Knowledge and the Nature of Belief

1.What is Belief?

And it is certainly true that reason is the most important and the highest in rank among all things and, in comparison with other things of this life, the best and something divine.

~Martin Luther, Disputation Concerning Man

Nature of this Series

Understand the nature of belief, and the arguments that bolster the Faith. (1 Peter 3:15)

Question those who do not have knowledge of Christ, or believe, but do not understand.

Respond with gentle correction so as to build up, not destroy.

Goal of this Series

How do you define faith?

How do you define knowledge?

Which is greater: Faith or Reason?

Pre-assessment Questions

Discussing the nature of Knowledge (Epistemology).

Defining the relationship between our Knowledge and our Faith.

Introducing the FIRST STEP in discussing faith with others: Worldview

Where we are going tonight

Suppose you want to cross the street.

The street has blind curves on both sides.

You have an 80% chance of successfully making it across the street.

Do you go?

Crossing the Street

Even though there is a 20% chance of being hurt or killed, you can’t leave 20% of yourself on the sidewalk.

You take your WHOLE SELF. This is the nature of belief.

Crossing the Street

There are 3 steps to achieving knowledge:

Defining Knowledge

Truth:

Something must be objectively true in order to know it.

Belief:

Something must be relied upon to build

a worldview, to commit to the idea

as being true in order to know it.

Justification:

Something must be justified with evidence, be

reasonable, in order to know it.

Faith as a blind leap

Faith beyond scripture

Faith in replacement of Reason

False views of Faith

The Old Timers

Tertullian: It is by all means to be

believed because it is absurd…the fact is certain because

it is impossible

Clement of Alexandria:

Philosophy is conducive to piety and preparatory training to those who attain faith

through demonstration.

Anselm: For I do not seek to

understand that I may believe, but I believe in order to

understand.

I know Christianity is true only if:Christ dying for our sins is TRUEI believe that Christ died for my sins (belief,

faith)I have good reasons and evidence to justify

my belief in Christ: Scripture, Human Condition, Teleology of the natural world, Evidence of Christ.

Christian Model of Knowledge

Faith is to be defended using our wisdom.

We do not have a hope that is devoid of concrete evidence (Theology of the Cross).

Therefore, we should employ all the evidence we have in discussing our Faith with others.

Faith and Reason go hand in hand, seeking to define different aspects of our living.

Defend the Faith

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

~1 Peter 3:15

Worship in Confidence!

Discuss with a neighbor the nature of belief. Come up with questions you may ask someone who you are not sure understands the nature of belief.

How would you correct them?

Let these questions be natural, so that you can remember them for conversation.

Practice