Systematic Theology Professor Comments on Faith, Mortality, and Atheism
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08/18/10
Fuller Professor of Systematic Theology Dr. Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen was a guest on Southern California Public Radio's morning AirTalk program, with host Larry Mantle, broadcast on radio station KPCC on Wednesday, August 18. The segment dealt with issues of faith and how it affects mortality as compared to atheism.
The topic sprang from author Christopher Hitchens' recent cancer diagnosis; Hitchens is an adamant and resolute atheist who has authored a variety of books and articles reflecting his stance. The main questions addressed were "Does religious faith help us face death?" and "Does faith make any difference as opposed to atheism?" Also on the show was Michael Shermer, founding publisher of Skeptic magazine.
Dr. Kärkkäinen addressed the topic by first stating that the starting point of his Christian view is that everything is related to God, including life, death, and all that is in between. Having a genuine faith means that it will shape your entire life up to the point of death, he said, as well as naturally give you hope of something after death.
For Shermer, not knowing whether there is an afterlife actually makes his present life richer. He claimed that what is most important is how we comport ourselves in this life and how we treat other people. To him, committing to faith during the last few minutes of life is a cheap faith and one he cannot place respect in.
Dr. Kärkkäinen responded by saying that a true faith is not a "last-minute emergency device" that one should pull out at the very end, even though many regard it in that way. While living out one's faith is important, Kärkkäinen emphasized the forgiving and loving nature of God, who accepts people into his Kingdom even at the very end of their lives.
To listen to the entire broadcast, please click here.