Are Faith and Reason Contradictory?
Today many secularists like to claim science and reason while pushing faith into the subjective personal realm. Many will go as far as saying that faith is the suspension of logic, because it is in clear contrast to rational thinking. Sadly many, including Christians have bought into this notion. I want to start by pointing out that Christianity is unlike every other religion in that it is based on historical events, primarily the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. This is very different because the Bible does not read like a mystical tale but rather like a book grounded in the history of the Jewish people and the life of Jesus of Nazareth. On the subject of faith, the Bible does not teach that faith is irrational, nor should it be in conflict to everyday experience.
The faith of the Christian, like the faith of the atheist, does take us where evidence cannot. As an example, the beginning of the universe is something that cannot be understood by evidence because we don't have a time machine nor could we duplicate such an event. Therefore, the Christian understands by faith that God created the universe, much like the atheist believes the universe created itself. Both understand the event by faith. As for faith and reason, St. Thomas Aquinas had this to say,
“Faith and reason are parallel. One does not cause the other because faith involves will, and reason does not coerce the will. Faith is consent without inquiry, in that faith’s assent is not caused by investigation. This does not prevent someone who believes from having some thought about those things he believes. Such reasoning from premise to conclusions is not the cause of faith but it should accompany it.” On Truth, St. Thomas Aquinas
To Aquinas, reason does not bring about our faith, but it can work to support and encourage our faith, and never, when properly understood, should reason and evidence be in conflict with our faith. The two should work side by side. Below are a few examples of how faith and reason work together.
The Bible encourages us to seek knowledge and understanding (Job 28:28; Prov. 1:7) and to test everything (1 Thess. 5:21). When Paul makes his defense before King Agrippa and Festus, his speech is well organized and flows logically. He builds the details of his experience into a larger story, closing with the death and resurrection of Jesus. In verse 25 Paul explains, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason." Today the church has largely limited their evangelism to "Jesus loves you" or "God has a plan for your life" and personal testimonies. While these may be effective in some instances, it is not the method used by the Apostles. They used sound doctrine and reasonable presentations of the Gospel, and the Bible records countless conversions. Our hope is that evangelists around the world would expand their evangelistic approach to include a rational presentation of the Gospel which would appeal to so many seeking truth.
Articles
What is the Relation between Science and Religion William Lane Craig
Truth and Reason Kenneth R. Samples
The faith of the Christian, like the faith of the atheist, does take us where evidence cannot. As an example, the beginning of the universe is something that cannot be understood by evidence because we don't have a time machine nor could we duplicate such an event. Therefore, the Christian understands by faith that God created the universe, much like the atheist believes the universe created itself. Both understand the event by faith. As for faith and reason, St. Thomas Aquinas had this to say,
“Faith and reason are parallel. One does not cause the other because faith involves will, and reason does not coerce the will. Faith is consent without inquiry, in that faith’s assent is not caused by investigation. This does not prevent someone who believes from having some thought about those things he believes. Such reasoning from premise to conclusions is not the cause of faith but it should accompany it.” On Truth, St. Thomas Aquinas
To Aquinas, reason does not bring about our faith, but it can work to support and encourage our faith, and never, when properly understood, should reason and evidence be in conflict with our faith. The two should work side by side. Below are a few examples of how faith and reason work together.
- God exists (faith)…The universe is ordered and complex (reason).
- Christ rose from the dead (faith)…Christians around the world report life-transforming miracles (reason).
- God is love (faith)…Everything necessary for life exists here on earth (reason).
The Bible encourages us to seek knowledge and understanding (Job 28:28; Prov. 1:7) and to test everything (1 Thess. 5:21). When Paul makes his defense before King Agrippa and Festus, his speech is well organized and flows logically. He builds the details of his experience into a larger story, closing with the death and resurrection of Jesus. In verse 25 Paul explains, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason." Today the church has largely limited their evangelism to "Jesus loves you" or "God has a plan for your life" and personal testimonies. While these may be effective in some instances, it is not the method used by the Apostles. They used sound doctrine and reasonable presentations of the Gospel, and the Bible records countless conversions. Our hope is that evangelists around the world would expand their evangelistic approach to include a rational presentation of the Gospel which would appeal to so many seeking truth.
Articles
What is the Relation between Science and Religion William Lane Craig
Truth and Reason Kenneth R. Samples