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“We Confess that we are Atheists”
Author(s) -
Bullivant Stephen
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
new blackfriars
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1741-2005
pISSN - 0028-4289
DOI - 10.1111/nbfr.12540
Subject(s) - atheism , christianity , philosophy , word (group theory) , point (geometry) , theology , existence of god , christian theology , fall of man , theism , law , linguistics , mathematics , politics , geometry , political science
In the immortal words of Herbert McCabe, ‘Whatever we are referring to when we use the word “God” it can no more be a god than it can be a model aeroplane or half‐past eleven’ ( God Still Matters ). This striking idea – the “atheism” of true Christianity – has, in fact, a long pedigree. This paper traces its history from the early Church to the Angelic Doctor himself. The essential point is this: if our God really is who Christians claim God is, then all our words about God – including the word “god” – must necessarily fall short.