The Case for Faith

1. Suffering and Evil are Compatible with a Loving God's Plan.

"The fact of suffering undoubtedly constitutes the single greatest challenge to the Christian faith, and has been in every generation."

Humanity's limited perspective. The existence of evil and suffering, as highlighted by Charles Templeton's poignant example of the starving African mother, is a profound challenge. However, philosopher Peter Kreeft argues that finite human wisdom cannot fully grasp the long-range goods an infinite, all-wise God might permit short-range evils for. Just as a bear cannot comprehend a hunter's compassionate intent to free it from a trap, humans may not understand God's deeper purposes in allowing pain.

Evil as evidence for God. Paradoxically, the very outrage at evil presupposes an objective standard of good, which points to a Supreme Good, or God. If no God exists, morality is subjective, and "evil" is merely a matter of taste. Furthermore, if the universe were infinitely old and unguided by a Creator, evolution should have perfected everything by now, yet evil and imperfection persist, challenging atheistic views.

Suffering's transformative purpose. God, being all-powerful, can create free will, which inherently includes the possibility of sin and its resulting suffering. This freedom allows for genuine love, the universe's highest value. Suffering can be medicinal, leading to repentance and character formation. As C.S. Lewis noted, "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world." Ultimately, God's answer to suffering is His presence, as demonstrated by Christ's suffering on the cross, which transformed the worst tragedy into the most glorious event.

2. Miracles are Rational and Consistent with Science.

"If there is a Creator who designed and brought the universe into being, who sustains its existence moment by moment, who is responsible for the very natural laws that govern the physical world, then certainly it's rational to believe that the miraculous is possible."

Miracles outside science, not against it. Skeptics like Richard Dawkins argue that miracles contradict science. However, Dr. William Lane Craig clarifies that miracles, defined as events not producible by natural causes operative at the time, lie outside the realm of natural science, but do not contradict it. Natural laws operate under "ceteris paribus" (all other things being equal) conditions, meaning they describe what happens without supernatural intervention. God's intervention is akin to a person catching a falling apple—it doesn't violate gravity, but intervenes in its operation.

Real acts of God. While science can explain many phenomena once attributed to miracles, genuine acts of God are not appeals to ignorance. They are substantiated by evidence, such as the "irreducible complexity" in biology, which suggests an Intelligent Designer. David Hume's argument that uniform evidence against miracles (e.g., dead people staying dead) outweighs any evidence for them is flawed; the specific evidence for Jesus' resurrection must be weighed against the improbability of that specific event not occurring, given the historical data.

The Resurrection as compelling evidence. The Resurrection of Jesus is the central miracle, supported by robust historical facts widely accepted by New Testament scholars:

• Jesus' burial in a known tomb by Joseph of Arimathea.
• The empty tomb discovered by women, whose testimony was culturally disfavored, lending credibility.
• Multiple appearances of Jesus alive from the dead to various individuals and groups.
• The sudden, sincere belief of the original disciples, despite their predisposition against a resurrected Messiah, leading them to willingly die for their conviction.
  These facts, Craig argues, are best explained by the Resurrection, making belief in it rational.

3. Life's Origin Points to an Intelligent Designer, Not Just Evolution.

"The conclusion of intelligent design flows naturally from the data itself-not from sacred books or sectarian beliefs."

Darwin's blind spot. While microevolution (variations within species) is accepted, macro-evolution (life developing from simple to complex forms through unguided processes) faces significant scientific challenges. Darwin himself admitted the lack of transitional fossils was a serious objection, a problem that persists today. Molecular biologist Michael Denton notes that the fossil record shows sudden appearances of fully formed animal phyla, pointing away from gradual Darwinian evolution.

The flawed "primordial soup" theory. The widely taught Miller-Urey experiment, which supposedly showed life's building blocks could form spontaneously, is now largely discredited. Dr. Walter Bradley explains that the experiment relied on an early Earth atmosphere (ammonia, methane, hydrogen) that scientists now know did not exist. The actual early atmosphere (water, carbon dioxide, nitrogen) would not yield the same results, rendering the experiment historically interesting but scientifically irrelevant to life's origin.

