What Evidence Might Convince You that Christianity is False?
November 08, 2006
When presenting the faith to nonbelievers, Christians sometimes find an open door to explain “the reason for the hope [they] have” within (1 Peter 3:15). Though some may not conceive of “the reason” for their belief in these terms, Christians are blessed with hope because they, sometimes explicitly and other times implicitly, have weighed the evidence and found it in Christ’s favor. For example, some have been strongly influenced by creation, its beauty and order and testimony to the majesty and power of the Creator. Others have been moved by the universal and timeless presence of the natural law, including the testimony of deep conscience and the unforgiving working out of natural consequences (e.g., “you reap what you sow”). Still others have been brought to faith primarily by the witness of changed lives, the supernatural transformations they see in the lives of believers. Most of us probably were carried to the foot of the Cross by a collection of these and other types of observations.
Several weeks ago, I heard an unbelieving scientist approach this issue with an interesting twist. Like many in his position, he considers science and religion to be squarely at odds. From his perspective, science deals with facts, religion with values (if anything); science is driven by evidence, religion by blind faith. Challenging the notion that the Christian faith can be and is supported or strengthened by appeals to material evidence, he asked: if the evidence is genuinely of concern to you, what evidence might convince you that Christianity is false?
I think this is a good question, one worthy of engagement when sincerely asked. It’s not an easy question to answer honestly. As we continue the process of sanctification and maturation in the Christian life, the Lord not infrequently provides additional bits of evidence that He is there, He is watching and He is faithful. As these bits of additional proof accumulate, it becomes more and more difficult to imagine what evidence could dislodge or shake our beliefs. This is true for me, in any event.
After thinking over this question, in spare quiet moments during the last two weeks, I have tentatively concluded that there are at least two types of evidence that would present a serious challenge to my faith. Specifically, compelling proof in either of the following two categories would make it difficult for me to continue believing:
1. Jesus Christ was not raised from the dead. As Paul so forcefully put it, “if Christ has not been raised” our faith is “useless,” and “we are to be pitied more than all men” (1 Corinthians 15:14, 19). If Christ were not resurrected, what hope would we have to be resurrected ourselves? I haven’t considered, at any length, what form such proof would have to take to qualify as compelling. Clear evidence of His body in a tomb certainly would be compelling, wouldn’t it?
2. Human beings are inherently good. If humans at their core were good, then the Biblical story of creation, fall and redemption would make no sense. We would not be mired in the effects of sin. We would need no Savior. We would thrive as individuals and a society if only liberated from – well, take your pick from any of these oppressions and their would-be liberators: the illusion of distinction (Eastern and New Age religions); the capitalist class (Marxism); ignorance, mysticism, war, poverty (scientific utopians); unhealthy learned responses (behavioral psychologists); sexual inhibition (leaders of the sexual revolution); etc. I suppose that, if any of these liberation ideologies were proven true – that is, if utopia or heaven on earth were realized upon liberation – that would be strong evidence that human beings are inherently good and the Christian worldview is false.
How about you? Is there any evidence that might lead you to question the truths of Christianity? Your thoughts are most welcome.
