4-pg. PROFILE: Agnosticism - Do they Really Not Know???
Published: Wed, 10/18/17
Thomas Henry Huxley (1825-1895) first coined the term “agnostic” in 1869. He was known as “Darwin’s Bulldog” for his tenacious defense of Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution.1 Over the years, however, the meaning of the word "agnostic" has taken on additional implications. Many agnostics contend that not only do they not know if there is a God but that no one is able to know with certainty if God exists.
It is somewhat easier to defend agnosticism than harder forms of atheism because it is impossible, logically, to "prove" a negative. To know for certainty there is no God, one would have to possess all knowledge. If atheists are not all-knowing, it is at least theoretically possible that God does exist outside of their sphere of knowledge or experience. Even today's most notorious atheist, Richard Dawkins, prefers to say, "There probably is no God" rather than "There is no God."2 If one is less than 100% certain there is no God, that technically sounds more like agnosticism than atheism. It would seem they are not closing the door to the possibility of God. They just lack sufficient evidence for God.
The Bible, however, makes a case that God is revealing Himself. He is revealing both His goodness and righteousness as well as His wrath and anger at sin because sin destroys people. Through the creation of the world, He reveals enough essential truth about Himself -- His eternal power and Godhead -- so that we are responsible and "are without excuse" (Romans 1:16-20).
Here is a great question to ask an agnostic: "Would you consider yourself to be an open-minded agnostic or a close-minded agnostic? By that I mean, "If God did exist, would you rather know that He was there or would you prefer not to know? Some agnostics will answer, "If God exists, No!, I don't want to know about it!" I would suggest that person may be a close-minded agnostic.
Most agnostics, however, pride themselves as being open-minded. The majority of agnostics I have talked with have said that if there is a God, then yes, they would want to know He is there. For such open-minded agnostics, I have encouraged them to try and make contact with God. Perhaps they would consider at some point reaching out to God and saying something like, "God if You are there, would you reveal yourself to me." What would it hurt? Even if it is highly improbable that God exists, it would be worth every effort to know. Eternity stands in the balance!
I believe that a loving, omniscient, omnipotent God, is more than able to reveal Himself to any agnostic who is truly open-minded. This discussion can easily lead into a great gospel conversation with our agnostic friends. For more help on understanding agnostics, please read your copy of our latest Profile:
Just click here to claim your FREE 4-page Profile on Agnosticism: www.watchman.org/agnostic
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1 “Huxley: Darwin's Bulldog,” WGBH Educational Foundation and Clear Blue Sky Productions, Inc. Presented on the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) by WGBH Boston, 2001 – https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/library/02/2/l_022_09.html
2 Hemant Hehta, Editor, The Friendly Atheist, “There is (Probably?) No God,” December, 31, 2009 – http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/12/31/there-is-probably-no-god/
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