Macquarie Christian Studies Institute : Articles & Ideas

"The Journey toward God"

Review of There is a God, Anthony Flew, by Kara Martin

In 2004, world-renowned atheist Anthony Flew stood up at a debate about the existence of God and shocked the audience with his revelation that he had changed his mind. He was now prepared to accept that "life and reproduction originated in a divine source". The audience was shocked.

What followed was a war of words: claims and counter-claims. Atheists claimed that Flew had been manipulated by fundamentalists; that he was elderly and could no longer express himself clearly; that he was reading scripts provided by others. Christians claimed Flew as one of their own, and used him to attack the "new atheism".

In late 2007 Flew produced a book, co-authored by Roy Abraham Varghese, which clearly explained his journey as the son of a Methodist minister and theologian from a position of atheism, to a position of accepting the existence of God. Immediately an article appeared in the New York Times casting doubts on the veracity of the work. However, Flew has repeatedly asserted that the book "represents exactly his opinions".

So what is all the fuss about? The fuss is about ideas, but much more than that, it's about positions. Flew laid the foundation for much of modern atheism with his ground-breaking speech: "Theology and Falsification" and his book Presumption of Atheism which suggested that the onus of proof lies with those who believe God exists.

Whereas Flew journeyed toward a refutation of his earlier beliefs - governed by the Socratic principle that you "follow the argument wherever it leads" - those who deny God, and many of those who are fervent God-believers, have closed their minds to any further exploration of mystery.

Although his change of mind appeared sudden, in fact Flew came to a Deist conclusion over many years. First, he was impressed by the refutation of his ideas by Christian philosophers Richard Swinburne and Alvin Platinga. He started to question determinism as he experienced that desires were not irresistible. He considered the fact that there are laws that govern the world around us, and began to consider the possibility that something had set those laws. And he pondered the statement that "nothing comes from nothing".

A major turning point for Flew came with the investigations into DNA which revealed enormous complexity and subtlety, exposing a flaw in the belief that life is a result of chance. Increasingly the revelations of modern science were leading Flew to consider the existence of a higher intelligence.

Although he has not progressed his belief in the existence of God to acceptance of any particular god of any particular religion, Flew is well disposed toward Christianity: "The case for a Christian revelation is a very strong one, if you believe in revelation at all." For that reason there is a "dialogue" with evangelical bishop NT Wright, as an appendix to the book. It is actually more of a Q & A session, but Flew does comment that Wright's ideas are "a fresh presentation of Christianity" which the world desperately needs.

Although this book should not be used by Christians as proof of Christianity, it does present a persuasive case for an open mind in consideration of the Creator. Flew's story is also evidence that an open mind is not enough; it takes an open heart and an open will for faith to take hold.

KARA MARTIN is a lecturer with Macquarie Christian Studies Institute and is an avid reader and book group attendee. Kara does reviews for Heart 1032's Open House http://www.theopenhouse.net.au/