Heart atheism, a term that reflects a condition of the heart rather than an outright denial of God's existence, is addressed throughout Scripture. It highlights the importance of genuine faith and the dangers of superficial belief. In Matthew 15:8, Jesus quotes Isaiah, saying, 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.' This underscores the reality that mere verbal acknowledgment of God does not equate to true faith. The Bible teaches that God desires a heart fully devoted to Him, as seen in Deuteronomy 6:5, which commands, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.' Heart atheism can manifest in various forms, including apathy towards God’s commandments and a lack of genuine love for others, as emphasized in 1 John 4:20, where it states that if anyone says, 'I love God,' yet hates his brother, he is a liar. Moreover, the call to examine our hearts is echoed in Jeremiah 17:9, reminding us that 'The heart is deceitful above all things.' True faith is not merely an intellectual assent but a heartfelt commitment, as Paul writes in Romans 10:9, 'If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.' Understanding heart atheism invites believers to reflect on the authenticity of their faith and the condition of their hearts before God.
Samuel Rutherford preaches about the unworthiness of following Christ, expressing concern for the church's desolation in Ireland but trusting in God's providence. He addresses the issue of heart-atheism, emphasizing the need to revere and fear God's light in our souls through obedience. Rutherford h