Episode Overview

Podcast: Things Unseen with Sinclair B. Ferguson
Episode: Unbelief: A Moral Issue
Date: January 15, 2026
Theme:
Sinclair B. Ferguson reflects on the Bible's teaching that unbelief in God is not merely an intellectual position but stems from deeper moral roots. He illustrates this point with a memorable story about the novelist Kingsley Amis, unpacking the biblical understanding of how people respond to God’s revelation in creation and in themselves.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Revelation Is Inescapable

• Sinclair emphasizes how God's self-revelation is comprehensive:
  • It surrounds us in nature ("the created order") and
  • Invades us as beings made in God's image (00:08).
• Quote:

  "There's no escape from revelation. We're spectators of it, and we are participants in it." — Sinclair B. Ferguson (00:39)

The Distortion—but Not Destruction—of God’s Image

• Even though humanity has marred God's image through sin, the image is not destroyed (00:24).
• People attempt to suppress their innate knowledge of God, but cannot fully eradicate it.

Atheism and Moral Roots

• Unbelief, often presented as intellectual honesty, actually has underlying moral causes (00:52).
• Citing Romans 1:30, Ferguson notes how scripture describes some as "haters of God," highlighting a deeper hostility, not just doubt.

Illustrative Story: Kingsley Amis’s Atheism

• Anecdote:
  • At a memorial service, Martin Amis recounted an exchange between his father, Sir Kingsley Amis, and Russian poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko.
  • Yevtushenko asked Amis, "Is it true... that you're an atheist?"
    • Kingsley Amis replied:

    "Well, yes, it's true I'm an atheist, but it's more than that. You see, I hate him." (01:47)

  • The congregation laughed at the contradiction.
• Ferguson's reflection:
  • It appears humorous, but is ultimately "tragic," illustrating the suppression of truth described in Romans 1 (03:03).

The Suppression of Truth

• Kingsley Amis represents those who both deny God and hate the very God they claim does not exist (03:30).
• This attitude exemplifies Paul’s argument that unbelief is rooted in unrighteousness, not simple intellectual doubt.

The Christian Response: Courage and Discernment

• Christians are encouraged to notice the "loose threads" of inconsistency in conversations with unbelievers (04:01).
• Pulling these threads requires courage, especially with those who appear supremely confident in their unbelief.

Prayerful Application

• Sinclair urges listeners to ask God for discernment to identify moments when someone’s real beliefs are exposed (04:28).
• He also encourages gratitude for the grace of seeing God’s handiwork and for being renewed in God’s image through Christ.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On inescapable revelation:

  "We can try to suppress that fact... but we can never ultimately destroy it." — Ferguson (00:24)

• On atheism’s moral roots:

  "...the atheism that they claim is simple intellectual honesty, in fact has deep moral roots. Because deep down, as Paul says in Romans 1:30, they are haters of God." — Ferguson (00:52)

• On Kingsley Amis:

  "Well, yes, said Kingsley Amis, it's true I'm an atheist, but it's more than that. You see, I hate him." — Recited by Ferguson (01:47)

• On the story’s deeper meaning:

  "I'm sure Kingsley Amis’s son meant people to laugh... But you know, what he said was not so much funny as tragic." — Ferguson (03:03)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:08–00:39: The nature and reach of God's revelation
• 00:39–01:03: Humanity as participants in revelation and the distortion—not destruction—of God’s image
• 01:03–01:47: The moral roots of unbelief; introduction to the Kingsley Amis story
• 01:47–03:03: The contradiction in Kingsley Amis’s statement and audience reaction
• 03:03–04:01: Scriptural analysis (Romans 1); the tragedy of suppressing truth
• 04:01–04:28: Christian courage in confronting self-deception in unbelief
• 04:28–end: Prayerful closing; gratitude for God’s redemptive work

Closing Reflection

Ferguson’s devotion underscores his core message: unbelief is driven more by deep-seated moral resistance than by intellectual skepticism. His poignant illustration and exhortation invite Christians both to discern these truths in others and to remain grateful for God’s ongoing work of renewal in their own lives.