The Logic of Faith

1. We all have faith

We have all heard the term “blind faith” Faith is presented today as something primitive, as contrary to science, and only pursued by those of lower intelligence or education. Those who exercise faith are often portrayed at best as being pitiful, and at worst as being dangerous. Of course that depends on what or who you have faith in.

We all have faith, and exercise it. If you have ever been on an aeroplane you will have exercised faith. Did you ask to see the aircraft’s CAA certificate of airworthiness? Did you check with the ground crew that they had carried out the pre-flight service? Did you ask to see the pilot’s licence? Did you smell his breath to check if he was intoxicated? You are exercising faith in scores of human beings unknown to you every time you fly! Ever had an operation? How did you know you would wake up after the anaesthetic? You had faith in the doctors and the procedures they follow. Every time you go through a traffic light you are acting in faith that no one of the millions of people in the city will run a red light in the opposite direction! Every time you eat in a restaurant you are acting in faith that the chef will take the proper care in the preparation of your food so that you will not get food poisoning. And so on and on.

We have all heard the term “seeing is believing” Yet we all believe in many things we cannot see. Sight after all is only one of our senses. Blind people see nothing, but believe in everything sighted people do. If you were to describe a beautiful scene to a blind person and he turned to you and said “I don’t believe you!” what would you think of him? The world is not subjective to your experience, neither is creation subjective to mankind’s cumulative experience. What we know today is less than we will know tomorrow, so that means that our experience and knowledge as it is today is not a complete representation of reality. Reality is not subject to our experience and knowledge of it. Reality just is. Some of it we will be able to discover with our senses, or by scientific process, but some of it will only ever be discovered by the exercise of faith.

Some people seem to have no faith at all. I think that every human being on the planet has faith of some sort. Scientists have a theory about the creation of the Universe called the Big Bang Theory. According to this theory all matter in the Universe came into being with a huge explosion. Now I may not be as bright as them, but my understanding of explosions is that you need two things to start one. You need material, preferably unstable or combustible, and you need a detonator or a source of combustion. Where did these essential components come from?

“By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth” Psalm 33:1
“By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” Hebrews 11:3.

That is what I believe. I think it takes a greater leap of faith to believe in a “Big Bang” than it does to believe in the Bible! So you see Stephen Hawkins has faith after all! Trouble is, ultimately what he believes fails the test of logic, and there is perfect logic in Psalm 33 and Hebrews 11.

Another term that is heard is “arrogant faith” This implies that those who deal with normal human doubts by exercising faith instead of reason are prone to arrogance. I would contend that the reverse is true. Take life after death. It would appear that there is no way of proving it. Fear of death is a normal human condition. We would all like to think that there is some nirvana awaiting us after death. Wishful thinking is the indulgence of the weak minded. Scepticism and denial is the position of the hard headed who demand evidence. Faith is the position of the believer. Those who say they know beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is an afterlife, and that they have a ticket there, are often labelled arrogant. Arrogance is not what you know, but the way you act on that knowledge. The putting down and deriding of someone else’s beliefs simply because you think you know better is arrogance. So those who don’t believe in life after death simply because they see no proof for it, who pour scorn on those who do, are being arrogant. Equally those with faith who deride those of no faith are displaying arrogance.

Arrogance by its very nature is prone to entrenchment and inflexibility. Unbelief when infected by arrogance will propose the preposterous like the Big Bang Theory, or ignore the obvious like the resurrection. Listen to this…

“If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.' '' Luke 16:31

Not only did Jesus rise from the dead, but since then and even in our own generation there is documented evidence of resurrections, but their testimony has been largely ignored and forgotten.
Let me say again that I believe we all have faith. However when our belief system is grounded in ideology and not logic, it will deny the obvious, ignore evidence to the contrary, and engage in delusion, That is irrational. True faith engages with logic. It sifts the evidence, and does not insist that the spiritual must be explained by the natural. Instead it is open to information outside of the physical world and senses being able to explain that which we cannot otherwise understand. That is logical.

2. The Human Condition

"For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man and birds and four-footed beasts and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonour their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgement of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them." Romans 1:20-32

If the Apostle Paul were alive today would he revise this critique of the human condition? I think not! Sadly, little has changed in the 1950 years since he wrote this.

Logic dictates that if you break a law of nature, you will suffer the consequences. Take the law of gravity. Sadly only too well known by people with a suicidal inclination. No one would expect to survive a jump from the Empire State Building!

The medical profession has clearly established a causal link between homosexuality, promiscuity and AIDS. This was discovered over 20 years ago. Yet in spite of this, people continue to engage in these activities. This is not logical. Is it then an act of faith? Do people somehow believe that for some inexplicable reason it will not happen to them?

There are natural laws and spiritual laws. The laws God has put in place are there to protect us, not to restrict us. Sexually transmitted diseases are the natural result of breaking God’s law against promiscuity. People who rail against that need to look at the logic of their position. Their position is that they consider it unfair for promiscuity to attract the consequences it does. They would like to be free to conduct the lifestyle they choose without any consequences. So they blame God. Yet if you ask them if God is responsible for Cholera, they would readily agree that careless and inadequate sanitation is responsible, and that any sensible person or society should take precautionary measures to prevent Cholera. Unfortunately Cholera does not only affect those responsible for poor sanitation, it also affects those who are not responsible, such as children. Promiscuity also affects the innocent. Husbands who have been with prostitutes infect wives. Babies are then born infected. Children are made orphans, and grandparents have to take on the burden of caring for them. Millions of dollars from already overstretched government budgets have to be diverted from other projects (such as sanitation) to pay for the treatment of those infected. Where is the logic in insisting on and pursuing this kind of freedom?

