Establish the need: What is the relationship of faith and reason?
Purpose: We will look at four truths to have have a biblical view of faith and reason so that we can properly defend the faith.
- God wants us to have faith
- God wants us to reason
- Wrong Views of relationship of faith and reason
- The Right View of Faith and Reason
Review: Previous Lessons and how it connects with this session
- Session one introduce us to apologetics both with the definition and the duty Christians have to defend the faith–>So this week we want to look at the relationship between faith and reason because we cannot properly defend the faith if we have a wrong view of faith and reason.
- Of course there are different views with faith and reason. How should we proceed? The second session we covered there is no religious neutrality–>Therefore we need to hold to a biblical view of faith and reason.
God wants us to have faith
What is faith?
- Faith is important in the Bible. In the New Testament the noun for faith is πιστός and it appears more than 240 times in the New Testament, the verbal form about the same amount as the noun and 65 times as an adjectival form.[1]
- The frequent meaning of the term πιστεύω has to do with believing something is true.[2]
- It is translated as believe or faith.
Verses on having faith
- Example of the verb being used: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name,” (John 1:12)
- “And all the believers were together and had all things in common;” (Acts 2:44)=Note how an important trait of Christians is that they have enduring belief and thus are called believers.
God wants us to reason
What is reason?
- A common root word for reasoning in the Greek New Testament is λογίζομαι. The verb λογίζομαι can mean to think but more often it means argue.[3]
- It is where we get the root word for “logic.”
- The term λογίζομαι refers to thinking both in mathematical sense and more general reasoning from evidence.[4] I do take mathematical laws are a subset of the laws of logic (which are laws of thoughts).
- Reason is important in the Bible. The verb λογίζομαι in the New Testament appears forty times.[5] Interestingly enough Paul used the verb 34 of those instances showing how important reasoning is for him. [6] The noun form appears twice.[7]
Verses on reasoning
- We have already seen verses in our first session that establish Christians have a duty to engage in apologetics. Those verses involve reasoning and are relevant here. But below are some more examples.
- It is important to God with regards to matter of salvation: “and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God.” (James 2:23)
- The term “was credited” is λογίζομαι.
- Remember the mathematical dimension of this term.
- Thus we see that even with God saving us there is an inner logic and reason for people being made righteous; and the basis as revealed in the New Testament is Christ!
- Therefore Christians are also to be reasonable:“ But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, free of hypocrisy.” (James 3:17)
- Some version states “ready to yield” and this is ready to yield to reason.
- Notice God approves of this, calling it “wisdom from above.”
- Being arbitrary (without reason) is not seen as a virtue: “Do not contend with a person for no reason, If he has done you no harm.” (Proverbs 3:30)
- Proverbs is a book on wisdom.
- There are ethical use of violence such as self-defense.
- Here we see being arbitrary is wrong; and wrong when it is applying violence.
Wrong Views of relationship of faith and reason
Wrong view 1: Reason and faith are in opposition
Often this involves a wrong definition of faith.
- For example Friedrich Nietzsche define faith is “to avoid knowing what is true.”[8]
- Peter Angeles in Dictionary of Philosophy: “belief in something depite the evidence against it.”[9]
This is contrary to Biblical definition of faith: “Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)
- This verse describes faith.
- Not the term that convey faith is reasonable/based upon truth:
- “certainty”
- “proof”
- Biblically faith should not be against reason.
To see my article dealing with those who try to pit thinking against faith check out Bible Contradiction? Should we think for ourselves?
Wrong view 2: Faith does not need reason
A popular way this manifest is the idea that faith can be irrational.
Scripture teaches otherwise: “To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of things regarding the kingdom of God.” (Acts 1:3)
- Believing that Christ was raised from the dead is something Christians are to have faith in; it is a part of the Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-3).
- Yet this truth is established “by many convincing proofs.”
- So Christian faith in Christ resurrection can be historically demonstrated and therefore is reasonable.
Wrong view 3: Reason does not need faith
Some nonbelievers think that reason requires no faith since everything that is known can be established by reasoning.
Scripture teaches otherwise: “He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type.” (Hebrews 11:19)
- The participle “considered” is from the verb λογίζομαι which earlier we mentioned that it means reasoning and thinking.
- It is fascinating that in a famous chapter on faith we see a verb referring to thinking and reasoning.
- We see Abraham’s faith mentioned in 17. Here we ask the question which came first: faith or reason?
- It seems it is faith first. Verse 18 states the content of Abraham’s faith was God’s promise Isaac is the child of Promise where Abraham will have his many descendants. So the conclusion in verse 19 that Isaac will be resurrected first started with Abraham’s faith in God’s promises.
Also if you have to have a reason for everything you believe, this is logically impossible since there’s an infinite regress. So even with reasoning we have to rely on faith on certain things.
