As if these are antithesis of each other, many, both Christian and atheist, feel reason and faith are incompatible. Even Mark Twain said “Faith is believing something you know ain’t true.” Tim Minchin, a well known performer said “Science adjusts its views based on what’s observed. Faith is the denial of observation so that belief can be preserved.” It has be said that Martin Luther stated “Reason is the greatest enemy that faith has; it never comes to the aid of the divine Word, treating with contempt all that emanates from God”
I would disagree. I would argue that they are complementary. I would argue that they are two different concepts.
Blind Faith?
In the vein of said Martin Luther quote above, many times I hear Christians say that we should have a “simple faith,” “blind faith,” or just “faith to believe.” On one church sign I read once said something to the effect of “Reason is the greatest enemy that faith has”, from the above Luther quote.
It seems to me that many use it in reference against us using our minds. When one uses “reason” one must not be using “faith.” I not only find this saddening but also know the Bible does not teach this view, it is unbiblical.
Thus Says God
In Isaiah 1:18 it says “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Here, God asks those people to reason.
In fact, in John one we read of Jesus being the “Word.” The Greek work for this one is logos, it stems back to the same word that we use in English to mean reason, the word logic.
Romans 12:1 Paul says ” I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” The last part, “reasonable service” can be translated “logical service”. The Greek word is logikos, this is were we get the word “logical”. In other words we do have logical expectations to fulfill as Christians.
Upon Reflection…
In fact we did not even have to look at the biblical text, we only have to reflect upon it, and understand that if we did not use logic or reason we could not understand each other, we could not make books, talk, do science, understand God and many other things.
We also could look at the antonyms for these words and see that the opposite of faith is faithless or lack of trust. The opposite of reason and logic is unreasonable and illogical.
Strange, But True!
In addition, Christianity stands out as a “sore thumb” in the world of religions, why? Because it can be demonstrated. The apostles note several places that it is true because of eyewitness testimony (2 Peter 1, 1 Corinthians 15 and 1 John 1). It can be falsified, if Jesus did not raise from the dead, our hope is in vain (1 Corinthians 15).
For me, I want to have trust in God because it is reasonable and true. Strangely, without reason, I could not even read, understand and follow the Bible! So no, reason and faith are not at odds.
Free Resource!
I have a passion to have answers for my faith. I think this is only reasonable for me to do. If you also desire to have answers when you are challenged, you will want grab my free quick guide download, “Why Science Points to God: 8 Quick Reasons I Think Science Affirms The Creator.” I want to send it to you for free. In addition, you will not want to miss the next posts and latest resources, I’ll send them sent straight to your inbox!
Do you think Reason and Faith, or Science and Christianity are at odds? If so, why?
