Atheism is a strange thing

Charles Haddon Spurgeon, a prominent 19th-century Baptist preacher, famously remarked, “Atheism is a strange thing. Even the devils never fell into that vice, for they believe and tremble.” This quote, drawn from his sermon “The Believer’s Challenge” and anchored in James 2:19, underscores a profound observation about atheism’s peculiarity when viewed through the lens of objective truth. Here, we explore this statement, treating God’s existence as an objective reality, not merely a belief held by the devout.

Context and Meaning

Spurgeon’s quote references James 2:19: “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder” (NIV). The verse establishes that God’s existence is so undeniable that even demons, beings in direct opposition to Him, acknowledge it with fear. Spurgeon uses this to highlight atheism as an extraordinary denial of an objective truth universally recognized across the spiritual realm. In this framework, atheism is not just a rejection of a belief but a refusal to accept a reality as clear to demons as it is to angels.

Spurgeon calls atheism “strange” because it defies what he sees as the self-evident truth of God’s existence, a truth so apparent that even malevolent entities cannot deny it. Demons, as fallen angels in Christian theology, rebel against God’s authority but never question His reality; their trembling reflects their inescapable awareness of His power and judgment. Atheism, by contrast, represents a uniquely human rejection of this objective truth, which Spurgeon finds both irrational and audacious.

Objective Truth and Its Implications

Assuming God’s existence as an objective reality, Spurgeon’s statement carries several implications:

1. Universal Acknowledgment in the Spiritual Realm: If God’s existence is an objective fact, then all beings with access to spiritual reality—angels, demons, and other entities—recognize it. Demons, despite their rebellion, cannot escape this truth, as their trembling indicates awareness of God’s sovereignty and judgment. Atheism, then, stands out as a peculiarly human phenomenon, a deliberate turning away from a reality that even God’s adversaries accept.

2. Human Denial as an Anomaly: From the perspective of objective truth, atheism is not a neutral stance but an active denial of reality. Spurgeon suggests that this denial requires a level of intellectual or moral obstinacy surpassing even demonic rebellion. Demons, though evil, remain tethered to the truth of God’s existence; humans who embrace atheism, however, choose to reject what is otherwise universally affirmed.

3. The Futility of Atheistic Rebellion: If God’s existence is objectively true, atheism becomes a futile exercise in denying the undeniable. Spurgeon’s reference to demons trembling implies that God’s reality imposes itself regardless of one’s acceptance. Atheism, in this light, is not just a vice but a self-deceptive act that cannot alter the truth it seeks to negate.

Historical and Intellectual Context

Spurgeon preached during a time when atheistic ideas were gaining ground, fueled by scientific advancements and philosophical shifts from figures like Darwin and Feuerbach. From the perspective of God’s existence as objective truth, Spurgeon’s quote is a critique of these emerging ideologies. He views atheism not as a triumph of reason but as a refusal to acknowledge a reality evident even to beings in direct opposition to God. By framing atheism as a “vice” avoided by demons, Spurgeon employs irony to underscore its intellectual and spiritual bankruptcy.

Practical Reflection

Spurgeon’s statement, when viewed through the lens of God’s existence as objective truth, challenges both skeptics and believers:

• For Skeptics: The quote invites reconsideration of atheism’s foundations. If even demons, fully aware of God’s reality, cannot deny Him, what motivates human rejection of this truth? Is it evidence, or is it a deeper resistance to the implications of God’s existence, such as accountability or submission to a higher authority?

• For Believers: While the quote focuses on atheism, it also implicitly challenges those who acknowledge God’s existence but fail to live in light of that truth. If demons tremble at God’s reality, how much more should humans respond with reverence, obedience, and devotion?

Conclusion

Spurgeon’s assertion that “atheism is a strange thing” is a powerful commentary when viewed from the perspective that God’s existence is an objective truth. By noting that even demons, despite their rebellion, acknowledge this reality, Spurgeon underscores the peculiarity of human atheism as a denial of what is universally evident. The quote serves as both a theological critique and a call to reflection, urging all to confront the reality of God—a truth so undeniable that even His enemies cannot escape it.