signs

There’s a story, probably not true, about a professor who overtly tries to discourage belief in God by dropping a piece of chalk. He challenges God to keep the chalk from breaking, and then uses the broken chalk as proof God doesn’t exist.

It’s a common theme: unbelievers challenge Good to prove himself. And God only does it in the fables we tell. I know why. I read it this morning in Matthew 16:1-4:

“The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven.
“He replied,‘When evening comes, you say, “It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,” and in the morning, “Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.” You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.’ Jesus then left them and went away.”

Jesus’ words were situational, meant specifically for the Jewish leaders of that day, but God does not change. What he says in the Old Testament is completely consistent with everything he does and says in the New Testament, and in our lives today.

So I don’t think God is ever going to respond to arrogant atheists and humanist by giving them a sign. He’s already given them scripture, and his church, and the sign of Jonah. As we used to say in the infantry, doom on them if they can’t see it.