How to Destroy Christianity
I read this over on Wes’ Blog some time ago, thought it was interesting, and wanted to post it here. Finally got around to it…
I was recently listening to an audio file of Dr. Russell Fuller from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary teaching on the reliability of Scripture. Often atheists and skeptics try to destroy the Bible and Christianity by pointing out contradictions and mistakes in the text which we claim to be God’s perfect Word. However, many of these apparent “contradictions†can be explained—some easily, some not so easily. However, Fuller says that this is not ultimately the way that one should go about disproving Christianity. For these discussions often end up to be little spats through which neither side ever convinces the other of their argument. Near the end of his lecture, however, Fuller reveals the way to disprove the Bible and destroy Christianity.
Basically, the unfolding story of the Bible can be summarized by the following four events:
1. Creation
2. Fall
3. Redemption
4. RestorationDr. Fuller chooses to focus on the second event, the Fall. As you look back on history, think about much of the evil and tyranny that has occurred: Hitler, Mao, Pol Pot, African genocide, Saddam Hussein—and those are only in the 20th Century. Christianity explains this, and all of the other countless evil events throughout history, as a result of the Fall. Basically, we are all descendants of Adam, who disobeyed God’s law, and through him we have inherited our sinful and depraved nature from him. Christians also believe that this nature has caused us to be at enmity with God and can only be freed from the enslaving power of sin by the sacrifice of Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit.
Dr. Fuller recounts a conversation with an atheist, and he tells the man the way to disprove the Bible and once and for all destroy Christianity. Suppose that through education, man could evolve into someone smart enough and good enough to stop being bad. If we could produce a world full of people that will never be evil, mean, selfish, and so forth—basically a world composed of all good people—then the Bible will be disproved. For if the world could solve its own problem of evil, apart from God and His sanctifying work, then Christianity is not necessary.
What do you think? Do you agree with Dr. Fuller’s assertions? It’s an interesting premise, but I don’t fully buy into it. I think that God is needed no matter what we humans do. Even if we are perfect, we’ll never be as perfect as God.
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Dec 31st, 2004 at 10:03:56
Without God, how do we decide what is good and what is bad? Humans are not perfect and no matter how smart or enlightened we become we will never always agree. And when we have a disagreement, who do we turn to in order to decide who is correct if everyone is just as imperfect as everyone else? If you don’t base standards of “good” or “bad” on an ultimate authority like the Bible they become nothing more than a fallible man’s opinion.
Dec 31st, 2004 at 11:58:52
Yes, very true. This reminds me of something that I read in CS Lewis’ Mere Christianity.
Dec 31st, 2004 at 16:18:36
Yep, I have to agree with my wife!!
Jan 2nd, 2005 at 01:13:39
“I think that God is needed no matter what we humans do. Even if we are perfect, we’ll never be as perfect as God.”
I thought that was precisely the point? That in order to demonstrate God being unnecessary, someone would need to be perfect.
And I think “perfect” should be clarified, because the first time you use it, it doesn’t appear like you really mean perfect!
Just a thought.
Jan 3rd, 2005 at 17:32:35
If we really do evolve, if we push towards science more than god, than our problems will be solved. Humans should learn to stand on our own two feet. If we do evolve and become more self efficient in science, social skills, medacine, space exploration, enviromenmental problems, diplomacy, etc. than we won’t need god as much in our life. We still need to observe Christ no matter what. However, the more we evolve, the less we need god’s influence in our everyday life. If medacine were more advanced than it were today, and in the past, than I wouldn’t have had all the problems I’ve had. See, god chose to have all these things have happened to me, but if medacine had been more advanced than we chould have cheated god… god wouldn’t have had any influence or say the matter. The doctors, and myself, would have controlled my life. See what I’m saying? The more me evolve, the less power god has… That’s a good thing. Then we can decide our fate no matter what. That’s already happening to some extent. Diabetics, hemopheliacs, Aids and STD victims, Cancer patients, satellites, electronic technology, a civilized world, morals, mature and fashionable diplomacy andm politics… Those people, problems, and goals exist because of evolution, because of science. Those meically challenged people wouldn’t have lived nearly as long as they do today as the have in the not so distant past. And why is that? It’s because of mankind, science and evolution that those things were achieved… not god. Just a view to look at.
Jan 4th, 2005 at 18:07:21
DO NOT USE DIABETICS AS AN EXAMPLE OF NOT NEEDING GOD!! I’ve been a diabetic for 16 years now, and to say I don’t need God because I have medicine is blasphemy. You really don’t think we need God. Fine. Then make the medicine you need from something God didn’t create. I’ll think you’ll be hard pressed to do that, since God created everything. Plus, God doesn’t cause people to have problems. Because man chose to sin, we have to pay the price of that sin. That includes illnesses, diseases, and anything else that is unpleasent in this world. And how can you say our morals mature? Our morals have gone down the drain. We choose to ignore the sins of this world and worry too much about offending someone, as opposed to standing up for our “morals”. In fact, they aren’t even our morals. God gave us the guidelines to live by. The more we get away from them, the worse off this world is. I agree with you that medicine and science save lives. But saying mankind is our saviour is ridiculous. If it wasn’t for mankind, those diseases wouldn’t even exist. There wouldn’t be any need for science to create medicines. God created man perfect, and man messed up.
Also, do you even understand what you’re saying? Go back and read your post. Cheat God? God wouldn’t have an influence? The more we evolve the less power God has? Do you really understand evolution, or do you just regurgitate what you’ve heard? I challenge you to do one thing. Go to Answers in Genesis website and look at the true scientific data about our history. When I say true science, I mean observational science and not what somebody thinks is true. I’ve spent my time in pro-evolution college science coarses, and I understand what it is about.
Jan 4th, 2005 at 20:40:31
Bryan, I don’t know if you are just saying these things to get attention or if this is really what you believe. All I have to say is that no matter what God is in control. No matter how much God is removed from culture and life in what people say, He is still there. And do you think the discoveries are made without him having an influence? Look at some of the most important discoveries made and where they took place and who made them. The father of genetics was a monk in case you forgot. You have a very weird way of demonstrating your “Christian” views by the way. Who are you living your life like? Who is your one priority? I think a revaluation is needed.
Jan 4th, 2005 at 20:52:41
You all are taking me out of context. And it is what I belive. It just seems so obvious to me.
Jan 4th, 2005 at 22:57:41
Guys, I wouldn’t even bother arguing with Bryan. Let him think whatever he wants now, since it’s “so obvious” to him and he’s always right. He’s just doing this for attention, so the more attention we give him the more he’s going to keep saying stuff like this. Just let his comments go without rebuttal and maybe he’ll grow up some…
Oct 4th, 2006 at 15:04:56
Kill all christians! Christianity is destroying the world. It needs to be destroyed asap.
Jan 10th, 2007 at 11:07:10
Uh,,,,Bryan,,,,,, Jesus (GOD) rose people from the dead. Seems that no matter how “advanced” medicine gets, no one can match that!