At stake is the central question, "Is it true?" There is only one reason to accept a religious position or a worldview . . . if it is true.
Also in question is one's understanding of "Faith." I was listening recently to a presentation by Greg Koukl from the organization Stand To Reason. In this presentation, he states that when we use the word "faith" in our modern context that it no longer communicates the concept of the original source word in Greek. The modern concept of faith is often understood as "blind faith" or taking a "leap of faith." It has taken on a mystical quality, as if to have faith means to believe "in spite of" the evidence to the contrary.
By contrast, the writers of the New Testament scriptures, faith, as they understood it, is trust because of what they knew for certain. The book of John says, "We testify that these things we are writing are true because we have seen them with our own eyes and heard them with our own ears." They don't say, "Just have faith." They offer evidence. In fact, if you will notice, Jesus does many of his miracles "so that you might believe." The evidence comes before the belief.
A key example would be when Jesus heals the crippled man in Mark 2. First he tells the man, "Your sins are forgiven." And then, "But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins..." he heals the man. Notice the word "know." He evidences his "invisible" qualities by giving "visible" evidence to corroborate his claims that he is God.
God is infinite. There are plenty of things about Him that we cannot know. But He has given us, or revealed, enough of Himself that is understandable to keep us amazed for many generations. Why would we fear knowledge when He is the creator of knowledge? Of course this is a position couched in trust. And this trust grows stronger with ever increasing knowledge of reality.
If the claims of Christianity are indeed what they claim to be, The Truth, then they need fear no challenge and in fact invite challenge by their very nature. Long enough have opponents of Christianity called it a religion of the weak minded. Bring it on! It's OK to say, "I don't know." It is the best answer if it is true. "But let me look into it and get back with you" should follow close behind. Then go find the answer. This is a great way to learn, and it is intellectually honest. And may we, as ambassadors for Christ, be prepared to offer an answer to the hard questions.
Also in question is one's understanding of "Faith." I was listening recently to a presentation by Greg Koukl from the organization Stand To Reason. In this presentation, he states that when we use the word "faith" in our modern context that it no longer communicates the concept of the original source word in Greek. The modern concept of faith is often understood as "blind faith" or taking a "leap of faith." It has taken on a mystical quality, as if to have faith means to believe "in spite of" the evidence to the contrary.
By contrast, the writers of the New Testament scriptures, faith, as they understood it, is trust because of what they knew for certain. The book of John says, "We testify that these things we are writing are true because we have seen them with our own eyes and heard them with our own ears." They don't say, "Just have faith." They offer evidence. In fact, if you will notice, Jesus does many of his miracles "so that you might believe." The evidence comes before the belief.
A key example would be when Jesus heals the crippled man in Mark 2. First he tells the man, "Your sins are forgiven." And then, "But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins..." he heals the man. Notice the word "know." He evidences his "invisible" qualities by giving "visible" evidence to corroborate his claims that he is God.
God is infinite. There are plenty of things about Him that we cannot know. But He has given us, or revealed, enough of Himself that is understandable to keep us amazed for many generations. Why would we fear knowledge when He is the creator of knowledge? Of course this is a position couched in trust. And this trust grows stronger with ever increasing knowledge of reality.
If the claims of Christianity are indeed what they claim to be, The Truth, then they need fear no challenge and in fact invite challenge by their very nature. Long enough have opponents of Christianity called it a religion of the weak minded. Bring it on! It's OK to say, "I don't know." It is the best answer if it is true. "But let me look into it and get back with you" should follow close behind. Then go find the answer. This is a great way to learn, and it is intellectually honest. And may we, as ambassadors for Christ, be prepared to offer an answer to the hard questions.
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