Apologetics is “reasoned arguments or writings in justification of something, typically a theory or religious doctrine.” —Google Dictionary
One of the most influential Christians and apologist for Christian Faith was C. S. Lewis.
“Clive Staples Lewis (1898–1963) was one of the intellectual giants of the twentieth century and arguably one of the most influential writers of his day. He was a Fellow and Tutor in English Literature at Oxford University until 1954, when he was unanimously elected to the Chair of Medieval and Renaissance Literature at Cambridge University, a position he held until his retirement.
“Lewis wrote more than thirty books, allowing him to reach a vast audience, and his works continue to attract thousands of new readers every year. C. S. Lewis’s most distinguished and popular accomplishments include Mere Christianity, Out of the Silent Planet, The Great Divorce, The Screwtape Letters, and the universally acknowledged classics in The Chronicles of Narnia. To date, the Narnia books have sold over 100 million copies and been transformed into three major motion pictures.”
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien is better known to us as J. R. R. Tolkien. Another literary and intellectual giant, his devout Christian faith was a significant factor in the conversion of C. S. Lewis. I read somewhere that while Mr. Tolkien denied writing Hobbit and Lord of the Rings trilogy as a Biblical allegory, it most certainly is steeped with it, as it came from the heart of a man well-versed in the Bible.
Stephen Hawking, another writer and intellectual, who was also a scientist, is not a Christian, however, yet a voice for atheism.
“British theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking schmoozed with popes during his lifetime, even though he was an avowed atheist. The famous scientist, who died Wednesday in England at 76, was often asked to explain his views on faith and God. During interviews, he explained his belief that there was no need for a creator.
“He said during an interview with El Mundo in 2014: “Before we understand science, it is natural to believe that God created the universe. But now science offers a more convincing explanation. What I meant by ‘we would know the mind of God’ is, we would know everything that God would know, if there were a God, which there isn’t. I’m an atheist.”” (source: WaPo)
Interesting, “science offers a more convincing explanation.” He didn’t prove that G-D doesn’t exist. He didn’t try to do so. He simple believes another explanation for life. That’s his faith. Science.
And that’s the point, isn’t it? Faith. The New Testament writer of “Hebrews” (chapter 11 verse 1) wrote:
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
Interesting, also, is that a Google search on “There is no god” produces 1.5 billion results in less than a second. It seems there are a lot of folks these days involved in atheist apologetics. In a search for Christian writers, I noticed a few articles attempting to explain why there are so few Christian writers these days. While Nan writing on her blog, Nan’s Notebook, and others who commented on her blog post seem to welcome dialog with Christians, I think many people do not.
While the WordPress community is an exception, there is no lack of nasty, harsh, and often bigoted comments on various forums I’ve read. And then there are the talk show hosts, such as one who said, in essence, that Believers belong in Bellevue, an infamous psychiatric hospital in New York City. One of the worst comments was one in which a person hoped all Christians would die. And while America isn’t as inhospitable to Jewish people, there is still an undercurrent of antisemitism that exists here. People of the Bible, their views and even their presence, isn’t all that welcome in this Post Modern society we’ve created based upon science (I’d like to say science fiction, but don’t wish to offend).
Christian churches have a lot of explaining to do, in my not-so-humble opinion, however. I think many who call themselves atheists have been desperately hurt in churches, and now are filled with anger and resentment toward all who would express their faith the G-D of Israel, Blessed be His Name.
Furthermore, Psychologists and councilors tell us we are inherently good, while the Bible points out our inhumanness, our failure, our worthlessness without G-D. It is difficult to reconcile the two views.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly,” said YeshuaJesus. (John 10:10) And yet YeshuaJesus taught in parables. To understand the Bible, to understand a Faith in a Creator, one must seek. Wisdom is like hidden nuggets, and we must be prospectors. We have to dig. We also must ask the same G-D we have trouble even believing in.
At Speakers Corner, in London’s Hyde Park, I once asked a Christian, who’d testified to his faith in G-D, about a particular vociferous heckler. He told me that the man came regularly to listen and to heckle. This preacher said he welcomed that man, openly. He comes to heckle, but he is searching
“Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”
“Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:24-29; emphasis added)
James T. Orwell. He was born the year Mr. Lewis died. But I’ll need to wait for another day to share Mr. Orwell’s identity.
For now, I leave you with these thoughts from the Psalms, which is today’s selection on Daily Tehillim.
“Why do the nations ragea
and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying,
“Let us burst their bonds apart
and cast away their cords from us.”
“He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord holds them in derision.
Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
and terrify them in his fury, saying,
“As for me, I have set my King
on Zion, my holy hill.” ”
(Psalm 2:1-6)
Jonah’s Song 