Words on The Word

I am writing in reply to Gary Herrington's letter which appeared in the May 15 issue of Salient. In particular I wish to address myself to his comments on the relationship between the Christian faith and common sense.

He wrote that "The Christians have been quite successful in persuading people to accept the view that their assertions should not be judged by the standards of ordinary common sense" and he went on to say that he had never understood why they (Christians) are so special.

Gary, you have misconceived the Christian position. God invites all men to "Come now and let us reason together". (Isaiah 1 v. 18). The Christian religion has always been open to rational examination and great volumes of theological debate have been recorded. By no means is the Christian message some sort of irrational faith for the intellectually weak.

However, on the other hand, it is quite clear that the man who wishes to grasp the full meaning of Christ and the Christian faith cannot do so with a purely intellectually understanding. The truth is not merely a rational proposition but a living and burning spiritual reality. Christ did not merely speak true words, he was (and is) the Truth. And the faith which the Bible talks about is not an intellectual conviction in the truth of Jesus' words, for as Paul writes "With the heart man believes" (Romans 10 v. 10). The intellect will not lead us to Christ, it can take us only part of the way.

So while it is necessary to have an open mind it is more important not to prejudge with your heart. And I think if you approach the Christian [unclear: aith] in this manner you will be less quick to dismiss it.