As we look at all the false teachings out there these days and the threats to the church in America, I have this little thing I do where I try to assess the seriousness of these threats and how much time we should spend studying them. Well the “New Atheism” is perhaps not an overt threat to committed Believers today because these people are of the world and don’t really deserve a lot of our attention or concern. For any discerning Christian, it is easy to see through their garbage. But when you peel back the onion a little and look at their target audience, there is reason to be plenty concerned as we look into the future.
Their target audience is really youth and young adults, and quite frankly, the emergent church audience. Young people who have become frustrated with religion and Christianity in particular, and are looking for a new system of beliefs. These people look at the failures of the American church and are open to new ideas about what life should look like. They are primed for new ideas, no matter how dangerous those ideas may be.
When you look at the New Atheism’s alliance with many in the scientific community, there is reason to be concerned for our youth. No it is no secret that the public education system as championed by the NEA is promoting anti-Christian teachings and rhetoric. And in spite ofthe efforts of many solid Christian teachers, there is only so much influence these teachers can have in a public classroom. So as science and New Atheism team up to “enlighten” our youth on issues like evolution and new scientific theories on the age of the earth, dinosaurs and whatever, our youth are being set up for a huge fall. After 16 years of indoctrination in public schools once they graduate college, our youth come out jaded about religion and the world as a whole. They are ripe pickings for atheism or alternative spirituality to that taught in the bible.
So how do we fight against it? By parenting and mentoring our Christian youth in the Word of God, helping them to establish a solid foundation of biblical beliefs so they can fend off the vast secular attack they will face in public education and secular media. Are we taking the time as parents to have quality discussions with our children about God and where the world is headed? Or have we de facto outsourced the moral and educational upbringing of our children to a public education system that does not hide its disdain for God? In our churches, are we spending time with our youth in the Word of God and having meaningful discussions about life and God’s answers to it? Or are we busy trying to be “cool” and “relevant” by sipping Starbucks coffee and talking about the newest i-phone or video games?
Jesus had a special place in his heart for children. He loved their open honesty and pureness of heart. And he severely warned us that if we brought harm to these little ones, we would face an angry God. Fellow Christians, do not fall asleep at the wheel when it comes to our youth. As a church we face a coming crisis of enormous magnitude if we do not biblically invest in our children starting now! It is up to our churches and their leaders to recognize this problem and develop a plan to counter the dangerous teachings our children are being taught. But hey if you want to just ignore the problem blowing it off as nothing important, be prepared to face the consequences as young people find their ‘spirituality” outside of the church. And be prepared to answer to God for neglecting our children because we were too busy doing something else. You know, God always gives us a choice in these matters—but our choices do have consequences.
Related articles
- Why Teens Drift Away from Faith (christianitytoday.com)
- Why Youth Stay in Church When They Grow Up (thegospelcoalition.org)
- Five Myths about Young Adult Church Dropouts (Christian Worldview/Issues) (prophecynewswatch.com)
- Fighting For Our Youth In the Midst of Crisis (standupforthetruth.com)
- Where Are the Christian Mentors? (standupforthetruth.com)
- Christians and the New Atheism (standupforthetruth.com)
Mike and Amy,
As we completed the program today, I realized that some of the bulletin points I had really merited a more thorough discussion than I was able to give in a short time.
Therefore, I think a part 3 in the future might be helpful, either under the topic of New Atheism or apologetics.
Some of the issue that need developement are the evolutionary question, miracles, scientism, Christianity and atrocities, and anything else you can think of.
The fallacy of man’s wisdom needs to be taught and practiced from the pulpit, by holding up the true standard of God’s word and doing what it says to do:
2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
1 Corinthians 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written , He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. 20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
1 Corinthians 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written , I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
Romans 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Let us no longer envy the wicked for what they seem to get away with.
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise.
Psalm 73:1 A psalm of Asaph. Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure. 2 But as for me, I came so close to the edge of the cliff! My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. 3 For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. 4 They seem to live such a painless life; their bodies are so healthy and strong. 5 They aren’t troubled like other people or plagued with problems like everyone else. 6 They wear pride like a jeweled necklace, and their clothing is woven of cruelty. 7 These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for! 8 They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others. 9 They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth. 10 And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words. 11 “Does God realize what is going on?” they ask. “Is the Most High even aware of what is happening?” 12 Look at these arrogant people — enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply. 13 Was it for nothing that I kept my heart pure and kept myself from doing wrong? 14 All I get is trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain. 15 If I had really spoken this way, I would have been a traitor to your people. 16 So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is! 17 Then one day I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I thought about the destiny of the wicked. 18 Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction. 19 In an instant they are destroyed, swept away by terrors. 20 Their present life is only a dream that is gone when they awake. When you arise, O Lord, you will make them vanish from this life. 21 Then I realized how bitter I had become, how pained I had been by all I had seen. 22 I was so foolish and ignorant — I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. 23 Yet I still belong to you; you are holding my right hand. 24 You will keep on guiding me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. 25 Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. 26 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. 27 But those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you. 28 But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.