Christianity: High Probability or Absolute Certainty? (The Short Answer)

Christian Theism is the only true religious system. No other system address core issues in a coherent, comprehensive manner that corresponds to objective reality, issues like: who is God, who is mankind, why is there something instead of nothing, can the Bible be trusted, who is Jesus, and how can we know for sure, and others. No other system is rooted in historic fact or attested to through the numerous supernatural evidences in its writings. A central tenet of Christian Theism, like other religious systems is faith. But again, Christian faith is unique. Christian faith is not a faith in itself, but in objective, historical reality. As Thomas F. Torrance said, “Faith becomes not the [foundational ground of Christianity]. Rather, faith is the expression of trust based upon that ground, that ground being Christ as the self-revelation of God in space and time.” In the Bible we have the truth. We are created. We did rebel. We do need forgiveness and renewal. Jesus is God the Son, the Christ, and He paid the price for our forgiveness and renewal. We can appropriate it through repentance of sin and surrender with ongoing trust in who He is to both transform us now and fit us for life forevermore in the Kingdom in which dwelleth righteousness.

So, Why the Doubt?
There is an epistemology that applies uniquely to Christianity. Up to this point, there are those who would affirm, or at least accept these facts, and yet remain unconvinced. Why would this be? There are some who would claim there are other issues that must be satisfactorily address, and there may be. But, at the core of the issue is the fact that flesh and blood do not reveal the truth of who Jesus is but the Father in Heaven. We also cannot come know the sinfulness of ourselves, what true righteousness is, or the genuine wickedness of sin on our own. It is the Holy Spirit that convicts the people of sin and righteousness. Furthermore, it only through the law of God that we can know what sin is and perceive its sinfulness.

It is God that does the ultimate convincing, not reasons, not arguments, not evidence, or experiences, however God uses these things. They are occasions for belief, not the ultimate foundation of belief. “It is we...who, in response to the Spirit's testimony or in the circumstance of experiencing His prevenient convicting and drawing, come to believe in God and the great things of the Gospel.” Afterward, it is also the witness of the Spirit that one is a child of God that continues one along the pathway knowing that Christianity is not merely highly probable, but absolutely certain. Without our yielding to the work of God in us, one will remain unconvinced―not due to a lack of evidence or reason or experience, but due to one’s continual refusal to accept what God has so plainly laid bare.

This “epistepneumatic” process, this coming to the truth by what/Who the Holy Spirit reveals and confirms, is the “missing link” to those who do not believe. However, having this knowledge and conviction of Christianity’s truth does not establish a right relationship with God. Satan knows the truth of Christianity, but is the devil still. If one is to experientially know the genuine, personal love of God, one must know and admit one’s sin, confess and repent of it, and continue in God’s grace trusting Jesus alone for salvation and successive sanctification―all of which is accomplished by the power of the Holy Spirt.

How Can We Know?
There is little “proof” that is beyond dispute for everyone. Again, “proof” is person-relative. I merely offer multiple agreeing witnesses of various kinds that all line up and make sense. “Proof” was not my intention per se, but a cumulative case built upon a foundational framework adding evidence logically, scientifically, or revelatory unto a rational, cogent conclusion. However, just as the truth of your existence in history being researched 2,000 years from now is not based on foundationalism, neither are the truths of Christianity. The reality of one’s existence is based upon an absolute reality in space and time regardless of whatever evidence is found. Likewise are truths of Jesus and Christianity even though there IS a multitude of evidence and outside witnesses to its veracity.

Christianity is not merely highly probable; it is absolute certainty. How can one know for sure? Jesus Himself makes the statement, which includes an incredible offer. “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

So, there it is. Anyone who has and obeys Jesus’ commands will be granted a personal manifestation in such a way that reveals and confirms the truthfulness of Himself. What were His commands? There were many, but the first three set a great pattern for knowing God more and more. They are “Repent,” “Believe in (put your complete trust solely into) the Gospel,” and “Follow Me.” To anyone wanting ultimate “proof,” I would say, “call His bluff” (which is not a bluff at all, but a fact). Obey His commands and see if He doesn’t manifest Himself. He will; and if you continue with Him, you will know the truth and the truth will make you free.

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See:
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (New York:MacMillan, 1952), 40-41.
Matthew 28:13-15.
Thomas F. Torrance in Steven Tsoukalas, “Toward a Foundational Epistemology,” lecture 1 Philosophy of Christian Religion, WBS, Spring 2009.
Matthew 16:17.
John 16:8.
Romans 3:20; 7:7.
Philosophical Foundations, 169.
Romans 8:15-16.
John 14:21. ESV, emphasis mine.
Ibid., 8:31-32.