Without Reason

Paul continues the story of Abraham in Romans 4, giving expression to the great measure of faith found in the Jewish forefather. I've written about Abraham and faith on a few occasions on this blog, too. He was just an outstanding example, as any of us can tell. It's his faith without reason that prompts this particular post.

I am a "thinker" raised by a dominant "thinker" dad. I've had a lot of exposure to other "thinkers" who have discipled me in the Christian faith. It comes as no surprise to anyone, then, that I value a thoughtful faith. As David Higle once put it, "You can't separate your spirit from your mind."

This isn't the whole picture, though. Along with human spirits and minds come our emotions, wills, and bodies. While this Aristotelian separation helps us understand the many facets of our relationship to the Lord, this approach has led to extremes in our understanding of the Lord. For example, we thinkers tend to emphasize reason, always thinking through the astounding logic of God. Unfortunately, we are afraid and/or oppose any part of God that cannot be explained and that does not fit into our nice thoughtful God-packages.

Paul writes in Rom 4:18 that Abraham's faith did not waver even when there was no reason for it. In that, his faith glorified God. While I agree with Rev. Higle on the futility of separating faith and reason, I can only echo his sentiments in terms of emotion, will, and body. Our faith cannot (and should not) be separated from our emotions. It cannot (and should not) be separated from our wills. It cannot (and should not) be separated from our bodies. A faith that can truly be called Christian is characterized by a love for the Lord that comes from our minds, wills, emotions, spirits, and bodies simultaneously. Each aspect may connect better with various aspects of God; as God cannot be truly described without the mesh of all His aspects, so our faith and worship cannot truly be faith and worship without the mesh of our entire being.

In other words, unreasonable faith is okay.