Introduction: Atheism or Christianity

Is this a fairy tale afraid of the light? Many atheists say Christianity is a fairy tale afraid of the dark. In response to their criticism, John Lennix proclaimed, “Atheism is a fairy tale afraid of the light.” But which is truly the fairy tale? Is it Christianity or atheism?

Origins: Atheism or Christianity

Atheism: everything results from a cosmic accident billions of years ago. The laws governing the universe evolved over millions of years. The planets, their orbits, the entire realm of existence, etc., are merely the result of atoms bumping into each other. There is no intelligence behind anything in the universe. There is no meaning.

Christianity: in the beginning, God created everything according to His wisdom (Genesis 1). God determined the laws which govern the created order. God governs everything. Everything was made originally good, with purpose and meaning.

Implications: Atheism or Christianity

Atheism: there is no meaning. There are no empirical absolutes that can be understood. While only nature can be observed, there is no absolute way to measure it. This is because one’s thoughts and senses are merely the result of chemical reactions and atoms bumping against each other. The universe has no empirical meaning other than what one can do with chemical reactions. Therefore, it is meaningless to believe anything, even atheism.

Christianity: there is meaning. Humankind’s purpose is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. The Bible tells the history of how mankind has sinned, how God interacted with certain people at certain times to restore humanity, and how people’s salvation in Jesus Christ was accomplished. Therefore, all of humanity’s problems of love, acceptance, and purpose are fulfilled by God through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Credibility: Atheism or Christianity

Atheism: only the natural world can be observed through limited senses, which are merely the result of random chemical reactions. Nothing can be understood, observed, or thought with certainty. Any inference about the past is mere speculation. Also, any evidence for design must be dismissed because no divine foot can be allowed in the door. However, even this is just imaginary because nothing can be known for sure. Therefore, though atheism has no real credibility, nothing else does either.

Christianity: the credibility of Christianity is the Bible. It comprises sixty-six books written over fifteen hundred years on three different continents in three different languages. Yet, each book agrees on politics and religion. The Bible also never disagrees with archeology, science, or math. It establishes the fact that truth can be known, and we were made to understand truth. This is because God is truth. Every time the Bible brings up an important historical figure, it can be found in the written archeological record. Furthermore, the Bible was written by eyewitnesses who agreed with other eyewitnesses that they saw miracles that fulfilled prophecies.

Further Credibility for the Bible

The eyewitnesses concerning Jesus Christ claimed they saw Jesus die on a cross. They also claim he was buried in a tomb that was well-known to the public. Furthermore, that same tomb was later found to be empty. Then these same disciples saw Jesus alive and interacted with Him for forty days before His ascension into heaven. History tells us these men went to their deaths for what they claimed to see. Also, they received no power, sex, or privileges for their trouble. The apostles lived in poverty and died as despised criminals of humanity for what they claimed to have seen. No one is going to die for what they know is a lie.

Also, key figures of history, such as Pilate, Josephus, and the writers of the Talmud admit Jesus did miracles and died on the cross, and they also record that the disciples claimed they saw Him alive again. These people didn’t even believe that Jesus was God/Man.

Conclusion

Which one is the fairytale? Which belief system makes sense, has evidence, and can be backed up with reality and fact? Obviously, John Lennix was right. Atheism is a fairytale for those afraid of the light. The problem is not evidence; it is sin. Atheists look for evidence for the Bible like a criminal looks for a police officer to turn themselves in. It’s not going to happen. Atheists are like children who know their parents will not let them get what they want, so they pretend their parents don’t exist. It is not going to work very long. However, God doesn’t believe in Atheists. As Roman 1:18-23 says,

“18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things (ESV).”

More From Striving for Eternity

If you want more information on studying the Bible and how to interpret it correctly, check out the store section at strivingforeternity.org/store. There are tons of resources to help you get started on your journey to interpreting the Bible better. Also, invite Andrew Rappaport and Aaron M. Brewster to attend your church and teach biblical interpretation with their Biblical Interpretation Made Easy Seminar. Andrew Rappaport, Aaron M. Brewster, and other guests on Apologetics Live would also enjoy answering your questions on the live show on Thursdays from 7 pm–9 pm CST with the link to the stream yard at strivingforeternity.org/apologeticslive. Lord bless you and strive to make today an eternal day for Christ Jesus.