All too often we hear that cynical definition of faith—“Faith is believing in what you know is not true.” There is the presumption that, if faith is involved, logic and reason go right out the window. If you can’t explain it, just call it “faith.” You can either be logical about something, or have blind faith. Sigh.
Well, that is a far cry from the biblical understanding of faith and the connection between faith and reason. So many want to put the two in opposition: faith on one side and reason on the other, combatants with nothing in common. Biblically, however, faith is not the opposite of reason. True, faith often goes beyond reason, but never against reason. Faith is not an ignorant believing of something that is not true—though faith does often reach places where reason alone cannot go. Faith, according to the author of Hebrews, “is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (verse 11:1)
Not opponents, instead faith and reason work together. Throughout the Church age, philosophers, theologians, and scholars have recognized a deep connection between the two. Reason, far from being dismissed or disparaged, has been taught, encouraged and honored throughout church history. Reason, properly understood, serves the work of faith; as the medieval phrase stresses: “reason is the handmaiden of faith.”
We would be hard pressed to find a clearer example in the Bible of the use of reason in the service of faith than Paul’s argument about the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15. A sample:
“If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:13-14)
Relying not on revelation or an experience beyond reason, Paul uses a clear logical argument to demonstrate the importance of the Christian doctrine of the resurrection. Beginning with a major premise, moving on through a minor premise, Paul draws inescapable conclusions. A clear, logical chain of thought moves Paul from one assumption to another. The force of his argument, simply taken from its logical presentation, is hard to miss. Working together, faith in the resurrection of Jesus logically leads to a meaningful life. Alternatively, rejecting resurrection leads to futility and senselessness.
The resurrection is not a popular Christian doctrine in much of today’s church. Loving others, servant leadership, forgiveness, heaven—all are more well-received than the resurrection of Jesus. Teaching on the resurrection of Jesus is…well…just a bit too fantastic, too bizarre, too unreal. We have all seen death, we know what that looks like. Imagining resurrection makes no sense, we have no personal experience with it, and it is therefore easy to dismiss. Christ’s resurrection is a comforting image, but not one we want to look at too closely, like a nice backdrop to our faith, it is best left unexplored.
Paul, however, centralizes Jesus’s resurrection—without it, our faith is futile and all we are doing is meaningless. Not only important to Jesus, His resurrection guarantees ours. Take away His resurrection and the biblical picture of heaven disappears. Easter is not simply the victory of Jesus over death—it is our victory as well. Faith AND Reason show this to be true.
In preparation for worship this week, read John 11:25-26.
- The context of this passage is the death of Lazarus. Review all of chapter 11 for the background to Jesus’ words. How does Lazarus’ death help shed light on Jesus’ words?
- In verses 25 and 26, Jesus identifies some “qualifications” for those who benefit from His resurrection—what might those qualifications mean?
- How might you explain the contradiction of verse 25b—”though he die, yet he shall live?”
- What might Jesus mean in verse 26 that someone might never die?
- Why does Jesus ask Martha, “do you believe?” What kind of response is He hoping for?
by Henry Knapp