A Visit to Barnes and Nobles

I visited Barnes and Nobles this evening and found myself reading Bertrand Russell's classic, Why I am Not a Christian. I have read parts of it before but could not resist the urge to view a great philosopher's conclusion about Christianity. Clearly Russell is one of the more gifted philosphers history has produced, and he is troubled by some of Christ's teaching that he says were just plain wrong. He even questions whether Christ actually existed. Russell claims the rest of us following Christ are doing so out of fear. Of course, Karl Marx told us that religion is just "the opium of the masses." Is this true? Are we really just afraid? Is life so terrible that we will jump at anything to make it all seem worthwhile? Dr. Russell made me think.

For those struggling intellectually with Christianity, here are a few considerations. First, Christianity is an historical religion. It makes claims about events that actually happened in history. Without the events, there is no Christianity. It is important to understand that Christianity's truth claims are grounded in historical realities. In fact, that is what Scripture is. It is not just a reporting of the events of history, it is God actually interpreting the meaning of the events for us. Christians understand that to be an incredibly gracious act. So, Christians are not just blindly submitting to Scripture; instead, we understand Scripture to be revelation that not only makes sense of the world, but is also the very standard by which we judge what is "sense" and what is not. While Scripture is on the one hand something that happened then, on the other hand the canon encompasses our lives today. Secondly, consider Christ. I do think Dr. Russell is one of the few that actually questions whether Christ existed. Taking as truth that He actually did exist, the Bible claims He was raised from the dead. Now, this is the key issue. Again, this is an historical claim that is either true or isn't. It is important to consider unique evidences for His own resurrection. (appearing to women before anyone else, the many eyewitnesses, the folks who gave up their lives holding onto the truth that he was alive, etc.) If Christ were not raised from the dead, then Paul was right that Christians should be pitied above everyone else. Further, if Christ were not raised, He is no more authoritative than anyone else. Yet, the Christian believes He was. Once His resurrection is accepted, the whole of Scripture is viewed through that lens. It becomes clear that all of Scripture is pointing to Christ. He was here to recreate what had been tragically destroyed by the fall. His presence among us changes everything. At once, the Scriptures become alive. Thirdly, remember what Scripture is primarily giving us: a theological framework. Yes, there is history, poetry and prophecy, but Scripture, while not in any way threated by science or any other discipline, is a different kind of discipline all together. Scripture is giving us an understanding of the past as it conveys to us that we were created by God in His own image. It is giving us an understanding of the future as it declares that God will judge the world He created...soon. As such, we can begin to understand the present. We begin to understand our own epoch and the world around us. More could be said, but suffice it to say that if God is who Scripture says He is, the Bible's self-attesting authority is both logical and necessary. Without God revealing Himself to us, we could never know Him. Without God making sense of His own creation and action in the world, we would never understand. Without God condescending to save us from His just wrath, we would never repent. That is the message of the Bible. And because God has acted in mercy to me in Christ, that is why I am a Christian.

John Stott has written an excellent "response" to Russell's essay on Christianity. Stott's book, Why I Am a Christian thoughtfully lays out why Christ has a claim on our lives. It is worth reading if Christianity still seems foreign/unsatisfying intellectually to you.