Irenaeus, Siteadmin, Check users, oversight, Administrators
351,435
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Line 27:
Line 27: + + + + + Line 35:
Line 40: − − The laws of logic are not invented; they are discovered truths about the nature of reality itself. It is commonly accepted that there are three fundamental laws of logic and that all other logical principles are derived from these three laws; these foundational laws are: the principle of identity, the [[law of the excluded middle]], and the [[Law of Non-Contradiction|law of non-contradiction]].
no edit summary
Logical consistency seems to be more "cut and dry" than the other two criteria. Logic is a natural function of human minds and is universally practiced. In fact, the universality of logic itself needs to be explained in a religious worldview. Many religious beliefs can be dismissed at the outset because they fail this first criterion, for example eastern religions that deny rationality and logic. They not only cannot account for logic, they fail the test of rationality since they hold contradictory beliefs.<ref>[https://www.str.org/articles/christianity-as-the-best-explanation#.XHwwnIhKg2w Christianity as the Best Explanation] by Melinda Penner</ref>}}
Logical consistency seems to be more "cut and dry" than the other two criteria. Logic is a natural function of human minds and is universally practiced. In fact, the universality of logic itself needs to be explained in a religious worldview. Many religious beliefs can be dismissed at the outset because they fail this first criterion, for example eastern religions that deny rationality and logic. They not only cannot account for logic, they fail the test of rationality since they hold contradictory beliefs.<ref>[https://www.str.org/articles/christianity-as-the-best-explanation#.XHwwnIhKg2w Christianity as the Best Explanation] by Melinda Penner</ref>}}
Andrew Cabrera of the Cross Examined ministry states:
{{Cquote|The laws of logic are not invented; they are discovered truths about the nature of reality itself. It is commonly accepted that there are three fundamental laws of logic and that all other logical principles are derived from these three laws; these foundational laws are: the [[Law of identity|principle of identity]], the [[law of the excluded middle]], and the [[Law of Non-Contradiction|law of non-contradiction]]...
We are made in the image of God as both moral and rational beings. In the same way that we should strive to emulate God’s goodness, we should also strive to emulate his rationality. Logic not only helps us to attain a more robust understanding of the nature of God, but it is essential for fulfilling our commands to share the gospel and have a ready defense of the hope within us. Far from being an opposing force, logic is at the core of the Christian faith. Throughout the Old and New Testament, the authors (and even Jesus himself) make claims of exclusivity, identity and ontological reality; all of which are meaningless without first granting the fundamental laws of logic. Proper exegesis, historical data, every classical argument for the existence of God, every theological position you take, and even the Gospel message itself are all -in one way or another- dependent on these fundamental laws being true. Even the very nature and existence of God must be described in terms of these fundamental laws. If you take away the principle of identity, the identity and deity of Christ follows suit. If the law of non-contradiction is lost, so is the exclusivity of truth itself, and any meaningful notions of the existence of God go with it.<ref>[https://crossexamined.org/christians-care-logic/ WHY SHOULD CHRISTIANS CARE ABOUT LOGIC?] by Andrew Cabrera</ref>}}
The [[Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry]] (CARM) declares:
The [[Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry]] (CARM) declares:
Therefore, the proper use of logic in apologetics is to remove intellectual barriers that hinder a person from accepting Jesus as Savior. Logic is not to be looked at as the answer to every problem facing Christianity nor every objection raised against it. Logic has its limits. It cannot guarantee wisdom. It cannot prove or disprove inspiration or love. It cannot replace the intuition gained through experience, the prompting of the Holy Spirit, nor the clear truth of God's word. Nevertheless, logic is still very valuable and can be quite powerfully used by people--both saved and unsaved.<ref>[https://carm.org/logic-apologetics Logic in Apologetics] by Matt Slick</ref>}}
Therefore, the proper use of logic in apologetics is to remove intellectual barriers that hinder a person from accepting Jesus as Savior. Logic is not to be looked at as the answer to every problem facing Christianity nor every objection raised against it. Logic has its limits. It cannot guarantee wisdom. It cannot prove or disprove inspiration or love. It cannot replace the intuition gained through experience, the prompting of the Holy Spirit, nor the clear truth of God's word. Nevertheless, logic is still very valuable and can be quite powerfully used by people--both saved and unsaved.<ref>[https://carm.org/logic-apologetics Logic in Apologetics] by Matt Slick</ref>}}
== See also ==
== See also ==