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Are Atheists a Part of God's Plan?

Atheists are enemies of God, that much is beyond dispute. By their own admission, they oppose everything we as Christians stand for. In today's pop-culture landscape, they are like preachers and evangelists in their own right, preaching their own humanist gospel. Does the Lord use these people after His own agenda? Does the Lord use these people as instructors of the Gospel even if they preach it not? I think it's a mistake to assume that only pleasant and joyful things can convey Gospel messages.

Could someone like Richard Dawkins be doing the Lord's will without knowing it?

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Permalink Reply by ScribeD on June 6, 2011 at 4:04pm

Matteo, this is one that the Catholics and Traditionalists got directly from Jesus. He proclaimed that Judas was damned to hell. I posted extensive responses on that topic here, about a year ago. I personally believe that Jesus gave Judas every chance to repent (before and after), which Judas chose not to do.

Consistent with God's revelation in the OT, Jesus did not rejoice in the death/damnation of Judas, but we should not mistake that for saying that Judas was saved. He was not.

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Permalink Reply by David Velasquez on June 6, 2011 at 5:16pm

Matteo-

John 17:12 I believe makes it clear.

New International Version (NIV)

¹² While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by^[a] that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled

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Permalink Reply by Leonard T on June 6, 2011 at 6:58pm

Matteo,

Please include the specific verses you are referring to when saying this is what Scripture says.

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Permalink Reply by Leonard T on June 7, 2011 at 1:10pm

Matteo,

In the time of Judas and his betrayal they are at the close of the Old Covenant and the beginning of the New Covenant. The real question is not about his actions, but his heart. Did Judas really believe that Jesus was the Son of God? There is a lot of speculation as to why Judas betrayed Jesus. Was he predestined and had no choice or in God's foreknowledge did He foresee Judas' actions? Did Judas truly accept Jesus as Lord and Savior or did His betrayal reveal his true heart to be far from Jesus?

Many promises of God are conditional. In the Old Testament God promised Israel that they would remain in the land "if" they obeyed. In the New Testament we are saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8-9) which leads to being born again (John 3:3). Judas failed on both counts. He did not obey to the end, was not born-again (as Jesus has not yet rose), nor did He put his hope in Christ, but rather in his own actions.

One last thing. Some speculate that Judas gave up Jesus because he was trying to force His hand and make Him become the King now and expell the Romans. If that be the case ... why take the 30 silver coins? If the coins were not significant to him, why return them? His actions reveal his heart.

Lord Bless,
LT

Permalink Reply by ScribeD on June 6, 2011 at 8:43pm

David: Bingo.

Matteo, there are numerous other allusions as well. Pharoah was also born to be the instrument by which God demonstrated his power in the ten plagues. Yet... both men freely chose despite that God gave them ample opportunity to seek Him and know Him.

Are Atheists a Part of God's Plan?

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Matteo-

John 17:12 I believe makes it clear.

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