Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | 1 Peter 3:15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts set Christ apart [as holy--acknowledging Him, giving Him first place in your lives] as Lord. Always be ready to give a [logical] defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope and confident assurance [elicited by faith] that is within you, yet [do it] with gentleness and respect. [Is 8:12, 13] |
Bible Question:
In his book "The End of Faith: Religion, Terror and the Future of Reason", author Sam Harris suggests faith itself is understood as belief that transcends reason, yet at the same time is justified by appealing to physical evidence, such as the miracles described in scripture. (my paraphrase) Of course, Harris questions the historicity of miracles and suggests that the idea scripture is the inerrant word of God is merely because scripture says so, which he suggests is circular reasoning and therefore invalid. What does the bible teach about the nature of faith itself? And given this nature, what does the bible say about why God values faith, perhaps even more than love? (because it seems faith is a prerequisite to love) Finally, what does the bible say about Harris' suggestion that religion is the bane of mankind? Didn't Jesus also criticize religiosity in favor of relationship? Harris' book is a direct challenge to the most cherished tenets of christianity, indeed all religions, in that he is challenging all beliefs that depend on mystical faith. As per 1 Peter 3:15, how would the bible have us respond to this most fundamental objection to faith itself? |
Bible Answer: Hi, Parable - Each generation produces its crop of naysayers. If we mark off a generation by allotting it 20 years, I've been a part of three generations, and now am in the fourth. So I've been exposed to the psycho-babble of quite a few atheistic writers, the majority of them learned denizens of the halls of academe. These atheists sing the same tired old refrain. They have a way about them of using big words and a lot of them to say the same thing: I don't believe in God. They are those of whom the Psalmist spoke in Psalm 10:4: "The wicked, in the haughtiness of his countenance does not seek Him. All his thoughts are, 'There is no God.'" Prominent among the current crop of naysayers are, in addition to Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins and Daniel Dennett -- fools all. The Bible says that the fool hath said in his heart, "There is no God." ..... Consequently, Parable, I am in full agreement with BradK: Why should we listen to these naysayers? What indeed can we learn from a fool? Is it, indeed, worth the investment of precious time to bother with such blind guides as Sam Harris? No, I say, no, it is not. Whenever I feel inclined to read their books and expose myself to their godless evolutionary psychological and philosophical nonsense, I am reminded of what the Lord Jesus said to Peter when Peter impulsively tried to meddle in things that were none of his business: "What is that to thee? follow thou Me" (cf John 21:22). ...... Frankly, Parable, I believe the proper answer to the abbreviated version of your question, "How do we respond to Sam Harris?" is simply that we don't -- not, at any rate, on SBF which is designed for the study of God's word and not for arguments for God's existence. "The Bible begins with God, not with philosophic arguments for His existence." Thus spoke C. I. Scofield in his annotation of Genesis 1:1 (Scofield Reference Bible, Oxford). So I conclude with this: that we of Study Bible Forum should rivet our full attention upon God and His word and not upon responding to the atheistic arguments of Sam Harris or others of his stripe. I firmly believe that our Lord has not changed His mind one iota since He asked Peter, "What is that to thee? follow thou me." Such, I believe, would be His answer to us if we put our time to poor use by reading or paying the slightest attention to the worn-out, fatuous and inane arguments of fools. --Hank |