Indeed. That would be both unreasonable and uncharitable.
"It's my way or the highway." The "anointed" on earth simply can't leave all this up to God.
He is in charge of all things on earth, big and small, except of course this, in this matter, he somehow can't handle it and needs these anointed to whip these poor souls into shape even if they are going the right direction on their journey.
betty boop: Indeed. That would be both unreasonable and uncharitable.
It appears that Mr. Flew was significantly persuaded by Gerald Schroeder - an Orthodox Jewish Physicist we cite now and again on various science threads.
IOW, it appears to me that Mr. Flew was sensitive to an intellectual argument for God. But that is not the same as the Christian witness spoken of in so very many passages throughout Scripture – namely, letting our light (actually, His Light) shine, loving our neighbors, kindness and such. Jesus honors us by allowing the unbeliever to hear Him through us. We can do nothing on our own (John 15). And not every unbeliever can (or is willing to) hear Him (John 10).
IMHO, it is rarely successful when a Christian beats an unbeliever over the head with a five pound Bible – however, a “surgical” mentioning of passages applicable to the unbeliever’s quandary of the moment – or even just leaving the Scriptures here and there (Gideon’s approach) - is always effective (Isaiah 55:11).