Beliefs, Reason, And Faith: Verifiable Truths?

The question of whether belief needs to be verifiable reasonable faith is a complex and multifaceted one that has been debated by philosophers, theologians, and religious thinkers for centuries. The concept of faith itself is multifaceted and can be understood in different ways. For some, faith is belief without evidence or even in the face of contradicting evidence. For others, faith is trust or confidence in something that is based on evidence or prior experiences.

One perspective on this issue is that of evidentialist apologists, who argue that faith should have a rational basis in reality and our experiences. In this view, faith is not simply belief without evidence but is grounded in our understanding of and relationship with the object of faith. This perspective aligns with the idea of reasonable faith, which suggests that faith can be rational and compatible with reason and evidence.

On the other hand, some religious traditions and thinkers emphasize the idea of blind faith or fideism, which suggests that faith is independent of or even contrary to reason and evidence. This view holds that faith is a matter of trust or commitment, even in the absence of compelling evidence.

The relationship between faith and reason has been a subject of debate among religious and philosophical thinkers. Some argue that faith and reason can coexist and even support each other, while others maintain that they are inherently incompatible. Still, others propose that faith and reason govern separate domains, with faith concerning religious or theological claims and reason concerning empirical or logical claims.

Ultimately, the question of whether belief needs to be verifiable reasonable faith depends on how one defines faith and the role it plays in one's spiritual or philosophical tradition. Different religious and philosophical traditions may have varying perspectives on this issue, and individuals within those traditions may also hold diverse beliefs.

Faith and reason can be compatible

The Conflict Model

According to the conflict model, faith and reason are in conflict and produce contradictory or competing claims. Religious fundamentalists and scientific naturalists are proponents of this view. The former prioritises faith, while the latter prioritises reason.

The Incompatibilist Model

The incompatibilist model understands the aims, objects, and methods of reason and faith as distinct. Reason aims at empirical truth, while religion aims at divine truths. This model can be further subdivided into three categories:

• Transrationalism: Faith is higher than reason.
• Irrationalism: Religious belief is irrational and not subject to rational evaluation.
• Fideism: Faith ought not to be subjected to rational elucidation or justification.

The Weak Compatibilist Model

The weak compatibilist model understands that dialogue is possible between reason and faith, although both maintain distinct realms of evaluation and cogency. For example, faith may involve miracles, while reason may involve the scientific method of hypothesis testing.

The Strong Compatibilist Model

The strong compatibilist model understands that faith and reason have an organic connection and parity. Articles of faith can be demonstrated by reason, either deductively or inductively. This model must explain why God chose to reveal Himself when we already have access to Him through reason alone.

Reasonable Faith

Reasonable faith is not an oxymoron. The Bible states that faith in God is based on real evidence. Faith in God is produced by God through His Word, not human intelligence. Faith is a belief with strong conviction and complete trust in something that may lack tangible physical proof. It is "the certainty of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1).

Faith and Rationality

Rationalists point out that many people hold irrational beliefs, which may have evolutionary causes. For example, irrational beliefs may increase our ability to survive and reproduce. Believers in the value of faith suggest that everyone holds beliefs arrived at by faith, not reason.

Faith and Noetic Structures

Alvin Plantinga, a Christian epistemologist, understands a rational belief as one in which the believer is within their "epistemic rights". For example, it would be irrational to believe that there is a horse in front of you when there is a computer instead. Alternatively, a rational belief can be understood in terms of a person's "noetic structure", or their system of beliefs. A person is rational insofar as they exhibit no flaw in their noetic structure.

Faith and Evidence

According to the Bible, faith is based on an understanding of things that "are visible" (Hebrews 11:3). Faith in God is reasonable because it is grounded on "substance" and "evidence" (Hebrews 11:1).

Faith and Indication

Faith is based on indication. God does not expect us to believe in Him without any prior evidence. For example, we may hear of God from a friend, read a message from Him in the Bible, or feel that we hear God in our lives.

Faith and Reasonable Indications

C.S. Lewis believed that we can find rational reasons or indications for our belief in God. The Bible also provides examples of God giving people signs or indications of His existence and then expecting them to act on faith.

Faith and Full Faith

Full faith is ultimately a gift from God. While we may have "human faith" based on indications, this is not enough to effectively walk with God. God gives us the kind of full faith that we need.

Faith is not blind trust

Faith is a belief based on evidence. Faith is confidence in an event where no physical manifestation has happened yet, but that confidence can be built on all different kinds of prior experiences. It is the opposite of "I'll believe it when I see it". Faith is built on a positive experience(s), that while not identical, reasonably increases the probability of another experience occurring in the future. It differs from knowledge in that knowledge is of past experiences, where faith is predictive of new ones.

