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Atheism

Excerpt from the Lexham Bible Dictionary, the most advanced Bible dictionary.

Includes philosophical systems that deny the existence of god(s). Though atheism was rare in the ancient Near East, some Hellenistic schools of philosophy promoted versions of the idea. In modern terms, it involves complete denial of the existence of God. The term occurs only once in the New Testament (as a form of atheos), in Eph 2:12. Here, Paul speaks of being “without God (ἄθεοι, atheoi) in the world,” referring to alienation from Christ.

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Dictionaries

The Lexham Bible Dictionary

Atheism

Atheism (ἄθεος, atheos; “without God”). Includes philosophical systems that deny the existence of god(s). Though atheism was rare in the ancient Near East, some Hellenistic schools of philosophy promoted versions of the idea. In modern terms, it involves complete denial of the existence of God. The term

The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised

Atheism

Atheism [< Gk. átheos—‘without God’ (Eph. 2:12)]. Ordinarily this word is interpreted to mean a denial of the existence of God, a disbelief in God, the opposite of theism. But it seems better that we should consider it under four heads, in order to obtain a clear idea of the different meanings in which

The Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia

Atheism

ATHEISM. The biblical adjective atheos occurs only once in the NT (Eph 2:12). It is translated “without God,” and signifies an idolatrous religious state, not a state of atheism as the word is now commonly understood. There is no biblical noun for “atheism” or “atheist,” but the idea is described in

The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church

atheism

atheism (from Gk. ἄθεος, ‘without God’). The word was originally used in Greece of all those who, whether they believed in God or not, disbelieved in the official gods of the State. Of such men Socrates was the classic instance. In the Roman Empire the term was applied in a similar sense by the pagans

The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary

Atheism

ATHEISM (Gk. atheos, “without God”). The denial of the existence of God. The term has always been applied according to the popular conception of God. Thus the Greeks considered a man atheos, “atheist,” when he denied the existence of the gods recognized by the state. The pagans called Christians atheists

Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics

Atheism

Atheism. Whil. polytheism dominated much of ancient Greek thought and theism dominated medieval Christian view, atheism has had its day in the modern world. Of course not all who lack faith in a divine being wish to be called “atheist.” Some prefer the positive ascription of “Humanist” (see Humanism,

Acognosticism

Acognosticism. Acognosticism should not be confused with agnosticism. Agnosticism claims that we cannot know God; acognosticism asserts that we cannot speak meaningfully (cognitively) about God. The view is also called “non-cognitivism” or “semantical atheism.”

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ATHEISM

ATHEISM<a’-the-iz’-m> ([ἄθεος, atheos], “without God” (Ephesians 2:12)): Ordinarily this word is interpreted to mean a denial of the existence of God, a disbelief in God, the opposite of theism. But it seems better that we should consider it under four heads, in order to obtain a clear idea of

Compton’s Encyclopedia

atheism

atheismTheism is the belief in the existence of God or gods and atheism is the disbelief. Like agnosticism, atheism takes the stance that definite knowledge of God’s existence is impossible. Instead of remaining neutral on the question, as agnostics do, atheists conclude that God does not exist, or

Ecclesiastical Dictionary: Containing, in Concise Form, Information upon Ecclesiastical, Biblical, Archæological, and Historical Subjects

Atheism

Atheism.—A word of modern formation from Gr. Atheos, without God, signifies the doctrine of those who deny the existence of a God. Atheism is not a system, it is a negation; and although it is found in the logical consequences of certain doctrines which pervert completely the idea of God, there is not,

Global Dictionary of Theology: A Resource for the Worldwide Church

Atheism

ATHEISMAtheism is a generic term for negative attitudes toward the divine, specifically for disbelief in *God or gods. We distinguish between broad and narrow senses. In the narrow sense atheism denotes disagreement regarding the essence of metaphysical reality rather than total rejection of the supernatural.

The Thiselton Companion to Christian Theology

Atheism

AtheismAtheism boldly affirms the nonexistence of God. It must be distinguished from agnosticism, which asserts that human reason cannot justify either belief that God exists or belief that God does not exist. Atheism may also be either theoretical, making the nonexistence of God an ontological affirmation,

Dictionary of Theological Terms

Atheism

AtheismScripturally, a term which designates those “without God” (Eph. 2:12, where the Greek is atheos). Broadly, however, atheism is the denial of God.Practical atheists are simply godless persons who, whatever their theoretical beliefs, live as if there were no God, and who do not therefore reckon

Key passages

Ps 14:1

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt. They do abominable deeds. There is none who does good.

Ro 1:18–32

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all impiety and unrighteousness of people, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what can be known about God is evident among them, for God made it clear to them. For from the creation …

Eph 2:12

that you were at that time apart from Christ, alienated from the citizenship of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, not having hope, and without God in the world.

2 Pe 3:3–4

above all knowing this, that in the last days scoffers will come with scoffing, following according to their own desires and saying, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things have continued just as they have been from the beginning of creation.”

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