Comments
I have much to say about this matter, and yet it is so little at the same time. It amazes me how God shows His vastness to us through infinity. The notion of aspects of this material world, that seem to have no limit. Whether it is through size, brightness, darkness, etc. How small can something get? How big can something get? Little trails of clues seem to be here. We try to find the end to something, and we can't. Another thing. The idea of "nothing." What does "nothing" look like? If you are like me, you picture blackness. Ah, but that blackness is indeed "something", is it not? You can think about this as long as you want and come to the conclusion that its a "loop" or "infinate." Something is always "there." If you might recall as a child when you could not speak, there was always someone there with you. When you looked up at the ceiling, curious, but un-knowledgeable, He was in the ceiling. When you looked at the curtains, the wall, the light, the crib, He was always there. I know I remember someone always there with me. One final point I would like to make is the subject of knowledge. Good? Or Bad? Well. This subject is quite complicated and it took me a lot of thought, bible reading, and prayer. In Genesis, It states that Adam and Eve were in the garden to tend it. There was but one thing. A relationship. Man and creator. Creator and Man. This is the way God wanted (and still wants) it. There were two trees: the tree of life, and the tree of KNOWLEDGE of good and evil. God had told them not to eat from the tree of KNOWLEDGE of good and evil, or they would surely die (there was no death originally). Now, the first thing to notice is that the tree of life was not forbidden. In fact, it was right in front of them, open to be eaten whenever desired. Another thing I first noticed, was the amount of times "tree of life" was mentioned in the bible. I was only able to notice Mathew and Revelation. The tree of life represents eternal life, no matter where in the bible you look for it. But the point was that they had it, right from the begining. But it was God's intent man would have a free will, and it was His intent man would fall from Him. Another term for "intent" would be "will" "God's will." And it was done, regardless of how we seem "good hearted" from birth. Now man had knowledge, the second he ate from it. Then suddenly he realized (gained knowledge) that he was naked, and they clothed themselves with garments. You know the rest of the story. But if you think about it, man has gained more and more knowledge from that exact moment, to weeks after, months after, years, centuries, etc. As man gained more knowledge, there came more earthly things. He began to create, great cities, tools, weapons, even GODS, etc. Today, the world is so corrupt that we need knowledge just to survive! (School, college, etc.) Life is not as simple as it used to be. Man has gained so much knowledge, he begins to doubt God's even existance. So in a sense, knowledge has separated man from God. This is why we are born in sin (which in spanish means "without"...hmm.."without God"?).
SO. I began to think. If knowledge causes sin and is evil, what is the good knowledge? It became very clear to me. The knowledge of God. The knowledge of Christ. The knowledge of the bible and Christ's teachings so that people may be saved. This is the good knowledge and wisdom. If you read ecclesiasties, Solomon will tell you something very similar. "Knowledge is meaningless. A going after the wind." What is on this world that men idolize and have created or gained, it will all be gone with the world. Why must we live life so complicated? Why must we have reason and knowledge for everything that we cannot explain?
FINALLY, to answer the question you pose about your faith. The word "proof." Who created it? Man, or God? The creation that scientists claim "just appeared from cells" or "the big bang." However it happened, it happened by God's will. It is not a matter of "why" but the fact that IT IS. Just as God IS, WAS, and WILL BE forever infanately in His greatness. But back to "proof." Man has created this word for something he cannot see or has not seen. A word for knowledge not gained, a word created from knowledge. If we created "proof" and "whats normal" or "logic" or "reality", is that what truely IS? Why do we think like this? Because thats all the knowledge we've gained. We cannot think simply as a child. That is why we cannot understand as easily. A child who is too young to speak, knows something is there. A young child is also more easily to become a believer. In the bible, Jesus says "children such as these belong in my kingdom." And that we should become like children. We are living life too complicated. Our focus is on worldy things, not on God and the "good knowledge." It is no wonder we become so far from Him. The bible says the path to death is open and wide, easy to travel through. But the path to Him is narrow and hard to come by. Its time we all take that road and overcome these worldy things. To conclude my post, I quote 2 verses:
"Put your sword back in its place. Those who draw the sword, die by the sword"--Mathew 26:52
And
"I have told you these things, so that in Me you will have peace. In this world you will have trouble...but take heart! I have overcome the world."--John 16:33
My prayers are with you. That you might gain understanding.
Posted by: Ken | November 14, 2006 12:45 AM
Now that I read my previous post, I too get confused at that question about proof being created by man or God. It is created by God (indirectly) because we created it. But it brings us away from God as we quest to find wordly answers to find truth. I tell you, the truth is right in front of you! But from a human and not so perfect perspective (me, you, and everyone else), it is amazing to see how God uses even worldy things to reveal Himself to us! He can use anything, even worldy things! It is only then, that those things no longer become meaningless. God is supreme ruler over everything and we must not try and question Him. What is, is. Its all about when He chooses for us to realize it. May others know of Him and His love!
