A Review
By: Jonathan Harris
Al Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, has provided a short glimpse into the world of the new atheists through his work Atheism Remix. First, Mohler offers his readers a history of atheism up until the present, next he gives us biographical sketches of the “new” atheists including their attitudes and arguments (and how they contrast with the traditional atheists), after this we are introduced to the major contentions against the new atheists from conservative/moderate Christianity, and finally the author concludes with a comparison of liberal Christianity and atheism showing that they aren’t really that different. One of the last quotes in the book by atheist historian Eugene D. Genovese is particularly enlightening. He states, “I intend no offense, but it takes one to know one. And when I read much Protestant theology and religious history today, I have the warm feeling that I am in the company of fellow nonbelievers.” It is no wonder that the “four horsemen” of new atheism (Harris, Hitchens, Dennett) are so against religion. They have been fed an impression of Christianity and Judaism which is not entirely accurate. As Alister McGrath comments, you’re not really religious in Dawkin’s conception unless you happen to be one of those “science-hating fools who are into ‘blind faith’ and other unmentionable things in a big way.” I believe this book provides a great “first glimpse” into the world of the new atheists for those who don’t know much about them. They are hear, they aren’t going away, and they’re getting louder. At the very least we should understand who they are and what they’re saying. Al Mohler helps us do this.