
In recent years, the Christian faith has been challenged by skeptics and New Atheists, who claim that belief in God is simply not reasonable. In his book, 'Why Christian Faith Still Makes Sense', prominent Christian philosopher C. Stephen Evans offers a fresh, contemporary, and nuanced response to these criticisms. He makes the 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 discusses why God's self-revelation is both authoritative and authentic, and provides a clear account of the evidence for Christian faith, concluding that it still makes sense to believe.
What You'll Learn
The New Atheists' claims that belief in God is unreasonable
The New Atheists claims that belief in God is unreasonable
In recent years, the Christian faith has faced scrutiny from skeptics, including the New Atheists, who claim that belief in God is simply not reasonable. In his book, *Why Christian Faith Still Makes Sense*, prominent Christian philosopher C. Stephen Evans offers a response to these challenges, making a case for belief in a personal God through an exploration of natural "signs".
Evans' work is part of a broader field of Christian apologetics, which aims to provide rational arguments in defence of the Christian faith. He critiques the New Atheists' position by arguing that there are natural signs that point beyond the physical world and towards the existence of God. These signs, according to Evans, include 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.
Furthermore, Evans addresses some of the flaws in New Atheism logic and discusses the role of natural theology in Christianity. He proposes a reconception of natural theology as a defence of anti-naturalism, suggesting that it is not about providing positive knowledge of God but about pointing us towards transcendence.
Evans also presents criteria for evaluating any proposed revelations from God, including the criterion of miracles, the criterion of paradoxicality, and the criterion of existential power. He concludes that these criteria are met in the Christian storyline, specifically highlighting the miracle of the resurrection as evidence of God's self-revelation.
While Evans acknowledges the challenges posed by the New Atheists, he maintains that Christian faith still makes sense in the contemporary world. He invites readers, both believers and non-believers, to consider the evidence for Christian faith and decide for themselves.
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Natural signs pointing to God
In his book, C. Stephen Evans explores the concept of "natural signs" that point to the existence of God. Evans suggests that these signs can open our minds to theistic possibilities and foster belief in the Christian revelation.
The Experience of Cosmic Wonder
The universe, with its vastness and complexity, evokes a sense of awe and wonder. This sense of wonder can lead us to question the purpose and meaning of our existence, pointing towards a higher power or creator.
The Experience of Purposive Order
The order and regularity observed in nature suggest an underlying design or plan. This order includes the laws of physics and chemistry, which govern the behaviour of the universe and suggest the presence of an intelligent designer.
The Sense of Being Morally Accountable
Humans have a unique sense of right and wrong, and we often feel a sense of guilt or remorse when we violate moral norms. This moral sense suggests a transcendent source of moral standards, which could be God.
The Sense of Human Dignity and Worth
We recognize the inherent dignity and worth of human beings, which sets us apart from other creatures. This sense of human dignity can be seen as a reflection of God's image in humanity.
The Longing for Transcendent Joy
Humans have a deep longing for joy, peace, and fulfilment that cannot be satisfied by worldly pleasures alone. This longing for transcendent joy can be seen as a signpost pointing towards God, who is often portrayed as the source of true joy and fulfilment.
Evans argues that these natural signs provide evidence for the existence of God and make the case for belief in a personal God. He suggests that while these signs do not provide definitive proof, they open our minds to theistic possibilities and can lead us towards a relationship with God.
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The criteria for a genuine revelation from God
C. Stephen Evans outlines three criteria for a genuine revelation from God in his book, 'Why Christian Faith Still Makes Sense: A Response to Contemporary Challenges'. These criteria are:
- The Criterion of Miracles: God provides miraculous signs to authenticate a revelation. These signs demonstrate God's power and serve as evidence of the divine source of the revelation.
- The Criterion of Paradoxicality: The content of the revelation should be something that humans could never have discovered on their own. It should be paradoxical, challenging human understanding, yet making sense of the human condition in a way that human philosophy alone cannot.
- The Criterion of Existential Power: The encounter with the revelation should be personally transformative. It should have the power to convert the heart and persuade individuals to believe, appealing to both intellectual reasons and personal narrative.
These criteria, according to Evans, are met in the Christian storyline, particularly in the miracle of the resurrection, which serves as a defence of the historical reliability of the Christian faith.
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The role of the church in biblical interpretation
In his book, *Why Christian Faith Still Makes Sense*, C. Stephen Evans explores the role of the church in biblical interpretation. Evans notes that the church plays a crucial role in helping individuals understand God's self-revelation. This interpretation is guided by the internal witness of the Holy Spirit and is essential for believers to grasp the revelation of God fully.
