HUMAN REASON AND FAITH ARE NOT TWINS

Dare I approach the sacred god of the land known as Reason?  Could it be that a hefty part of church struggle is due to the accepted terrain of believing that reason is wisdom?  Before you reason that I must be unaware that the Bible uses this word 129 times, I am quite aware.  Therefore, the word itself is not taboo.  The building a god from its timbers is.

Reason is a a double-edged sword.  It can accelerate progress or it can stifle it.  The beholder is the one on the bubble.  Faith or fear sit at opposing ends of the religious teeter-tooter.  I reference this matter because I believe we are stuck in some of the simplest matters because reason becomes the very excuse one needs to hedge on stepping out by faith.

The Father of faith (Abraham) went out toward God's call not knowing where he was going.  Human reason would have plenty to say about such an irresponsible move, wouldn't you think?  Jesus had a faith where he believed that even if he were to die that he would soon be back.  Do you really think the cautious side of reason wants any part of such an extreme presupposition?  I don't think so.  I believe controlling reason would balk just before it mocked.

It is this side of reason that I bring to your table.  And I bring it because it negatively chips and nips at our faith.  It pushes, it threatens, it bullies the tendency to try to walk by the unseen into the unknown.  I believe that in general the masses don't pray because reason explains to our interiors that there is no way it will make a difference. But, faith insists that it absolutely will.

Very bold arguers among churches bellow their controlling opinions about doctrinal matters.  Yet, when it comes to the matter of giving of their dollars, some of these hedge in the name of being reasonable; not faithful.  Bible study attendees who seldom read the Word in search of anything other than proof of what they already believe seem to major in reason while being steady in walking by a religious nervousness that they might get it wrong; a lack of trust that God can do well in both supply and provision.

We do want to participate in reason when it comes to determining whether to believe in the Invisible God or the vocal doubters.  We do use reason to sort the spiritual from the carnal.  It isn't that reason, therefore, is a villain but it very much can be if such is used as a wedge to barter against vibrant unexplainable faith.

Reason does not of itself provide a guide to truth, says Dr. David Hawkins.  It produces massive amounts of information and documentation, but lacks the capability to resolve discrepancies in data and conclusions.  Reason itself, paradoxically, is the major block to reaching higher levels of consciousness.  

While being reasonable can seem so....reasonable...it can, in fact, be used as a misguiding tool to distract one from concluding the very amazing activities of God.  Not only are human reason and faith not twins; they at times aren't even relatives.