Christian Faith: Logic And Sense In Modern Times

In recent years, Christianity has faced challenges from skeptics and New Atheists, who claim that belief in God is unreasonable. In his book, *Why Christian Faith Still Makes Sense*, prominent Christian philosopher C. Stephen Evans offers a fresh and nuanced response to these criticisms. Evans makes a case for belief in a personal God and argues that this God has revealed himself through Christian teachings. He explores natural signs that point towards theistic possibilities and discusses why God's self-revelation is both authoritative and authentic. This accessible book provides a clear account of the evidence for Christian faith, concluding that it remains reasonable to believe.

The existence of God is reasonable

In recent years, Christianity has faced challenges from skeptics and the New Atheists, who claim that belief in God is simply not reasonable. In response, Christian philosopher C. Stephen Evans offers a fresh and nuanced defence of the Christian faith in his book, 'Why Christian Faith Still Makes Sense'. Evans makes a case for belief in a personal God through an exploration of natural "signs", which open our minds to theistic possibilities and foster belief in the Christian revelation.

Firstly, Evans discusses the value of natural theology and how it can undermine an anti-naturalistic view of the world, paving the way for theism. He introduces the concept of "natural signs" for God and their evidential value. These natural signs include the experience of cosmic wonder, purposive order, the sense of being morally accountable, the sense of human dignity and worth, and the longing for transcendent joy. According to Evans, these signs do not compel belief, but they are widely accessible and easily resistible, making them worthy of consideration.

Secondly, Evans argues that belief in God arises from God's self-revelation, specifically through the Bible and the internal witness of the Spirit. He discusses why this self-revelation is both authoritative and authentic. Evans presents three criteria for a genuine revelation from God: miracles, the paradoxical nature of revelation, and the existential power of revelation.

Thirdly, Evans addresses some common objections to the Christian faith, such as the conflict between science and religion and the problem of evil. He provides responses to these challenges, showing that Christian theism is not defeated by them.

Finally, Evans concludes that, despite the challenges posed by skeptics and the New Atheists, the Christian faith still makes sense and is a reasonable belief system. He invites readers to consider the evidence and "taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psalm 34:8).

God's self-revelation is authoritative and authentic

In his book, *Why Christian Faith Still Makes Sense*, C. Stephen Evans, a prominent Christian philosopher, discusses why God's self-revelation is both authoritative and authentic.

Evans begins by exploring the concept of "natural signs", which are signs that point to the existence of God and open our minds to theistic possibilities. These signs include the experience of cosmic wonder, purposive order, the sense of being morally accountable, the sense of human dignity and worth, and the longing for transcendent joy. These signs are widely accessible and easily resistible, meaning that most people experience them, but they do not compel belief.

Evans then argues that belief in God arises from God's self-revelation, which is found in the Bible and the internal witness of the Spirit. This self-revelation is authoritative and authentic because it meets three criteria: the criterion of miracles, the criterion of paradoxicality, and the criterion of existential power.

Firstly, God provides miraculous signs to show that a revelation is authentic. These signs are not expected or easily understood, but they make sense of the human condition in a way that no human philosophy could. Secondly, the content of the revelation is paradoxical, meaning that it contains truths that are beyond human comprehension and go against our expectations. This is exactly what we would expect from a perfect being like God. Finally, the revelation has existential power, meaning that it is personally transformative for those who encounter it.

Evans concludes that God's self-revelation is both authoritative and authentic, providing a clear account of the evidence for Christian faith.

Natural signs point to theistic possibilities

In his book, *Why Christian Faith Still Makes Sense*, Christian philosopher C. Stephen Evans makes a case for belief in a personal God through an exploration of natural "signs", which open our minds to theistic possibilities and foster belief in the Christian revelation.

Evans suggests that there are "natural signs" that point to the existence of God, taking human beings beyond the natural world. He draws on the work of Blaise Pascal, who proposed the "Wide Accessibility Principle" and the "Easy Resistibility Principle". These state that evidence for God would be widely available and easily accessible, but could also be dismissed or rejected.

