'Reason' ... the ability to draw conclusions based on one's capacity for logical, rational, and analytic thought. Many believe that it conflicts with 'faith'. Believers are often accused of exchanging intellectual 'common sense' for a mindless 'religious pipe dream'.
Benjamin Franklin blithely stated - The way to see by faith is to shut the eye of reason.
The notion that Christianity shuns 'reason' is based on what the unsaved world thinks 'faith' is. They fail to understand that a man comes to know Christ as Lord by analyzing the evidence. Choosing to accept the gift of salvation might appear to be a 'leap of faith' ... but it is not 'blind faith'.
The Lord has chosen to reveal Himself through His Word ... All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16)
Though mankind has had every opportunity to discredit it, the combination of internal consistency, verifiable truths, and relevance to our personal experience makes the Bible uniquely trustworthy ...
It encourages us to examine everything ... Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1)
Its assertions are based on eyewitness accounts ... For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. (2 Peter 1:16)
It connects faith to visible evidence ... Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:30-31)
It ties the truths found therein to the observable world ... For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been made. (Romans 1:20)
Where can you check Biblical claims against verifiable truth? History, archaeology, science, and philosophy have shown Scripture to be factual and consistent. It has often been the deciding factor in converting skeptics and nonbelievers to faith in Christ.
When you make the 'reasoned' decision to accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ as truth and receive the gift of salvation by grace through faith ... the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within, forever confirming that it was the right choice.
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