As we begin our investigation into the claims of Christianity it is important to understand, when we are asked to give reason for the hope that we have in Christ Jesus (1 Peter 3:15), we can have confidence that what we believe would hold up in a court of law at the highest levels. We don’t just have “blind faith” but we have a faith based on trust. God has given us so much evidence for the truths of Christianity that it is like “death by 1000 paper cuts!”
Unlike atheists and skeptics would have us believe, Christianity is a testable, intelligent and reasonable faith.
Simon Greenleaf (1783-1853), PhD Royale, Chair of Harvard’s Department of Law, and an “enlightened atheist” was challenged by some of his students to apply the rules of what he taught to the claims of the four Gospels of the New Testament, and he did. After careful investigation, he found that the rules of legal evidence thoroughly supported the truths of the Gospels. The result was his conversion to Christianity and his book “The Testimony of the Evangelists: The Gospels Examined by the Rules of Evidence.”
LEGAL LEVELS FOR BURDEN OF PROOF (and their approximate % of certainty)
The following categories explain the “Burden of Proof” requirements used in our legal system. These are the most developed thought processes in the world for finding truth and are used in our court system today. Carefully evaluate these levels and determine where you are in your journey of faith.
Note: The % are approximate and not usually assigned when working in a court of law, but this gives us a measuring guide when considering what we know concerning the truth.
Hunch: 0%
Something rings true about the statements but you have no evidential support.
Example: A gut feeling.
Everyone has that gut feeling that there is something beyond self. What we do with that feeling varies in belief systems from atheism to theism. For those who worry about loved ones who have passed, the thief on the cross only had time to begin at this level. He responded and is with Jesus in Heaven today. (Luke 23:32-43)
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” –Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV)
Reasonable Suspicion: 15-25%
Defined as a common-sense conclusion upon which people are entitled to rely. This requires facts or circumstances that give rise to more than a bare, imaginary or purely conjectural suspicion. It is a hunch based on a few objective facts.
Example: The level needed to warrant a search in a criminal investigation.
At this level a person has at least a clue about the existence of something beyond, and a sense that things are not the way they are suppose to be. What we attribute this to either begins a journey towards belief in God, or ends here with agnosticism.
Probable Cause: 35-40%
In criminal law, where known facts and circumstances of a reasonably trustworthy nature, are sufficient to justify a man of reasonable caution or prudence in the belief that a crime has been or is being committed.
Example: The level of certainty required for an arrest.
This level of knowledge requires a reaction or decision to be made. A person at this level might claim to be a theist (believer in a god) but has not completely accepted the truth claims of Christianity. This is not a level where we should want to stay. A new Christian might start here but further investigation is of eternal importance.
Preponderance of the Evidence: 51% +
The trier of fact is convinced the truth of the fact asserted is more likely true than not. This is a minimal need for certainty at an intellectual level.
Example: The standard for most civil cases.
At this point you are justified in making a commitment. You are open to a rebuttal, but you can argue a case, at least to a subjective point. Most people of faith are at this level. They think that what they believe is more likely true than not, but cannot necessarily articulate their reasons for this belief beyond personal reasons.
At this point we might pray like the man whose son was demon possessed:
“Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” “‘If you can?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”” -Mark 9:21-24 (NIV) …And with that Jesus went on to heal his son.
Clear and Convincing: 70-80%
The trier of fact is convinced the truth of the fact asserted is highly probable.
Example: The standard used in probate cases. It requires more than the preponderance, but less than reasonable doubt.
At this level you have some confidence that what you believe is really true. We can articulate some knowledge concerning the evidence but may need a little more depth. At this point we are convinced that we are right.
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt: 80-90%
The trier of the fact is fully satisfied, entirely convinced, or satisfied to a moral certainty that the fact is true. Practically, this standard represents a high level of conviction in an individual that causes him to act in accordance therewith.
Example: The level or standard for criminal cases.
At this point all reasonable objections have been satisfied. This is the level we want to be at concerning our faith and belief about God, Jesus, and eternity. There is no way any evidence in the other direction would turn us and we can answer question confidently. However, there may be times we struggle with questions of “why” things are so, like John the Baptist from his prison cell (see Matthew Ch. 11).
Psychological Certainty: 90-95%
The individual holding the view has no doubt about some state of affairs and does not have to consider doubt. It is something taken for granted.
Example: Gravity, the sun will rise tomorrow, 2+2=4…
Few people get to this level when it comes to their faith. At this level we would be able to face persecution and even death if we confess that Jesus is our LORD and Savior. We can only be here if we commit time to the study of God’s Word (and in today’s culture this includes Apologetics). The Apostles, disciples, and other martyrs would have been at this level.
Absolute Certainty: 95-100%
The proposition is impossible to doubt. This is also known as Tautological Certainty or Axiomatic Certainty.
Example: A triangle has 3 sides—things that are true by definition. (There are not too many things that fit this category).
Jesus models this level of certainty for us. He had absolute certainty in God’s purpose and plan. We can have confidence because of that and we can know for certain that we have an eternal home with Him (John 14:1-14).
“Jesus said: For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.” –John 17:8 (NIV)
“Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.” –John 14:11-12 (NIV)
Skeptics often ask Christians to give proof that God exists or that Christianity is true, but what they are really saying is they want you to give evidence of absolute certainty, beyond all possibility. However, they cannot do the same for the things that they believe, in fact, we do not live our lives based on absolute certainty of most things. Christians and skeptics both must include faith as part of their worldview, but Christian faith is based on evidence that goes beyond a reasonable doubt!
Watch J. Warner Wallace’s presentation on the importance of developing a “forensic faith:”
Going Deeper:
Forensic Faith and Cold Case Christianity, both by J. Warner Wallace
coldcasechristianity.com by J. Warner Wallace – excellent tools, resources, videos and more to help with your confidence and defense of the faith.
Bible Study: The book of Romans
Each week we will do a study in the book of Romans to practice our Bible study skills. This week read (or re-read) Romans chapter 1, then answer the following questions:
- What important elements of the Gospel (the good news of Jesus) does Paul present in his opening? (1:2-7)
- What does Paul say that shows his concern and care for these Christians in Rome? (1:8-17) How might his example help us in praying for our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ?
- Write down verses 16-17 as a memory passage and a focus of this book.
- In 1:18-32 Paul explains humankind’s problem since the beginning of creation when freedom to choose resulted in Adam and Eve disobeying God and receiving the consequence of both spiritual and physical death (we now know this is passed down through our DNA and we all inherit this sin nature from our original parents). Summarize what Paul has to say about the consequences of our sin nature and unbelief.
Join us next week as we continue our “Case for Christianity”
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You will not find this material in the public school curriculum even though it is based on solid evidence and grounded in research. It is ironic that following the evidence to where it leads stops at the door of our public schools as they will not let a “Divine footprint” in! Join us as we examine evidence for Christianity and learn how to become a thoughtful defender and ambassador of your faith.
Click into the resource page of this website to view many of the top Christian thinkers and apologists along with some of their work; connecting to these types of resources is essential in your Christian growth.
Please let me know what you think: Give feedback, ask questions or send concerns in the comment section of the blog.
Teri Dugan
TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com
1 Peter 3:15
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