Christianity is Irrational

So say the Rationalists. And what is a Rationalist? The Concise English Dictionary defines a Rationalist as "one who rejects the supernatural elements in the Old and New Testaments and disbelieves in revelation."

That, of course, rules out the Bible as the revealed word of God, rules out miracles, especially those of the Incarnation and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. There is not even room for God and, what's more, we can't know anything about God unless we can work it out and prove it, deductively and conclusively like a geometrical theorem.

We are not left with much, are we. But just think for a moment. Are you sure you are the same person you were yesterday? Of course you are. Can you prove it deductively? No, you can't, but that doesn't lessen your certainty in any way. Apparently we can and do accept as true some things which cannot be proved deductively.

Perhaps you are not such an extreme rationalist and sceptic after all. Even if a fact can't be proved deductively to be true, you are prepared to accept it as true if there is sufficient weight of evidence in its favour. But what about God?

"Perhaps there is a God," you say, "but he seems to be a sort of Sunday School God, suitable for small children and senile persons of a low I.Q. but not for the normally intelligent and thinking Varsity student." Is God only for those of lesser intelligence? Well, cogitate on this.

Half a century ago a man was born in Germany, he became one of the world's greatest organists and experts on Bach, was awarded five doctorates and was as claimed as one of the most brilliant men of the era, and then gave it all up and went to live in a foul, steamy, unhealthy climate in tropical Africa as a missionary doctor. Do you seriously think that Albert Sweitzer went to Africa to serve a childish God? His actions are pretty strong evidence to support the view that God means a lot to Sweitzer.

Perhaps there is something in Christianity, after all, for Sweitzer has not been the only one to give up position, wealth, comfort and even life for their God.

Rationalism sounds very learned and academic but what has it really to offer. Ultimately, nothing.

What does Christianity have to offer? Christianity offers, among other things, a new and fuller life, a life that is worth living, a life that brings inward satisfaction. Those that are living this new life feel a strong urge to tell others about it in case they miss out.

Early in June, the V.U.W.E.U. is running a mission for just that purpose. If you would like to hear just what Christ offers you as a Varsity student, come along to some of the meetings. It could make all the difference to your life.