Letter to an Atheist
Dear Atheist Friend,
I just wanted to write and perhaps attempt to shed some light on your questions in regards to the movie "The Matrix" and the reason Christians use it in an apologetical approach.
The Matrix ,and its reference, is an updated restatement of the conundrum posited by Plato's 'Allegory of the Cave' and Rene Descartes evil genius in his 'Meditations'.
You are right in your observation that such an example is meant to call into question the limits of empirical knowledge. Our perception, via the senses, can only go so far in telling us something about reality. Most people just assume that their senses are the arbiters of what all is true. However, the problem for empiricism is, it is unable to validate itself and actually leads to a self-referentially absurd position. If I assume my senses are the test for truth, how can I affirm that assertion using my senses? The same goes for scientism. Is there an experiment that can confirm the scientific method as the test for truth? It is self defeating.
The Matrix example goes to the heart of the issue. It all begins with Metaphysics (the nature of reality) and Epistemology (the theory of knowledge, how we know what we know). We all have our philosophical starting points in which each individual will construct their own personal worldview. Facts, information, and evidence will be interpreted within such worldviews in accordance to its presuppositions. So, a worldview that disallows the supernatural will always interpret information in a naturalistic sense and will relegate unanswerable questions to the file of, “Science will one day have an answer.” Ironically, this becomes a blind faith assertion.
Problems with an atheistic / empiricist worldview, other than the above self-refutations, include the inability to provide for the preconditions of intelligibility,
…such as the Laws of Logic (Law of Identity, Law of Non-Contradiction, and Law of Excluded Middle). These laws are universal, invariant, and immaterial. Being the same, they do not comport with a matter in motion only universe and in actuality run contrary to the same. This can be said of any universal. The uses of these are inconsistent within such a worldview and are ultimately arbitrary.
…the uniformity of nature. The scientific method is predicated upon the same. However, science cannot account for the uniformity that is present within what is postulated as a random chance universe. Answers given have been in the vein of “The future has thus far been like the past, so we assume the future will continue to be like the past.” However, this is a formal fallacy and affirms the consequent. Even Bertrand Russell recognized this problem.
…morality. Any morality within an atheistic / empiricist worldview becomes arbitrary. If we are nothing more than evolved chemical reactions, then how does morality arise from the same? How does one say this chemical reaction behaving one way is right, and another chemical reaction behaving another way is wrong? One such answer posited has been, “To guarantee the continuation of our species.” However, the question then arises why is it right to assume that we need to guarantee the continuation of our species as opposed to indulging ourselves?
There is only one worldview that meets these preconditions … Biblical Christianity, and this transcends denominational lines. All other worldviews end up contradictory, inconsistent, or arbitrary. Whether it be atheism, Islam, Hinduism, etc.
The best empiricism can do is provide one with a pragmatic approach. However, pragmatism does not concern itself with truth, but only with what appears to work. So how can it make any truth claims at all?
You are in fact, trapped within a Matrix. You are deceived by the adversary as to the true nature of reality. (1 John 5:19) And you contribute to your own blindness, willing to remain in that state holding to a false sense of reality through a flawed epistemology. (Romans 1:18-23) As Morpheus stated in The Matrix, "Like a splinter in the mind", you know this God who exists. However, you suppress the truth in unrighteousness. Truth that is evident both external, and internal due to the sensus divinitatis within you. Why you do this I do not know. I cannot speculate if there has been something painful within your past causing you to rebel. Or, if you simply desire to be autonomous. Free to live your life as you see fit and able to engage in personal sin without the threat of judgement.
I took notice that you characterized yourself as an outspoken fundamental Christian in the past. Please do not take this to be insulting, but it seems you were practicing churchianity. If you had been truly regenerated, and Christ had been Lord over your life then you would not have reasoned away from that viewpoint, as in keeping with the perseverance of the saints. To the contrary, you have misplaced fallen human reason into that position.
From your admission you came from a denomination which is Arminian in theology. I, myself, come from a non-Arminian position. I believe in predestination and election from a Molinist perspective. It is my hope that at some point in time, God's grace will overcome your obstinacy. If not, then I can only conclude that when God placed you upon this earth He was fully aware you would reject Him, and you where created in anticipation of reprobation. You will have been a vessel created for dishonorable use, (Romans 9:21) and you will remain in your unbelief as a result of your own hardness. I pray this will not be the case and this is an appeal for you to recognize that. If anything I have written here has resonated with you please look past your empiricism. Lean not on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5) Given you came out of the church, I would imagine you are familiar with the gospel. Admit, as we all are, you are a sinner, repent of the same, and ask Christ to forgive and save you.
All I have said here will do one of two things. Either you will be softened through a working of the Holy Spirit, or it will serve to harden you even more so. (Romans 1:28) In which case it will be a condemning indictment against you at judgement.
Know that what I have written here is not out of a spirit of bitterness or contempt for you as a person. Despite your rebellion, you still hold the Imago Dei, and this is written out of love and a concern from a fellow sinner.
Peace unto you,
J. Lashley