Indisputable Proof
The Christian faith is reasonable, of course, but it isn't a series of rational propositions that we establish by the laws of logic. Our faith is what is called a "revealed" religion. No one could look at the young man dying on a cross and deduce from it that this was God being a man and dying to reconcile the world to himself. But that's what we have been asked to believe. You don't test such a faith with microscopes, chemical solvents or mathematical equations. But then you can't use these means to test the most important realities of our lives, like love, loyalty, honour and integrity. Relationships and the profound truths connected with them are out of the range of the telescope. Nobody (not anybody!) lives simply by measures, weights or carbon14 dates.
Things are revealed to them ("I love you, daddy!") and the tests tubes and laser equipment are left in the lab where they belong while a satisfied heart and mind enjoys the truth of a child's self-revelation. This is all the most of us ask for: enough evidence to make a reasonable case and we'll work through the difficulties as they arise. We don't demand "indisputable proof" for a child's confession or a husband's whispered love. Give us enough to make the assurances believable and we'll gladly wrestle with the times when they're called into question.
Our acceptance of the Christian faith works on similar lines at many points (though, as you might expect, there are differences in places). The Christian faith is historical as well as revealed. It isn't "a view of life" philosophy that was dropped into the minds of some ancient men. It revolves around events that took place in time and space. It centres in Jesus of Nazareth whom we believe was God being Jesus of Nazareth. The Christian faith says God created us, we rebelled against him and in Jesus Christ he came to reconcile his creation to himself. Jesus Christ is the centre of the self-revealing and redeeming acts of God.
Christians don't deny that other men and women were out-standing characters. Nor do they deny that others also taught some of the truths that came from the lips of Jesus Christ. No, but they do say that Jesus of Nazareth and only Jesus of Nazareth was God being a man. Only in and as him did God come to save the world by overcoming humanity's sin and darkness. The "proofs" of all this aren't the kind that appeal to taste, smell, sight or sound. And they aren't "indisputable" in the strict sense. (Because Christians are so committed to the faith they sometimes speak as if it's literal insanity to argue against the faith. I'm one of those who think God hasn't structured it that way. I think our "inability" to believe is more than an intellectual problem. I think sin has hurt our vision.) Many things point to Jesus of Nazareth being unique and together the pointers make an "irresistible" "argument".
©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.
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