Later Schooling
In my later years my Christian faith was maturing. I was strong, and not even Screwtape’s tactics could bring me down. I was tempted, yes, but I was preserved by God’s grace.
My college days in the late 90’s were filled with enthusiasm. I had no doubt about the existence of the biblical God. My doubts had to do with the details of certain theological assumptions I held for years, but now were being shattered. You see, Christianity is a big tent within a short creed.[1] We disagree quite a bit with one another, but we all affirm the same essentials. One of our early fathers taught us that in essentials, unity, in non-essentials, charity. I try to keep this in mind.
Objections Raised
I have no doubt by now that you have all sorts of questions. You are probably asking: “Where are the arguments for the existence of God?” Well, one of my seminary professors taught me that those arguments have their place, but they are secondary to the main purpose of apologetic discourse. I am not opposed to having these discussions, but “obviously I cannot enter into a discussion of all the facts and all the reasons urged against belief in God. There are those who have made the Old Testament, as there are those who have made the New Testament, their life-long study. It is their works you must read for a detailed refutation of points of Biblical criticism. Others have specialized in physics and biology. To them I must refer you for a discussion of the many points connected with such matters as evolution.”[2]
My position, however, is that even if you heard certain proof that some force did exist, you would still not call it the God of the Bible. Think of Anthony Flew. Christians are thrilled that he has abandoned his staunch atheism and now believes in a higher power. Do not misunderstand me; I am thrilled that he is no longer an atheist in the proper sense of the term. But what good is it to take the first step, if there are an infinite amount of steps to God? That gap can only be filled in the Person of Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Trinity. He comes to earth, so He may raise you to the heavens.
It is true that some Christians will say that they will assume for the moment that God does not exist. They say this, in order to reach common ground with you, the atheist. But I have no intention to compromise my belief in God or to assume, even for a second that He does not exist. We do not share the same epistemology. I begin with God and you do not! My position is made clear in the words of Cornelius Van Til:
We really think you have colored glasses on your nose when you talk about chickens and cows, as well as when you talk about the life hereafter.Without such a God, without the God of the Bible, the God of authority, the God who is self-contained and therefore incomprehensible to men, there would be no reason in anything. No human being can explain in the sense of seeing through all things, but only he who believes in God has the right to hold that there is an explanation at all.[3]
Why do I believe in God?– because He is the Revealer of true life. And He has revealed Himself to me in my infancy. His Word is true and it cannot be broken. In one sense, “I could not help believing in God — in the God of Christianity — in the God of the whole Bible!”[4]
As I mentioned in the beginning, I am certain that this will not satisfy you, but at least now you know that for me it is reasonable to believe in God. You may consider all my statements “circular meanderings of a hopeless authoritarian. Well, my meanderings have, to be sure, been circular; they have made everything turn on God. So now I shall leave you with Him, and with His mercy.”[5]
[1] The Apostle’s Creed is a great summary of catholic Christianity.
[2] Van Til, Why I believe in God.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Ibid.