Faith is based on evidence

Faith is often regarded as a belief without evidence, but this is not necessarily the case. Faith can be based on evidence, and many people of faith believe that their faith is supported by evidence.

Faith and Reason

Faith and reason can be sources of justification for religious belief. Some believe that there can be no conflict between the two, and that faith and reason can coexist without contention. Others believe that faith and reason can and do come into conflict, and disagree on which should take precedence.

Faith as Evidence-Sensitive

Faith can be evidence-sensitive, where it is closely coordinated with demonstrable truths. This includes evidence from the testimony and works of other believers. It is possible to hold a religious belief based on faith alone or reason alone, and one can even lack faith in God but still find solace in religious practice.

Faith and Evidence in the Bible

The Bible does not teach blind faith. The biblical pattern is that God reveals himself, which gives people knowledge, and then they are called to exercise an examined and intelligent faith in Him. The New Testament words for "faith" and "belief" refer to a conviction or confidence in something. The content of Christian belief is the risen Christ, and faith is created through the preaching of the gospel. The faith that Christians have is grounded in the truth of the resurrection of Jesus, and their acceptance of this is the reason they confess that Jesus is Lord.

Faith and Evidence Today

Today, many Christians still believe that their faith is supported by evidence. For example, author Lee Strobel, a former journalist and skeptic, investigated Christianity and concluded that "an intelligent entity has quite literally spelled out the evidence of his existence through the four chemical letters in the genetic code. It’s almost as if the Creator autographed every cell.

Faith is a belief in the absence of proof

The question of whether belief needs to be verifiable or based on reasonable faith has been a topic of interest for philosophers and theologians, with some holding that faith and reason can coexist without conflict, while others argue that the two are fundamentally incompatible.

Faith as Belief in the Absence of Proof

Faith is often viewed as a belief in something despite a lack of empirical evidence. This perspective is particularly associated with atheists, who criticise religious faith as being irrational and unsupported by evidence. Atheists such as Sam Harris and Aron Ra characterise faith as a licence for religious individuals to believe propositions without the need for rational justification or evidence.

However, this characterisation of faith is disputed by Christians, who argue that faith is not simply blind belief but is instead a form of trust or ventured risk. They assert that faith always has an object and involves entrusting oneself to a person or thing. In this sense, faith is not inherently opposed to reason and can be compatible with evidence.

The Relationship Between Faith and Reason

The relationship between faith and reason is a complex and multifaceted topic that has been explored by various thinkers throughout history.

Conflict Model

The conflict model posits that faith and reason are fundamentally incompatible, with distinct aims, objects, and methods. This view is held by both religious fundamentalists and scientific naturalists, who resolve the conflict in favour of their respective domains.

Incompatibilist Model

The incompatibilist model acknowledges the differences between faith and reason but suggests that they can exist separately without conflict. This model includes subdivisions such as transrationalism, which views faith as higher than reason, and irrationalism, which considers religious belief as beyond rational evaluation.

Weak Compatibilist Model

The weak compatibilist model recognises the possibility of dialogue and interaction between faith and reason, acknowledging their distinct realms of evaluation and cogency. An example is the Reformed model of Christianity, which sees faith and reason as having separate but complementary roles.

Strong Compatibilist Model

The strong compatibilist model proposes an organic connection and potential parity between faith and reason. This perspective, known as natural theology, suggests that articles of faith can be demonstrated and justified through rational inquiry. However, it must also explain why revelation is necessary if God can be known solely through reason.

The debate surrounding the relationship between faith and reason is nuanced and multifaceted, with various models and perspectives offering different insights. While some argue for a strict separation or conflict between the two, others propose degrees of compatibility and interaction. Ultimately, the interpretation of faith and its relationship with reason depends on one's philosophical, theological, and epistemological standpoint.

Faith is a response to something intangible or unseen

Faith is generally understood as a response to something intangible or unseen. The dictionary defines faith as:

> "belief with strong conviction; firm belief and complete trust in something for which there may be no tangible physical proof."

Faith is often associated with religion, and the Bible states:

> "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1)

However, faith is not limited to religion and can also be applied to everyday situations. For example, when we plan to meet a friend, we trust that they will show up, even though we cannot be certain of their arrival. This trust or faith is based on past experiences and indications, such as previous meetings or a text message exchange. Similarly, faith in God or a higher power can be based on indications or experiences that lead to a strong conviction or belief.

The concept of faith has been a subject of debate, with some arguing that it is belief without evidence, while others claim that it involves a degree of evidential warrant. Some philosophers and theologians have explored the relationship between faith and reason, proposing models of conflict, incompatibilism, weak compatibilism, and strong compatibilism. Ultimately, the interpretation of faith can vary depending on cultural, religious, and personal perspectives.

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