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Understanding the Term “Agnosticism”

Agnosticism originates from two Greek words: a (“no”) and gnosis (“knowledge”), literally meaning “no-knowledge.” Coined by T.H. Huxley in the 19th century, the term denotes a position of not knowing, particularly regarding the existence and nature of God. Agnosticism broadly divides into two categories: those who claim that knowledge of God is unknown and those who assert it is unknowable. While the former leaves room for eventual knowledge of God, the latter categorically denies the possibility of such knowledge. The latter view is more problematic from a Christian perspective, as it directly contradicts the biblical assertion that God has revealed himself to humanity.

Philosophical Roots of Agnosticism

David Hume and Empirical Skepticism

David Hume (1711–1776) laid the groundwork for modern agnosticism by challenging the validity of causality and the ability to know anything beyond empirical observation. Hume argued that knowledge arises solely from two sources: relations of ideas (mathematical truths) and matters of fact (empirical observations). By this reasoning, metaphysical claims about God are neither mathematical nor empirically verifiable and are therefore meaningless.

Hume also rejected causality, stating that causal connections are inferred by custom rather than actual observation. For instance, he noted that observing the sun rising after a rooster crows does not prove the crowing causes the sunrise. Consequently, Hume argued that one cannot infer a Cause for the universe, leaving God’s existence unknowable.

This reasoning directly challenges biblical teaching, which asserts the evidence of God in creation. Psalm 19:1 declares, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Romans 1:20 reinforces this by stating that 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.”

Immanuel Kant and the Limits of Human Knowledge

Immanuel Kant (1724–1804) advanced Hume’s skepticism by arguing that humans cannot know reality as it is (noumenon) but only as it appears to us (phenomenon). According to Kant, all human knowledge is shaped by innate mental categories, such as time and causality. Thus, God, as a transcendent being, is beyond human understanding.

Kant’s philosophy, while influential, is self-defeating. By asserting that humans can know only appearances and not ultimate reality, Kant implicitly claims knowledge of the distinction between appearances and reality. This contradiction undermines his argument. Furthermore, scripture asserts that God, though transcendent, has revealed himself to humanity. Deuteronomy 29:29 acknowledges the partial nature of human understanding: “The secret things belong to Jehovah our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever.”

Critiquing Agnosticism’s Key Claims

Self-Defeating Nature of Complete Agnosticism

Unlimited agnosticism, which asserts that nothing about reality can be known, is self-defeating. To claim that nothing can be known about reality requires knowledge of reality, thereby contradicting itself. A person who knows nothing about reality cannot make meaningful statements about its unknowability.

The Bible exposes the folly of such reasoning. Psalm 14:1 states, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” By denying the possibility of knowing God, the agnostic assumes a position of omniscience, ironically claiming to know the very reality they deny.

Limited Agnosticism and Christian Realism

Limited agnosticism, which admits that finite beings cannot fully comprehend an infinite God, aligns more closely with biblical teaching. Christians affirm that God’s nature is partially revealed but not exhaustively known. Isaiah 55:8–9 declares, “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares Jehovah. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’”

While God is infinite, he has revealed enough of himself for humans to know him meaningfully. John 17:3 emphasizes this relational knowledge: “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”

The Logical Positivists and the Denial of God-Talk

The Principle of Empirical Verifiability

Logical positivism, a 20th-century philosophical movement, dismissed metaphysical claims about God as meaningless. A.J. Ayer argued that only statements verifiable by sense experience or logical necessity are meaningful. By this standard, statements about God are dismissed as nonsensical.

However, logical positivism collapses under its own criteria. The principle of empirical verifiability itself is neither empirically verifiable nor logically necessary, rendering it self-refuting. Furthermore, scripture challenges the notion that human reason alone can judge the meaningfulness of divine truths. 1 Corinthians 2:14 states, “The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.”

Antony Flew and Falsifiability

Antony Flew, a prominent atheist philosopher, argued that belief in God is unfalsifiable and therefore irrational. However, this critique misunderstands the nature of biblical faith. Christian faith is not a blind leap but a reasoned trust in God based on evidence. Acts 17:31 points to the resurrection of Jesus as proof: “For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”

Biblical Responses to Agnosticism

General Revelation

The Bible affirms that God’s existence is evident in creation. Romans 1:19–20 asserts, “What may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 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.” General revelation leaves humanity without excuse for denying God’s existence.

Special Revelation

While general revelation reveals God’s existence, special revelation provides the means to know him personally. Hebrews 1:1–2 explains, “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.” Jesus Christ is the ultimate revelation of God’s nature and purpose. John 14:9 records Jesus saying, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.”

Conclusion: A Christian Response to Agnosticism

Christians should approach agnosticism with a firm grasp of biblical truth and a spirit of humility. Agnosticism’s philosophical foundations are deeply flawed, but its questions offer an opportunity to point seekers to the God who has revealed himself in creation, scripture, and Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 3:15 exhorts believers: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”

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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).