The Rise of militant atheism…the spirit of Antichrist blossoms
John Havener April 26th, 2007
In “The Forum” of the Monday, April 16, 2007 USA TODAY there was an interesting article called “Atheism isn’t the final word” which begins “Oh, for the days when one could safely stroll into a bookstore without tripping over the latest atheist title…Books making the case against God seem to be multiplying, becoming more strident and absolute with each turned page.” Thankfully the author, Don Feder, concludes by writing,” Atheists are free to disbelieve and propagate their disbelief in books and other intellectual forums. But saying the debate is over doesn’t make it so. A bit of humility might make their case more convincing. Then again, humility itself is a religious concept.” My point is to draw attention to the antiGod wave headed our way, not to argue against atheism…although there are powerful arguments against it…
Mr. Feder’s accurate observations about militant atheism were confirmed and illuminated by a frontpage Wall Street Journal from April 12, 2007 titled ” The New Crusaders: As Religious Strife Grows, Europe’s Atheists Seize Pulpit. Islam’s Rise Gives Boost To Militant Unbelievers.” This article focuses on Michel Onfray, whom the WSJ calls a “celebrity philosopher and France’s high priest of militant atheism.” Mr. Onfray, is 48, has published 32 books, and is a very popular lecturer. Consider this quote from the WSJ,
“Mr. Onfray argues that atheism faces a “final battle” against “theological hocus-pocus” and must rally its troops. “We can no longer tolerate neutrality and benevolence,” he writes in “Traite d’atheologie,” or Atheist Manifesto, a best seller in France, Italy and Spain. “The turbulent time we live in suggests that change is at hand and the time has come for a new order.” He recently shared a book by a favorite philosopher with a political opponent…Nietzsche’s “The Anti-Christ.” Should we think this stuff is just European weirdness? The WSJ pointed out the following, “The God Delusion,” a book by Oxford Professor Richard Dawkins, has been on the New York Times hardcover nonfiction best-seller list for 28 weeks.
Scripture describes The ultimate AntiChrist as a Satan possessed human, with formiddible deceptive powers and invincible war-making power, assisted and promoted by a “False Prophet” who will be world’s ultimate propagandist and architect of genocide. Behind them, a system which only the return of Christ will shutdown. Part of the mystery regarding the ultimate evils is this question: which comes first, The inspiring, inclusive antichrist worldview, the system which will execute its leader’s will, the False Prophet or the ultimate Antichrist himself? Regardless, here is the final outcome:
And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshiped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. (Rev.19.19)
I am not alleging that Mr. Onfray is the Ultimate A/C or false prophet…but be sure of this: Europe is very far gone into apostasy and strong currents are swirling that may give rise to this ultimate human/ satanic evil. Perhaps, more disturbingly, is the possiblity that the antichrist spirits which are trying to consolidate and bring forth these supreme evils will be able in the meantime to bring forth violent antichristian persecution here and soon. I was grieved by a situation that occured recently. In New Jersey, in a place called New Burlington Township, school officials and “publical safety/ emergency management officials” held a first responder drill based on a senario which envisioned their High School being terrorized by fundamentalist Christian killers. This senario was a terrible case of implausible lies, bigotry, fear-mongering and stereotyping against fundamental Christians dubbed by the senario as the “New Crusaders.” Blatant prejudice of this sort can fuel an explosive atmosphere where violence is suddenly loosed against God’s people. Who really are the “New Crusaders?” To me the NJ situation is a small but potent example of The Rise of militant atheism…the spirit of Antichrist blossoms.
My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken. (Proverbs 3:21-26)
The closer we are to our Lord the less opportunity for the deception is there. Unless we face what is going on we will be deceived. In Christ we will stay protected but not if we stay deliberately in ignorance. Good articles Bro John!