The Intellectual (Proof) and Faith (Believing God) - A Three Point Outline

Point One - The Intellectual (Proof): "Much Moreness"

I. Step One

A. Thesis: As God has made man in His own image, there is much more to man than reason and the intellect. But this "much more" must be in a continuity with reason and there must not be a discontinuity between the reason and the "much more" or we soon don't know what the "much more" means.

B. Example - Language: The use of figures of speech is much more meaningful than just plain mathematical formulas would be.

1. Example - Shakespeare:

a. Uses figures of speech and makes words much more meaningful because -

b. He uses normal syntax and normal definitions of words.

2. Example - Modern Writers:

a. Uses figures of speech but sometimes they are NOT much more meaningful because -

b. They do NOT use the normal syntax and normal definitions of words.

3. Conclusion: Figure of speech ("much more") is beautiful as long as it is used in continuity with the normal syntax and normal definition of words ("reason").

C. Example - Bible: 1 John 4:1-3

1. Defined:

Q: What happens when a spirit knocks on your door tonight, or if a prophet comes to you?

A: Ask (him) a question - "Has Christ come in the flesh?"

Christ = pre-existent God; come in the flesh = became human (God Man)

2. We are to ask this question (above) in the area of reason rather than trust the "emotional bang" ("much more") that we get from this person. The reason is the control.

II. Step Two: Relationship of reason and the "much more" with General Revelation (General Revelation defined)

A. The existence of the universe and its form

B. The "mannishness of man" = Man in his uniqueness -

1. with his moral motions.

2. that he loves.

3. in his realization of significance (ability to choose).

4. in his creativeness.

III. Step Three: Christianity is the only answer but some would deny the "much moreness."

A. Denial of the universe and its form

1. The play "Pierre Defue" by Goddard: Everyone goes out through the windows and not the doors but no one goes out through the solid walls.

2. Some can try to deny it but an airplane has to be built in continuity with the universe and its form or it won't fly.

B. Denial of the "mannishness of man"

1. Levi Strauss would deny the mannishness of man but teaches that everybody thinks in the same way (e.g antithesis - tribe vs. non-tribe).

2. Noam Chomsky also denies the mannishness of man but teaches that every language has to deal with singulars and plurals (categories of the mind) (from his concept of basic grammar).

3. Denial in Determinism

a. B. F. Skinner - sociological determinism, but he talks about choosing and admits that he uses a memory of a Christian value system.

b. Francis Crick (DNA) - chemical determinism but in his writings capitalizes the word Nature and calls it "her."

c. Freud - psychological determinism but can not stand the non-love that that involves.

C. People who would deny that there are answers for the questions raised by the universe and its form and the mannishness of man but can not in reality live as if there are no answers.

1. This covers the three main areas of life:

a. Metaphysics - the questions concerning being

b. Morals and Values

c. Epistemology - (refer to FAS book He Is There And He Is Not Silent)

2. Michael Polanyi destroyed Positivism which was the epistemological base that Science tried to put under itself after they dismissed the original epistemological base where God was seen as a reasonable God. But after Polanyi destroyed Positivism, he was left with a total cynicism (he did not go back to the original position with God). Popper has tried (but failed) to come up with another epistemological theory.

3. Conclusion: It is not that Christianity is the best answer. It is the only answer. To reject the Christian answer is to be left with no answer. Yet no one can live in relationship to himself or the universe in the area of no answer. Therefore, we have the philosophical necessity that Christianity is true.

IV. Step Four: The Bible As Truth

A. The Bible claims for itself that it gives the answers to the questions raised by the universe and man.

B. The Bible does give the answers to the questions raised by the universe and man IF it is read as it is written. But you must hold to a High View of Scripture not -

1. a liberal theology

2. a neo-orthodox theology

3. the wobbly evangelical theology

C. FAS personal history: Dr. Schaeffer became a Christian by reading the Bible as it is written over a six month period.

V. Conclusion - The Gothic Arch of Proof

A. On one side you have the philosophical necessity that Christianity is true. Every other kind of belief system leaves you with eventual cynicism.

B. On the other side the Bible claims to give the answers and does give the answers to the questions raised by the universe and man.

GO TO POINT TWO