“Logic vs Faith”
The third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson, is said to have had a deep appreciation for the teachings of Jesus. Jefferson was also a child of “enlightenment” which basically teaches “logic” is Lord. This “enlightenment” theory or belief is quite prevalent today. Logic is based on reasoning and principles used to determine whether a conclusion is true or false based on the information given. Consequently, many believe the Bible is not true, because much of it doesn’t make sense to the logical mind. The Christian accepts it’s teachings by faith.
Using Jefferson as an example, he believed in the teachings of Jesus, but not His miracles. It’s said, he even went so far as to cut various passages out of the Bible. He would keep a teaching if it included a moral lesson, but the miracle was eliminated. An example is the healing of the man with a withered hand. Commentary on the Sabbath would stay, but the man’s hand wasn’t believed to be healed (because it doesn’t make sense).
If this is how a person persuaded by “enlightenment” really believes, then the Bible has some wonderful and fulfilling stories in it (which is true), but there’s nothing logical or explainable about a miracle. Should this be one’s belief, Jesus died on the cross but never rose from the dead. If He didn’t rise from the dead, how can we possibly be forgiven of our sins, and experience our own resurrection from the dead after passing from this world?
2 Corinthians 5:7 teaches believers “Walk by faith, not sight.” You either believe in God, or you don’t. You’re a believer in Christ and one of His children, or you aren’t. There’s no other option. Jefferson couldn’t believe in the virgin birth, the resurrection, or any supernatural event because they were illogical. I agree, to the natural man these things are hard to understand, and they don’t make sense. But because things are hard to comprehend or explain doesn’t make them untrue.
John 9:25 tells the story of a blind being asked how he received his sight, “I don’t know who did this,” he said, “but what I do know is, “Once I was blind and now I see.” The changes that come to a surrendered life to Jesus may be difficult to explain, but one thing is certain, “You’ll never be the person you used to be!” Logic won’t save you – FAITH IN CHRIST WILL!
Pastor Carnes
