Roles of Logic in Scripture

Introduction

Many objections to Christianity today

Hypocrites:

Odd since there are hypocrites in every worldview

Conveniently ignore those who are not hypocrites

Also conveniently ignore the fact that Christianity is true, and has an incredible amount of evidence to this point

Narrow-minded or close-minded: object that Christians are so close-minded as to think that Jesus is the only way to get saved but themselves are close-minded to Jesus.

These common claims, while needing to be addressed, pale in comparison to one that seems to be a common-thread running through most objections, namely, that Christianity is irrational or illogical.

Challenge: Christianity is irrational, illogical, anti-intellectual

Contradictions in the Bible

Christianity does not make sense

You may run into an intelligent Christians but that does not mean Christianity is rational

At its core, Christianity is irrational

Looking at Scripture, the main source for our faith, we find an irrational, illogical faith being pushed on us.

Any informed, educated person with even the slightest commonsense will find it to be intellectually unsatisfying.

Here are “FIVE?” ways the Christian faith exemplifies logical rigor (excellent critical thinking skills) which every Christian should not only be impressed with and encouraged by, but also confidently promote to others.

Here are “FIVE?” ways the Christian faith exemplifies logical rigor (excellent critical thinking skills) which every Christian should not only be impressed with and encouraged by, but also confidently promote to anyone.

The Central Role of Logic in Writing the Biblical Text

Gospel of Luke

We have more in common with Luke, and Mark for that matter, than any other author of Scripture.

Did not walk with Jesus during His ministry on earth

Did not walk with Jesus during His ministry on earth

Did not see the death of Jesus on the cross

Did not see the empty tomb

Did not see the Lord Jesus after He rose from the grave

Did not see the ascension of Jesus before Pentecost

Did not experience the day of Pentecost

Was not a Jew (but a Gentile, a non-Jew)

Thus, not a original disciple of Jesus

Thus, not a original disciple of Jesus

Luke did not walk with Jesus during His ministry on earth

Luke did not see the death of Jesus on the cross

Luke did not see the empty tomb

Luke did not see the Lord Jesus after He rose from the grave

Luke did not see the ascension of Jesus before Pentecost

Luke did not experience the day of Pentecost

The Gospel of Luke shows that quality critical thinking skills were used by authors of the NT

As an author if Scripture, namely the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts, Luke embodies the intellectual standard we should all seek in our life including the Christian faith.

Compile: vs 1

Investigate: vs 3

Consecutive order vs 3

The necessity of “reason” (logic) in proclaiming the Christian faith

Acts 17

Acts 17:1–4 NASB95

Now when they had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.” And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of the God-fearing Greeks and a number of the leading women.

Paul’s custom was to go into a synagogue to preaching the Gospel

Synagogue: in many ways, the center of Jewish life

Jewish men would go to the synagogue daily (not just the Sabbath)

Center for Jewish worship

Judicial source too: to right wrongs

Education center

This was “Jewish central” for the Israelites and the place Paul loved to preach Christ.

We know what Paul preached (vs 3)

The Messiah (Christ) had to suffer and rise again.

But we also know “How” Paul preached know what he preached (the suffering and risen Savior vs 3) but HOW did he do this? We are provided some clues in verse 2.

Paul reasoned (διαλέγομαι) with them!

“To teach publicly, discourse, present intelligent arguments” Spiros Zodhiates

Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000).

From the Scriptures (the OT)

From the Scriptures (the OT)

Notice that Paul does not merely quote Scripture but uses logic (reason) along with Scripture to make his point.

His point is that, even according to the OT, we know that the Messiah must live, suffer, die, and rise again (SOURCES??)

Paul “explains” and “gives evidence” to this end.

Vs. 3b: this process is Paul’s “proclaiming” of Jesus to the Jews.

Result: vs. 4, some Jews were persuaded, as well as many God-fearing Greeks and leading women

Jesus’ use of logic to confront unconverted opponents

Luke 20:1–8 NASB95

On one of the days while He was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders confronted Him, and they spoke, saying to Him, “Tell us by what authority You are doing these things, or who is the one who gave You this authority?” Jesus answered and said to them, “I will also ask you a question, and you tell Me: “Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men?” They reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ “But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.” So they answered that they did not know where it came from. And Jesus said to them, “Nor will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Setting: the intellectual cream of the crop challenge Jesus!

Chief priests: leaders of the Sanhedrin

Scribes: lawyers

Elders: leaders of the city

The intellectually best come out to Jesus

They throw done a challenge to Jesus: authority

In this culture, you must have the proper “credentials” to speak about God.

The only place to get this was the Jews or Romans

Solo acts were frowned upon (source???)

The challenge: by what authority?

Jesus reply:

Turns the table (to make the playing field level)

These men are suppose to have all the answers (greatest minds of their day!)

A simply either/or question (constructive dilemma)

John’s baptism

From heaven (God)?

Or from men?

The Jews respond by:

“reasoning” among themselves

The use of logic to understand doctrines

While doctrines such as the deity of Jesus and the Trinity are grounded in Scripture, it was the use of reason that helped church fathers make more sense of what is presented in the Word.

Conclusion

Logic, critical thinking, reasoning,

Each of these play a key and necessary role in the Christian faith

Quality thinking skills should be pursued by Christians, celebrated by Christians, and promoted by Christians.

This is not to say that logic or reason should in any way replace the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Logic cannot do this, ever. Logic does not have this kind of content.

This is true because we serve a . . .

An intelligent Creator, who know everything

An intellectual Savior, who out-thinks everyone

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