Jesus doesn’t call us to take a blind faith leap in the dark, but to embrace an informed, intelligent faith. Christian belief is reasonable—it makes sense of the world and life and history and eternity.
Think about doubting Thomas: he wouldn’t accept a second-hand claim that Jesus was alive, he had to see and touch the Lord himself. And he was given that gift, which moved him to worship Christ, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). But Jesus followed up, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (v 29). Jesus generalizes: it’s right and good to accept the testimony of credible witnesses who affirm his resurrection!
In 1 Corinthians 15:3-11, Paul lists numerous eyewitnesses (including a gathering of 500 believers) who’d seen the risen Christ. In this way he makes a compelling case to believe Jesus was raised from the dead and reigns in glory. And so, we’re called to faith on the basis of a convincing argument as well.
When Paul says we “walk by faith and not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7), the point is not to contrast faith with knowledge (as if faith and reason were at odds). Rather, it’s to insist that faith is wise enough to recognize that not all reality is visible and tangible. In fact, it’s unreasonable to suppose that no God exists beyond the apprehension of our earthly senses.
This Sunday’s sermon text, Hebrews 11:1-40, presents a sustained case arguing from Old Testament history that God exists and that he’s worked in complex yet good ways in the lives of his people. And for that reason, it is sensible today to put your faith in the Ever-Living God who has always been trustworthy.
Jesus taught us to love the Lord our God with all our heart and soul and mind (Matthew 22:37). Yes, your mind. Faith in Christ may be more than mere cognition (it does move the heart to love and joy, etc.), but never less: it must engage your mind.
