I can already tell that I will have to clarify, clarify, clarify. So let me do that now. I do not think reason is inherently bad or evil. I think we should test everything like the Bereans. I believe reason helps us in numerous ways, but I think it is an idol for many and can be a hindrance to our faith in God. I love to think about and question things, but there comes a point at which, I allow reason to rule or God.
In this season of my life I am continuously tempted by reason. The result has been a worn out grad student, fighting to believe. It is a great challenge and hindrance to our faith to talk about God as if he is not real, as if he is not above all. When we discuss theology with the mindset that all we need is to think critically enough about it, we have gotten it all wrong. How disappointed God must be with many of us theology/bible/pastoral students who depend first on our reason and second upon Him. Our reason can take us so many places, many of which are far from God and his truth. We cannot and should not let our reason dictate what we believe about God. Theology has to be underneath him and his truth in our minds, and not above. We cannot believe that our ability to study and reason through theology will help us to know God; we must believe that God will help us understand theology. God has to teach us about his nature, not reason.[2]
Oh, how much my head has hurt these past couple of months! All because I have been tempted by reason. Being educated is good, but there is something to be said about believing like a Child. A child who certainly has not developed all of the higher level critical thinking skills, but believes and obeys without questioning. We[3] must trust in God and obey him even when he doesn’t seem real or alive.
Oh, that we would return to a childlike faith. That we would not let our level of education change our belief that God is real, that the Bible is his word to us, and that he truly is greater than all we could ever imagine! I believe in God. I believe in the cross. I believe in his word. I believe, I believe! I believe for no other reason then because he has enabled me to do so—because he is real!
“Reason is a whore, the greatest enemy that faith has; it never comes to the aid of spiritual things, but more frequently than not struggles against the divine Word, treating with contempt all that emanates from God.” -Martin Luther
[1] Historically the reason can be traced back much farther to various movements. Our education system is a product of them.
[2] God through reason, perhaps, but not reason alone; not reason first.
[3] I say we, but I mostly mean I. After all, this is really just a pep talk to myself. :)