Pilgrim's Rock

Exalting God's Excellence
Strengthening God's People
   Login | Contact Pilgrim's Rock Search Our Website Icon
  • Home
  • Unbreakable Faith
  • Books
  • Blog
  • Webinars
  • Videos
  • About
  • Store

May 23, 2018 by Craig Biehl

The Human Limitations of Unreasonable Atheism (Part 10): “God Is Impossible”

The Human Limitations of Unreasonable Atheism (Part 10): “God Is Impossible” - Weekly Blog Post by Dr. Craig Biehl - man shaking fist at sky and God

I have an interesting book on my bookshelf entitled, The Impossibility of God, a collection of essays that go beyond claims of the mere improbability of God, arguing that “the weight of the evidence is against God’s actual existence,” and that “the concept of God is logically contradictory.” An impressive and weighty book, it contains “most of the important arguments for the impossibility of God that have been published since 1948.” The editors challenge readers to “think deeply and critically about” the idea of God and ask, is the idea of God beset with “an ocean of contradictions,” or “built upon the very idea that disproves it?”

The introduction gives a helpful summary of the types of “disproofs” presented in the book, including 1) “an inconsistency in the definition of God,” 2) the inconsistency of God’s existence with the existence of evil, 3) inconsistency between an attribute of God and biblical doctrines and events, 4) “inconsistency between two or more divine attributes,” and 5) an inconsistency within a single attribute [1] The authors present some impressive arguments and have thought “deeply and critically” about their topics. Moreover, the intellectual prowess displayed in the articles is impressive and humbling, a collection of brilliant essays by brilliant minds.

Achilles Heel
Every argument rests on assumptions. If the assumptions are false or unjustified, the most perfect argument built on them will also be false or unjustified. Thus, herein lies the fatal flaw of the many claims made in The Impossibility of God, they stand on significant but faulty assumptions of blind faith. And given the sophistication of the arguments, if these assumptions are accepted or remain unchallenged, the best Christian apologists will have difficulty refuting the assertions of the authors. And worse, those who “defend” the faith by conforming it to the unbelieving culture will not only struggle to answer the attacks, they will affirm unbelief, distort the truth, and be tempted to replace God’s glory with cheap and unbiblical caricatures. Thus, if we are to be adequately prepared to deal with highly sophisticated arguments against faith in Christ and Scripture, we need to easily identify the unjustified and blind faith assumptions on which they stand.

Some Groundwork
As a brief introduction to the next several articles, consider these simple questions: 1) Is God limited to the properties of the universe and our limited understanding of logic? A good many arguments against God’s existence assume that God, if He did exist, must be limited in the same way we are limited. But how can our finite perspective, experience, and reasoning determine this? 2) Can time and chance account for the immeasurable design, beauty, and order of life and every indispensable aspect of reality supporting it, including the intellect and reasoning of the authors? Ignoring the absurdity of the idea and its inconsistency with every known principle observed in the universe (i.e., chaos only produces more chaos), how could anyone know such a thing? And lastly, and the most basic question exposing the grand assumption under every atheistic argument, 3) Do atheists possess sufficient knowledge of transcendent realities to speak with authority about them? Can they reduce infinite spirit to calculations on a page or know what lies beyond the universe and the three or four dimensions of their existence? And dare I say it, do any of them know the contents of their neighbor’s garage without having a look? And if the answer to these simple questions is no, what qualifies them to speak of realities infinitely beyond their understanding, the greatest being God Himself?

Conclusion
In the next several articles we will examine the above categories of arguments and focus like a laser on their underlying assumptions. This is not to dismiss the importance of the details, but to prioritize them and demonstrate that regardless of their brilliance, they cannot support claims built on a false foundation. In the end, believers need not be intimidated by long and complex formulas, or by the erudition and number of opponents.

Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe (1 Cor. 1:20-21 NAS).

Indeed, “The gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it” (Matt. 7:14 NAS). As we continue the series, may God strengthen your faith and encourage you to share Christ in truth and love, unintimidated by the arguments of small people before an infinite God. “Turn to Me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other” (Isa. 45:22 NAS). In the end, nothing else matters.

[1] Michael Martin and Ricki Monnier, eds., The Impossibility of God (Amherst: Prometheus Books, 2003), 14.

Scriptures marked NAS are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, copyright© 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.


Click here to download a PDF of this article.

© 2018 Craig Biehl, author of God the Reason, The Box, The Infinite Merit of Christ, and Reading Religious Affections

 

The Human Limitations of Unreasonable Atheism (Part 10): “God Is Impossible” - Weekly Blog Post by Dr. Craig Biehl - man shaking fist at sky and God

X

Yes, I Want a PDF of “The Human Limitations of Unreasonable Atheism (Part 10): “God Is Impossible” “


 

We respect your privacy. We’ll NEVER sell, rent, or share your email address. That’s more than a policy, it’s our guarantee!

Filed Under: Apologetics, Worldview Tagged With: arguments against faith, definition of God, evidence of God's existence, existence of evil, faith assumptions, knowing the true God

Recent Posts

  • Vote for Your Neighbor
  • Baggage, Responsibility, and the Display of God’s Excellence
  • Hey Creationist, Prove It!
  • A Thanksgiving Proclamation
  • The Human Limitations of Unreasonable Atheism (Part 25): Doctrinal Disproofs: Do Miracles Disprove God? (Part B)

Archives

  • October 2020
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • November 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • November 2014

ABOUT PILGRIM'S ROCK

Pilgrim’s Rock exists to exalt the infinite excellence of God and the Gospel, boost joy, comfort, and faith in Christ and Scripture, and immunize believers against the unreasonable arguments of unbelief. Read More…

Pilgrim's Rock Money Back 60-Day Guarantee
SIGN UP FOR WEEKLY BLOG POSTS

First Name: (required)

Last Name:

Email: (required)

Recent Posts

  • Vote for Your Neighbor
  • Baggage, Responsibility, and the Display of God’s Excellence
  • Hey Creationist, Prove It!
  • A Thanksgiving Proclamation
  • The Human Limitations of Unreasonable Atheism (Part 25): Doctrinal Disproofs: Do Miracles Disprove God? (Part B)

We donate a portion of every course sale to HSLDA to protect your right to homeschool your children.
HSLDA Blue Logo
Pilgrim's Rock Logo
WeWe Logo  Rumble Logo    Comodo SSLSectigo TrustLogo

Pilgrim's Rock™ LLC. © 2021 All rights reserved.      PO Box 27, Horsham PA 19044    215-646-1077      About Us   Privacy Policy   Terms & Conditions   Parental Consent Policy   Small Group Consent Policy  DONATE