Do Apologists Deny or Downplay the Role of Faith in Christianity?

 by Tim Chaffey

     Not at all!  In fact, just the opposite is true.  In defending the faith and providing answers to difficult questions, the apologist strives to strengthen the faith of his/her fellow believers.

     So where does this objection come from?  Too many Christians have been led to believe that our faith is nothing but "blind faith."  In other words, it does not matter what archaeologists, biologists, historians, philosophers, or astronomers have to say, one just needs to have faith in Jesus.  Consider the misguided words of Soren Kierkegaard:

     “Thus, once again, even if we assume, ‘[The defenders] have succeeded in proving about the Bible everything that any learned theologian in his happiest moment has ever wished to prove about the Bible, these books and no others belong in the canon; they are authentic; they are integral; their authors are trustworthy – one may well say that it is as if every letter were inspired...Has anyone who previously did not have faith been brought a single step nearer to its acquisition?  No, not a single step."

     “Then…he theoretically assumes the opposite: ‘If the opponents have succeeded in proving what they desire about the Scriptures, with a certainty transcending the most ardent wish of the most passionate hostility – what then?  Have the opponents thereby abolished Christianity?  By no means.  Has the believer been harmed?  By no means, not in the least...'" (cited in Norman L. Geisler, Systematic Theology, Vol. I).

     This is nonsense!  Although Kierkegaard believed in the orthodox tenants of Christianity, his view of faith has had a disastrous impact on the Church today.  The Apostle Peter instructed believers to "be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you; with meekness and fear."  When he traveled to a town, the Apostle Paul would go to the synagogue and reason "with them [Jews] from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead..." (Acts 17: 2 - 3; cf. 17: 16 - 34 and 18: 4).  How can one provide answers and reason with unbelievers if we simply have blind faith?  Obviously, Kierkegaard had the wrong approach.

     Faith is not diminished with greater understanding.  It is enhanced and strengthened.  The Christian should be encouraged to know that God's Word has been confirmed time and again by the disciplines of archaeology, biology, astronomy, history, and philosophy.  This fact should embolden us to proclaim the Gospel to an unbelieving world.

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