The church, as a community of believers, has a threefold purpose: the exaltation of God, the edification of the saints, and the evangelization of the world. Firstly, the exaltation of God is about glorifying and knowing God, as stated in Ephesians 1:12, "for the praise of His glory." This means living for God's glory and proclaiming his praises, as described in 1 Peter 2:9. Secondly, the edification of the saints involves equipping and maturing believers to follow Christ fully. This includes teaching biblical doctrine, providing fellowship, observing the Lord's supper, and praying together. Finally, the evangelization of the world entails sharing the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ with others and making disciples of all nations, as instructed in Matthew 28:19.
The church, in its local and universal expressions, is vital for fulfilling these purposes. The local church, defined by its geographical setting, provides a tangible community for believers to gather, connect, and serve. On the other hand, the universal church comprises believers from all times and places, and its first meeting will occur during the rapture, as described in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.
The New Testament emphasizes that the church is not a building but a dynamic community of faith, constantly moving and gathering in various places, including temples, synagogues, homes, and public spaces. This community is characterized by worship, fraternal communion, prayer, mutual edification, and care for the needy.
In conclusion, the church plays a pivotal role in biblical interpretation and fulfilling the purposes of exaltation, edification, and evangelization. It is through the church that believers come together to know God, grow in their faith, and share the good news of Jesus Christ with the world.
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The reliability of testimonial evidence within the Bible
In his book "Why Christian Faith Still Makes Sense", C. Stephen Evans sets out to defend the Christian faith against contemporary challenges, particularly those posed by the New Atheists. Evans argues that belief in God is reasonable and makes a case for belief in a personal God through an exploration of natural "signs". He also discusses why God's self-revelation is both authoritative and authentic.
- A causal connection between the sign and what it signifies
- A purpose or function of being a sign
- A native tendency on the part of those who receive the signs to respond appropriately by "reading" the signs correctly
Evans argues that natural signs are intended to give us a sense that there is more to reality than just the physical world. He further suggests that the sensus divinitatis, or the innate sense of the divine, can be understood as a theistic natural sign.
In addition to his discussion of natural signs, Evans also addresses the criteria for a genuine revelation from God. He proposes three criteria: the criterion of miracles, the criterion of paradoxicality, and the criterion of existential power. Evans argues that God gives miraculous signs to show that a revelation is authentic, and that the content of the revelation should be something that humans could never have discovered on their own but makes sense of the human condition in a way that human philosophy could not.
While Evans does not directly address the reliability of testimonial evidence within the Bible, his discussion of natural signs and the criteria for revelation can be seen as supporting the idea that the Bible contains reliable testimonial evidence. The Bible's accounts of miracles, prophecies, and divine revelation can be understood as natural signs pointing beyond the natural world and towards the existence of God. Furthermore, the fulfilment of prophecies and the transformative power of God's revelation can be seen as meeting the criteria of miracles and existential power, respectively.
In conclusion, while Evans does not explicitly discuss the reliability of testimonial evidence in the Bible, his ideas on natural signs and the criteria for revelation provide a framework for understanding the Bible's testimonial evidence as reliable and supportive of the Christian faith.
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Frequently asked questions
The book is a defence of Christian faith in the face of contemporary challenges, particularly from the New Atheists, who claim that belief in God is unreasonable. Evans argues that belief in God is rational and makes sense, and that God's self-revelation is both authoritative and authentic.
The book is written for a broad audience, including undergraduate professors and students, pastors, church leaders, campus ministries, and laypeople. It is meant to be accessible to those who want to understand how reason supports Christian faith.
Evans makes a case for belief in a personal God through an exploration of natural "signs", which open our minds to theistic possibilities. He discusses the concept of "natural signs" for God, such as the experience of wonder, purposive order, moral accountability, human dignity, and the longing for transcendent joy. He also talks about the criteria for a genuine revelation from God, including miracles, the paradoxical nature of revelation, and its existential power.
Evans takes a unique approach by reconceiving natural theology as a defence of anti-naturalism. He also discusses the Wide Accessibility Principle and the Easy Resistibility Principle, which state that evidence for God should be widely available but also easily dismissible.
The book concludes that Christian faith still makes sense to believe in, despite contemporary challenges. It provides a clear account of the evidence for Christian faith and defends it from attack.