk the walk
    • Prejudice
    • Lack of social conscience
    • Infighting
  • Yet despite the detrimental effects of poorly thought-through faith, or poorly lived faith, atheists are still responsible (Ecclesiastes 3:11; Romans 1:18-32).
• As Christian leaders working for many years in atheistic climates (universities worldwide but especially in parts of Europe), my wife and I identify two huge needs – two areas in which the atheists are missing Christ.
  • Relationships
  • Evidences. Suggested: Compelling Evidence, as well as a number of other helpful titles.
• So what are the atheists missing?
  • Fundamentally, they’re missing not only a logical understanding of the gospel.
  • They are missing Christ – and missing out on the abundant existence Christ brings to those who put their trust in him (John 10:10). John 3:16-21. Acts 24:25.
• Plenty of atheists do come to Christ!
  • Further passages to inspire us
    • Acts 13:7, 12
    • Colossians 2:4, 8
    • 1 Peter 3:15-16
  • Let's be bold!

Series conclusion

• Elements of the present series:
  • Concept of the two ages
  • How OT shows Christ
  • Concepts of Messiah in time of Christ
  • How NT shows Christ
  • How Christ has been interpreted in the course of Church History
  • How Christ has been refracted in the world
• Suggested complementary continuation: Worship
  • 10 podcasts
  • These lessons are already recorded. Yet even if you’ve already heard them, it might be fruitful to listen again.
  • A focused worship of Christ is all the more appropriate, given the deity of Christ.
• If, as the scriptures teach and as Christians have believed since the beginning, Jesus Christ is God, then a few things follow:
  • Jesus is Lord.
    • He is fully human and fully divine.
    • We are to obey him.
    • His word is authoritative.
• We should strive to do all we can to pursue the theme of Christ through the Ages.
• We need to make sure we are connected to the genuine Christ, and not to a Jesus of our own making. Scripture and history help to anchor us and to give perspective.