To even claim reasoning is the ultimate foundation for knowledge is itself an article of faith: “Faith is the very foundation for reasoning to the point that those who claim that reason is the foundation for knowledge must have faith that it’s so.”[10]
The Right View of Faith and Reason
- (Note: what follows summarizes all the verses and reasoning we have given above)
- There are some beliefs (what we have faith in) that depends on reason
- Reason also depend on the foundation of faith
- Those beliefs that is the foundation for reasoning we call Presuppositions.
- Presuppositions in normal use sometimes is use synonymously with assumptions. But we use it technically to refer to beliefs that are ultimate commitments that are foundational for other beliefs including beliefs about reasoning.
- For the Christian it is the biblical worldview that are the presuppositions that makes reason and other beliefs intelligible and meaningful.
[1] “πιστεύω” The New International Dictionary of the New Testament Theology and Exegesis (Second Edition), (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2014), 3:765.
[2] “πιστεύω” The New International Dictionary of the New Testament Theology and Exegesis (Second Edition), (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2014), 3:765.
[3] Nola J. Opperwall-Galluch, “Reason, Reasoning, Reasonable” in The International StandardBible Encyclopedia, (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1988), 4:51.
[4] “λογίζομαι” The New International Dictionary of the New Testament Theology and Exegesis (Second Edition), (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2014), 3:123.
[5] “λογίζομαι” The New International Dictionary of the New Testament Theology and Exegesis (Second Edition), (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2014), 3:125.
[6] “λογίζομαι” The New International Dictionary of the New Testament Theology and Exegesis (Second Edition), (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2014), 3:125.
[7] “λογίζομαι” The New International Dictionary of the New Testament Theology and Exegesis (Second Edition), (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2014), 3:123.
[8] Friedrich Nietzsche, Anti-Christ. (New York: Cosimo Classics, 2005), 57.
[9] Peter Angeles, Dictionary of Philosophy. (New York: Barnes and Noble, 1981), 94.
[10] Greg Bahsen, Against All Opposition. (Powder Springs, GA: American Vision, 2020), 16.
This is good. It seems common these days for skeptics to misunderstand what biblical faith is. I am glad you addressed this.
Thanks for reading this James. I found about 5 or 6 quotes that nonbelievers assert the definition of faith is believing what is false or against evidence. It’s astounding how many thinks this who should know better! Unfortunately I was short on time and didn’t want to get caught up with footnotes when I had to finish this Bible study outline (it’s still a Bible study even if it’s about apologetics). It was more enriching studying what Scripture says. Thanks for reading this and joining us in this journey with this outline series! Cant wait for you to be able to share and teach this sometime!
Should no better but they are not neutral so I don’t think they have the capacity to know better.
I can’t wait to share this either. Not sure when it will be but I am definitely going to do it.
Keep up the great work.
Good description of the right view of faith and reason in your five points at the end.
Thanks! I hope I made a biblically driven view of faith and reason. Appreciate you pointing out the final point that summarized everything and is the conclusion of truths in the rest of the outline. Have a blessed day
Thanks for distinguishing the correct view of faith and reason.
Shalom!
You cannot have working faith without some degree of reason. Likewise, one cannot have reason without some faith in the data from which it springs. I would say that if God had expected less, he might have created us blind and deaf (but that would require apologies to the prodigy Hellen Keller).
Well stated! Love how you summarized the interrelationships of faith and reason! And a good closing point lol
This was such a timely lesson! Faith is not blind, it is reasonable, not emotional. Reason requires faith. So thankful that Jesus is our object of faith and His ways are our objective. I have always loved Isaiah 1:18 in the ESV “come now and let us reason together,” says the Lord…Reason is translated differently in other translations; however, the meaning is the same. God calls His people to reason and dispute logically as He does. Scripture is clear about how we are to worship Him, obey Him and love and treat other people. Thank you again for this lesson!!!!
Glad you shared Isaiah 1:18. I was debating whether to put that in the study as people sometimes dispute its use for making the point of apologetics. But I think you are right the point still remains there is logical thinking involved (and that is reasoning). I appreciate you joining in last night!! My you must be so tired today???
I understand why it is disputed and thought we could engage with more in this forum than last night. It’s amazing how I have energy to do everything but work for this writing class, hahahahahaha!!!! What have you been teaching your lovely ladies lately?!
I appreciate how you built up to presupposition. Our belief in God and the Bible is based on faith and reason. An atheist must have more “faith” than a believer in denying God and resorts to using God’s laws of logic in his arguments.
“ An atheist must have more “faith” than a believer in denying God and resorts to using God’s laws of logic in his arguments.” yep! And an irrational faith at that. Good point. I’m so glad you read Dr Lisle book and understand what Presuppositional apologetics is trying to say and the arguments offered. I always feel the weight with preparing this series as I don’t want it to be over the head of people, and yet still be biblical but also some want to go through the firepower stuff of internal critiques of false worldviews. Appreciate you following along with this series. How goes your day??
