The Implicit Acknowledgment of Insufficient Evidence

Interestingly, Christians rarely claim that skeptics will find overwhelming evidence for God's existence if they approach the matter with an open mind. They seem to understand that objectivity requires robust evidence to persuade others. However, most believers did not arrive at their faith through rigorous logical analysis. Instead, many grew up in Christian households or experienced profound personal events that solidified their beliefs. Few were baptized solely based on logical reasoning. This background makes it difficult for them to provide compelling rational arguments or concrete evidence to substantiate their faith.

Recognizing their lack of strong evidence, some Christians urge non-believers to adopt a more humble stance. In this context, humility equates to accepting claims as true without sufficient proof—essentially, it amounts to having faith.

For instance, consider this thought: "If there’s even a slight chance this is true, it’s worth believing…" — William Lane Craig, a Christian apologist.

Now, imagine a scenario where a prosecutor tells a judge, “If you approach our evidence with humility, you’ll see the defendant is guilty.” Most would perceive this as a desperate plea, suggesting that the evidence is insufficient to secure a conviction. It would imply that the judge needs to exhibit bias to achieve a guilty verdict.

Fair judgment should be devoid of biases. When Christians request that skeptics be humble and cease their resistance, they are, in essence, admitting that the evidence supporting Christian doctrines is not as convincing as they might hope.

Do Christians Exhibit Double Standards?

Many Christians point to the four Gospels as multiple sources corroborating the miracles and resurrection of Jesus. Yet, if asked whether they would accept another ancient figure's miraculous deeds based solely on four accounts, few would agree.

If questioned about the amount of evidence required to believe in an ancient hero's miracles, they would likely set a high bar, and they would be justified in doing so.

However, have Christians ever reflected on what level of evidence they need to believe in the Bible? If they did, they might uncover potential inconsistencies in their criteria.

Take, for instance, the account of Elisha raising a boy from the dead in 2 Kings 4. There is only a single mention of this event, and its authorship and date remain uncertain. Yet, many Christians accept this miracle as historical fact without needing multiple sources to validate it. Trusting in a miracle based solely on an ancient text seems more akin to gullibility than genuine humility.

Skepticism Isn't Arrogance

When Christians assert that skeptics lack humility, they often accuse them of arrogance and an unwillingness to submit to God. This judgment is not only presumptuous but also hypocritical.

Consider how Christians would respond if a Muslim suggested that humility is necessary to acknowledge Allah as the true God and Jesus as merely a prophet. Or if a Mormon claimed that humility was essential to grasping the divine origins of the Book of Mormon. The likely response would be that humility is not the appropriate attitude, but rather one of objectivity when examining the evidence.

And they would be right!

Humility is fitting when confronting something mightier than ourselves—such as powerful natural phenomena like tornadoes.

However, when skeptics challenge the concept of God, they are not disputing God Himself but are questioning the arguments presented in His defense. Can these arguments fail? Absolutely. The correct approach to evaluating such arguments should be one of reason and objectivity, rather than humility.

Reevaluating Religious Experiences

Some Christians assert that if atheists humble themselves and seek God, they will encounter His love and power. But can personal feelings sometimes mislead us?

Certainly, they can. Christians often dismiss the validity of religious experiences from other faiths. So why is it difficult to accept that their own feelings and experiences might also be misleading? Are Christians truly willing to claim that their subjective experiences are infallible?

Using Personal Experiences as a Defense of Faith

Ultimately, this reflects a tendency towards superiority bias.

5 Honest Approaches to Engaging Atheists

Present compelling evidence for God's existence through respectful dialogue.

Is Atheism a Religion Requiring Faith in Non-Existence?

Some Christians assert this, yet they may overlook its logical consequences.

In the video "2 Timothy 3:13-17 - All Scripture is Inspired By God," the relationship between scripture and divine inspiration is explored, offering insights into how believers interpret the Bible's authority.

The video "Daily Scripture Reading and Reflection - Humble Yourself - March 9, 2024" provides a reflective look at the importance of humility in daily spiritual practice and personal growth.