Does Christianity Work?

Science can be defined as the “logical and systematic study of nature and the physical world”. [1]  In order to study our physical world, scientists develop theories about how our world is constructed and then perform experiments to determine if these theories are true or false. [2]  But as Popper notes, it is logically impossible to prove a theory [3] because science rests upon the foundation of the inductive method which we cannot prove.  (See chapter 5 in my book if you want more information on why this is so.)  However, science does work [4] as is evidenced by our technologically advanced society.

Can our religious beliefs be evaluated like science?  Is our faith testable?  The Christian philosopher Trueblood thinks so:

There is really no hope for the Christian faith apart from tough-mindedness in matters of belief.  If God is not, then the sooner we find it out the better.  If belief in God is not true, it is an evil and should be eliminated from our entire universe of discourse.  False belief is evil because it diverts energy from practical tasks that require attention.  If prayer is not an objective encounter with the Living God, we shall do well to make this discovery and give up the nonsense as soon as possible. [5]

As is demonstrated in my book, we cannot definitively prove that Jesus died and rose again for our sins.  But like science we should be able to demonstrate that Christianity works.  Our faith should produce results in our lives.  If it does not then we have reason to question its validity.  The problem is the track record of Christianity is a mixed bag.  Christianity has been a major positive influence on this world with all the assistance it has provided to the poor and suffering.  However, it has also committed atrocities such as the Inquisition and Rwanda so it is no wonder that many in our world question the validity of Christianity.  Maybe if we Christians understood that salvation is the change of our soul so it becomes like God and not a set of beliefs, then it would be more evident that Christianity works.

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[1]   Dick Teresi, Lost Discoveries, New York:  Simon & Schuster, 2002, p.15.

[2]   Henri Poincare,  The Foundations of Science,  Lancaster, PA:  The Science Press, 1946, p.127.

[3]   Bryan Magee,.  Philosophy and the Real World,  LaSalle, IL:  Open Court Publishing Company, 1985, p. 22.

[4]   Ibid., p. 17.

[5]   David Elton Trueblood, A Place to Stand, New York:  Harper & Row, 1969, p. 19.

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