In a bizarre twist that would leave even the most seasoned theologian bemused, Richard Dawkins, the high priest of New Atheism, has draped himself in the garb of cultural Christianity. Dawkins, in an unexpected revelation, declared himself a “cultural Christian” who finds some value in the traditions of Christianity despite his staunch atheism.

“I am happy with the UK’s declining Christian faith,” he admitted, yet paradoxically added, “I enjoy living in a Christian society.” The news, like a peculiar harbinger in the desert of modern disbelief, rings with an irony so profound it could very well be biblical. But what does this declaration mean, viewed through the prism of Biblical truth? Essentially, Dawkins’ admission unfurls as a tesselation of contradiction, a mirage in the arid landscape of genuine faith.

Dawkins, renowned for his defiance against God, maintains his atheistic stance even as he claims an affinity for the cultural trappings of Christianity. He confesses to relishing the societal benefits born of Christian values while simultaneously dismissing the very foundation of that faith as “nonsense.” This stance is akin to wandering in a prison of one’s own making, blinded by the dazzling lights of Christian culture yet shackled to a rejection of its saving grace.

Dawkins remains a slave to sin, his eyes closed to the miraculous transformation offered by the Gospel.

Yet, let us entertain a speculative, if not alluring, thought: imagine if Dawkins were to genuinely repent and believe the Gospel. Such a turnaround, while appearing as miraculous as Saul’s transformation on the road to Damascus, would undoubtedly send shockwaves through the ranks of his followers. Accustomed to Dawkins’ usual vulgarity towards matters of faith, would they deride his conversion as a betrayal, or could it prompt a wider reevaluation of their own stances? The answer remains shrouded in the mysterious workings of divine providence.

However, this speculative musing brings us to the heart of the matter: the sovereignty of God in salvation. The Scriptures remind us that it is not cultural affiliation but divine election and calling that rescues the lost from the ravages of sin. It is not through a mere appreciation of Christian morals but through a heart-wrenching acknowledgment of one’s own sinfulness and a desperate clinging to Christ’s righteousness, death, burial, and resurrection, that one is born again.

Dawkins’ cultural Christianity, devoid of the Spirit’s regenerating work, stands as a stark reminder of the disastrous end that awaits those who admire Jesus as a teacher but reject Him as Lord and Savior. It is a sobering thought, echoing Christ’s warning that many who cry, “Lord, Lord,” will hear the terrifying response, “I never knew you; depart from me.”

The Gospel of grace offers a different path—a miraculous transformation from death to life. It begins with election, where God, in His sovereign mercy, chooses unworthy sinners. This is followed by the calling, where the Spirit awakens hearts to the beauty of the Gospel. Salvation comes as we place our faith in Christ alone for the forgiveness of sins, leading to sanctification, where our lives are gradually conformed to the image of Christ.

Therefore, let us not be seduced by the allure of cultural Christianity, which offers the form of godliness but denies its power. The Gospel calls us to a deeper, more radical transformation—a painful yet glorious liberation from the prison of sin. For those like Dawkins, who flirt with the fringes of faith yet resist its truth, the future holds a dire warning. The day will come when every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Until that day, let us pray for Dawkins and others like him, that they may escape the disastrous fate of those who, though close to the kingdom, are yet so far, and find their true home in the embrace of a Savior who longs to say, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” instead of “Depart from me, I never knew you.”