PleaseConvinceMe Podcast 241
My last post staked out the position that Christianity is based in truth. While not testable the same way hypotheses in chemistry or physics can be tested, the Christian worldview is nonetheless grounded in certain facts of history. Several readers posted challenges to this claim. The first was that I was asserting but not proving this point. This is a fair comment. However, it would be nearly impossible within the confines of an 800 word essay to lay out the case for Christianity. Others much more knowledgeable have done so, establishing that the life, death and resurrection of Jesus are indeed historical events. While much of what we know is based on the testimony of “believer’s” – those who personally witnessed these events and underwent changed beliefs and lives – their credibility was greatly enhanced by their willingness to face torture or death rather than deny the truth of what they had experienced. Moreover, there are other “non believers” who also corroborate Jesus’ life and crucifixion, as well as the transformative effect his life had on human history. But the case is much broader still, for it also encompasses the prophesies written before the time of Jesus that were fulfilled by him, lending additional support to his claim of divinity. Interested readers should consider: “The Historical Jesus” or “The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus,” both by Gary Habermas; “The Case for Christ,” and other "Case for" books by Lee Strobel, or “Reasonable Faith,” by William Lane Craig, as starting points.
The second challenged my assertion that science is not the only means for arriving at knowledge. The contention, a common one today, was that science is the best way to arrive at knowledge, including knowledge of past events. But to make sense of this assertion, one must first determine what it is that is in question. Past events are not repeatable experiments that can be recreated in the lab. Probability assessments become meaningless in many such settings. I have seen murder cases in which the probability that the defendant would have killed the victim was infinitesimally small – until they actually did the act. They could have countless character witnesses testify as to how out of character such behavior might be. But these probability assessments would be irrelevant if, for example, the defendant confessed or there was other powerful evidence which established guilt. Highly improbable events - like astronauts landing on the moon - do occasionally occur. Some events, like the assassination of President Lincoln - can only occur once, if they occur at all. A rational approach to determining truth as to such an historical event is to test the evidence, not consider probabilities in the abstract. Indeed, concluding that a particular person did not commit the crime, or that a particular event did not occur, because it was "improbable," despite the actual evidence that it did occur, would reflect a bias which is interfering with the determination of truth.
Additionally, it is a mistake to assume that science can address all questions. Science is indeed a powerful tool. Much of what we take for granted – the many modern conveniences that enhance our lives – are the product of science. But science cannot prove that the scientific method is preferable, nor can it establish the validity of reason in reaching conclusions. It is not possible to use reason to support reason without begging the question. Moreover, a moment’s reflection reveals the many limitations of scientific knowledge. For example, “science” assisted Nazi Germany in developing one of the most efficient states ever organized on the planet, but it had nothing to say about the ends to which that knowledge was put. Survival of the fittest is a scientific theory that explains why some species survive. But science cannot “know” that applying it to members of the human family is always wrong. This type of knowledge – moral knowledge – comes from a different source.
Science may tell me why the colors of the rainbow appear the way they do, but it cannot help me to know that rainbows are pleasing to the eye. Indeed, science can measure many types of features with microscopic precision, but it cannot tell me what is beautiful or what is hideous. Finally, science can tell me about the ink and parchment used by an author, but it cannot tell me whether the ideas conveyed are valid or invalid, cogent or rambling.
Contrary to the implication of skeptics, Christians do not reject science. Indeed some of the greatest scientific minds were wholly devoted to Jesus Christ. But Christianity does not assume that science can provide all knowledge, including knowledge of God and his interaction with his creation. As it relates to such things, and especially to the historical underpinnings of Christianity and its fundamental philosophies, other forms of knowledge are at play.
My last post dealt with the belief, common among skeptics, that Christianity is simply a form of superstition. Modern “science-minded” people reject superstitions, and so religious belief holds no interest for them. Historic Christian doctrine is in fact much different, however; while some who claim to be Christian may indeed be superstitious, the faith itself is built not upon fanciful thinking but upon a bedrock of truth.
