In a world increasingly mired in ideologies, humanistic perceptions and a gospel molded to the needs of the moment, it is very common to hear detractors of our faith describe us as irrational believers. Often, we are labeled as believers of a faith without evidence to support our worldview.
Is our faith blind? What makes our faith true?
As Christians, we are called to support our position on the world, eternity and human morality. The God of the Bible does not call us to blind obedience. We have, for example, the Gospels as a testimony of witnesses who observed firsthand the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus. We have in these witnesses reliable and well-founded proof of our savior.
The Bible uses the word irrational with a negative connotation, to be irrational is to be inferior to the God-given ability to conceive of our reality and to judge correctly what is happening around us. We are called to have an examined faith.
Matthew 22:37-38: Loving God with all “our mind” speaks to us of a faith that is not afraid to be challenged. Rather, it encourages us to examine what others criticize so that they may be convinced in truth.
1 Thessalonians 5:19-21: Examine all things; hold fast that which is good….
1 John 4:1: “. . . but test the spirits, whether they are of God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world”.
Romans 14, 5 “Let each one stand firm in his own opinions.”
2 Timothy 3:14: But persevere thou in that which thou hast learned, and be persuaded, knowing of whom thou hast learned it….
It is God’s desire to be able to support our positions, to know how to judge correctly and to differentiate truth from falsehood.
Investigating the evidence, being critical and searching the scriptures enables us to defend our faith over those who try to dominate people’s minds.
This is a call that is not for some, God has called us all to defend our faith and to give arguments why Christianity has the power to save the sinner in a world far from Christ. And it is always our prayer that each of our leaders are prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks us the reason for the hope that we have.
Thank you for your faithful support and your prayers for us. On a journey together to transform communities with the Gospel of Jesus, one life at a time.