Chapter 6
What is Faith?
How the Judeo-Christian Faith Shaped the World?
The text dismantles the common misconception that faith is "blind belief" and demonstrates Christianity's profound impact on Western civilization.
Understanding Biblical Faith
Contrary to popular belief, Christian faith is not opposed to evidence or reason. The biblical concept of faith (Greek: pistis) means trust based on evidence—specifically, trust in God's character and proven faithfulness. Scripture emphasizes trust in God over 150 times, always grounded in His demonstrated reliability. As Augustine noted, "Faith is to believe what you do not yet see; the reward for this faith is to see what you believe."
Christian faith grows through relationship and experience with God, supported by multiple lines of evidence including Jesus' miracles, the resurrection, transformed lives, and cumulative historical, philosophical, and archaeological data. And most importantly, is the Christian's lived experience of God's promises proving true in daily life.
The chapter highlights Lee Strobel's journey from atheism to faith through rigorous journalistic investigation, concluding that the resurrection could be proven "beyond reasonable doubt."
Christianity's Revolutionary Impact on Science
The chapter reveals how three key Judeo-Christian beliefs enabled the Scientific Revolution:
- The Intelligibility of Nature: Nature is comprehensible because it was created by a rational God, making scientific inquiry both possible and meaningful
- The Order of Nature: Natural phenomena follow predictable patterns established by divine design, leading to concepts of natural laws
- The Contingency of Nature: Since nature's order depends on God's will rather than logical necessity, empirical observation became essential
Scientists like Kepler, Newton, and Boyle saw themselves as "thinking God's thoughts after Him," viewing nature as a readable "Book of Nature."
Cultural Transformation Through Christian Values
Drawing from Tom Holland's "Dominion" and Glen Scrivener's "The Air We Breathe," the chapter demonstrates how Christianity fundamentally shaped Western morality. Modern values like human rights, equality, democracy, and compassion—often taken for granted—have distinctly Christian origins.
Holland's research revealed that Roman civilization, despite its achievements, was built on systematic cruelty and exploitation. Paul the Apostle's teachings acted like a "depth charge," gradually transforming society over centuries through papal revolution, Reformation, and Enlightenment.
The chapter exposes the irony of secular humanism: critics use Christian-derived values to critique Christianity while claiming purely materialistic beliefs. As Christian influence wanes, Nietzschean ideals of power and strength resurface, making the world harsher and more brutal.
Conclusion
Faith is rational trust based on evidence, not blind belief. Christianity's impact on science, morality, and human dignity demonstrates its unique historical significance and continued relevance for understanding truth and meaning in the modern world.
