Psychology of Belief: Theism, Atheism, and Moral Resistance

 

Summary

In our exploration of the psychological dimensions of belief and disbelief in God, we delved into the nineteenth-century atheists' theories that suggest religion is a product of human imagination, driven by a psychological need to escape the harsh realities of life. These skeptics argue that theism is rooted in human psychology, a notion I addressed in my book, "If There's a God, Why are There Atheists?" This book challenges the idea that belief in God is merely psychological wish fulfillment by posing the reverse question: why do some deny God's existence if He is real?

We examined the intellectual giants on both sides of the theism debate, acknowledging that brilliant minds can reach different conclusions due to incomplete evidence or logical errors. However, a significant factor in this debate is the psychological baggage each person carries. Our biases can cloud our judgment, leading us to see evidence through a lens that favors our desires. I admitted my own desire for God to exist, recognizing that such desires can influence philosophical systems.

The New Testament addresses this issue, asserting that fallen humanity naturally resists acknowledging God due to a reprobate mind. This resistance is not intellectual but moral, as Paul argues in Romans 1. He claims that God's existence is evident through creation, yet people suppress this truth due to their unrighteousness. This suppression is akin to psychological repression, where painful truths are buried but not destroyed, manifesting in less threatening forms.

Paul's assertion is that the primary act of evil is idolatry, where truth is exchanged for a lie. This psychological dynamic is mirrored in modern psychiatry, where repressed memories resurface in symbolic ways. The fear of accountability to a holy God drives this suppression, as God's omniscience, omnipotence, and immutability expose our unholiness. This fear leads us to flee from God, much like Adam and Eve hid in the garden.

Ultimately, the existence of God cannot be determined by subjective desires or psychological needs. Both theists and atheists have psychological motivations, but the truth of God's existence must be established on an objective basis.

Key Takeaways:

- The psychological need for God or the denial of God is a significant factor in the belief debate. Both theists and atheists have biases that can cloud their judgment, and it's crucial to recognize these biases when discussing the existence of God. [06:17]

- The New Testament suggests that the resistance to acknowledging God is not due to a lack of evidence but a moral issue. Our natural state is to suppress the truth of God's existence due to our unrighteousness. [12:06]

- Suppression of truth is akin to psychological repression, where painful truths are buried but not destroyed. This dynamic is evident in how we handle traumatic experiences, and it parallels our suppression of the knowledge of God. [16:18]

- Idolatry, the exchange of truth for a lie, is the foundational act of evil according to Paul. This act is driven by the fear of being accountable to a holy God, which is a more significant fear than meaninglessness. [20:04]

- The fear of God's omniscience, omnipotence, and immutability drives our suppression of His existence. This fear is rooted in our awareness of our unholiness and the desire to avoid accountability. [22:17]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:42] - The Psychology of Religion
[01:27] - Exploring Atheist Theories
[02:12] - The Book: "If There's a God, Why are There Atheists?"
[02:44] - Intellectual Giants on Both Sides
[04:00] - The Role of Psychological Baggage
[05:07] - Bias in Perception
[06:17] - Desire and Philosophical Systems
[07:04] - Objective Basis for God's Existence
[09:03] - Psychological Pressure in Belief
[10:21] - Paul's Argument in Romans
[12:06] - Moral Resistance to God
[14:46] - Suppression of Truth
[16:18] - Repression and Idolatry
[20:04] - Fear of Accountability
[22:17] - God's Immutable Nature

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 1:18-25
- Genesis 3:8-10

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Romans 1:18-25, what is the reason given for why people suppress the truth about God? How does this relate to the concept of psychological repression discussed in the sermon? [14:46]

2. In Genesis 3:8-10, how did Adam and Eve react when they realized their nakedness? How does this reaction illustrate the fear of accountability mentioned in the sermon? [22:56]

3. What does the sermon suggest is the primary act of evil according to Paul, and how is this act described in Romans 1? [20:04]

4. How does the sermon describe the role of psychological biases in shaping our beliefs about God? [05:36]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of psychological repression in modern psychiatry help us understand Paul's argument in Romans 1 about suppressing the truth of God's existence? [16:18]

