The Credibility of Christianity

Is Christianity really credible? Or is the Christian faith just a blind leap in the dark? Is Christianity a reasonable position to take? Or is it simply a convenient crutch that millions of mindless people use to get through life? Many people consider Christianity to be anti-intellectual. They might say things like, “Well if it works for you to believe in that sort of thing, then great, but not us modern scientific minds.” But here are some reasons why Christianity is more rational than one might think:
 
The Basis of Christian Faith: You may find several people who are skeptical to Christianity saying, “There are times when I just wish I had your faith, but it’s too irrational for me.” If that happens, you can ask them if they’ve ever read the Bible cover to cover. Ask them if they’ve ever read the four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) and examined their historical reliability? More often than not, the answer will be no. It's no wonder that these folks are not able to believe, because the basis of our faith is the eyewitness reports recorded in the Bible. The gospels are written as eyewitness testimony that call for a faith that's built on the facts. This is why John says, "These things are written so that you may believe." Therefore, someone doesn’t have to physically see the resurrected Jesus in order to believe in Jesus, he or she needs to trust the reports of those who actually did physically see him.
 
Look at it like this; if you’re going to plan to take the family hiking, you want to first check the weather reports. But how do you know they're accurate? You have to take their word for it. Your faith on how the weather will turn out is based on the report. What if you’re about to purchase a pre-owned vehicle? Before you buy it you’re going to look over the Carfax report. But you weren’t there when the car was previously driven. You have to take their word for it and trust the report. How do you know that George Washington was America’s first President? You weren't there. You trust the reports. People trust things based on eyewitness reports every day of their lives. They just need to do the same thing with the eyewitness reports in the gospels.

But you may wonder, “What about all the people who have read the gospels and still reject Christ?” This only goes to show that it’s ultimately not a lack of evidence that stands in the way. Jesus raised a man from the dead and still people refused to believe. Because, as Tim Keller pointed out, “To believe the truth of God requires you to stand under the truth of God.” In other words, trusting in Christ means losing control of your life and handing it over to him. It's one thing to trust the weather report with your daily plans at stake; it’s another thing to trust the disciple’s reports with your eternity at stake. This is why at the end of the day, Christian faith has to be a gift (Eph.2:8), because each one of us lack the power to give up that much control on our own. Christian faith is a gift, but at the same time, it is reasonably based on historical credible testimony.
 
The Result of Christian Faith: A lot of people reject Christianity because they think that faith in Jesus is going to keep them from experiencing the good life. Yet the Apostle John wrote that believing in Jesus brings “life in his name.” Jesus himself said, “I have come that you may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). There was once a Christian lecturer who was publicly defending the claims of Christianity and an atheist stood up and challenged him to a debate. The speaker said, “Of course I will debate you, but only on one condition. When we both show up to the debate you must bring as many people as you can whose lives have been changed for the better because of your atheism, and I’ll bring as many as people as I can who have been changed by Christ.” The atheist just sat down. The point was made - Christianity brings real life to people; it doesn’t squash it. So what is this abundant life?
 
It’s a life of forgiveness where all your sins are wiped away. It’s a life of joy where your heart is deeply satisfied in God. It’s a life of meaning and hope because there is life beyond the grave and what you do on earth matters. It’s a life with a moral foundation where the will of God is your ultimate standard. It’s a life of peace where even in the darkest of times, you can know that God is your Father who is working all things together for your good. So much more could be mentioned here, but when carefully considered, we discover that authentic Christianity is not a blind leap in the dark but rather a rational step into the light.

Dear God, I believe, help my unbelief. Thank you for giving us your word. Thank you for going on record and giving me a trustworthy testimony and sturdy foundation to build my faith and life upon. Help me to enjoy and express the new life that you've given to me in Christ today. Amen.