Tag: logic

Logic and the New Testament

When I was in college, there was a saying in the philosophy department: “You cannot not use logic.”  If that’s true, do you suppose the New Testament writers used logic?  Let’s see.

There is a clear example of Paul using deductive (if-then) reasoning in 1 Cor. 15:13 where he is arguing with a portion of the Corinthian church who believed there was no resurrection from the dead: (ESV)  But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.  Actually, his argument continues through verse 19, repeatedly using deductive logic to make his point.

A logical tactic called reductio ad absurbdum (reducing the opponent’s argument to show it is absurd) is used by Jesus Himself in Matt. 12:25-26 (ESV)  Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. 26 And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?

In philosophy, one logical argument used to show the universe was created is called the teleological argument, which says that because the universe has many design features. These things are too complex to have occurred accidentally or at random; therefore, there must be a designer.  Paul uses this argument in Romans 1:19-20 (ESV)  For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.  Just as a side note, the chances of the DNA molecule forming randomly is 10601.  For reference, the number of atoms in the universe is only 1080.

Another logical form of argumentation is called the a fortiori form (“how much more”).  It argues that because something is true in a smaller sense, it must be true in the greater sense.  Matt. 6:26 is a good example of this, where Jesus says, (ESV)  Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 

James, the Lord’s half brother, uses analogies (argument by comparison) to make a point for the danger of the tongue in his book: James 3:3-5 (ESV)  If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.

In Romans 2:14-16, Paul uses an argument called “an appeal to conscience” to make his point: (ESV)  For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them 16 on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.

Last of all comes the dilemma argument, the either/or argument.  Jesus uses this in Matt. 6:24 (ESV)  “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

Why is this important

The New Testament is not a collection of fairy tails, it is a solid, well argued, both philosophical and theological work that stands proudly in the marketplace of ideas. 

In John chapter 1, Jesus is identified as the Word four times.  The English word “logic” is derived directly from the Greek word logos and means the rational principle governing the universe, reasoning, intelligibility, speech, or explanation.  In the New Testament, it means the rational self-expression of God, the ordering principle of creation, and the one through whom all things were made.

For the Evangelical, the connection between logos and logic is not accidental.  Christianity affirms that ultimate reality is rational, not chaotic.  Because Christ is the Logos, reason itself reflects God’s nature.  This is why Scripture can use arguments, reasoning, and persuasion without contradiction.

Unlike other world religions, Christianity has a powerful apologetic feature.  Because Christianity is true, it is logically defensible.  It makes truth claims that can be tested and proven.

Thinking About God

Silhouette of a thoughtful man sitting by the ocean – copyspace

Years ago, I promised to show an adult Sunday School class I taught that there was an unbroken line of reason from “Do I exist?” to “Jesus loves you and died for your sins.”  I’ve always wanted to put that down on paper, and here is my meager attempt:

Do I exist? Philosopher, Rene Descartes, wondered what he knew for sure, so he spent a week in a mountain retreat looking for reasons to doubt all he knew.  By the end of his time there, he was convinced he knew nothing absolutely except that someone was doubting.  In other words, he knew for certain he existed, but nothing more.  We can know we exist, but can absolutely prove nothing else.

How did my existence come about?  Since I know I didn’t create myself, I had to come from somewhere or someone else.  My mind is a very complex thing, so a being with a mind more complicated than mine must have created it.  My mind is also very organized, self-reflective, and personal.  The entity that created it must at least have the same qualities.  What we would be looking for, then, would be a metaphysical being – a being because it would have to think and be self-aware as I am, and metaphysical because it would need to have existed outside the universe.

I perceive the universe around me.  Truth is consistent; falsehoods are inconsistent.  So, since my understanding of the universe tells me it appears to be consistent, it must be very much as I perceive it, rather than my being, say, simply a brain in a vat.  There is a chance I am a brain in a vat, but the probabilities are extremely small.  Since we can safely say there is a being who brought about both me and the universe I perceive, we now have a Creator who is greater than the human and the universe it created. 

A question then arises, “Could it be that the Creator might have communicated with its creation, maybe to let us know more about itself or how to take care of what it created?”  What way could such a being communicate with its creation that would be preserved for centuries upon centuries for all to learn from it?  Written documents would be good, especially if this communication needed to be preserved in the most accurate form, able to be repeated over long periods of time, and in a plethora of cultures.

There are several major organized philosophies centered around belief in metaphysical beings.  We call them religions.  One or more of these could be what we’re looking for.  But how could we weed out those who are mistaken or untrustworthy? 

Astrophysicist, Dr. Hugh Ross, faced this conundrum and sorted through the various writings of the world’s major religions.  He found that only the Bible contained the correct description of the universe around us and saw that as a good test for which of these major religious writings is the one from the Creator.

In this blog over the years, we have looked at reasons to believe the Bible is reliable and accurate: the New Testament, for instance, has the greatest manuscript authority by far of any other ancient writings.  It predicts events yet to happen when written, the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in 70 a.d, for instance.  The entire Bible is a collection of 66 ancient documents written by more than 40 authors over a period of 1500 years. It agrees throughout.  This is powerful evidence that while the Bible was written by men, it is not a man-made book.

The Bible instructs us on how to live, how to treat one another, and what God wants of us.  It also tells us much more about the God who created us and the universe in which we live.  It tells us of His love for us to the point He was willing to humble Himself greatly and join His creation as a man, to die in our place to settle our debt and allow us to spend eternity with Him in holiness.  In short, Jesus loves you and died for your sins.

Why is this  important?

Ours is a reasonable faith.  We, as Christians, rest on logic, reason, and the world around us to come to the conclusions we do.  God has not asked us to believe in some dream or some illusion.  He has given us a faith that is comparable to the universe around us in our perception of reality.

We need not fear reasonable discussion in the marketplace of ideas.  Christianity can stand above the best of them in what we believe and why we believe it.

1 Peter 3:13-15 (NASB)  And who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, 15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and  ereverence;