An Atheist Lays Down Her Arms

Last updated on: March 23, 2023 at 1:35 pm by Richard E. Simmons III

An Atheist Lays Down Her Arms 2023-03-23T13:35:17-06:00 Richard E. Simmons III

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

A little over a year ago I read a book titled Not God’s Type, by Holly Ordway. The subtitle is, An Atheist Academic Lays Down Her Arms. It is a great book and really interesting to look at her thought process as she wrestled with the issue of God. You see a battle between her intellect and her heart. She comes to this conclusion as she’s trying to figure it out, “this was not a God I could bargain with. It was all or nothing with Him.”

Ordway is a brilliant woman with a PhD in English. She had an older professor whose name was Josh. He was a Christian and he helped walk her through all her questions. These are Ordway’s words:

I told Josh that I was faced with a new idea. “If I come to see that the Resurrection was a genuine historical event—as I’m thinking it is likely to be the case—what does that mean for me?”

He responded simply, “That’s the big question.”

I continued to think about the implications. . . . [T]here was no way of escaping the recognition that, if I assented to the truth of Christianity, a truly radical commitment was required, which ran counter to what, formally, I’d thought Christians believed. I told Josh that this ‘commitment’ idea was nothing whatsoever like the ‘accept Jesus and be sure you’ll get into heaven idea that I’d heard many times.

“That’s the problem of cheap grace,” he said. “Some people treat Christianity as fire insurance, and that’s not the way it should be.” He acknowledged that God made demands on people. . . .

“This radical commitment’ that seems to be required … it’s really frightening. I keep thinking, ‘What would I be getting myself into?

Josh nodded. “I’m glad you feel that way. That is how it should be approached.’

“And the other thing is, isn’t this promise of eternal life a little too good to be true?”

“Almost.”

Almost . . .

What would the Resurrection mean for me? What would happen to me? I felt I was stepping out into the darkness, fast approaching a point of no return. “My reason, my intellect have taken me a lot further than I ever anticipated.”

You can see the resistance in her heart. She said:

One night as I lay there in the dark marveling at this new complete thing that I had before me, I understood why I had been hesitating. I had been unwilling to say, “Your will be done. Not mine.” I was afraid to let go of control, to abdicate authority over my own life and heart and will.

At the very moment that I confronted my own fear, I knew that I was no longer bound by the fear in my life. I was afraid, but I had made my decision. I would lay down my arms.”

And she waved the white flag and surrendered, and her life has never been the same.

Richard E Simmons III is the founder and Executive Director of The Center for Executive Leadership and a best-selling author.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

March 3, 2023

Your Legacy

Next Post

April 7, 2023 Comprehending the Love of God

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Character Development Inspiration Leadership Life Purpose Personal Growth Relationships Seeking God Spiritual Truth The Bible True Masculinity Uncategorized Wisdom

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does James say about faith without works?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Faith alone is enough. Faith without works is dead. Works without faith is dead. Faith is only for the righteous.