“Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, ‘Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious, for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship, without knowing, Him I proclaim to you” (Acts 17:22, 23)
The word “agnostic” comes to us from a combination of two Greek words: the “a” signifying “without”, and the “gnostic” referring to “knowledge.” Thus, an agnostic is one who has no knowledge. An agnostic is one who basically claims that he is not knowledgeable regarding the God of the Bible, the Christ of the Bible, or the Bible itself. About this, he is honest. Whereas the atheist defiantly proclaims the non-existence of God, there’s hope for the agnostic who simply says, “I don’t know.” He may go a step further and, again in his ignorance, state that “one cannot know.” More often, however, it appears that the modern agnostic really does not want to know the truth.
The Bible makes it rather clear not only that truth is knowable, but that it is also critical in answering such questions as to who made me, why am I here, and what will happen to me when I die? You see, you don’t determine your own destiny!! After all, you’re not God!
Let me ask you a few of questions, if I may: What if a person CAN know the truth? What if the Bible IS true in all that it proclaims? What if the Bible DOES provide accurate information about reality (read “Truth”)?
If (read “Since”) the Bible is true, a lot of people are going to be in real and eternal trouble with the God who wrote it and revealed Himself in it! John puts it this way, “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life” (I John 5:20). You better believe it – – and receive it!
Teacher - Feature 
Hello Pastor John!
How the hell are ya! 🙂 The definitions of Agnostics and Atheists are a bit too vague. Christian’s seem to presuppose that the atheist and agnostic only question their god but this is true across the religious spectrum of the god of Judaism, Islam…(Hindu- Krishna..etc) From a philosophical approach, do we truly have any knowledge of any god other than what we some are taught from the Hebrews or the Greeks?
—Just an side note here, the basis for most religions comes from the Hebrew bible but it has diverged from it to create 2+ other religions. As an educated theologian, Why would you focus on just one religion and not the entire religious spectrum? This has always intrigued me – Why theologians focus on only one aspect? Does one merely focus on educating people on one religious belief? I find it more interesting when they can discuss what they know across the entire religious spectrum.
Taking a specific religion out of the spectrum… It seems to me that the agnostic keeps an open mind. They have never had a “god” experience and as such, they are not quick to make claims of a specific god. They want to evaluate it for themselves and make an educated decision. I think it’s unique with Christianity that they want to cease this opportunity to spread the “Good News”, something no other religion really does.
Because the Christian attempts to spread the “Good News” people get to evaluate the theist claim. If one is to believe these claims, they are a “theist.” and if the claims do not meet the burden of proof…. we have an “atheist”. It is really a simple concept. Unfortunately for the atheist, the theist will continue to target the non-believers and cast false witness against them. Is that what religion is all about? Targeting people? I can’t tell you how awful it is when I sit in a religious debate and see people of one religion tell people of other religions how faulty their religion is and them make claims to sell their own religion. Or that they teach others that they are deprived because they are not part of their religion. I’ve been part of many interfaith masses and it makes me shake my head when some people can’t accept others of different faiths (or none at all). Should religions be of inclusion or exclusion? Should we educate people (correctly) about all worldviews?
…Just something to think about 🙂
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