Let me say something. Sin is not logical. Neither is it considerate. Nor is it caring. It is not sensitive. It is in fact everything that Paul said it was in the quote from Romans.
The human condition is one of sin. Sin is simply rebellion against God and His Law.

What then can be done about it?

Atheists will bury their heads in the sand and deny it exists. They will excuse what God calls sin by re-naming it inappropriate behaviour, or diminished responsibility, and blame it on inadequate social provision, or deprived circumstances, or marginalisation. Their solution for the problem is always money. More money for better education, better housing, more social workers etc. While there is no doubt merit in these, they fail to solve the problem. After 50 years of effort in these areas, the problem is still there, and if anything worse than ever.

Muslims are in the headlines a lot railing against the “decadent western civilisation” Their solution to the problem of sin is to beat and kill the sinner! Husbands kill adulterous wives. Brothers and fathers kill promiscuous daughters and sisters. (Who deals with adulterous and promiscuous men?) Thieves have their hands chopped off. Homosexuals are decapitated. Blasphemers are assassinated. You would have thought that with this sort of treatment the problem would have been cured long ago! Unfortunately not, the human still has his condition.

Hindu’s hope that it will be better next time! Try hard this time, and you will get a better deal the next time. Is treating “untouchables” as inferior to cattle or monkeys part of qualifying for a better life the next time round? In spite of more “holy men” than Israel had prophets, in spite of the threat or promise of a reincarnation, in spite of all this and more, Hindu society continues to be the most divided corrupted and inequitable on earth. No answers there either.

The Apostle Paul described the problem, can he describe the solution?

“For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:20-23

Paul identifies sin as enslaving. The human condition then is one of slavery to sin. A slave is helpless. He cannot procure his own freedom. He is doomed to die from and in sin. But a slave can be set free! Someone with more power than the slave owner, someone with the authority of the law on their side can set the slave free! Furthermore, because a slave cannot own property, he has nothing to offer in exchange for his freedom, other than himself. So freedom from sin is a gift of God through Jesus Christ!

God’s Provision

And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.''
Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him, and He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.'' Luke 4:17-21

Isaiah wrote this seven hundred years before Jesus read it in Nazareth. This was the son of Joseph the carpenter. Surely Isaiah was referring to someone else when he penned this? Jesus is a nice chap and all, but we all know him, he can’t possibly be the Messiah! Anyway, we all know the Messiah will come from Bethlehem, and it’s a well known fact that nothing good ever came out of Nazareth!

People are making the wrong assumptions and drawing the wrong conclusions about Jesus today as well. They ought to examine the evidence.

Did He heal the broken hearted? Does He still?
Did He give the blind their sight? Does He still?
Did He set the captives free? Does He still?
Did He deliver the oppressed? Does He still?

If He did not and does not, then Christianity is the biggest hoax ever perpetrated in history, and the only one to have lasted so long and prospered to boot! If you look at it in reverse, without knowing the history of it, the presence and vitality of Christianity all over the world today is all the evidence you objectively need that something very special happened in Palestine 2000 years ago. There is more evidence that Jesus lived, performed miracles, was crucified and rose from the dead and ascended into Heaven than there is for the life and achievements of Alexander! Yet nobody would dispute history’s account of Alexander.

To deny Jesus as the Son of God is illogical. Otherwise in all the span of human history, there would have been at least one other man or woman who did what He did, and consequently spawned a movement with the track record of Christianity. (And I’m not talking of religions like Roman Catholicism here, but vital life changing faith; See Opium of the people) Alexander was not unique, (Julius Caesar, Mohammed, Genghis Khan, Napoleon.) but Jesus Christ was!

God’s provision is His Son Jesus Christ. To miss this is the most tragic mistake any human being can make.

“While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!'' Matthew 17:5 (emphasis mine)

The Scriptures foretold the messiah’s virgin birth, His birthplace, Herod’s attempt to murder Him, the worship of the Wise men, His ministry, His method and place of death, the type of burial, His resurrection and many other details about Him, all of which He fulfilled, and if that wasn’t enough, God himself spoke and enjoined us to Hear Him!

What did He say?

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?'' John 11:25-26

"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.'' John 8;32

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6

“He who has seen Me has seen the Father” John 14:9

“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John10:10

"I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.” John 12:46

"Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.'' John 3:3

That last quote is not some piece of religious dogma, or a ritual to obtain a ticket to an exclusive club! It’s directly linked to all the other statements that Jesus made. The human condition apart from God is one of spiritual death. God is the fount and source of life, and sin has separated us from that source. Our spiritually dead condition needs to be reversed. Our spirits need to literally be reborn into a new life of connection to God. This can only happen when sin has been dealt with. Sin is the transgression of the perfect Law of God. Lawbreaking requires a penalty be paid. That’s logical. The penalty for sin is death. We can’t carry our rebellion with us into God’s presence, otherwise He would not be Holy. God and sin cannot co-exist. That is why He cast Lucifer out of Heaven, and why He cast Adam and Eve out of the garden of Eden, To achieve restoration, we need to get rid of our sin. The other choice is to pay the penalty for it. Jesus was the only human to have lived a sinless life, in perfect obedience to His Father. As a result He is the only one qualified to satisfy God’s requirements for eternal life. He is the only one to have overcome death. He is therefore the only one through whom we can be reconciled to God and receive the gift of eternal life. That seems logical to me!

John the Baptist filled with the Holy Spirit said..
"Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29

The apostle Peter full of the Holy Spirit said..
"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.'' Acts 4:12

If you can find anyone else who can fill this position, go follow him!

But before you do, subject what he says and does to the Logic of Faith, and see if it stands the test!