The insurmountable complexity of life. Even the simplest living cell is incredibly complex, far beyond random chance. Bradley highlights the astronomical odds against amino acids spontaneously assembling into functional protein molecules, let alone a complete cell. Theories like "chemical affinity," "self-ordering tendencies," "seeding from space," and "ocean vents" have all failed to explain the origin of life's "specified complexity"—the high information content in DNA that directs cellular function. This points compellingly to an Intelligent Designer, as the only known source of complex, specified information is intelligence.

4. God's Justice and Mercy are Consistent, Even in Difficult Biblical Accounts.

"God's character is absolutely holy, and that he has got to punish sin and rebellion. He's a righteous judge; that's undeniably part of who he is. But, second, his character is also merciful."

Distinguishing record from approval. Critics like Thomas Paine and Charles Templeton accuse the Old Testament God of being cruel and vindictive, citing massacres and the killing of innocent children. Dr. Norman Geisler clarifies that the Bible records events, including human sin and violence, but does not always approve of them. For instance, David's actions in 2 Samuel 12:31, often mistranslated as torture, actually refer to forced labor, a more humane act compared to his enemies' cruelties.

Contextualizing divine judgment. Accounts like the destruction of the Amalekites or Canaanites are often misunderstood. These were utterly depraved nations engaged in practices like child sacrifice and seeking to annihilate Israel, through whom God's salvation plan would come. God gave them centuries to repent. His actions were acts of judgment against pervasive evil, not arbitrary cruelty. Furthermore, Geisler asserts that children who die before the "age of accountability" go to heaven, implying that in such corrupt cultures, early death could be an act of mercy, sparing them from inevitable corruption and eternal loss.

The Elisha incident and God's sovereignty. The story of Elisha and the "little children" (2 Kings 2:23-24) is often cited as divine overreaction. Geisler explains that the Hebrew term refers to "youths" or "young men," likely a menacing gang mocking God's prophet. This was a preemptive strike to deter further attacks on God's representatives. Ultimately, God, as the Creator and owner of life, has the right to take it, a right humans do not possess. His justice is undeniable, but so is His mercy for those who repent.

5. Jesus' Exclusive Claim to Truth is Logically Coherent and Empirically Supported.

"If truth does not exclude, then no assertion of a truth claim is being made; it's just an opinion that is being stated. Any time you make a truth claim, you mean something contrary to it is false."

Exclusivity is inherent to truth. Many find Jesus' claim, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me," arrogant. However, Ravi Zacharias argues that all truth claims are inherently exclusive. If something is true, its opposite must be false. This applies to all major religions, which, despite claims of tolerance, often hold mutually exclusive tenets (e.g., Buddhism's non-theism vs. Hinduism's reincarnation vs. Christianity's unique atonement).

Coherence of Christian answers. Christianity offers coherent answers to the four fundamental questions of life:

• Origin: Humans are distinct creations of God, made in His image, explaining our moral framework.
• Meaning: Meaning is found in worship and relationship with God, a perpetual novelty greater than pleasure.
• Morality: Morality stems from God's eternal, unchanging character, not cultural relativism.
• Destiny: Destiny is based on Jesus' historical resurrection, which proved His divinity and opened the door to heaven.
  Unlike other faiths, Zacharias contends, Jesus' teachings provide a consistent and reality-corresponding framework.

God's universal accessibility. While Jesus is the only way, God is not unfair to those who haven't heard. The Bible states God has determined where people live so they might seek and find Him, as He is "not far from each one of us." God can reveal Himself through creation, conscience, or supernatural means (dreams, visions), especially in cultures where the gospel is suppressed. Anyone who sincerely responds to the truth they do know will be given further opportunity to know Christ.

6. Hell is a Just Consequence of Human Choice, Not Divine Torture.

"Hell is God's great compliment to the reality of human freedom and the dignity of human choice."

Hell as relational separation, not torture. J.P. Moreland challenges the common misconception of hell as a torture chamber. He asserts that hell's essence is relational: separation and banishment from God, the most beautiful being, and from all value. While it involves anguish, shame, and regret (both mental and physical in the resurrected state), it is not God actively torturing people. The biblical imagery of "flames" and "gnashing of teeth" are figurative, representing judgment and the rage of self-absorbed individuals realizing their profound loss.

