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Soulwork

A Rustling in the Garden

Why we sometimes wish the atheists were right.

Mark Galli | posted 11/29/2007 09:13AM

2007, it has turned out, was the year of God's absence. God's absence was lamented by a modern saint and celebrated by famous atheists. We learned that Mother Teresa experienced long stretches during ...

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Kim	Posted: December 07, 2007 11:02 PM

Ahh, but you folks missed the message! Galli is speaking of the human condition - which I can well relate. He is speaking of how, when we allow ourselves to be open to the presence of God, exactly how much we need to change. And - how much we resist that change because it is painful and not in line with our own selfish will. I am grateful for Christians who are not afraid to ask questions, which I frequently hide in my own heart because somehow they're "wrong", and who are not afraid to shine the light of God into the darker thoughts of our own. God meets us there - and that is where we grow.

Allen Maddox

Posted: December 05, 2007 9:58 AM

With all due respect, I do not believe that Christians "secretly wish the atheists were right." I fall into sin like all beleivers do, possibly more, but the "searchlight" that reveals my sin drives me back to God for forgiveness. TThank God for His searchlight! I simply do not believe that "most people [Christians] pick another piece of fruit...and desperately ignore the rustling in the trees." Ta few may, but "MOST?" That is characteristic of unbelievers, not believers. I just wish that those who "secretly agree with the atheists" would keep their secrets to themselves and not presume that everybody feel the same lack of fellowship with the Lord as those who wish the atheists were right. It is a sad commentary on the church if the body of the Lord Jesus Christ spends "most of its time trying desperatly to ignore God." Not very encouraging to a new believer to think this is what the church is all about, he or she might mistakenly think all believers are life this,

Abby, CA

Posted: December 05, 2007 9:09 AM

Thank you, Mark for honestly describing the paradoxes that are very much a part of our God-life. I recall several years ago when reading Richard Foster's "Prayer", his telling that sometimes in the realities of our relationship with God, His presence becomes "too much" for us and we may want a break. I remember what a kindness I felt that God might actually understand and honor that for me. At times the intensity of being can be overwhelming. And then there are the times when we long desperately for a sense of His nearness with no perceived response. There is such a mixed bag, such a unique dance each of us have with God. Thankfully and graciously He is able to hold it all for each of us, honoring and growing up our peculiarities. Maybe that is another way we can bear His image, by learning to contain and hold with grace so many paradoxes of our own being with an understanding that He certainly sees it all much better and is compassionate toward us.

Natalie

Posted: December 04, 2007 5:12 PM

Wow. After reading all of these criticisms, I feel I must put in a word here. The reason I read CT is because I appreciate the honest and humble perspective from CT's writers. It seems so many of my younger generation have turned away from the organized church because it often lacks that sense of transparency and often tries to give easy, concrete answers to complex questions. This particular article gives me great comfort because it tells me I'm not alone in my fears of God's presence. We, as Christians, should not be afraid of expressing our struggles and fears. When we hold them back, others who struggle with the same things feel alone and isolated. When we know it's not only our problem, it creates a forum for dialogue and helps us to move forward, encourage one another, and continue on our journey, rather than giving up because we feel uniquely flawed and unusable for Christ.

Theresia

Posted: December 04, 2007 5:01 PM

I feel that as a believer we should choose our wording carefully when writing for the public so as not to confuse the unbeliever lest that might be the one opportunity to lead them to the lord. I also wish that when someone writes an article titled "Why We Sometimes Wish The Atheists Were Right" that they would use "I" instead of "We". Please, Please, Please when your wishing your an atheists don't include the whole christian race. I am amazed that this man is even aloud to write a article for a christian website. If an unbeliever were to visit this site in search for hope and see this article, how confused would they be? Yes we all at times have moments of doubt or feel alone but I would not go so far as to say I wish to be an atheist. Why wish? Just go be! Write articles for them, Please.

Thomas R. Qualls,-

Posted: December 04, 2007 12:41 PM

I grew up in a very traditional pwentecostal church and always felt a tension in my theology, faith. I heard many sermons on God's love and justice, but do not remember many on grace. My mother was a committed Christian, my father was one of the "chief of all sinners," on that point I'm sure he would agree. Yet another tension for me. What I didn't learn until much later was about grace; looking back over my life it was always present, just as grace was evident in the garden. The (many) times I sat eating of the wrong tree, all the while hearing the rustling of God's presence, rather than being afraid, it was a sobering affirmation of God's presence in my life and it brought comfort; guilt and shame were present, but comfort as well. And now, as a hospice chaplain, when I sit with my patients as they near the transition from life to death to life, i also see that same grace and peace as they are aware of the presence of a Holy God, ever present, ever gracious.

