Brant Hansen on God’s Purpose in Choosing the Ordinary

When Richard Dawkins, one of the world’s most outspoken atheists, scoffs at the idea of God working through “bronze age, camel herders from the Middle East,” he unintentionally highlights a theme that runs like a thread through Scripture. Brant takes this very skepticism and turns it into a powerful reminder: God’s story is filled with unlikely heroes. From Galilee—an obscure and overlooked corner of the ancient world—to shepherds, fishermen, and ordinary men and women with no status or power, the Bible consistently shows God choosing the unexpected to accomplish His purposes.This isn’t a flaw in the narrative; it’s the point. Brant argues that God’s deliberate choice of the humble and overlooked is a recurring theme meant to reveal His power and grace. In a world that prizes influence and prestige, the message is clear: God can use anyone, regardless of background, to fulfill His plans.