Proportional justice and human freedom. Hell is a punishment, but it is also the natural consequence of a life lived in defiance of God's purpose. Moreland emphasizes that punishment in hell is proportional to one's deeds, not a "one-size-fits-all" sentence. God, who values human freedom and dignity, does not force people into heaven against their will. To do so would be immoral, dehumanizing them by treating them as a means to an end rather than respecting their intrinsic value and choice.

Eternal consequence of ultimate sin. The eternal duration of hell is justified because the ultimate sin is to mock, dishonor, and refuse to love God, to whom we owe everything. This infinite offense against an infinitely good God warrants an ultimate consequence: everlasting separation. Annihilation (snuffing people out of existence) is morally inferior because it would treat persons as instrumentally valuable, rather than intrinsically valuable beings made in God's image, whom God refuses to annihilate.

7. Christianity's Positive Impact Outweighs Historical Abuses.

"Christianity has been a boon to mankind ... (and) has had a beneficent effect upon the human race."

Distinguishing authentic faith from institutional actions. Critics often point to atrocities like the Crusades, the Inquisition, and the Salem witch trials as evidence against Christianity. Dr. John D. Woodbridge, a church historian, acknowledges these regrettable events but emphasizes the distinction between "the church" as an institution and "true Christians." While some authentic Christians may have erred due to their sinful nature, many abuses were perpetrated by "cultural Christians" or those acting contrary to Jesus' teachings.

Contextualizing historical "sins."

• Crusades: Launched with mixed motives (retrieving Holy Land, saving Christians) but marred by avarice and tremendous bloodshed, often against other Christians. Popes distorted Christian teachings by promising salvation for participation.
• Inquisition: Rooted in concern over heresy, but became a campaign of terror with secret proceedings and torture. It was an aberration, not representative of the broader history of Christian churches, many of which were minorities and victims of persecution themselves.
• Salem Witch Trials: A complex event influenced by hysteria, land disputes, and a misunderstanding of witchcraft, not solely Christian belief. A Christian leader, Increase Mather, played a key role in ending them.

Christianity's profound positive legacy. Despite these blemishes, Christianity has profoundly benefited civilization. It introduced:

• Dignity: Insisting every human is loved by the Creator, made in His image, and worthy of freedom.
• Humanitarianism: Inspiring vast efforts to help the poor, sick, and disenfranchised through hospitals, orphanages, and relief organizations.
• Science: Fostering scientific inquiry by believing God revealed Himself in both Scripture and nature.
• Literacy: Coinciding with the birth of literacy and literature in many parts of the world through missionary efforts.
• Humility: Inspiring powerful individuals to public repentance for abuses of power, a counter-cultural testament to the gospel's transformative power.

8. Doubt Can Strengthen Faith and Coexist with Belief.

"Those who believe they believe in God but without passion in the heart, without anguish of mind, without uncertainty, without doubt, and even at time without despair, believe only in the idea of God, an not in God himself."

Doubt as a natural part of faith. Many fear that having doubts disqualifies them from being a Christian. However, Dr. Lynn Anderson, a "congenital doubter" and pastor, argues that doubt and faith can coexist. He points to biblical figures like Abraham and the man who told Jesus, "I believe; help my unbelief!" Doubt, when confronted honestly, can lead to a more substantial and realistic faith, challenging unexamined beliefs and fostering deeper trust in God.

Unmasking underlying motivations. While intellectual doubts are real, Anderson suggests that all unbelief often has deeper, underlying reasons. These can include:

• Rebellion against authority or parental figures.
• Disappointment with God due to unanswered prayers or personal suffering.
• Personal wounds from religious abuse or life's hardships.
• Fear of commitment or the perceived loss of a desired lifestyle.
• Professional or social pride that resists humbling oneself before God.
  Often, intellectual objections serve as a "smokescreen" to mask these deeper, volitional reasons for not wanting to believe.

Faith as a choice and an experiment. Ultimately, faith is a decision of the will to follow the best light one has about God and not quit. It's not about having perfect knowledge or the absence of all doubt, but about choosing to trust. Anderson encourages a "faith experiment":

• Decide if you really want to believe.
• Go where faith is (seek out respected believers).
• Consume faith-building materials (books, teachings).
• Clarify the object of your faith (Jesus, supported by evidence).
• Act on Jesus' teachings ("do what faith would do").
  This experiential "knowing" validates the truth of Christianity, confirming that it "works because it's true," even when some questions remain unanswered.