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Is Christianity rational?
Over at Pyro, Dan Phillips weighs in with a provocative post about the rationality of Christianity. He distinguishes between rationalism and rationality, a helpful distinctive, for his case that, “If it isn’t rational, it isn’t Christianity.”
I deeply appreciate Pyro’s web ministry and apologetics, its attempt to reconnect intellect with faith and challenge us all to be biblically-grounded in our thinking. The one thing that I might add to his post is a simple caveat: If it is rational, it may not be Christianity. You see, we live in a world where spiritual powers and principalities govern world systems. Political, social, and cultural structures are inhabited and infested not only by folks like you and me – you know, the kind that tend to screw up everything we touch – but also by demonic beings who seek to twist, pervert, and destroy all that God intends for creation and people.
There are many rational things that are simply not Christian. What I mean is that if it makes sense, it doesn’t always mean that it’s of God. Rather, sometimes our common sense is the enemy of our faith walk. It didn’t make much sense for Abraham to lift the knife over Isaac, but he did- in faith.
Paul asked for prayer so “that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.” (Ephesians 6.19) Elsewhere, in Colossians 1.27, the mystery is described as “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” I’m not disputing Dan’s post, but I siimply prefer not to have a God that I can completely explain. I’m the creature, after all. Does God make sense? Yes. But there are still things about God that I will never know.
That’s all I’m saying.
BTW, Pyro has got to have the most cohesive and seamless graphic mix that I’ve seen on a blog. If you’ve never stopped by, you ought to do so just for the eye candy.
i briefly scanned their blog and couldn’t find what you two are talking about. But from reading yours re: rationality being Christianity – i’m curious about the population of people they are saying Christianity SHOULD be rational to? Since I don’t know much about their blog, this may not apply, but in turn, i have to ask, what about Scripture speaking about the Cross is foolishness to those who don’t know Him? Doesn’t sound as if Christianity would be rational to the world at all
Markus… wow. I’m certainly not going to defend that comment there. Pretty blunt and harsh. Scripture tells us that we should always be ready to give an answer to those that ask about the hope that we have but to do so with gentleness and respect. Not only is that an imperative from the Bible, but it is rational. 😉 I do know that on many BIG blogs – Pyro is one of them – that you occasionally have to deal with “blog stalkers.” These are the folks that are aggressive, hateful, and vindictive in their comments – continuously so.… Read more »
Jeff, Actually, Phillips DOES argue that Christianity is rational…but not before defining rationality as being a man-made “canon of thinking” and mistaking THAT definition for “logic.” I guess you’re free to choose your favorite contradiction…either way, the conclusion (as he argues it) doesn’t obtain “rationally.” If it takes an irrational argument to prove the rationality of Christianity, isn’t that self-defeating? BTW – Here’s an example of Phillips verbally sparring with someone who questions his theology: “Are you a modalist, Raja, or a tritheist? In either case, you are not a Christian. Or do you believe that God is one in… Read more »
Mark, Great comments here. I don’t know that Pyro was trying to prove Christianity irrational? Perhaps I need to go back and read it. One of the reasons I link to Pyro is because they always make me think about my own positions. Some days, I find myself just shaking my head. Other days, I find myself nodding. Other days, nodding off. 😉 Any site that makes you think deeply about your own faith, worldview, etc. is a site worth visiting occasionally. Phillips himself wrote a post about GBA (guilt by association) because one of the blogs he links to… Read more »
Dan Phillips provocative? Sad to say, the only thing he provokes in me lately is frustration and pity. He?s a skilled writer, I?ll admit; it?s just too bad that he?s usually either too abrasive or just plain wrong. In this case he is both. As someone who has had a close friendship with a Mormon and is knowledgeable of the spiritual differences, I think Phillips begins his post with a cheap shot. Why the derogatory remarks?just for effect? The subject isn?t necessarily about LDS theology. If he?s going to use his experience as example, he should at least explain things… Read more »