Faithful Steward Ministries and FSM Women's Outreach

Posted by Todd Linn, PhD on January 4, 20240

On two separate occasions, the Psalmist writes, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no god (Psalm 14:1; Psalm 53:1).’”

The statement, however, does not mean that atheists lack intelligence or are somehow intellectually inferior. Indeed, many atheists are exceptionally gifted thinkers and scholars.

Instead, the word “fool” in these two passages suggests one who will not submit to the moral authority and restraints of the God of the Bible. As such, it is not that the unbeliever lacks information or insufficient evidence to persuade him to follow God. Instead, the individual wishes to be his or her own master or ruler, refusing to bow to the will of God and His Word.

You could say that the “fool” has said in his heart, “NO, God!”

Understood this way, we identify with the unbeliever in Psalm 14:1 and Psalm 53:1. Apart from God’s grace, we are all equally “foolish” and desperately in need of God’s eye-opening, life-giving, soul-saving Holy Spirit work that grants a new heart soft to His will and ways.

Today’s “Theology Thursday” SlideShare presentation is an elementary introduction to the arguments for God’s existence: cosmological, moral, and teleological.

Slide 22 is a simple picture of a watch, representative of William Paley’s so-called “watchmaker argument.” More on that–and other helpful information–here.

Because much of this material is philosophical, it is essential to remember that no one will successfully “argue” an unbeliever into the Kingdom of God. Only God can grant eyes to see. And only God can save through the power of the gospel.