Christopher Hitchens is dead.

He is probably America’s most famous atheist.  He spent his life spreading his message of unbelief far and wide.  As far as we know, he went to the grave steadfast in his beliefs.   In one of his last articles, he said that “death would be the proving ground of his beliefs.”

Since his death, I have watched Christians foolishly post celebratory statements on Facebook like…”Today Christopher Hitchens is no longer an atheist.”

Could it be that the driving force behind statements like this is self righteousness that has forgotten the absolute transforming power of the gospel?  Could it be that behind this is an attitude of self satisfaction in our morality?  The truth is, without the gospel of Jesus, all of us are in the same boat.

I think some would be shocked and angered to one day discover that the gospel did break through for Christopher Hitchens and in his last moments of life he cried out to Jesus.  I think some of us would believe it is just not fair and fortunately you would be right.

I hope that in one of his various debates against Christianity that a seed of the gospel was planted in his heart.  I hope that this seed sprouted in his darkest moment and in desperation and faith he cried out to Jesus.  If it did happen then right now Christopher Hitchens is joining a great throng from every tribe, tongue and nation singing praises to our great God and King Jesus. That is anything but fair and that is what makes it such good news.

May the eyes of our heart never stop seeing the beauty of the gospel of Jesus that saved a sinner just like you and me. Such is the scandal of the gospel.

Darin