I'm not usually one to track these things down, but I came across this and thought I would share it here.
http://www.amazon.com/Why-Atheist-Believes-GodNew-Title-ebook/dp/B00KDOMMUO/
Thank you.
Did you notice the author is the son of the great Francis Schaeffer?
Yes, which is part of why I think his musing should be of interest to Logos readers. I noticed on this resource page that there was a significant backlash against the inclusion of the resource in Logos format. That indicates to me that the complainers haven't got a clue Who or what is going on around them or what their purpose is. As I've pointed out before, with a few others concurring, imbibing only that with which you agree consigns you to perpetual failure. Success is impossible following such a routine, and I mean that in as theological a way as anyone wishes to take it.
I find that I usually learn more about YHWH from listening to intelligent athiests than I do listening to Christian apologists. Anyone who can't comprehend how that's possible is lost...perhaps unrecoverably lost--time will have to tell.
I notice that this freebie hasn't generated the usual number of gratuitous expressions of thanks. No doubt because the word "atheist" is part of his self-identification. This guy was raised by a guy many Logos users are deeply fond of in a theological sense, yet he didn't derive from that experience the same sense of theological satisfaction and approval. Why not? There is insight to be had in searching out that question, but anyone who is upset that Logos would "lower its standards" by offering a book like Eliminating Satan and Hell is constitutionally incapable of ever achieving those insights. They probably are also excited to get the book refuting Bart Ehrman without ever bothering to read the book (unavailable in Logos) by Bart Ehrman. That mentality pays deceptive wages.
I notice that this freebie hasn't generated the usual number of gratuitous expressions of thanks.
It may also be because this is an Amazon Kindle freebie, and these are Faithlife forums...
From the Orthodox wiki:
Frank Schaeffer (b. 1952) is a well-known and much sought-after speaker. He lectures on the Orthodox Faith, Christianity and the arts, and his conversion to the Orthodox Faith. He has served on the Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Council and as the lay chairman of the Religious Education Committee of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. He is also the editor and founder of Regina Orthodox Press which publishes many Orthodox books.
. . .
Schaeffer is a controversial figure among many Orthodox Christians because of statements he's made, including those where he's said that he does not believe in God (although he indicates that he still receives the Eucharist at his parish). Alternately, he has also claimed, as in the title of his book published in 2014 that he is an "atheist who believes in God". He also has written that "In my lifetime I can’t think of a more insidious act done in the name of the Christian God than the Republican Party’s nefarious campaign to teach Americans that God opposes abortion." Furthermore, he has also written that the Russian Orthodox Church is "homophobic".
I notice that this freebie hasn't generated the usual number of gratuitous expressions of thanks. It may also be because this is an Amazon Kindle freebie, and these are Faithlife forums...
This book was also offered as a freebie on Amazon in May 2014.
Thanks for the heads up. I just "bought" it. I agree it's important to read what self-proclaimed atheists have to say, particularly if it's evident they were driven towards their atheism in part by a Christian upbringing. History is littered with pastors' kids, missionary kids, and others who grew up in strong Christian households (where "train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it" was considered a promise that their kids would stay Christians as adults) who reject the faith when they grow up. That very fact should provide a corrective to our theology.
I would think that an atheist that believes in God would be a contradiction in terms/oxymoron.
You can't be both. An atheist doesn't believe in God so again it's a contradiction.
I suspect, given that he is Orthodox which is theologically very conservative, that Frank is a bit of a provocateur trying to make a point about a particular definition of God in which he cannot believe. He may, in fact, be following in the faith of his parents with a few theological correctives. [:P]
However, the entire thread is OT for a Logos software forum.
Thanks. I just picked up a Kindle copy too. I agree with Rosie that these sort of books are important to read.
MJ is right that this thread is OT but I do think it would be good if this was available in Logos.
