Anthony Flew - "Where the evidence leads"

World-renowned atheist, philosopher, and debater, Anthony Flew has recently hung up his athesist gloves and turned toward a form of mild theism. Gary Habermas, a well-known Christian apologist, who has debated Flew on many occassions had the privilege of sitting down and interviewing Flew on his recent change of mind. Click Here for the extended interview.

While Flew is far from the Christian conception of theism it is a fascinating interview which highlights one atheist's rejection of atheism. In Flew's own words he is "going where the evidence leads..." and he believes it leads to a form of Theism.

While this should be hailed as a step in the right direction, Flew remains in a precarious position. Theism, it must be noted, is not Christianity. One may believe in a god, but not believe in the one and only true God - the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. To believe only in a god is still idolatry for it forsakes the true God. Idolatry is still sin and unbelief. Only by believing in Jesus Christ and the God who raised him from the dead will bring about salvation.

Anthony Flew could still turn to a myriad of other options - Islam, Roman Catholicism, Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, etc. None of these religions are true - they are all forms of Christian Heresy. And of course there is also Budhism and Hinduism.

While Flew has followed the evidence to believe in a form of god we are reminded that mere evidence is not enough. Salvation is a radical reordering of one's entire worldview. By believing in Jesus Christ one is regenerated by the Holy Spirit - this is where one's whole world and life view is reconstituted under a biblical framework. Salvation is where one is saved from the wrath of God and is declared righteous in the sight of God through the righteousness of Christ being placed (imputed) into their account.

Flew struggles primarily with a god who could and would reveal himself. However, this is exactly what the Bible declares about the one and only true God. Indeed the evidence points this way "for since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-- his eternal power and divine nature-- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." - Romans 1:20.

Therefore, it is clear that the problem does not lie with the evidence per se but one's interpretation of it. Romans 1 continues, "For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles" (vs. 21-23). Anthony Flew's problem is still one of idolatry. While he has turned to a form of theism he is still worshipping idols of his own creation. The Aristotelian conception of god is not the one and only true God of Scripture.

Until Flew becomes convinced of the revelation of God, until he places faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ he remains dead in his tresspasses and sins. Flew has only traded one form of idolatry (atheism) for another ("theism"). May he comes to truly know and confess Christ Jesus as Savior and Lord.