In Search of a Logical Faith

For many, the idea of a “logical faith” sounds like a contradiction in terms. In fact, perhaps even for most people, faith seems like in irrational thing, a kind of blind leap in the dark against all odds, prompted by some kind of vague or even desperate hope that things can or must be different.

One reason for this situation is a widespread confusion between faith and belief. We have in faith, on the one hand, a deep sense of trust or conviction that the universe or life somehow makes sense. And then we have, on the other hand, the particular set of beliefs or mental attempts to make sense of this basic trust or conviction. In fact, so stubborn is this conviction that many people are convinced that religion should make no sense, and are in fact quite happy to leave it that way, maybe because they insecure to examine their beliefs. Or else they may be delighted to be freed from the burden of thinking deeply about life’s meaning and its responsibilities.

Neither of these escapes, whether it be into fideism (readiness to believe anything) or complete skepticism (refusal to believe anything at all) is worthy, I think, of human beings. If we are, as the philosopher Aristotle said, “rational animals”, then, if we are to act as humans, the motives for our actions, including our deepest held beliefs, must be subjected to reason. In fact, even the Scriptures tell us this, when we are told that we must be ready to give an account for the hope that is within us. (1 Peter 3:15) So what are we to do?

Some, no doubt even many, are reluctant to take up the challenge. They seem quite content to live their life in a kind of state of mental schizophrenia, their faith more or less totally cut off from world of mundane and everyday reality. Such an attitude is often motivated by a nostalgia for the past, when life seemed simple. Perhaps it was, but they should not be surprised when others, their own children, for example, look elsewhere for solutions to life’s dilemmas.

Instead, is my conviction—or “belief” if you will—that Christians are obliged to submit all their beliefs to the test of reason, and if necessary, to change or at least adjust those beliefs in a way that seems to make sense in light of our contemporary understanding of reality.

For example, back in the days before modern medicine and deeper understanding of how the human mind works, it made sense to think of illness and mental problems in terms of evil spirits or demonic possession. If the gospel writers had used today’s explanations, who back then would have understood them? However, today such explanations, rather than being a rational, appear to be utter nonsense. Not only that, such ideas also provide too ready of an excuse for human irresponsibility and bad behavior. In fact, if one were to be completely logical about it, could not such a belief itself be used as a kind of biblical alibi for a loss of faith? After all, what better excuse could be cooked up for rejecting faith than “The devil made me do it!”

Nevertheless, reason leads us to the conclusion that faith itself must transcend belief or particular beliefs that may seem, at least at times, self- contradictory. Indeed, logic itself should lead us to the conclusion that any God who could be totally comprehended would not be truly God, but more likely an idol of our own making.

R W Kropf 9/29/07 07-09-29.htm