Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  8000 The life of the believer  »  8700 Threats to the life of faith  »  8702 agnosticism

The inability to decide whether or not God exists. It is characterised by indecision and compromise when faced with the challenge to wholehearted commitment, and is condemned as sinful, inexcusable and unnecessary in the light of God's clear self-revelation.

Agnosticism is inexcusable in the light of God's self-revelation

In the creation

Romans 1:19-20 See also Psalm 19:1-2; Acts 14:17

In the person of Jesus Christ

John 1:18 See also John 14:9; Hebrews 1:1-3

Agnosticism is sinful

Because God calls for wholehearted commitment

Joshua 24:14-15 See also Exodus 32:26; Deuteronomy 6:13-14; Deuteronomy 30:15-19; Acts 14:15

Because God's call demands total obedience

Matthew 9:9 pp Mark 2:14 pp Luke 5:27-28 See also Matthew 4:18-22 pp Mark 1:16-20

Agnosticism results in compromise

In worship

1 Kings 18:21; 2 Kings 17:41 See also 2 Kings 17:29-33; 1 Corinthians 10:21

In commitment

Matthew 6:24 pp Luke 16:13 in the attitude to money; Matthew 8:19-22 pp Luke 9:57-62 in service; 2 Corinthians 6:14 in relationships with unbelievers; Ephesians 4:14 in accommodating false teaching

Agnosticism as a result of ignorance

Ignorance through being uninformed

Acts 17:23-30 See also Acts 3:17-18

Foolish ignorance of God's existence

Psalm 14:1 pp Psalm 53:1 See also Psalm 92:5-7; Jeremiah 5:4

Ignorance of God's presence

Psalm 115:2 See also Psalm 42:3; Joel 2:17; Micah 7:10

Ignorance as a result of rejecting God's truth

Psalm 10:4 See also Psalm 36:1; Jeremiah 5:21-24; Zechariah 7:11-12; Acts 2:22-23

Ignorance as a result of sin

Ephesians 4:17-19 See also Isaiah 1:3-4; Jeremiah 4:22

Ignorance is no defence against God's judgment

Romans 1:18 See also Judges 2:10-14; Isaiah 44:9-11

See also

1439  revelation
2426  gospel, responses
3284  Holy Spirit, resisting
5811  compromise
5884  indecision
6181  ignorance
6257  unbelievers
6628  conversion, God's demand
8023  faith, necessity
8710  atheism
8721  doubt
8834  unbelief