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SLC2011: Confidence to Face Down New Atheism
15 May 2011
What are the major challenges posed by the so-called 'New Atheism' of Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens and co.? What impact does secularism in general have on how people respond to the mission of the church?
What can church networks and national organisations across Europe do to more confidently answer the claims of atheism and secularism?
These were just a few of the core questions addressed at the recent SLC2011: ZEITGEIST leadership event, hosted by Next Wave International and held in southern Spain.
Now in its fourteenth year, the annual Strategic Leadership Consultation brings together invited leaders of church networks and national organisations. The summit focuses on the likely future shape of European society and how the church can engage the change ahead of time.
In opening the event, Mal Fletcher, the founder and host of SLC, said: 'To change the Zeitgeist, the spirit of the times, we must first understand it.'
'Much is said and written these days about the threat that Radical Islamism … may pose to Europe's traditional culture and its Christian heritage.'
'Yet, as far as the Church is concerned, a far bigger threat may be posed by secularism.'
'Secularism drives much of the most dramatic social change we've seen over the past decade. At its heart lies a worldview which, while denying the veracity of all religions, is in itself a belief system, taken largely on faith.'
'Not all enemies of the church are spiritual in nature. Often, the "principalities and powers" of which Paul speaks are intellectual systems, which he also labels as "vain imaginations".'
This year's event featured guest contributors including Professor Alister McGrath, one of the world's leading Christian apologists and a noted theologian.
Professor McGrath, who holds a PhD in molecular biophysics and a Doctor of Divinity degree from Oxford, was himself once an atheist.
For many church leaders, he is perhaps best known for his books on atheism, most notably The Dawkins Delusion? and The Twilight of Atheism. He is also the author of the popular: In the Beginning : The Story of the King James Bible and How It Changed a Nation, a Language, and a Culture.
Noted for his work in historical and scientific theology, Professor McGrath is now one of the Christian world's leading spokespersons against the claims of New Atheism's major 'evangelists'.
He has debated key figures in the New Atheism movement, including Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens, both in public sessions and in the media.
During the SLC event, Professor McGrath gave four lectures on the history of atheism and the claims of the New Atheists and how these are refuted.
The sessions produced a sense of confidence; that the church can proactively address the claims of atheism, as leaders equip their people with the right thinking and material.
The summit also featured a specially recorded TV interview with award-winning journalist and author Peter Hitchens.
Hitchens is an award-winning British columnist, author and broadcaster. A former atheist, Peter is now a strong advocate for Christian worldview and values in mainstream press and media.
He has published five books, including The Abolition of Britain, A Brief History of Crime, The Broken Compass: How British Politics Lost its Way and most recently The Rage Against God.
Peter writes for Britain's The Mail on Sunday newspaper. A former resident correspondent in Moscow and Washington, he continues to work as an occasional foreign reporter, and appears frequently in the British broadcast media. He is the brother of the writer and renowned atheist Christopher Hitchens.
In a 40 minute, wide-ranging interview, Mal Fletcher quizzed him about his own experience of atheism and his views on its current impact on social change - in areas such as education, politics and the media.
In his own main session, Mal Fletcher lectured on restoring the soul of a city by fostering a culture of innovation.
Mal drew on the experience of the prophet Nehemiah and a large body of research into innovative leadership skills. He demonstrated in a prophetic yet practical way how church leaders can produce the type of innovation that will help civic leaders reshape damaged communities.
The session also included a Hypothetical panel session, in which several leaders in different fields were asked to respond to hypothetical scenarios set in the future. The result was humorous, insightful and very challenging!
As well as its stimulating content, the SLC event is known for providing unique networking opportunities, for leaders of networks of European churches. This year was no exception, with new friendships and alliances being forged over the two days together.
This year's new hotel venue, in Torremolinos, Malaga, Spain, was a hit with everyone who attended. A brand new conference venue - only opened a few weeks before this event - provided a great backdrop for a remarkable and memorable leadership event.
Summing up the feeling of the conference, Mal Fletcher said: 'The section of society that turns to New Atheism for answers does so because it thinks that Christianity has none to offer.'
'We must show them otherwise; both by modelling Christ-like living and by proactively and strategically moving our culture's thinking away from the claims of the New Atheists and toward the values and truth of God's Kingdom.'
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