Bebe	Posted: December 04, 2007 1:32 AM

I think that Mr. Galli is using some hyperbole to make a point--that being a Christian is hard--hard because we are by nature sinners, hard because we want to be in control of everything. Wouldn't it be much easier to live life without that "audience of one". I am reminded of the John Lennon song--imagine there's no heaven, no hell below us, imagine all the people living for today--yes, imagine that (not really hard, just look around). It takes courage to write what Mr. Galli wrote and I imagine that he intends for us to defend our faith in response. Thank God that we believers can.

Mike	Posted: December 04, 2007 12:30 AM

This is a rather distorted picture of God. Mr. Galli states, "I imagine that being in God's presence is the equivalent of walking on an open beach, basking in sunshine that warms me through and through. Instead, the reality is more like darting nervously around a prison courtyard at midnight, with God's glaring searchlight following my every step, exposing my every move." I don't believe it is either one. To me, it's more like climbing a mountain trail, God leading the way always challenging me and refusing to allow me to give in to my desire for convenience and softness - my yearning for a walk on the beach. At the same time, he extends his hand to pull me on and he encourages me to trust him and keep following, not to be darting nervously away from him.

Russ h

Posted: December 03, 2007 2:30 PM

So unable to relate! I can't even begin to imagine a universe without a creator, or life without purpose and a moral imperative. I feel sorry for the atheists, so pointless in their existence, so clueless in their comprehension of the universe and all that is in it, so confounded in their confusion of all things God, and His word. Would I run away, try to hide? Why? I may be ashamed of my sins and shortcomings, both known and unknown to my own self, but the point of Jesus is that they are forgivable and I don't need to run in fear of punishment, but rather persevere in the most wonderful assurance of eternity. Death has, for us who know God, totally lost its sting! When the cardiologists told me (about 12 years ago) I had but two weeks to live without 4 bypasses, His voice told me I would not so die. He was so firm, I walked out and put my trust in Him, and He is still proving faithful! Atheists, and Galli, that is no hypothetical God, but truly my Great Physician!

Maggie

Posted: December 03, 2007 1:54 PM


Yikes. So creepy. If you're going to worship something, it'd be a lot less horrible to pick a god that doesn't mess you up so bad by telling you you're horrible and sin-filled. Yikes.

Marie

Posted: December 03, 2007 1:51 PM

After backsliding two times, I was so thankful when God reached out to me. At that time I told him that I wouldn't give up any more and that I wanted to know who he was and what he was like. At first I was joyful. So joyful that people at work called me Sunshine. Then the trials and temptations came. I had to be reshaped in my thinking and reactions. At first I agonized over myself and my behavior. As I begin to trust God more, I find myself agonizing more over others who don't know him. I still have a lot to learn about loving God and loving others. I still, more than ever, intend to keep learning who he is and what he is like. He is beginning to absorb more and more of my life. Thank you for sharing the article above. I tried to put more stars but I couldn't.

Sherif Yacoub

Posted: December 01, 2007 10:30 PM

What a sad day it is when a senior editor of a Christian magazine writes such an article. To read: "I'd have to acknowledge how much I hate God's rule in my life", to learn that a Christian brother "secretly cheers the atheists" cuts through my heart. I had lived according to the mental legalistic Christianity, going in and out of spiritual desert for the first 32 years of my life, but since the risen Christ chose to reveal himself to me, 5 years ago, I have experienced the fullness of joy, peace and love in my everyday life. At times I have asked Him to stay His hand, for my heart is not strong enough to behold the glory of His presence. Confession, repentance, submission, complete surrender and my very life, are all but a tiny price to pay to have His frinedship. Why doesn't He reveal Himslef to every Christian? I have 2 answers: pride and the believer's attempts to control God, for example by being closed to the Holy Spirit. Do not be deceived. Jesus Christ is alive and well!

Pneuman

Posted: December 01, 2007 6:40 PM

I think we complicte the simplicity of the "presence of God." he is the one who bstated that He would never leave us nor forsake us. I kind of take that at face value. Am I missing something? Yes, there are times of deep introspection when my heart is de-caloused and time of great joy. But generally speaking, I live in a simple confidence of the Lord's presence with me. We speak often in simple, open dialogue. He tells me things I don't know and even gives me the sense that He finds me humerous at times. I receive correction without a lot of fanfare and prayer is usually a time of intercession for others and those issue He wants me to pray about. It is rarely about trying to "find" the Lord. If He is "very present" in times of trouble, why not in times of no trouble? I think religion has taught to complicate our communication with the Lord. He is my father after all. I'm not hiding from my children or requiring stringient conditions under which they must comply to gain access.

message

Posted: December 01, 2007 5:15 PM

people should be more concerned with leading a quiet biblical life of morality and piety than yearning for mystical experiences of the intense presence of Christ. Mother Teresa did the right thing when Jesus did not hurry to meet her yearnings for his ongoing intimate company: She carried right on serving and being humble in a very down to earth and practical way despite her disappointment. Those who are chosen by God to receive his audible word, his rhema word, will receive it in order that work be done, not to satisfy the emotional and sentimental urgings of the heart. Jesus loves each of his people and will give them gifts and tasks in the body as is suitabke to their role; and the work of attending to his voice, when the Word of God comes to a prophet, is a great responsibility which should be attended to with fear and trembling and the close participation by the hearer in constant church life and regular supervision by elders of the church. Ongoing prayer and maturity are urgent!

