The New Atheists and Remembering A Notorious Atheists’ Prayer/Part 8
| By: Dr. John G. Weldon; ©2011 |
| Is Anthony Flew in Heaven? Only God and he know. But it’s at least possible and it could be argued that it’s probable. |
The Finale: from Atheism to Eternal Life
Is Anthony Flew in Heaven? Only God and he know. But it’s at least possible and it could be argued that it’s probable. Common grace was certainly extended to Dr. Flew in many ways and, given God’s sovereignty, his conversion to theism was no accident. Given Dr. Flew’s own assessment of the wisdom and critical importance of being on the right side of God, would anyone be surprised to learn that he finally repented, bowed the knee and turned to Jesus Christ in faith for forgiveness of sin?
Dr. Flew had a personal scholarly philosophy of life (again, following Socrates) to “follow the argument wherever it leads.” In other words, “he “had to go where the evidence leads.”[1] This was precisely what, in the end, caused him convert from atheism to theism: powerful scientific discoveries that simply could not be honestly denied or ignored (some of which he discusses in his book). But let’s remember, he was also impressed with scholarly Christian apologists and the evidence Bishop Wright had marshaled for the truth of biblical Christianity and Christ’s physical resurrection from the dead.
If Dr. Flew never gave his life to Christ prior to his death, then he ended up abdicating his lifelong commitment to following the evidence wherever it leads him. And that would have been a double tragedy. Yes it is wonderful that skeptics can no longer logically rely upon “Theology and Falsification,” God and Philosophy (considered by Flew “an historical relic”), The Presumption of Atheism or any of his additional atheist works in support of atheism since his repudiation of atheism was total. And, in fact, because modern atheists, especially the new atheists, rely so heavily upon science “this is what makes his “defection” from atheism a doubly bitter pill for the modern Czars of atheism to swallow –… His intense study of modern advances in science.”[2]
Dr. Flew accepted the fact that someday before he died he might hear a Voice saying “Can you hear me now?” I can’t help but agree with Louis Markos (PhD University of Michigan), the author of such important works as From Achilles to Christ: Why Christians Should Read the Pagan Classics and Apologetics for the 21st-Century that, “There Is certainly reason to hope that Voice spoke to Anthony Flew before his death in 2010.”[3]
But what about you, dear reader? Unlike Dr. Flew and millions of others, you retain the amazing privilege of prayer. Yet if you have been living your life as a practical atheist, ignoring God, there will be consequences, not just in this life, but forever. You already know God exists, but do you know God personally through Jesus Christ? Have you made that wonderful discovery that settles your relationship with God once and for all, forever? There is salvation in none other than Jesus: “This is eternal life, to know you the only true God and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (John 17:3) “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
Do you believe God loves you? “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:10) “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) Have you trusted Jesus Christ personally for forgiveness of sins by making him Lord and Savior of your life? Have you personally believed that on the cross Jesus assumed on your behalf, in His own Person, God’s wrath against your sin? “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12) “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.” (John 3:36)
“The seriousness of an insult rises with the dignity of the one insulted. The Creator of the universe is infinitely worthy of respect and admiration and loyalty. Therefore, failure to love him is not trivial – it is treason. It defames God and destroys human happiness.…. Not to punish [in effect, this practical atheism] would be unjust.”[4]
“As hell is the worst outcome of this life, so “eternal life” is the best. It is supreme and ever-increasing happiness where all sin and all sadness will be gone…. true and everlasting happiness – will be preserved and purified and intensified [forever]. We will be changed so that we are capable of dimensions of happiness that were inconceivable to us in this life…” [1 Corinthians 2:9]”[5]
Why miss out on living with and being loved by an infinitely glorious God forever? That is precisely what you were created for and no amount of distraction in this life can soothe the yearning. If you desire more information about becoming a Christian, please see the appropriate article on the home page of this website, JAShow.org.
The prayer of a notorious atheist may indeed wind up as another crown of God’s grace – one day we will know. But if you aren’t yet a Christian, as you paas through life, never forget that potential prayer: whether or not it was said by Anthony Flew, it can still be said by you. Remember also: life is fleeting, here today and gone tomorrow, and none of us has a guarantee of even another hour of living. The most stunned are those who die totally unexpectedly in a split second of terror: they expected a full life and now they are find themselves their body. They know beyond all doubt they are no longer in control of their life. That’s why God declares that today is the day of salvation: “Listen, now is really the “right time”! Now is the “day of salvation”!.” (2 Corinthians 62) “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” (James 4:14) Don’t risk tomorrow; secure your eternal salvation today, while the opportunity remains. Truly, Heaven and Hell hang in the balance.
Regardless of Anthony Flew’s final fate, he nevertheless potentially stands in a long tradition of conversions to Christ from atheism, agnosticism and skepticism, a few of which are noted in the appendix below.
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