I’m very appreciative that you recommended Dr. Lisle’s book. An excellent foundation.
RE: day
Thanks! I raked for awhile. Backyard is mostly done. Will start on the front tomorrow if the weather holds up.
How is your Wednesday going?
Good outline.
My comment comes from a book manuscript I am working on.
“Faith is necessary to please God. “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb. 11:6). Faith can be increased or lost. However, faith in Christ is not a leap into darkness—a mindless, illogical, reasonless belief incapable of proof. Christianity is a historical faith backed by verifiable facts, fulfilled prophecy and countless changed lives.
Jesus showed “many infallible proofs” to His chosen ones (Acts 1:2-3). John the Apostle was a witness to the many healings and mighty works of Christ. The miracles John described so powerfully at once confirmed Jesus was the Christ and solidified the rationale for embracing the Gospel.
On Mars Hill, the apostle Paul used proofs from nature to reveal the unknown God to the Greeks (Acts 17:22-26). Paul referenced God’s creation to point the Greeks to Christ. For the Jews, he used reasonings from the Scriptures (Acts 17:2; 18:4, 14, 19). In the presence of the Roman magistrate Felix and his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess, Paul reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and the judgment to come (Acts 24:24-25). When visiting Rome, Paul used reason in presenting the case for holy living to the Christians who came to settle there (Rom. 12:1).
God reasoned (Hebrew: to make clear, to demonstrate, to judge, to prove) with Israel through the prophet Isaiah, “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” (Isa. 1:18).”
Elder Mike, this is good stuff! Have you written previous books if so are they available for purchase anywhere online?
Thank you for your kind words.
Yes, I have. And yes, you can buy them online. The authors name is Michael Earl Riemer. If you like, email me at eldermike547@yahoo.com and I can send you a PDF file of “Reindeer” or “Israel, Rapture, Tribulation.” I always like to have a book to read, and not a PDF file, so it’s up to you, buy one or get a free file to read.
“Reindeer Don’t Fly: Exploring the Evidence-Lacking Realm of Evolutionary Philosophy” (2018 about 400 pages)
Lee Duigon was gracious enough to review that book. Here is his review and Online Book Club’s review of that book:
https://chalcedon.edu/resources/articles/book-review-reindeer-dont-fly
OnlineBookClub.org also reviewed that book:
https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=122157
“It Was at Hand: A Biblical Response to Dispensationalism” (2002, 210 pages)
The title says it all. There have been good reviews of this book.
“Israel, Rapture, Tribulation: How to Sort Biblical Fact from Theological Fiction” was published in 2021, 330 pages. This book is a revision of “It Was at Hand” It covers the same material, but in greater depth, with much new information and different topics.
The manuscript I am now working on is composed of four different doctrines combined into one book.
Evolution vs creation & age of the earth
The Sabbath day
Tithing
Monotheism
I am really done with it, but I still need a few readers or reviewers to look it over. You know, to catch mistakes, corrections, for rebuttals, grammar, suggestions and so forth.
Amen
Reblogged this on clydeherrin.
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The last point really summarized the Bible’s view of faith and reason. I find the most common incorrect opinion is Wrong view 1: Reason and faith are in opposition.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is truth founded on facts. Simon Greenleaf wrote a book called “the testimony of the evangelists” and how using the rules of j
Evidence in the court of justice reveals that the gospel writers testimonies prove beyond a doubt the veracity of the event. It is faith founded on fact, seems reasonable to me!
Wow I haven’t heard the name Greenleaf for a long time, I use to want to read his books as a kid seeing it mentioned by Josh McDowell. Have you read Testimony of the Evangelists?
Yes, I have
Isaiah 40:28-29
Haven’t you known? Haven’t you heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, doesn’t faint. He isn’t weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak. He increases the strength of him who has no might.
Amen! We can count on our Lord for EVERYTHING. 💕
Beautiful passage here sister! God’s Word is for the soul! Thanks for sharing this and many other verses on here just now! HOpe your day was not uncomfortable physically???
No, just emotionally. But, it builds character. YAY! 😊
Believers rejecting apologetics make Christianity and the Bible look stupid and false by being ignorant
[…] The world today twist the meaning of faith which one can see when we talk about the relationship of faith to reason. A few months I posted my outline “Apologetics Session 3: Relationship of Faith and Reason” […]
[…] Apologetics Session 3: Relationship of Faith and Reason […]
What you think you’re the next top apologisr around here…lol🤣😂
But good stuff
[…] Faith is important in the Bible. In the New Testament the noun for faith is πιστός and it appears more than 240 times in the New Testament, the verbal form about the same amount as the noun and 65 times as an adjectival form.[1] […]
Great lesson you got on here, love how you showed even reason needs foundation of faith
[…] this guy has an incorrect view of what’s a biblical understanding of faith; see my Apologetics Session 3: Relationship of Faith and Reason. So in essence he’s committed a strawman […]