Posted by: Ken | November 14, 2006 12:55 AM
Ken, thanks so much for your comments. Your passion for the Lord is commendable! I have a few thoughts in response. You wrote:
You, without doubt, are correct that knowledge, in and of itself, will not save us (Romans 7:7-25). It is also true that we easily can fall victim to replacing Christ on the throne with ourselves, the cognitive powers of our own minds. But I’m afraid I don’t follow your claim that “knowledge causes sin and is evil”. The fall of Adam and Eve was precipitated by their rebellion against God, right? The acquisition of knowledge may have been a motivation for, and an effect of, their rebellion and separation from God, but I do not understand how it could be said to “cause sin.” You also wrote:
You are correct that Christians ought to strive to maintain a supernatural, rather than material, focus (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). And, yes, Jesus did instruct: “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3). But I do not believe that this is an instruction for Christians to approach complex questions with the intellectual simplicity of a child. (While I do not think this is necessarily the notion you are trying to convey, I do think that your thoughts, as presently expressed, are vulnerable to being misinterpreted this way.) The Lord goes on to say, “whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 18:4). He is teaching us that we are to acknowledge and live as though we are children, dependent on the mercy and grace of our heavenly father, not on our own works or words. Do you agree?
I have a similar response to your approach to the word “proof.” Your words suggest an inclination to admonish someone who asks for proof that Jesus is Lord. Have I misunderstood you? If not, I humbly submit that this would not be Jesus’ response to such a request. See Blind Faith: What About Thomas?.
Finally, it’s not clear to me how you would respond if a seeking nonbeliever genuinely asked: “Is there any evidence that might convince you that Christianity is false?” Perhaps you are saying that, under no circumstances, is this a legitimate question worthy of response?
Peace,
Ramsey
Posted by: Ramsey Wilson | November 14, 2006 02:28 PM
Re: your number 2, rather than focus on whether "human beings are inherently good," I suggest looking at a slightly different claim: "the universe is morally neutral, or, put a bit differently, is amoral." I recognize this takes the discussion beyond just Christianity, but if it could somehow be proven (empirically, deductively, etc.) that the universe (which human beings are part of) is simply "beyond good and evil," I don't see any way God (as envisioned by either the Jewish, Christian, or Islam worlds) makes sense. If applying the terms "moral," "good," or "evil" to the universe is, essentially, nonsense, then what survives of monotheistic religion? Just something to chew on. . .
BTW, I imagine Bo and Woody having one helluva good argument today.
Posted by: Brock S. | November 19, 2006 09:31 PM
Brock,
You've raised an interesting twist on the "problem of evil" -- i.e., the common complaint that the God of the Bible cannot possibly exist given the evil that runs rampant in the world. I do not know anyone personally who denies the presence of evil in the world. Do you know someone who sees no evil?
P.S. Sorry for the long delay. I was ill with salmonella poisoning. I recommend avoiding that particular illness!
Posted by: Ramsey Wilson | November 28, 2006 04:26 PM
Ramsey,
Any one of your interpretations of those biblical verses could be correct. I believe I've taken something and talked about it a bit too passionately and detailed. However, I do truely believe that taking something such as this (which i am hypocritical to say this) and making it a huge detailed subject is in itself meaningless. Perhaps just the belief and following of God or Christ is good enough. And of course the spreading of his Word and good news, wouldn't you agree?
You could easily argue that the "Real Meaning" of the Bible and the right or maybe even "logical" interpretations of the bible should be spread to all people, but I trust God will bring the truth out of it. The "interpretations" of verses can be very debatable. Doesn't it just make you wish Jesus was still around to help us out? Well, thanks for your reaction. It was all right and I have nothing to say against it. It all goes down to how you interpret the Bible.
Posted by: Ken | February 6, 2007 07:43 PM
Ken, thanks for continuing the discussion. I'd still love to hear how you would respond if a seeking nonbeliever genuinely asked: “Is there any evidence that might convince you that Christianity is false?”
Posted by: Ramsey Wilson | February 7, 2007 07:49 AM