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Christian faith is not irrational. Despite what atheists like Richard Dawkins would have us believe about our own faith, Christianity is decidedly not belief due to a lack of – or worse, in spite of – the evidence. Such misrepresentation and vitriol is the culmination of a philosophy that began with Immanuel Kant back in the eighteenth century. But it now dominates our media, our TV shows, and our films. And, sadly, in some cases it dominates the horizon of Christians also: we think our faith is only real when it’s a ‘leap in the dark’. This is a tragic misunderstanding for the Christian, and in some cases shipwrecks that very faith.
No, Christian faith is rational and reasonable. True, it’s only discerned spiritually as the grace of God and the work of his Spirit to enable us to see, but spiritual discernment in no way means it happens in absence of evidence. True, we believe a promise – something that has yet to be fulfilled – but again the promissory nature of the gospel does not mean there is no reason for confidence that God can do what he promises.
Twice in the New Testament the Apostle Paul lifts up Abraham as the exemplar of faith (trust!) (Romans 4, Galatians 3). Notice, then, how Paul describes Abraham’s faith: he was ‘fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised’ (Romans 4:19).
People believe what they are persuaded is true. Once again we return to the dictionary definition for the Greek word lying behind faith/trust in Scripture: ‘to consider something to be true and therefore worthy of one’s trust’ (BDAG).
When it comes to the truths of Scripture, some people require very little evidence to believe; others require a lot. Some have a very easy ability to trust the gospel; others have a much harder time and struggle with doubts. But whether it is a simple faith, a complex faith, a struggling faith, or a robust faith, anyone who trusts in Jesus receives the benefits of his hands.
This is a great comfort to those who struggle with doubt, to those who cry as did that father to Jesus: ‘I believe; help me to overcome my unbelief!’ (Mark 9:24).
