Randall - Why I Am Not an Atheist: Facing the Inadequacies of Unbelieft

It has become a tired clich to say that folk have to check their brains at the doorwhen they enter a church. Nothing could be further from the truth. Christianityhas never set faith against reason, and neither do the contributors to this book.No one who reads these intellectual testimonies with an open mind could fairlydraw the conclusion that Christianity is rationally indefensible or irrelevant inthe modern world. The authors faithfully fulfil the apostle Peters exhortationto give the reason for the hope that they have in Christ.

James Anderson

Associate Professor of Theology and Philosophy, Reformed Theological SeminaryCharlotte, North Carolina

We have long needed a book in which several well-qualified Christians giveintelligent, courteously-expressed reasons why atheism is bankrupt, thentestify to the unique integrity and relevance of Christianity. This is it! Read it,pass it on then get more copies and repeat the process!

John Blanchard

Internationally-known Christian preacher, teacher, apologist and authorSurrey, England

The conscious and purposeful choice of atheism as a creed (and as an activeand militant creed) is becoming a notable feature of western culture today.Usually atheists claim to hold to their position as a matter of consistent logic,reason, science and compelling weighing of evidence, while it is Christianswho are considered (often in a very disparaging way) simply to have embracedblind faith which ignores all these.

This book, however, presents considered arguments from eleven intelligent,thinking people from a range of professional spheres, each of whomargues persuasively (and politely) why in their eyes atheism has been foundintellectually wanting. They have either abandoned or rejected atheism forvery good reasons.

No doubt there are some closed-minded atheists who simply will not wantto engage with a book like this. But for the many honest, open-minded scepticswho do want to reasonably weigh all the evidence, this book will be thoughtprovoking,stimulating and perhaps even life-changing.

William J U Philip

Senior Minister, The Tron Church, and former Medical CardiologistGlasgow, Scotland

With Atheism having well and truly arrived as the new kid on the block intodays secular society, this book is a valuable resource for all who take the bigquestions of life seriously. Neither academic in style, nor polemic in tone, itcombines good-going apologetics with the narrative of personal stories, all ina thoroughly readable and always engaging way: believers will be emboldened,doubters fortified, and atheists warmly challenged!

Jeremy Middleton

Minister, Davidsons Mains Parish Church and Chairman of the Crieff TrustEdinburgh, Scotland

Each of the contributors brings a warmth and rigour that is both personal andfully engaged with the questions our world and our hearts ask. This bookwill help your heart rejoice in the God who is Lord over every square inch ofhis creation, and whose word is trustworthy and true.

Mark Ellis

Team Leader for Scotland, UCCF:thechristianunionsDundee, Scotland

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, NewInternational Version. NIV. Copyright1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked ESV are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version,copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission.All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2007.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible,Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The LockmanFoundation Used by Permission. (www.Lockman.org).

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the King James Version. All rights reserved.

David J. Randall has been in ministry for more than forty years and is presentlylocum minister in the newly-formed Grace Church, Dundee. He is also Vicechairmanof the Board of Solas Centre for Public Christianity.

David J. Randall 2013

ISBN 978-1-78191-270-6 Book

ISBN 978-1-78191-308-6 ePub

ISBN 978-1-78191-309-3 Mobi

Published in 2013 by
Christian Focus Publications,
Geanies House, Fearn, Tain, Ross-shire,
IV20 1TW, Scotland, UK

www.christianfocus.com

Cover design by Daniel van Straaten

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior per-mission of the publisher or a licence permitting restricted copying. In the U.K. such licences are issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency, Saffron House, 6-10 Kirby Street, London, EC1 8TS. www.cla.co.uk.

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1. A Biologist explains why he is not an Atheist
   DONALD BRUCE
2. A University Chaplain explains why he is not an Atheist
   ALISTAIR DONALD
3. A Missionary explains why he is not an Atheist
   HENK DROST
4. A CEO explains why she is not an Atheist
   ELAINE DUNCAN
5. A Pastor explains why he is not an Atheist
   ALEX MACDONALD
6. A Psychiatrist explains why he is not an Atheist
   PABLO MARTINEZ
7. Another Pastor explains why he is not an Atheist
   DAVID RANDALL
8. A Debater explains why he is not an Atheist
   DAVID ROBERTSON
9. A Theologian explains why he is not an Atheist
   CHRIS SINKINSON
10. A Journalist explains why she is not an Atheist
    HEATHER TOMLINSON
11. An Evangelist explains why he is not an Atheist
    RAVI ZACHARIAS

The title of this book may seem somewhat negative! Its writers would all say that they are Christians for positive reasons it is not principally a matter of what we are not, but of what we are (or what we believe we have been led to). It should be said at the outset that the main thrust of the chapters that follow is not that atheism is untenable for different reasons and, therefore, we have all been driven into Christian belief as a kind of last resort. Our Christianity is much more positive than that!

I have often reflected on the comment of a professor who was returning a students essay in which the student had been dismissive of a certain theory. The professor wrote in the margin, Every theory has its difficulties, but you have not considered whether any other theory has less difficulties than the one you have criticised. Both atheism and theism have their difficulties; in our finite existence we simply do not have all the answers to all the questions that may be posed, and in one sense we must look for the philosophy that has fewest difficulties.

So far as Christianity is concerned, no one would claim that as believers we have all the answers; Deuteronomy 29:29 says that some things have been revealed for us and succeeding generations but there are other things that are secret and belong to God alone. There are many areas in which we do not have the answers and sometimes I dont know is the appropriate response to some questions that can be posed.

However, as Pascal wrote: Everything that cannot be understood does nevertheless not cease to exist , and our conviction is that fewer difficulties attach to Christian belief than to atheism. In saying that we are convinced Christians, we are not claiming to have everything sussed out, but we believe that atheism has far too many weaknesses to be an option.