Article by Cameron Spink

 

Last week saw the passing of enigmatic writer and atheist Christopher Hitchens. Unlike other articles now available online I have not spent any time with this man and cannot reflect upon the type of person he was. Yet I can't let his passing go without saying some words about Hitchens.

 

Hitchens polarises me greatly. He was easily the most amiable and enjoyable of the so-called "four horseman" to listen to and seemed to have a greater ability than atheist champion Richard Dawkins to role with the punches and place relevant arguments whilst in the flow of a debate. Hitchens had a tendency to play with those he was debating in the knowledge that he was more intelligent than his opponent. Sometimes, however, Hitchens would side-track himself and ultimately not keep up with the flow of the debate. His debate against William Lane Craig saw him comprehensively beaten because of this short-coming.

 

Whilst I enjoyed the way that Christopher engaged in banter with theologians I find myself at pains with the news that the esophageal cancer that was raging in his body finally defeated the man with the quick whit. On one hand I realise that Christopher Hitchens is now, almost certainly, heading to his doom. Christopher Hitchens will have no chance to say something sharp and humorous before the throne of God. His sandglass is now empty and he has now found out, one way or another, if he really does have a creator.

 

This is not just a reality for Christopher Hitchens. It is something that you and I have to face. We may have many years left, but maybe we don't. Christopher Hitchens was faced with his own death and he has stated that he was not afraid of this reality. Yet, perhaps he should have been. It is no small thing to be given notice that death is coming at you at a rate of knots. Christopher Hitchens has known for the past few years that, most probably, he had created his own death with his drinking and smoking habits. Despite this, he remained stubborn to the end, that we know of, regarding his rejection of any deity.

 

While his death spells the end of any hope for Hitchens life my thoughts turn to his legacy, namely his militant atheism. Now I have no doubt that Christopher Hitchens was an amiable man and nearly every obituary speaks of a person who was charming and sophisticated. Despite all these attributes he has penned books and articles that will see countless people walk away from the faith. Some may protest that it is only the nominal Christian that will be swayed by his arguments, yet, it should be Churches that are ushering in these people, not secular social groups.

 

The subtitle to Hitchen's 2007 hit book God Is Not Great reads "How religion poisons everything". Hitchens makes a better fist of grasping with theology than Dawkins but, fortunately, his atheist manifesto falls short. I do not have time to discuss the intricacies of the points he makes in his book. This, I believe, is a challenge for another time. What I am amazed about is Christopher Hitchens willingness to lump all religions together and then disregard them all. This is intellectually dishonest.

 

I am reminded of the worldview divide when I read the subtitle "How religion poisons everything". Christopher Hitchens fervently believed that religion, and God, has damaged humanity. My impression of the world would be to substitute religion from his subtitle and replace it with words like Satan or sin. It is this poison that has been seeping out of Hitchens books and his debates for many years. He has been actively recruiting crewman onto a sinking ship and, despite the fact that he no longer is on that vessel; people will continue to be influenced by his writings. Such is my dilemma. I feel a great sadness at the loss of Hitchens and the reality of his judgment but I am also relieved that I will not see another antitheist book under Hitchen's name again.

 

There have been many deaths spoken about in the media this past year. Kim Jong-il very recently died of a suspected heart attack. Steve Jobs, visionary at Apple, died on October 5^th. Gaddafi and bin Laden were both celebrated deaths in the media while Amy Winehouse drank a fatal amount of alcohol leading to her demise. In the 2000 smash-hit Gladiator Russell Crowe's character Maximus says "Brothers, what we do in life, echoes in eternity!". Unlike the world that Christopher Hitchens was advocating for, the world we live in is one where we will answer for how we have lived our lives. It is wishful thinking to hope to avoid the judgment that we deserve.

 

Contrasting those who are mentioned above is a man who died on April 27^th this year. David Wilkerson was a champion for the kingdom. He lived a life reflecting the knowledge that eternity was his yet tempered with the understanding that the Christian fight has only just begun. Wilkerson recognised that there are many Christians who have been baptised in salvation but are ignoring the plights of others. Says Wilkerson:

 

"[S]ome Christians are content to merely exist until they die. They don't want to risk anything, to believe God, to grow or mature. They refuse to believe his Word, and have become hardened in their unbelief. Now they're just living to die."

David Wilkerson - The Exceeding Danger of Unbelief

 

If we are to remember and exemplify anyone who has passed away this year it should be David Wilkerson. He may not have had the profile of Christopher Hitchens but he had a passion for the lost and for the world as a whole that is disappearing in our Churches. Though his ministry extends far beyond this book David Wilkerson will be remembered for The Cross and the Switchblade. Here is a very powerful video that David preached calling those who heard to anguish for the lost:

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Let me quote the last excerpt from this remarkable video:

 

"Folks, it is getting late, and it's getting serious.

Please don't tell me, don't tell me you're concerned....

When you're spending hours in front of internet or television."

"Lord, there are some need to get to this alter and confess

I am not what I was, I am not where I am supposed to be.

God I don't have Your heart or Your burden

I've wanted it easy.

I just wanted to be happy.

But Lord, true joy comes,

True joy comes out of anguish....."

 

I find myself convicted every time I listen to Wilkerson preach this message. There is a groaning world out there full of people like Christopher Hitchens or people getting influenced by his writings. Our hearts should reflect God's agony when He sees those who are spiritually perishing. Surely, this is enough to get us off the sidelines and into the game. Can we not muster the desire to care about our fellow man? When we see the passing of Hitchens we need to realise that leading a happy life is not good enough. That we are not called to be content as our neighbours and friends head towards destruction. It is true that God doesn't need us but it this does not alleviate our commission:

 

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Matthew 28:16-20 (NIV)

 

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We have our marching orders. We know what we are called to do. The atheists are willing to stand, so why aren't we?

 

"To clear the mind for this project, it has become necessary to know the enemy, and to prepare to fight it."

Christopher Hitchens - God Is Not Great, pg 341