Attributes of God by Charnock (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - Commence Chapter 1 (The existence of God) by reading up to the paragraph beginning 'Reason 2. It is a folly to deny that which all creatures or all things in the world manifest.'
Firstly I should apologise for slightly adjusting today's assigned reading from that which I gave last week at the end of the last Augustine post. I think it is going to take a little while for me to figure out how Charnock outlines his arguments so that I can assign appropriate readings.
That aside, today we begin the chapter defending God's existence.
After making some preliminary remarks, Charnock asserts his primary thesis: every atheist is a grand fool. He then proceeds to give four reasons - one of which is our subject for study today.
Thus the first reason that every atheist is a grand fool is because it is folly to deny or doubt of that which has been the acknowledged sentiment of all nations in all places and ages.
Charnock supports this reason with three points:
(i) It hath been universally assented to by the judgements and practices of all nations in the world;
(ii) It hath been a constant and uninterrupted consent;
(iii) It hath been natural and innate, which pleas strongly for the perpetuity of it.
I liked Charnock's teaching that there is a secret atheism in us all: 'No man is exempted from some spice of atheism by the depravation of his nature, which the psalmist intimates, ' there is none that doeth good:' though there are indelible convictions of the being of a God, that they cannot absolutely deny it; yet there are some atheistical bubbfings in the hearts of men, which evidence themselves in their actions. As the apostle, (Tit. i. 16.) 'They profess that they know God, but in works they deny him." Evil works are a dust stirred up by an atheistical breath. He that habituates himself in some sordid lust, can scarcely be said seriously and firmly to believe that there is a God in being; and the apostle doth not say that they know God, but they profess to know him.: true knowledge and profession of knowledge are distinct.'
So true. If I really believed God exists, I would not disobey him. But each day I find myself being disobedient demonstrating my atheistic inclinations.
Continue Chapter 1 by reading Reason 2 (It is a folly to deny that which all creatures, or all things in the world manifest)
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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