From the latest presentation on my church‘s electronic noticeboard (a plasma screen inside the foyer but visible from the street), which we had long before digital picture frames became the latest in gadget:
If you don’t understand the context here, or recognise the bus in the top right insert, see this post by David Keen, and his first and second roundups of reaction.
Personally I think the “Agnostibus” campaign is great because, just like the Alpha campaign with its questions like “Is this it?” and “What am I doing here?”, it makes people think. But I doubt if it will stop anyone worrying.
The Agnostibuses are not only in London; I saw some a few days ago in Dawkins’ home town of Oxford. But there are none in my home town of Chelmsford, only buses asking those Alpha questions.
UPDATE 2nd February: This slogan can now be seen on the side of a real bus, courtesy of this site:
The Athiest’s are really helping us out here – getting people talking and thinking in pubs all around Britain about whether there is a God or not. The simple fact that the ASA ruled that this campaign had to use the word ‘probably’ as nobody had any firm evidence that there was no God was a good step forwards.
That’s great, Peter – well done, Meadgate Church!
Lol….I LOVE it! 🙂
The Church Times offers in a cartoon (not a Dave Walker one this time) an alternative church notice response to the Agnostibus.
The Church Times cartoon is fantastic… Come to Church and enjoy yourself sounds like the future to me!
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A reply to the Atheists supporting Richard Dawkins & Co
The Fool has said in his heart there is no God and it seems there are many fools ready to follow the big fools of our age.
Jesus Christ is Alive! I used to be an atheist but realised I had no real purpose in life and nothing that the world offered could fill that spiritual vacuum I felt inside. One day realising that everything the world offered was empty and only of fleeting interest. I humbled myself and repented and invited Jesus into my life. At the moment I said the believer’s prayer I knew that Jesus was alive as I experienced the power and love of his Holy Spirit. That was in 1979 nothing since then has convinced me otherwise than that was the best decision I ever made in my life to become a born again Christian and know the love, joy and power of God’s Holy Spirit. I found a living faith that I didn’t deserve. It was by God’s Grace alone that saved a wretch like me.
I pray than one day when you stop following fools like Richard Dawkins that you to will find Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Saviour. I am certain that Jesus Christ is alive. I have witnessed many instances where I have seen God’s power at work including the miraculous healing of my brother Danny when he was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour and given only weeks to live. That also was in 1979. My brother was miraculously healed by the power of prayer. He is still alive and well 30 years later. The bottom line is that I have lived a life without God and found it to be empty. But I have had the humility to believe in Jesus Christ as the messiah, the saviour of the world and found it to be true. Every time I pray I feel his presence and his amazing love. All the money and power in this world cannot compare than having a personal faith in Jesus Christ.
I hope one day that all of you who persecute and ridicule Christians will one day have a Saul experience and be touched by the power of the Holy Spirit on your own road to Damascus (see the book of Acts) and realise how wrong you have been and start to follow Jesus rather than the false empty wisdom of today’s aggressive, arrogant atheist and who are laughing all the way to the bank as the many fools are eager to buy their books. When people stop believing in God they don’t believe in nothing they believe in anything and anyone. 50 years from now Dawkins will be forgotten. 2000 years have past, since Jesus walked this earth his ministry only lasted three years, he lived a humble life and made no money from his followers, he did no wrong or hurt anyone one but the atheist and the religious people of the day shouted, crucify him! As they felt threatened and were frightened by his message that challenged everything they believed and valued. He was a threat to their cosy world. Even though they might not of been happy it was all they knew. 2000 years later he is still a threat that’s why we now have Christianphobia in the UK today, which is lead by several regular aggressive atheistic writers. And their followers can’t get enough of this new deluge of atheistic thoughts nor their Christian bashing in the form of cruel ridicule. In my opinion Dawkins and Grayling and others are the new aggressive bullies on the block, they have no tolerance, no humility, no love and they write with unbelievable arrogance. Humility is a quality that you won’t find in any of their writing. They have convinced themselves there is no God yet they make their living hating God, especially the Christian God. Maybe deep down they are frightened that they maybe totally wrong and that Jesus really is the way , the truth and the life.
The one thing we are all sure of is death, even for world leaders, the rich and famous kings or fools. Everything they own will mean nothing, neither will fame in this world be worth anything. They will leave this life as they entered it, NAKED. When that day comes they will be judged by God like everyone else. They won’t be feeling so smug when God says to them sorry I don’t know you. I cannot find your name in the book of life. Eternal life promised to all believers of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. I pray that one day you will find Him before you die. It wasn’t just Saul who had a Damascus Road experience but more recently the great writer and professor C.S. Lewis. Who wrote he must of been one of the most reluctant converts to Christianity. He went from being an atheist to becoming a born again Christian. Which led to his great books , like, Mere Christianity, The Screwtape letters, the Narnia series; The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe etc. and so many more. All of his writing was enriched by his new found faith in Jesus Christ. It was his faith that inspired him to write with such wisdom that people in their millions and of all ages still enjoy today. I doubt the same will be said for Richard Dawkins even a few years after his death.
Seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened, ask and you will be answered. And by God’s grace you will be saved.
One last thought, I cannot see the wind but I know its power, I don’t know where it comes from or where it goes. But I am absolutely certain it is there. Just as I remain as certain that Jesus Christ is who he claimed to be. I feel His love and power and know he is with me every day.
We need to stand and be counted as Christians and answer the new trendy atheism that is sweeping the UK and led by the likes of Richard Dawkins and AC Grayling and many others. There is nothing more powerful than your personal testimony and focusing on Jesus Christ and the need to become a Christian to be saved. I recommend a book I have just read titled The Wild Gospel by Alison Morgan, an Anglican minister living in the UK. It has inspired me and given me the clarity to stand up for my faith as above, in the face of the Christianphobia , and aggressive atheism we are now experiencing in the UK.. I recommend you buy this book,and share it with other Christians, it is an inspirational book for these times.