2. What does the fear of God's omniscience, omnipotence, and immutability reveal about human nature, according to the sermon? How does this fear influence our relationship with God? [22:17]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that both theists and atheists have psychological motivations that influence their beliefs? How does this challenge the notion of objective truth? [09:03]

4. How does the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3 illustrate the human tendency to flee from God? What does this tell us about our own responses to sin and accountability? [22:56]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you may have suppressed a truth in your life. How did this affect your relationship with God or others? What steps can you take to confront and address this truth now? [14:46]

2. Consider the biases you might have when it comes to your beliefs about God. How can you work towards recognizing and overcoming these biases to seek a more objective understanding of God's existence? [05:36]

3. The sermon discusses the fear of accountability to a holy God. How does this fear manifest in your life, and what practical steps can you take to address it and draw closer to God? [22:17]

4. How can the understanding of psychological repression help you deal with past traumas or painful memories in a way that aligns with your faith? What role does prayer or community support play in this process? [16:18]

5. In what ways can you ensure that your desire for God is based on genuine faith rather than psychological wish fulfillment? How can you cultivate a faith that is grounded in truth rather than personal desires? [06:17]

6. How can the story of Adam and Eve's reaction to their sin inform your approach to dealing with guilt and shame in your own life? What role does confession and repentance play in this process? [22:56]

7. Identify one area in your life where you might be exchanging truth for a lie. What steps can you take to realign your beliefs and actions with the truth of God's word? [20:04]

Devotional

Day 1: The Influence of Psychological Needs on Belief

The debate over the existence of God often involves examining the psychological needs that drive belief or disbelief. Both theists and atheists can be influenced by their biases, which may cloud their judgment. It's important to recognize these biases when discussing the existence of God. The psychological need for God or the denial of God is a significant factor in this debate. Understanding that our desires can shape our philosophical systems helps us approach the question of God's existence with humility and openness. [06:17]

Jeremiah 17:9-10 (ESV): "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? 'I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.'"

Reflection: Consider a belief you hold strongly. How might your personal desires or fears be influencing this belief, and how can you seek a more objective understanding?


Day 2: Moral Resistance to Acknowledging God

The New Testament suggests that resistance to acknowledging God is not due to a lack of evidence but rather a moral issue. According to Paul in Romans 1, humanity's natural state is to suppress the truth of God's existence due to unrighteousness. This suppression is not an intellectual failure but a moral one, where the truth is buried because it challenges our unrighteousness. Recognizing this moral resistance can help us understand the deeper reasons behind disbelief. [12:06]

Ephesians 4:18-19 (ESV): "They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you resisted a truth because it challenged your behavior or beliefs. How can you open your heart to God's truth today, even if it is uncomfortable?


Day 3: The Dynamics of Truth Suppression

Suppression of truth is akin to psychological repression, where painful truths are buried but not destroyed. This dynamic is evident in how we handle traumatic experiences, and it parallels our suppression of the knowledge of God. Just as repressed memories can resurface in symbolic ways, the truth of God's existence can manifest in our lives despite our attempts to suppress it. Understanding this dynamic can help us confront the truths we may be avoiding. [16:18]

Psalm 32:3-5 (ESV): "For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,' and you forgave the iniquity of my sin."

Reflection: Is there a truth about God or yourself that you have been avoiding? What steps can you take today to confront and embrace this truth?


Day 4: Idolatry and the Exchange of Truth for a Lie

Idolatry, the exchange of truth for a lie, is the foundational act of evil according to Paul. This act is driven by the fear of being accountable to a holy God, which is a more significant fear than meaninglessness. The fear of God's omniscience, omnipotence, and immutability exposes our unholiness, leading us to flee from God. Recognizing this fear can help us understand the root of idolatry and our tendency to replace God's truth with lies. [20:04]

Isaiah 44:20 (ESV): "He feeds on ashes; a deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, 'Is there not a lie in my right hand?'"

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you might be exchanging God's truth for a lie. How can you begin to replace this lie with God's truth today?


