What is agnosticism?

Question: "What is agnosticism?"

Answer: Agnosticism is the view that the existence of God is impossible to be known or proven. The word 揳gnostic" essential means 搘ithout knowledge." Agnosticism is a more intellectually honest form of atheism. Atheism claims that God does not exist朼n improvable position. Agnosticism argues that God抯 existence cannot be proven or unproven杢hat it is impossible to know whether God exists. In this concept, agnosticism is correct. God抯 existence cannot be empirically proven or disproven.

The Bible tells us that we must accept by faith that God exists. Hebrews 11:6 says, 揃ut without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." God is spirit (John 4:24) so He cannot be seen or touched. Unless God chooses to reveal Himself, He is essentially invisible to our senses (Romans 1:20). The Bible instructs that the existence of God can be clearly seen in the universe (Psalm 19:1-4), sensed in nature (Romans 1:18-22), and confirmed in our own hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

Agnosticism is essentially the unwillingness to make a decision either for or against God抯 existence. It is the ultimate 搑iding the fence" position. Theists believe that God exists. Atheists believe that God does not exist. Agnostics believe that we shouldn抰 believe or disbelieve in God抯 existence朾ecause it is impossible to know either way.

For the sake of argument, let抯 throw out the clear and undeniable evidences of God抯 existence. If we put the positions of theism and atheism/agnosticism on equal footing, which makes the most 搒ense" to believe杋n regards to the possibility of life after death? If there is no God, theists and atheists/agnostics alike all simply cease to exist when they die. If there is a God, atheists and agnostics will have Someone to answer to when they die. From this perspective, it definitely makes more 搒ense" to be a theist than an atheist/agnostic. If neither position can be proven or disproven, doesn抰 it seem wise to make every effort to believe in the position that may have an infinitely and eternally more desirable end result?

It is normal to have doubts. There are so many things in this world that we do not understand. Often people doubt God抯 existence because they do not understand or agree with the things He does and allows. However, we as finite human beings should not expect to be able to comprehend an infinite God. Romans 11:33-34 exclaims, 揙h, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! For who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counselor?" We must believe in God by faith and trust His ways by faith. God is ready and willing to reveal Himself in amazing ways to those who will believe in Him. Deuteronomy 4:29 proclaims, 揃ut if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you look for Him with all your heart and with all your soul."

Recommended Resource: Hard Questions, Real Answers by William Lane Craig.