Within walking distance of public high schools here in Utah are LDS Seminary buildings. Mormon teens are permitted to take an hour out of their regular school schedule to meet in these buildings to learn more about their religion. This month marks the 100th anniversary of the LDS Seminary program, a milestone the Mormon faithful are celebrating."The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying, Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions: And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand." (Ezekiel 37:15-17)Now, I always wondered when I was taught something like this, how the leaders of my church knew that that's what that meant. In this case, how did they come to understand that the "two sticks" Ezekiel is told by God to hold in his hand represent the Bible and the Book of Mormon? It surely wasn't obvious to me! And I always answered myself the same way: when I get older and more spiritual, I'll know. But back to the story...
"But a seer will I raise up... unto him will I give power to bring forth my word... the fruit of thy loins shall write and the fruit of the loins of Judah shall write; and that which shall be written by the fruit of thy loins, and also that which shall be written by the fruit of the loins of Judah, shall grow together, unto the confounding of false doctrines and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace among the fruit of thy loins, and bringing them to the knowledge of their fathers in the latter days, and also to the knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord.”(2 Nephi 3:11-12)
"A seer shall the Lord my God raise up, who shall be a choice seer … and he shall be esteemed highly… and unto him will I give commandment that he shall do a work...I will make him great in mine eyes… unto him will I give power to bring forth my word …Wherefore the fruit of thy loins shall write, and the fruit of the loins of Judah shall write; and that which shall be written by the fruit of thy loins, and also that which shall be written by the fruit of the loins of Judah, shall grow together unto the confounding of false doctrines, and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace among the fruit of thy loins, and bringing them to a knowledge of their fathers in the latter days; and also to the knowledge of my covenants… And that seer will I bless, and they that seek to destroy him shall be confounded… and his name shall be called Joseph, and it shall be after the name of his father; and he shall be like unto you; for the thing which the Lord shall bring forth by his hand shall bring my people unto salvation.”(JST Genesis 50:26-33)Did that remind you of anything else? Is it just coincidence that Joseph's translation of Genesis 50, and 2 Nephi 3 of his Book of Mormon, have such similar wording? Is it not odd that they, both having come from the hand of Joseph Smith himself, each contain such a glowing validation of him? Are we supposed to believe that the "great and abominable church" knew to weed out references to a Joseph and the things he would eventually put forth as doctrine? Seems like there is an easier and more plausible explanation.
PleaseConvinceMe Podcast 240
Superstition is as old as man. An incomplete picture of why things work the way they do fuels the imagination to conjure up hidden forces at work behind the scenes. Pull back the curtain and perhaps one will find an “all powerful” being at work pulling the strings. Accessing – and eventually perhaps cajoling or influencing that being - can easily become the basis for a religious belief system. Does Christianity fall into this same category? Some unbelievers, observing the behavior of sports figures like Tim Tebow, might believe that superstition is at play. Praying and acknowledging one’s deity, they assume, is a way of seeking to influence the outcome of the contest. For some, it seems like a cheap - and silly - trick.
But this is not what Tim Tebow is doing when he acknowledges God, nor is it what a mature devotion to Christianity would include.
The wide interest in and varied reaction to Tebow – and figures like him - reflects the broader question that lies beneath the surface: will becoming a Christian “improve” my life? Is it a ticket to greater wealth and prosperity, better relationships, a future filled with every type of goodness and blessing? For many, this seems too good to be true, but they pursue it hoping for the best; for others, it appears to be a shell game or cheap con, and they reject it without ever considering what it really entails.
The nutshell answer is: probably yes. In most cases for most people, developing a relationship with God in which you accept His gift and then living a life that reflects His will, as best you can achieve it, will improve your life in some important and significant ways. But having a "better" life is a by-product of belief, and not the main point of devoting one's life to Jesus.