Be bold, be strong Christian brothers and sisters and be soldiers of the cross. We have the victory in Jesus Christ’s resurrection power. Go into the world and tell people the good news of the Gospel. The Holy Spirit will give you the wisdom and words that you need.
May the Lord be with you.
Simon.
Thank you, Simon, and Amen to your prayers.
This is the most powerful and passionate sermon I have ever read or ever heard.
In Great Britain today, we are facing very difficult times ahead with a breakdown in our society; financially, morally and spiritually and there are many people who have worries and concerns about the future, including Christians. I believe it would help people throughout the UK and beyond to read and hear this sermon about the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords; Jesus Christ. Perhaps if you are a church leader you could arrange for it to be read out to your congregation by someone who has the gift of speaking with passion and believes with all their heart, the words of this sermon.. I hope this sermon will be read and heard for generations to come. Every time I read it or hear it, I just feel the love and power of the Jesus Christ coming through by the power of his Holy Spirit. If you agree with my thoughts, why not pass on this email to your friends. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever; this message will never be dated.
“That’s My King”
The late Dr. S. M. Lockeridge, a pastor from San Diego, California
said these words in a sermon in Detroit in 1976:
My King was born King. The Bible says He’s a Seven Way King. He’s the King of the Jews – that’s an Ethnic King. He’s the King of Israel – that’s a National King. He’s the King of righteousness. He’s the King of the ages. He’s the King of Heaven. He’s the King of glory. He’s the King of kings and He is the Lord of lords. Now that’s my King.
Well, I wonder if you know Him. Do you know Him? Don’t try to mislead me. Do you know my King? David said the Heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork. My King is the only one of whom there are no means of measure that can define His limitless love. No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of the shore of His supplies. No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing.
He’s enduringly strong. He’s entirely sincere. He’s eternally steadfast. He’s immortally graceful. He’s imperially powerful. He’s impartially merciful. That’s my King. He’s God’s Son. He’s the sinner’s saviour. He’s the centrepiece of civilization. He stands alone in Himself. He’s honest. He’s unique. He’s unparalleled. He’s unprecedented. He’s supreme. He’s pre-eminent. He’s the grandest idea in literature. He’s the highest personality in philosophy. He’s the supreme problem in higher criticism. He’s the fundamental doctrine of historic theology. He’s the carnal necessity of spiritual religion. That’s my King.
He’s the miracle of the age. He’s the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him. He’s the only one able to supply all our needs simultaneously. He supplies strength for the weak. He’s available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He’s the Almighty God who guides and keeps all his people. He heals the sick. He cleanses the lepers. He forgives sinners. He discharged debtors. He delivers the captives. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent and He beautifies the meek. That’s my King.
Do you know Him? Well, my King is a King of knowledge. He’s the wellspring of wisdom. He’s the doorway of deliverance. He’s the pathway of peace. He’s the roadway of righteousness. He’s the highway of holiness. He’s the gateway of glory. He’s the master of the mighty. He’s the captain of the conquerors. He’s the head of the heroes. He’s the leader of the legislatures. He’s the overseer of the overcomers. He’s the governor of governors. He’s the prince of princes. He’s the King of kings and He’s the Lord of lords. That’s my King.
His office is manifold. His promise is sure. His light is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His Word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. I wish I could describe Him to you . . . but He’s indescribable. That’s my King. He’s incomprehensible, He’s invincible, and He is irresistible.
I’m coming to tell you this, that the heavens of heavens can’t contain Him, let alone some man explain Him. You can’t get Him out of your mind. You can’t get Him off of your hands. You can’t outlive Him and you can’t live without Him. The Pharisees couldn’t stand Him, but they found out they couldn’t stop Him. Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him. The witnesses couldn’t get their testimonies to agree about Him. Herod couldn’t kill Him. Death couldn’t handle Him and the grave couldn’t hold Him. That’s my King.
He always has been and He always will be. I’m talking about the fact that He had no predecessor and He’ll have no successor. There’s nobody before Him and there’ll be nobody after Him. You can’t impeach Him and He’s not going to resign. That’s my King! That’s my King!
Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory. Well, all the power belongs to my King. We’re around here talking about black power and white power and green power, but in the end all that matters is God’s power. Thine is the power. Yeah. And the glory. We try to get prestige and honor and glory for ourselves, but the glory is all His. Yes. Thine is the Kingdom and the power and glory, forever and ever and ever and ever. How long is that? Forever and ever and ever and ever. . . And when you get through with all of the ever’s, then . . .Amen!
Dr Shadrach Meshach Lockeridge (b. 13 March 1913 d. 04 April 2000).
A brief profile of the man:
Ministry: In 1942 he accepted his first pastorate at fourth ward Baptist Church in Ennis Texas. In August 1952 he was named pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in San Diego where he served until retiring in 1993. During Dr Lockeridge’s tenure at Calvary Baptist, a predominantly African-American congregation, his ministry touched the lives of more than 100,000 people. He preached at crusades, revivals, Christian rallies and evangelistic conferences around the world. Dr Lockeridge was active in the civil rights movement, under his leadership Calvary Baptist hosted several of its leaders, including Dr Martin Luther King and Jesse Jackson. He served as guest lecturer at numerous schools, universities and Christian faculties including the Billy Graham School of Evangelism. His best known message is a six and half minute description of Jesus Christ, known as: “That’s my King”.
You can hear the Audio Recording of the original exemplary sermon by Dr Lockeridge; unabridged version, courtesy of Knutsford Methodist Church, Cheshire. UK. (turn up the volume!).
http://www.kmc.org.uk/node/286