IS BELIEF IN GOD RATIONAL?

Written by: Hatton Allen

Think about the deep importance of this question. If you believe that God exists and that He works in the world, then your actions will follow suit because of obedience (John 14:15). If you do not believe, then the cry of Amos comes to mind,

“prepare to meet thy God” 
Amos 4:12.

It was Thomas B. Warren who, in his debate with Flew, begged in every way for Flew to be rational, which he describes as “only drawing such conclusions as are warranted by the evidence.” This is important because without evidence, claims have a hard time holding up. In academia, this is true, but in Christianity, the evidence is not necessary because of our faith (Heb. 11:1; 2 Cor. 5:7).

Let us now embark on a journey to determine not only if the concept of God is rational, but also if belief is rational.

BELIEF IS RATIONAL BECAUSE OF THE EARTH

This may seem like an odd place to start. I can assure you this is the best place, and I will explain why.

As we live in this life, there are questions which beg for answers. One of the questions is about our origin. How did we get here?

The evolutionist says we got here by shear chance and that we evolved over time. Generally, this fellow suggests that there is no God (Psa. 14:1).

The very earth on which we stand speaks while inanimate (Psa. 19:1). One could go to the deepest recesses of the earth and wonder how our existence is even possible. Thankfully, there is a desire in each of us to serve something higher than ourselves and wonder about our existence.

It is the responsibility now to pursue the answer with an honest heart. Only in the honest heart is the fruit the sweetest.

BELIEF IS RATIONAL BECAUSE OF THE WORD

If one desires to know the origin of the world, one may rely on separate sources. One might rely on personal intuition. In addition to this, one may consult outside sources.

Some of those outside sources are unreliable, unfortunately. Some appeal to Darwin’s Origin of Species to determine the origins of this world. This would be considered an unreliable source because it cannot explain elements of this earth fully. The evolutionist must have millions of years to prove his position, which he will not have.

The proper source to which to appeal is the Bible. The Bible is the written record of God’s speaking this world into existence. One may articulate arguments to show this, but this is not the purpose of this posting.

If one will appeal to the Bible, all the answers will be contained within.

 The Word possesses the one thing that no other source has: God’s thoughts (1 Cor. 2:9-13). The NASB says that the Bible has put “spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.” It has accomplished that purpose.

Men have attempted to eradicate the Bible and God from the public square. Though men have attempted to do this, the Word will accomplish the purpose, which is saving souls (Isa. 55:11).

This is where the Christian mission comes into play (Mat. 28:19-20). It is important that we seek the lost just as Christ did (Mat. 18:11; Luke 19:10).

BELIEF IS RATIONAL BECAUSE OF THE CHRISTIAN SERVICE

God’s desire for His people is that they be servants. There were some who desired the best places when Jesus came in His kingdom (Mat. 10:37ff). Diotrephes sought to be the man in charge when John wrote his third letter (3 John 9-11).

Those who possess preeminence do not desire for that preeminence to be threatened. If anyone does threaten that preeminence, the one who threatened is often viewed as an outcast.

If God desired for us to be preeminent, he would have granted us the ability to do so. Only Jesus is deserving of the preeminence in Christianity (Col. 1:18).

Jesus is the epitome of what it means to be a servant. He had all the divine pleasures one could ever want, yet He emptied Himself (Phi. 2:5-11). He obeyed during His physical suffering (Heb. 5:8-9).

In His trials, Jesus gave us a pattern of fidelity to which one must aspire (1 Pet. 2:21ff). It is this ethic which will help one be saved at the end if he endures (Mat. 10:21-22).

Paul wrote to the church at Rome and told them it was logical for them to serve (Rom. 12:1). When we sing the song “Make Me a Servant,” are we making a genuine plea or filling the air with vain words?

CONCLUSION

From each of the points discussed, it is the hope that one realizes that belief in God is rational. That must illicit a response of total servanthood which culminates into much success to the glory of God!