The Fool

Scripture Reading: Numbers 8-9; Mark 8; Psalm 53

Ray Comfort once came up with a clever and sarcastic bumper sticker declaring April 1st as “National Atheists Day.” His reasoning? Since Psalm 53 emphatically states that “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God,’” it seemed fitting to connect April Fools’ Day with atheism.

While I still appreciate the sentiment behind Comfort’s campaign, I have to pause when I read the rest of this psalm. If you recall my recent posts on intertextuality, you know that Scripture often connects passages across different books. And if Psalm 53 sounds familiar to you, you’re not wrong—it’s quoted extensively in Paul’s scathing commentary on the human condition in Romans. That section famously concludes, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

This means Psalm 53 isn’t just about atheists—it’s about all of us.

You might be thinking, Wait a minute—I’m not an atheist. And maybe you’re right in the strictest sense. But notice what David actually says: The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” This isn’t necessarily an outspoken, avowed atheist. It’s someone whose heart rejects God, whether or not their lips ever do.

There’s a term for this: practical atheism. A practical atheist is someone who may profess belief in God but lives as if He doesn’t exist. Psalm 53 describes this person’s life:

• Corrupt living (v. 1)

• Not seeking after God (v. 2)

• Failing to do good (v. 3)

• Neglecting prayer (v. 4)

Those are symptoms of a heart that, at least functionally, denies God.

But here’s the good news: Paul doesn’t leave us under condemnation. He continues in Romans with the hope of the gospel:
“While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

Even when we lived as if God didn’t exist, Christ pursued us. Whether we were professing atheists or practical ones, salvation is available to all who believe in Him.

So today, let’s ask ourselves: Are there areas of our lives where we live as if God doesn’t exist? And if so, will we turn to Him in faith, trusting in the One who saves even the fool?

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