If prosperity or other rewards become the main point, Christianity begins to be marketed as a product, a method of achieving some desirable end. A person identifies a need in his or her life and Christianity fills that need, the way any product might do. But this is not the message of Christianity. The Bible is not a "how to" manual on achieving financial or worldly success. It does not promise riches in the here and now, nor an end to all hardship… nor a victory in every football contest. Quite the opposite, in fact, as the early fathers of the church, and their followers, could have attested. (Except of course for the football part.)
In short, Christianity tells the story of man's broken relationship with his Creator. It claims to speak truth about the nature of God and of this broken relationship and what is needed to fix it. The Old Testament provides the backdrop as God prepares a people to serve as the vehicle for redemption. Jesus comes - not to make my life profitable or more fulfilling in some modern sense or to help me nail down a spot in the Super Bowl- but to fulfill the ancient prophecies, to give His life as ransom for us, and to thereby restore our relationship with the Father.
Christianity should be assessed on its merits - are its claims true? - not on what it can achieve for you. The Apostle Paul said as much, when he said that we are to be pitied as fools if Christ did not rise from the dead. Everything rests on that truth claim. Once we see that Christ did rise, and we place our trust in Him, He will do a work in us and will eventually welcome us into His Kingdom. But Paul himself remained physically afflicted, and there is no reason to believe that by following Christ, our problems will disappear.
We will, however, look at them differently, and by living Biblical values, we will probably have a better life than we might otherwise have had - and certainly a more fulfilling one.
My last post touched on the issue of bias and how bias may relate to the credibility of believers who try to “defend the faith.” I argued that most Christians, if they think about what really tugs at them, will realize that they actually have a bias away from faith – with its rules and restrictions – and not toward it. That was certainly my experience. Many skeptics attempt to stake out a “neutral” position, applauding themselves for their lack of bias and their objectivity. They think their approach is more “scientific.” If God wanted to contact me, they conclude, He would do a better job of making that clear. But despite the enlightened tone of this approach, keeping a perpetually “open mind” has some negatives worth considering. The principal one has to do with the nature of relationship. God, we believe, is personal in nature. Indeed, the Trinity consists of three distinct persons who share a divine nature, characterized by a mutual and eternal love. Understanding just how this works is beyond us; it is one of the mysteries of Christianity that is rooted in faith. But suffice it to say that, having made us in His image, it is fair to conclude that we were ultimately destined for relationship with Him. Our best destiny, then, is to partake in this relationship in a fuller way when our days on Earth wind to a close.
What characterizes friendship? Different things in different cultures, no doubt. But has any culture ever developed a concept of relationship that involves “indifference?” Has any culture produced relationships in which one recognizes intellectually that their neighbor “might be there,” while expressing an utter lack of any interest as to who they are, what they are about or what matters to them? Is there any reason why that should be different for God?
After all, is it not obvious that we were made for relationship? Doesn’t loneliness, like an illness, drain the life and vitality out of people? Isn’t solitary confinement so devastating precisely because it deprives the prisoner of contact with other human beings? Vibrant and robust relationship is, without question, one of our fundamental needs as well as the source of our greatest joy. This is especially true of that one special relationship that most people seek – that “soul mate” with whom they wish to grow old.
On the horizontal plane (that is to say, one human being to another), it is wise to approach this task with an open mind. However, after consideration, some conclusions are drawn as a person grows closer to some people and away from others. Ultimately, when a person finds the one he wants to spend his life with, he is called to make a commitment. His mind must move from open to – not quite closed - but not asking the same basic questions anymore either. This allows the relationship to become deeper and stronger. Moving to the vertical plane, there are not multiple possible partners who could be acceptable; instead, there is one God who is calling us to relationship with Him. He has left the seeds of that desire in us and so it’s natural that we seek Him, but because He wants our choice to be free, He leaves it to us to make the decision to accept or reject His gift.
When a person maintains a perpetually open mind as it relates to God, he loses out on this opportunity for relationship, in the same way that someone who refuses to become attached to another person will, in the end, remain alone. But “aloneness” from God is not simply the loneliness that marks the last days of the widower, or the plight of the prisoner in solitary. Separated from the source of all perfection, with the prospect of an eternity of isolation, it is “hell” indeed.
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