Evans identifies five theistic natural signs: the experience of wonder, the experience of purposive order, the sense of being morally accountable, the sense of human dignity, and the longing for transcendent joy. These signs are intended to give us the sense that there is more to reality than the physical world.

Evans also discusses the reliability of these signs, addressing the supposed conflict between science and religion, and the problem of evil. He concludes that these challenges do not defeat Christian theism.

The New Atheists' claims are flawed

The New Atheists claims are flawed

The New Atheists claim that belief in God is simply unreasonable. However, Christian philosopher C. Stephen Evans offers a fresh, contemporary, and nuanced response to this claim in his book, "Why Christian Faith Still Makes Sense: A Response to Contemporary Challenges". Evans makes a sophisticated yet accessible case for belief in a personal God, exploring natural "signs" that open our minds to theistic possibilities and foster belief in the Christian revelation. He argues that belief in God is grounded in these natural "signs", which include the experience of cosmic wonder, purposive order, the sense of being morally accountable, the sense of human dignity and worth, and the longing for transcendent joy.

One of the main flaws in the New Atheists' claims is their failure to recognize the role of natural theology in undermining an anti-naturalistic view of the world. Evans argues that natural theology is not meant to prove the existence of God conclusively but rather to defend the idea that there is more to reality than just the natural world. This is an important distinction, as it shifts the focus from proving God's existence to exploring the signs and revelations that point towards a higher power.

Another flaw in the New Atheists' argument is their dismissal of the concept of self-revelation. Evans discusses why God's self-revelation is both authoritative and authentic, highlighting the unique nature of the Bible as a sacred text that claims to be a revelation from God. He also addresses the criteria for a genuine revelation from God, including miracles, the paradoxical nature of revelation, and the existential power of revelation. By doing so, Evans provides a clear framework for recognizing and understanding divine revelation.

Furthermore, Evans critiques the New Atheists' tendency to equate faith with irrationality and unscientific thinking. He argues that faith is not baseless but is grounded in evidence and reason. This is supported by his exploration of the concept of "properly basic" beliefs, which are beliefs that can be held reasonably without requiring additional justification. Evans also addresses common objections to the Christian faith, such as the conflict between science and religion and the problem of evil, providing thoughtful responses that demonstrate the resilience of Christian theism.

In conclusion, while the New Atheists claim that belief in God is unreasonable, C. Stephen Evans presents a compelling case for the Christian faith by exploring natural signs, self-revelation, and the rationality of religious belief. His work provides a nuanced and accessible defense of Christianity, offering valuable insights for both believers and non-believers alike.

Christian revelation stems from miracles, the paradoxical nature of revelation, and the existential power of revelation

Christian Revelation Stems from Miracles

Miracles are a central aspect of Christian revelation, serving as a divine signature to authenticate the message conveyed. They are often considered violations of natural laws, requiring an act of God. The resurrection of Jesus, for instance, is a foundational miracle in Christian theology, providing evidence for the truth of the Christian revelation.

The Paradoxical Nature of Revelation

The paradoxical nature of revelation, as articulated by Kierkegaard, suggests that the Christian revelation is inherently paradoxical, particularly in the transcendent union of God and humans in the person of Jesus Christ. This paradox underscores the need for faith and the acceptance of seemingly contradictory truths.

The Existential Power of Revelation

The existential power of revelation refers to the transformative impact that divine revelation can have on individuals. It entails a "massive cognitive and spiritual revolution," fundamentally altering one's perception of the world. This transformative power is often linked to the concept of grace, which, in Christian theology, is a divine influence that leads to salvation.

Synthesis

Christian revelation, as outlined by C. Stephen Evans, encompasses these three elements: miracles, paradox, and existential power. Miracles provide empirical evidence for divine acts, while the paradoxical nature of revelation challenges human understanding, demanding faith. Finally, the existential power of revelation speaks to the transformative effect that divine revelation can have on individuals, reshaping their perception of the world and leading them toward salvation.

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