Three Types Of Atheists

Good News – October 2009 – Grace & Truth Magazine

Three Types Of Atheists

Last year, three books promoting atheism appeared on the New York Times bestseller list at the same time. This prompted a frenzy of articles as well as TV talk-show discussions on the resurgence of atheism. With this in mind, we offer our readers this true story of one man’s encounter with three atheists.

One day, the German writer Johannes Linke found himself seated next to three young men at a sidewalk cafe. From their conversation, it did not take Linke too long to determine that all three were atheists.

After listening for a while, he interrupted them in a quiet, but clear and deliberate voice: “Excuse me, gentlemen, but I must share something with you. Did you know that there are only three types of atheists? One of these is the deep-thinking atheist. In his extensive study of the various systems of philosophy of both ancient and modern times, he somehow missed finding God. Have any of you ever studied philosophy?” They said no.

“The second type is the parrot atheist. Without making any rational judgments of his own, he simply repeats whatever he hears most often. I certainly hope none of you fits this description.” They all said they didn’t.

“Well then, the third type is the troubled atheist. He’s the one who doesn’t have a good conscience. He knows there is something wrong in his life, so he hopes that a holy and righteous God doesn’t exist. Then he comforts himself by saying, ‘Since there is no God, I’ll just keep on sinning.’ Gentlemen, there is no fourth type.” And with that, he got up and departed, leaving the three young atheists sitting there with long faces.

Johannes Linke’s experience can be summed up by just one verse from the Bible: “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Ps. 14:1 NIV). Are you one of these foolish people? Maybe your foolishness has its source in atheism, materialism, relativism or evolutionism. Wherever your error happens to come from, the Bible deflates all “isms.”

Do you have a Bible gathering dust somewhere? Find it. Dust it off. Take a look at it, and see what it says about God and man. The basic origin of this wishful, atheistic thinking – that an almighty, holy and righteous God doesn’t exist – is the self-delusion that one can sin to his heart’s content without ever having to be justly punished. Even demons aren’t that godless! The Bible says that the “demons believe ... and shudder” (Jas. 2:19).

Come out of your self-made darkness, and accept what Jesus is telling you: “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already, because He has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil” (Jn. 3:16-19).

Are you longing for eternal life and a real, meaningful relationship with God? Take a bold step right now: Confess your sins to God, and you will receive salvation and eternal life through the work that Jesus Christ accomplished for you on the cross of Calvary. Jesus said: “To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life” (Rev. 21:6).

God doesn’t force anyone. Both heaven and hell are inhabited by those who have come of their own free will. So make the only right choice, and come today to Jesus who is calling you: “Whoever comes to Me I will never drive away” (Jn. 6:37). We can tell you more.

By Friedhelm Koenig