Robert

Posted: December 01, 2007 7:02 AM

I appreciate Galli's existential theological ponderings. Rather than ignoring his existential reality, he acknowledges it. He honestly expresses the contradictory nature of that for which we long as human beings, intimacy and relationship and that which we often experience, enstrangement and alienation. Obviously, the easy answers evangelicals foist upon the world don't work as promised. Spirituality is more messy than we would like and the consequences of the fall reveberate throughout creation, including throughout our psychological make up. We want easy answers, when there are none. Jesus came to address our alienation from God and to provide access to membership in God's worldwide family, and thereby relationship with God. But after more than 2000 years we still have not figured out what this means in practical terms or how it is to work out in day to day reality. In our culture of instant gratification, we want easy access to God, who does not seem to be playing along.

apacallyps

Posted: November 30, 2007 10:50 PM

Hi, Mark. I appreciate the candor, but you have me worried. First off, you write well and God is pleased I'm sure: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God." 2 Timothy 2:15 "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby" 1 Peter 2:2 However, the admission your "secretly cheering on the atheists," tells me your either reading too many 'problem with God books' these days, or watching too many youtube videos of the heathen like Hitchens and Dawkins and they are influencing you - or both. As suave as Hitchens and Dawkins might sound they are dangerous. Don't forget the devil wants you. He wants you in hell. And he's using heretics like Hitchens and Dawkins to plant the seed of doubt in your head. What was the first thing the devil said to Eve? "YEA, HATH GOD SAID. . .?" Genesis 3:1 Satan planted a small seed of doubt into the mind of Eve. Just like Hitchens and Dawkins are doing. We've got to pray for these guys to get saved, not root them on!!

apacallyps

Posted: November 30, 2007 10:48 PM

apacallyps

Posted: November 30, 2007 10:48 PM

apacallyps

Posted: November 30, 2007 10:48 PM

apacallyps

Posted: November 30, 2007 10:48 PM

apacallyps

Posted: November 30, 2007 10:47 PM

Beatriz Gasca

Posted: November 30, 2007 10:02 PM

I have experienced God´s presence a couple of times for brief minutes. My body ached, my bones hurt and all that I could say was "Lord, out of mercy, please go away." I now understand why the Bible speaks of the Fear of the Lord. What we commonly call the presence of God, I call His perfume- but not His presence. I believe this new move of the Holy Spirit is one that will take His people to walk in repentence and holiness- then and only then will we be ready for a revival.

Samantha

Posted: November 30, 2007 7:22 PM

Similarly, I find the idea of living under a celestial dictatorship, of being under constant surveillance, to be eternally grovelling over how great the leader is and of knowing that millions are being tortured for having failed to submit, is an absolutely horrific idea. Thankfully, the evidence for such a dictator is rather poor. I am very relieved he is absent! I am surprised why Americans, who have such a great tradition of freedom and antipathy towards dictatorships, are so embracing and eager to submit to this ultimate tyranny. Meanwhile, I am basing my morality on concepts of happiness, fairness and freedom rather than on ancient hearsay. As such I don’t need to scramble around for apologetics for the genocide of the Midianites, infanticide of Egyptians, the torture of Job and other atrocities in the bible. From my moral perspective they were obviously wrong, regardless of whether a powerful being had prescribed it. Might does not make right, be it Stalin, Zeus or Yahweh.

TK	Posted: November 30, 2007 7:12 PM

I have to agree with the 2 comments above... brother, I think you need to get filled with the Holy Spirit & spend some time just being with the Lord Jesus. I've walked with & served the Lord for the last 35+ years... sorry, can't relate to your "reasoning"... I've found the Lord to be faithful & near even when my heart has been filled with my "self" too much. After living outside my own home culture since '90 & returning to the US somewhat part time since '05, you seem to epitomize what I too often see among American Christians... a lostness in self & a lack of spiritual power & depth. May the Lord grant you His grace & a knowledge of His sweet presence!

Granny Fran

Posted: November 30, 2007 6:30 PM


This makes me think of a favorite old book about growing in the Lord, "Hinds Feet On High Places". We can't stay in our comfort zones in the presence of the holy and just God! Thank you for sharing this with us. Marty, I think you might have misunderstood the real message here.

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