Faith
Christians are often criticized as being unreasonable and pulling out “Mystery” as a cover every now and then. Now, that Faith in its strongest (though perhaps not – this I say with fear and trembling – the best) form can overcome all arguments, I would concede. Even arguments against Faith can be defended against by Faith. But that Christians are unreasonable and that there is a constant need to pull out mystery and faith against reasonable arguments I would not concede.
Before going on further, I must first make clear that Faith is Essential (or as the camp taught us, Indispensable). If for no other reason, it is that knowledge and everything is never going to build a complete picture. Faith is going to come in somewhere. And the more you know God – I think that the more you would be asked to trust Him (aka, have Faith in Him)
Yet, as far as reason go, I believe that Christians have by far, the upper hand. The existence of God? Buttressed by the existence and similarity of morality and the existence of reason (please see Mere Christianity for a full Thesis). The involvement of God? Testified by the Law, Moses, the Prophets, the Christ and the apostles. The reliability of the Bible? Shown by the fulfilled prophecies, the unison story, the numerous manuscripts, the transforming power, the sacrifices of the writer, and the coherence with our morality. For any other questions (reasonable ones I am supposing)? They either have a reasonable answer, no real significance, stems out of misunderstanding of the Christian doctrine, or is coherent with the rest of Christianity.
“The Bible is frivolous in the sense that it makes it sound as though humans are in the centre of attention; as though God thinks that we are beings who deserved attention at all.” And truly so - I would never dare to claim something like this. Yet, this does not immediately make it false. Flight was thought to be impossible –greater is the awe it creates when it really comes true.
We are told to believe, to walk by faith and not by side. But by His grace, He had allowed us to do so reasonably – at least for a start.
Before going on further, I must first make clear that Faith is Essential (or as the camp taught us, Indispensable). If for no other reason, it is that knowledge and everything is never going to build a complete picture. Faith is going to come in somewhere. And the more you know God – I think that the more you would be asked to trust Him (aka, have Faith in Him)
Yet, as far as reason go, I believe that Christians have by far, the upper hand. The existence of God? Buttressed by the existence and similarity of morality and the existence of reason (please see Mere Christianity for a full Thesis). The involvement of God? Testified by the Law, Moses, the Prophets, the Christ and the apostles. The reliability of the Bible? Shown by the fulfilled prophecies, the unison story, the numerous manuscripts, the transforming power, the sacrifices of the writer, and the coherence with our morality. For any other questions (reasonable ones I am supposing)? They either have a reasonable answer, no real significance, stems out of misunderstanding of the Christian doctrine, or is coherent with the rest of Christianity.
“The Bible is frivolous in the sense that it makes it sound as though humans are in the centre of attention; as though God thinks that we are beings who deserved attention at all.” And truly so - I would never dare to claim something like this. Yet, this does not immediately make it false. Flight was thought to be impossible –greater is the awe it creates when it really comes true.
We are told to believe, to walk by faith and not by side. But by His grace, He had allowed us to do so reasonably – at least for a start.
posted by P{ZM} at 8:00 PM
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