Reason as foundation to "Word of God."

Why did Jesus speak in parables? Why do we need to interpret the "Word of God" as given to us in the Holy Bible if it alone is sufficient? Why the strange imagery of the Apocalypses? If the Word of God as written in the scriptures is truly paramount to our salvation, why is it delivered in such an obscure, confounding and mysterious manner? For those that would say the Word of God shines bright and true, and is infallible, why the hell do we have so many denominations? Why the division between Catholic and Protestant? Eastern Orthodox and the Church of Rome? Predestined and Free Will? Name your interpretation? All of the various interpretations of the Holy Bible and what it means to us as God's children are enough to drive you mad. Or, unfortunately, drive you to Athiesm or Agnosticism.

I submit that Reason is the foundation of our relationship with God, our understanding of our relation to him, and our responsibility to him and our fellow brothers and sisters. I further submit that the foundation of our God-given Reason is required to understand the truths from the lies of the Holy Bible.

"Had God, from time to time, spoke to all mankind in their several languages, and his words had miraculously conveyed the same ideas to all persons; yet he could not speak more plainly than he has done by the things (his Creation) themselves, and the relation which Reason shows there is between them. Nay, since it is impossible in any book, or books, that a particular rule could be given for every case, we must even then have had recourse to the light of nature to teach us our duty in most cases; especially considering the numberless circumstances which attend us, and which, perpetually varying, may make the same actions, according as men are differently affected by them, either good or bad. And I may add, that most of the particular rules laid down in the Gospel for our direction, are spoken after such figurative a manner, that except we judge of their meaning, not merely by the letter, but by what the law of nature antecedently declares to be our duty, they are apt to lead us wrong (emphasis added). And if precepts relating to morality, are delivered after an obscure manner, when they might have been delivered otherwise; what reason can you assign for it's being so, but that infinite wisdom meant to refer us to that law for the explaining of them." - Matthew Tindal from "Christianity as Old as the Creation"

There is a term in the Christian faith that describes the use of Reason to understand scripture and our application of God's laws/will: Discernment. I'm sure you've heard "He/she has the gift of discernment." The truth is, we all have that gift from God. When something doesn't quite sit right with you, that shocks your mind, or even rings true and makes you want to shout "Yes (Amen)!" that is your God-given Reason working within your mind.

If this is the case, which I believe it to be true, why then does Martin Luther say: "Reason is the enemy of Faith"? Reason is required to understand the teachings of Jesus! No, unfortunately, "People of Faith" too often demonize and condemn people for using their God-given reason in deference to a blind faith in scripture. My friends, if you compromise your God-given Reason to have faith, you are apt to believe in anything - that good is bad and bad is good. There are too many examples of this tragedy of thought to list here.

The popular interpretation of Paul's letters has Paul showing a lack of respect, and downright disgust, for what is commonly referred to as "human wisdom/reason" or "wisdom of the world." As if wisdom/reason were not from God in the first instance! In 1 Corinthians 3:18-20, he writes: "Stop fooling yourselves. If you think you are wise by the world's standards, you will have to become a fool so you can become wise by God's standards. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As the Scriptures say, 'God catches those who think they are wise in their own cleverness. (Job 5:13)' And again 'The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are worthless. (Ps 94:11)'"

At its most flippant, he seems to be saying that we cannot know the mind of God, so why even try? Just have faith in Christ, because that's all you need. At its most reasonable, he seems to be saying that human wisdom - while good and wise from our perspective - is nothing compared to the mind of God. Which is true, but our limited wisdom could not be said to be foolish. In either case, he is saying that to begin to understand the mind of God, great humility is required (so much as to be self-depricating) - this is definitely true, but try to tell that to church leaders centuries later who burned heretics at the stake.

Jesus says: "And I, the Son of Man, feast and drink, and you say, 'He's a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of the worst of sinners!' But wisdom is shown to be right by what results from it. (emphasis added)" (Matt 11:19)

In other words, the proof is in the pudding. What was the pudding of the Dark Ages, where the Church was in charge? I think it probably tasted like freeze-dried crap. Tomorrow we'll look at what has resulted from a God-trusting search for the truth and wisdom, and that Jesus did in fact predict such results.