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Defining Acognosticism and Its Claims

Acognosticism, also referred to as “non-cognitivism” or “semantical atheism,” asserts that meaningful statements about God are impossible. Unlike agnosticism, which claims that knowledge of God is inaccessible, acognosticism argues that the very concept of God and “God-talk” is meaningless. It contends that language about God fails to meet criteria for meaningfulness and thus cannot express truth claims.

The roots of acognosticism lie in modern philosophical movements, particularly logical positivism. A. J. Ayer and Ludwig Wittgenstein, prominent figures in this school of thought, advanced the idea that statements about God lack cognitive meaning because they are neither analytically nor empirically verifiable. Acognosticism represents a radical dismissal of metaphysical discourse, leaving no room for traditional theistic arguments or concepts.

The Principle of Empirical Verifiability

One of the key underpinnings of acognosticism is A. J. Ayer’s principle of empirical verifiability. He argued that a statement is meaningful only if it is either analytically true (i.e., true by definition, such as mathematical truths) or empirically verifiable (i.e., testable by observation or experience). According to this standard, metaphysical statements about God fail to meet these criteria, rendering them nonsensical.

For instance, the statement “God exists” does not fit into the category of analytic truth because it is not definitional, nor is it empirically verifiable because God is considered a supra-empirical being. Thus, Ayer concluded that language about God is inherently meaningless. In his work, he wrote, “The term God is a metaphysical term. And if God is a metaphysical term, then it cannot be even probable that God exists. For the sentence that expresses it is not an expression of fact, but a pseudo-proposition.”

Refuting Ayer’s Acognosticism

Ayer’s position is fundamentally flawed because his principle of empirical verifiability is self-defeating. The principle itself is neither analytic nor empirically verifiable. It is not true by definition, nor can it be observed or tested through empirical means. Therefore, by its own standard, the principle is meaningless. This inconsistency undermines the foundation of acognosticism.

Furthermore, the principle’s restrictive view of meaningfulness fails to account for other forms of knowledge. Moral, aesthetic, and philosophical statements often cannot be empirically verified, yet they are widely considered meaningful. The Bible speaks to the broader dimensions of knowledge and meaning, as seen in Proverbs 1:7: “The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” This verse underscores that knowledge is not limited to empirical or analytic categories but encompasses spiritual and moral truths revealed by God.

The Nonsense of “God-Talk”

Ayer’s rejection of the meaningfulness of God-talk has profound implications for theism. By denying the possibility of meaningful statements about God, he seeks to eliminate the basis for both theistic and agnostic positions. Traditional agnosticism assumes that the question of God’s existence is meaningful, even if the answer is unknowable. However, acognosticism dismisses the question itself as nonsensical.

This view contradicts the Bible’s testimony about the nature of God and his revelation. Scripture consistently presents God as knowable and his Word as communicative. Deuteronomy 29:29 affirms this, stating, “The secret things belong to Jehovah our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.” While some aspects of God’s nature remain beyond human comprehension, he has revealed himself sufficiently for meaningful understanding and relationship.

Wittgensteinian Mysticism and Its Flaws

Ludwig Wittgenstein, another significant figure in the development of acognosticism, argued that language is inherently limited and incapable of expressing transcendent realities. In his Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus, he wrote, “What we cannot speak about we must consign to silence.” He viewed God as inexpressible, asserting that language about God cannot convey objective truths.

Wittgenstein’s mysticism, however, falls into self-contradiction. To claim that God cannot be spoken of is itself a statement about God. By attempting to delineate the limits of language, Wittgenstein inadvertently transcends those limits, undermining his position.

The Bible counters this view by emphasizing the power and sufficiency of divine revelation. Psalm 19:1-2 declares, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.” Creation itself communicates truths about God, demonstrating that meaningful “God-talk” is possible through both natural and special revelation.

Responding to Flew’s Falsifiability Challenge

Antony Flew, influenced by logical positivism, introduced the principle of falsifiability as a criterion for meaningful statements. He argued that for a belief to be meaningful, it must be falsifiable—capable of being proven false. Flew’s famous parable of the invisible gardener illustrates this principle. He contended that if no empirical evidence could disprove God’s existence, then belief in God is equivalent to belief in an undetectable, nonexistent entity.

Flew’s approach is problematic for several reasons. First, the principle of falsifiability is not universally applicable. Many meaningful statements, including those about historical events or future occurrences, are not easily falsifiable. For example, the claim “Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon in 49 B.C.E.” is meaningful despite its lack of falsifiability through direct observation.

Second, the Bible reveals that God’s existence and nature are not contingent on human verification or falsification. Romans 1:20 states, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” The evidence for God is found in creation, conscience, and Scripture, and does not depend on empirical falsifiability.

The Bible’s Response to Acognosticism

Acognosticism fails to account for the nature of divine revelation as presented in the Bible. God has made himself known through creation, his Word, and ultimately through Jesus Christ. Hebrews 1:1-2 affirms this, stating, “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.”

God’s revelation is both propositional and relational. While certain aspects of God’s nature remain beyond human comprehension, he has revealed truths about himself in a way that can be understood and communicated. John 17:17 emphasizes the reliability of God’s Word: “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” This truth is knowable, testable, and transformative.

The Necessity of Faith and Reason

The Bible calls believers to approach the knowledge of God with both faith and reason. Isaiah 1:18 invites dialogue and understanding: “Come now, let us reason together, says Jehovah.” Faith is not blind belief but trust in the evidence of God’s revelation and his promises. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as “confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Acognosticism’s rejection of meaningful God-talk reflects a misunderstanding of the relationship between faith and reason. Christianity affirms that reason is a gift from God, intended to lead individuals to a deeper understanding of his truth. Proverbs 2:6 declares, “For Jehovah gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”

Conclusion

Acognosticism, as advanced by A. J. Ayer, Ludwig Wittgenstein, and Antony Flew, represents a significant philosophical challenge to theism. However, its principles are self-defeating and inconsistent with both logic and Scripture. The Bible affirms that God is knowable, that meaningful statements about him are possible, and that his revelation is sufficient for faith and practice. Christians are called to engage with such philosophical challenges using the truth of God’s Word, demonstrating its coherence and reliability.

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).