FAITH & REASON

Paul said, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7). Many have come to the conclusion that faith is a belief in something for which there is no proof. “Where there is faith, there can be no knowledge, and where there is knowledge, there can be no faith.”

HOW DOES THE WORLD DEFINE “FAITH”? Dictionary definitions: Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate: “Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence.” Oxford Illustrated American Dictionary: “Firm belief especially without logical proof.”

Some quotes from well known religious men. “Even in faith, then, there is no certainty entirely free from doubt. In faith we must commit ourselves to something uncertain.” “Faith is a commitment to an unprovable assumption…Both the atheist and the theist are making a commitment of faith. The atheist believes in nothing. The theist believes in something. But both are making a commitment to an unprovable assumption.”

So, according to these sources, faith is a belief in something that may or may not be true. Therefore, they say, knowledge will get you only so far and after that, you just have to believe.

HOW DOES THE WORLD DEFINE “FAITH”? Evidence begins here. Evidence ends here. Conclusion for which there is not adequate evidence. “Faith” “Leap of Faith” (that is, beyond the evidence) Evidence Want to get here. Conclusion could be, “God exists.” False view of Christian faith.

Christianity is a religion based on historical fact. It is based on the fact that Jesus really lived. It is based on the fact that He died for our sins. It is based on the fact that He rose again.

Do we know God exists or just hope that God exists? Do we know that Jesus was God’s Son or do we just hope that is the case? Do we know that Jesus rose from the grave or do we think He probably did?

HOW DOES GOD’S WORD DEFINE FAITH? The word in the Greek is pistis. Thayer says, The conviction of the truth of anything, belief.

Vine says this word is used as follows: Trust (1 Corinthians 2:5). that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. New King James Version

Trustworthiness (Romans 3:3). For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? New King James Version

To stand for what is believed (Romans 6:7). Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. New King James Version

Assurance (Acts 17:31). “because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” New King James Version

Nowhere does the Bible put forth the idea that we are expected to believe anything without adequate evidence. To do so would be irrational. The law of rationality says, “Draw only such conclusions as are warranted by the evidence.” Most of us try to live this way in our everyday lives. To be irrational is to draw conclusions for which there is not sufficient evidence.

FAITH & REASON Do we actually believe that God would demand our obedience without giving us adequate evidence?

Some think that Jesus is teaching that when he rebuked Thomas

Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger

into His side, I will not believe into His side, I will not believe.” And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your

finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him,

“Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” New King James Version John 20:24-29

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. New King James Version Romans 10:17

Some think that Jesus is teaching that when he rebuked Thomas God would not demand our obedience without giving us sufficient evidence as to His existence.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of

world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, New King James Version Romans 1:18-20

Where their voice is not heard. New King James Version The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard. New King James Version Psalm 19:1-3

Some think that Jesus is teaching that when he rebuked Thomas God would not demand our obedience without giving us sufficient evidence as to His existence. Faith and knowledge go hand in hand. Apollos used evidence and reasoning to prove that Jesus was the Christ.

for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ. New King James Version Acts 18:28

Jesus encouraged John and his disciples to examine the evidence and draw a conclusion

and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: “The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf

hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. New King James Version Matthew 11:3-5

Jesus encouraged John and his disciples to examine the evidence and draw a conclusion. We are expected to be able to give a reason for our hope.

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; New King James Version 1 Peter 3:15

Jesus encouraged John and his disciples to examine the evidence and draw a conclusion. We are expected to be able to give a reason for our hope. God expects us to have a strong faith that is based upon our knowledge of the solid evidence.

These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. New King James Version Acts 17:11

Test all things; hold fast what is good Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. New King James Version 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” New King James Version John 8:32

Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.” New King James Version John 4:42

And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. New King James Version John 20:30-31

These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. New King James Version 1 John 5:13

Faith based on knowledge should lead to obedience.

Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to

the congregation and their animals the congregation and their animals.” So Moses took the rod from before the Lord as He commanded him. And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock; and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of

this rock?” Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank. Then the Lord spoke to Moses and

Aaron, “Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.” New King James Version Numbers 20:7-12

Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of

God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. New King James Version Romans 10:1-3

FAITH & REASON God does exist. Jesus is God’s Son. The Bible is God’s Word. There is sufficient evidence to conclude: Evidence begins here. Evidence ends here. Conclusion for which there is not adequate evidence. “Faith” Law of Rationality “Leap of Faith” (that is, beyond the evidence) Evidence Draw only such conclusions as are warranted by the evidence. Faith False view of Christian faith. True view of Christian faith (Romans 10:17).

God expects us to be rational beings. Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. New King James Version God expects us to be rational beings. Draw only such conclusions as are warranted by the evidence.