Faith and Logic

Around the world there are many different methods used to try and understand life. One of the most well known is that of logic. An example of this would be the linear logic used by the Greek philosophers. Another way of understanding life is that of Faith. For believers, this is trusting that what one is given in Scripture from the One Most High is true whether we fully understand it or not. These two methods of thinking are very different from each other and which one we choose to follow has consequences in our lives.

If I were to state that a man is standing outside and also state that it is raining, one logical conclusion would be that the man is getting wet. However, if I were to state that the man is outside, it is raining, and the man is not getting wet a purely logical mind set would have difficulty making sense of those three statements. A faith mind set would have to accept all these statements as true even if they do not add up well. Eventually we might learn that the man is holding an umbrella ... which will make sense logically and explain what is unknown to the faith view.

A faith based view of life accepts that we do not know everything and that we should accept what the Almighty gives us through His Scriptures even when it does not make complete sense to us. Ultimately, we know that it all works together somehow and would make sense if we knew all the details and variables. Logic, in essence, needs to understand every little detail and make everything fit together neatly. This is one reason why the flesh (reasoning and knowledge) fights against the spirit (faith).

Sadly, much of the doctrine in the Christian Church has been developed using logic rather than faith. The Scriptures are a guidebook to our relationship with the One Most High. However, many try to turn it into a detailed explanation of every aspect of life. There are things that have been revealed to us and things that remain unseen. Accepting this in faith will bring much peace and satisfaction to life.

Please take a moment to think of a pencil and describe it to yourself. ... ... ... What did you come up with? If you used nouns and adjectives (long, thin, yellow, graphite, eraser) to describe the pencil you are tending towards Greek logical thinking. If you came up with a verb (it writes) then you are tending towards the Hebrew style of thinking.

One of the results of Greek philosophy and logic is that people expect to be able to know a thing in their head and think that is enough. Within a Hebrew style of thinking, it is not what a person thinks that is so important as it is what they actually do. A person can have all the thinking in the world, but without any action it is almost worthless. As a believer, we can think about doing good works and know this is right to do, but if we do not actually do them, we have not helped anyone.

Our trust in the promises of the One Most High is the foundation to a believer's life and our actions in faith are a continual proving of these things to ourselves and to others. The results should be ample evidence that what we claim to be true is indeed true. To merely say we think it is true carries no proof and no testimony. If we have no actions done in faith, we must ask if we really have any faith or trust in our Mighty One.

The overuse of logic can even go into idolatry. If we rely on our logic (man's abilities) to take care of our difficulties in life, then we are not relying on our Heavenly Father to care for our needs. We may be missing out on great blessings because we do something for oursevles to help relieve the situation rather than look for His solution that will completely cure the problem.