Day 5: The Fear of God's Immutable Nature

The fear of God's omniscience, omnipotence, and immutability drives our suppression of His existence. This fear is rooted in our awareness of our unholiness and the desire to avoid accountability. Understanding this fear can help us confront the reasons we might be avoiding a relationship with God. By acknowledging our fears, we can begin to embrace God's unchanging nature and find peace in His presence. [22:17]

Hebrews 4:13 (ESV): "And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account."

Reflection: What aspect of God's nature do you find most intimidating, and why? How can you seek to understand and embrace this aspect of God in your life today?

Quotes


Let's agree right up front that the question of the existence of God is indeed loaded with psychological baggage. I was at a soccer game last night, and I was sitting next to a man who was getting more and more exercised by the referee's calls because he felt that the referee was favoring the opposing team, and he asked me about it after the game. [00:04:17]

And I have to say before the whole world that every bone in my body wants there to be a God. I can't stand the thought that my life is a useless passion, and so I have to admit that it -- not only that I have that desire, but I also agree with the skeptics that it is possible for people to construct philosophical systems on the basis of their own desires. [00:06:06]

But one of the things that I think we have to understand is that everybody who gets involved in a discussion on the existence of God is dealing with the same psychological baggage because for those who deny the existence of God, there is an enormous vested interest on their part for the denial of the existence of God because God stands as the greatest obstacle in the universe to my own autonomy. [00:07:16]

Now again, let me say that if there's a psychology for God, that doesn't prove God, and if there's a psychology against God, that doesn't disprove God. In the final analysis, arguments for the existence of God have to be established on an objective basis, not on the basis of subjective preference. [00:08:41]

For example, the New Testament says, that fallen man -- man in his sinfulness -- will not have God in his thinking -- that our natural, mortal condition is to have a reprobate mind, a mind that has been darkened -- so darkened by prejudice that we do not want to even open the window a crack to allow the rays of God's self-revelation into our head because we know what's at stake. [00:09:42]

Now what Paul is really saying here, and this can be inflammatory if you're not a theist, but at least listen. You can disagree with Paul if you want to -- I don't think you can with impunity -- but if -- you're not accountable to me. But the point is that what the apostle is saying is that in the final analysis your problem with the existence of God is not intellectual. [00:11:26]

He names the child -- "all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness." It is an evil suppression or repression of truth that Paul is describing, and that word there -- suppression -- is just one translation. The form of the verb here in the Greek is a -- comes from the root katakein. [00:14:19]

The word there is phaneros -- that God has clearly -- and the Latin is manifestum -- has manifested Himself so clearly to every human being. This is how radical Paul's affirmation is that he's saying that every single person out there -- every one of you -- knows that God exists because God has shown Himself to you through the things that He's made and that He has demonstrated Himself to you clearly. [00:15:29]

Now if we want to talk in psychological categories, let's translate this phenomenon that Paul is describing here in the modern psychological categories. What kind of knowledge, according to the psychologists and psychiatrists, do we as human beings characteristically repress or suppress? Happy thoughts? No. What we call the images or the memories of painful, traumatic experiences. [00:16:20]

Later on in this text, the apostle Paul uses another Greek word, which is a form of the verb metallasso, which means to trade or to exchange, in which he says, "Men, knowing God through God's self-disclosure, once they repress or bury this knowledge, exchange the truth of God for a lie and serve and worship the creature rather than the Creator who is blessed forever." [00:19:28]

The apostle is saying there is a psychology to atheism because he goes on to say what it is that we fear more than nature, more than meaninglessness, is that the greatest fear that any human being has by nature is to be held accountable by a God who is holy because in the presence of the holy we are immediately exposed of being unholy. [00:21:17]

And because that is so terrifying, it is our basic disposition as fallen creatures to have a vested interest to flee, since Adam and Eve fled the garden and hid in the bushes because they were naked, and they were ashamed. That's the biggest barrier we have to coming to a full understanding of God -- that we, too are naked, and we know it. [00:22:46]

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Transcript
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