Right Reasoning

I recently heard a prominent Theologian make a very interesting claim. He said we cannot trust human reasoning in Theology. The statement was interesting, because it depends on it being untrue to be true. Let me explain. In order to assume something as truth, we must reason and think it through in order to accept it. If we assume that we cannot reason, then we cannot accept any statements, Theological or otherwise. This is not just a paradox, it is an oxymoron. It's impossible to think that we cannot think. We reason about everything, and to say that our reasoning is completely untrustworthy is saying that no matter what we think, it is wrong.

Before I say too much, let me give the context of what the man was saying. He was discussing complex doctrines of Theology. Now, I do heartily agree that we cannot completely reason our way into knowing every thought, intention, or concept of God. However, we should apply this to doctrine correctly. We cannot lay out doctrines and expect people to listen to them because they aren't "smart enough" to understand them. We should not use that form of psychological bullying anywhere, especially amongst Christians. Instead, we should humbly admit that there are aspects of God that no one understands, therefore, we should not assume either party absolutely correct on some complex doctrines.

Now, that does not apply to some core Christian beliefs. Some items are laid out so clearly in the Bible there is no way to ignore them without changing Christianity. However, some items can be understood differently, (and even incorrectly) and still both parties can be sincere Christians. A.W. Towser once commented that he could forgive almost any error as long as it was in sincere love for God.

We need to realize that we are not to be puffed up with knowledge. It doesn't even matter whether it is correct knowledge or not. What matters is that we come before God humbly and realize that He has indeed revealed some of Himself to us. We need to be careful though, when we extrapoliate things that are not directly said. We also need to realize that if we cannot support our Theology from other Biblical sources, then we should be very careful in how firmly we believe it ourselves, but also in how much we require others to believe it as well.

Conclusion

On the subject of human reason, God does indeed use reason. He is the God of reasoning.Therefore, we should be careful how we word the fact that we cannot reason as far as He does. We need to humbly admit that what He has given us is incomplete, not for His lack, but ours. Therefore, we should not assume our Doctrine to be correct because so many Theologians agree that they believe it is true. God does not submit to any Theologian or Doctrine; He is the origin of such things. Let us use caution when we speak of things we do not truly understand. Remember what God to Job when he assumed too much.

 1 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:

² “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
³ Dress for action like a man;
    I will question you, and you make it known to me.