Is christianty reasonable and logical?

EveryTongueConfess · #21 7th November 2009, 10:21 PM

ask your questions, make us defend Christianity
it can be defended well and why not believe in God?

i agree if joining this forum is decreasing your faith it prolly wasnt good to begin with (harsh but...well ya thats what i feel)

again ask dont just assume

OzSpen · #22 8th November 2009, 04:59 AM

super animator,

Is christianty reasonable and logical? This question just recently pop into my head. Why should we defend something that we consider to be illogical or/and unreasonable? Can Christianity be defend? Why believe in a god? At least half of here Apparently, can't defend Christianity very well. (no offense)
My faith is incredibly decreasing and I becoming more skeptical by each minute.

It sounds to me that your faith was not originally grounded in a sound, logical defense of the Christian faith. There is too much "just believe" out there. Perhaps that is why you are becoming sceptical. You have too many unanswered questions.

I have found one of the most helpful books on a Christian assessment of logical thinking to be Norman L. Geisler & Ronald M. Brooks, Come Let Us Reason: An Introduction to Logical Thinking (Baker Book House, 1990).

Here's a brief sample of their view of logic and God.

"From the standpoint of reality, we understand that God is the basis of all logic. As the ultimate reality, all truth is ultimately found in him. He has created the reality that we know and in which we have discovered the laws of logic. Even Jesus said, 'I am . . . the truth' (John 14:6). He has structured the world in such a way that these laws cannot be denied; however, we did not know God first and then learn logic from him. He exists as the basis of all logic (in reality), but we discovered logic first and came to know God through his revelation, because we understand the revelation through logic. In the order of being, God is first; but in the order of knowing, logic leads us to all knowledge of God. God is the basis of all logic (in the order of BEING), but logic is the basis of all knowledge of God (in the order of KNOWING)" (p. 17). This quote is from the first chapter, which is titled, "The Whats and Whys of Logic."

In this chapter, Geisler and Brooks have a section on "Objections to Logic in Theology." One of the objections is that "using logic makes God subject to our logic." Their response is:

"First, it isn't OUR logic. Man didn't invent logic, he only discovered it. God is the author of all logic. So, technically speaking, God does not flow from logic; logic flows from God.

"Second, it isn't God that we examine using logic; it is our statements about God. No one is trying to judge God. It is the statements that we make about him that we analyze with logic. Logic simply provides a way to see if those statements are true--if they fit with the reality of who God really is.

"Finally, in applying logic to those statements, God is not being tested by some standard outside himself. Logic flows from God. It is part of his rational nature, which has been given to us in his image. Using logic in theology is simply applying God's test to our statements about God. It is God's way for us to come to the truth." (The last 3 paragraphs are from pp. 17-18).

In my view, these are wise words. I highly recommend this book, from two fine apologists and Christian philosophers.

For me, these comments hit the mark about God and logic. Why don't you consider reading this book along with some other excellent defenses of the Christian faith, including Norman Geisler, Christian Apologetics, and William Lane Craig, Reasonable Faith? Both of these publications are not for bedtime reading. They are solid, academic defenses of the Christian faith. If you want something for the laity, I'd recommend Stephen Gaukroger, It Makes Sense.

Sincerely, Spencer

OzSpen · #23 8th November 2009, 05:13 AM

chuck,

why whats wrong what to u think is the biggest problem with Christianity?

One of the biggest problems is that the church is slack in providing answers to the type of questions being asked by super animator and others in this thread.

I can't recall that I have ever heard a sermon from the pulpit where this type of question was asked and answered in 45 years of being a believer. I have heard some of them answered by evangelical apologists such as Ravi Zacharias, Norman Geisler, William Craig, Winfried Corduan, and the like.

wayseer · #24 8th November 2009, 05:38 AM

Originally Posted by OzSpen

chuck,
One of the biggest problems is that the church is slack in providing answers to the type of questions being asked by super animator and others in this thread.

I can't recall that I have ever heard a sermon from the pulpit where this type of question was asked and answered in 45 years of being a believer.

Gee - I agree with OzSpen - that's gotta be a first.

Jazer · #25 9th November 2009, 01:43 AM

Originally Posted by super animator

Is christianty reasonable and logical

The Bible is reasonable and logical. We should read and study the Bible for ourselves and allow God to reveil Himself to us. He says that we do not need a man to teach us rather we can be taught by God.

wayseer · #26 9th November 2009, 03:33 AM

Originally Posted by Jazer

The Bible is reasonable and logical. We should read and study the Bible for ourselves and allow God to reveil Himself to us. He says that we do not need a man to teach us rather we can be taught by God.

It has been my experience that God uses men, and women, to teach and instruct.

OzSpen · #27 9th November 2009, 06:22 AM

Jazer,

The Bible is reasonable and logical. We should read and study the Bible for ourselves and allow God to reveil Himself to us. He says that we do not need a man to teach us rather we can be taught by God.

If that's the case, why did God give the ministry gift of teachers to the body of Christ? See Eph. 4:11; I Cor. 12:28-29

Jaws13 · #28 9th November 2009, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by OzSpen

Jazer,

If that's the case, why did God give the ministry gift of teachers to the body of Christ? See Eph. 4:11; I Cor. 12:28-29

Indeed. God works through man, no?

OzSpen · #29 9th November 2009, 03:54 PM

Godschild87,

Indeed. God works through man, no?

What are you asking?

Inviolable · #30 9th November 2009, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by super animator

This question just recently pop into my head. Why should we defend something that we consider to be illogical or/and unreasonable? Can Christianity be defend? Why believe in a god? At least half of here Apparently, can't defend Christianity very well. (no offense)
My faith is incredibly decreasing and I becoming more skeptical by each minute.

That depends on what kind of a Christian you are.
I myself believe that I met God. He introduced himself to me through the Holy Spirit. Which has happened to several Christians I've talked with.
But I have talked with Christians that say, they've never met God.
Which makes me wonder why they call themselves Christian.
The only reason I am a Christian is because I know God. Which so far has only been beneficial.