Equipping University

The attack of the New Atheists is led by four men who have attained world-wide acclaim with the publication of their beliefs that God not only does not exist but those who believe that He does are a danger to all the sane and rational people in the world. These four men have been nicknamed "The Four Horsemen of New Atheism." They are Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Sam Harris, and Christopher Hitchens. If you have not heard of them, you will. It is vital to realize that many of the people you will meet are influenced to some degree by at least one of these men. You will see their books in major displays at our chain bookstores, being read in airplanes, lying on desks at work, and exhibiting remarkable staying power on several best-sellers lists. Learn what they are saying as we prepare to give an answer.

Al Mohler has written that while it is doubtful we will ever enter into an age of complete secularization, it is obvious that we live in an increasingly secular age. Secularization theory has failed in its major claims but in two senses it was exactly right. First, the theorists were correct in their understanding of geographic origin and advancement. Western Europe has followed the theory perfectly. Second, the theorists were correct in their understanding of the avenue of advancement: the cultural and intellectual elite. Even with the distinctions above, we must admit that we live in a different age than our grandparents. These are the conditions of belief in which we now live.

On September 11, 2001, nineteen terrorists hijacked four commercial jets with the intent to crash them into multiple targets on American soil. There are no known survivors from any of the flights and 2,974 people died in the four attacks. Around the world, the terrorist activity was roundly criticized and denounced. At the same time, the terrorists believed they were acting in pious obedience to the command of Allah. Terrorism continues today and Americans and others around the world continue to denounce such activity. However, when we who are Christians do so, can we avoid charges of hypocrisy? After all, individuals who reject Christianity often take glee in reminding Christians of the blood that stains history because of the followers (alleged and real) of Jesus Christ. How do we reconcile the bloody events of the Old Testament with our revulsion of terrorism and jihad?