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by Kevin Pauley
Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. For by it our ancestors were approved. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen has been made from things that are not visible. - Hebrews 11:1-3 HCSB
Having been an atheist and having turned from my stupidity by studying both the "hard" sciences and logic, I am a great devotee of apologetics. However, in the many years since, I have never succeeded in leading a person to Christ using a purely apologetic approach. At some point, they must simply trust God.
Solomon, the wisest man ever, recommended, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths. Don't consider yourself to be wise; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. This will be healing for your body and strengthening for your bones.”[1]
The apostle Paul also warned, “For God's wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth, since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them. From the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what He has made. As a result, people are without excuse. For though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became nonsense, and their senseless minds were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools.”[2]
People often like to refer to faith as blind. I would like to humbly suggest that biblical faith is not so much blind as merely myopic. Clearly, the evidence is there to be seen so our faith does not need to be blind. We simply need to adjust our focal point.
My fear is that Christians who emphasize a lack of "reasonableness" in faith may feed a currently popular misconception of the nature of faith. Lots of people say "I have my little faith" as if faith is intrinsically sufficient. It is not. Faith must be placed IN something. Lots of people had faith in Jim Jones and ended up dead. Lots of people had faith in Jimmy Swaggart or Jim Bakker (what's up with the name Jim by the way?).
It is at this point that reason kicks in. I trust in a resurrected Christ because of the witnesses to the event and the preponderance of corroborating evidence that supports that faith. I trust in His atoning blood because the God who has been so faithful to me in so many other ways assures me of its effects. My faith is not blind. It is based on a long history of reliance on El Emet's character.
Kevin Pauley is a pastor and writer. He lives in Illinois with his wife, Lynn, their five children and two dogs. His internet address is Berea.
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