I
have almost finished G.K. Chesterton’s book Orthodoxy. In the final
chapter, Authority and the Adventurer,
he addresses some of the common arguments against Christianity. He masterfully
shows how agnostics try to bring divergent ideas together to discount
Christianity, only to affirm it. I was struck by Chesterton’s mental agility
and clear logic. Without directly quoting him, I want to reproduce one set of
his sample arguments. I was encouraged and challenged by his thoughts. I hope
you are as well.
Here
are three ideas that agnostics put together to argue against Christianity.
Their first argument is to point to the similarities between humans and other
animals as a point against the idea that we were created in the image of God.
Their second argument is the assertion that religion has grown out of fear and
intellectual darkness. The third argument in this triumvirate is the argument
that priests have blighted society with doom and gloom. Chesterton dismantles
each of these in the following ways.
The
really amazing thing about humans and all other creatures is not how
superficially similar they are, but how significantly different they are. The
abilities, creativity, and ingenuity of humans is so far beyond all other
creatures that there is no comparison at all. The real gap between humans and
other creatures is so enormous that it cannot be bridged.
When
it comes to the idea that man started at a low place and progressively got
better and that religion just created a boogey man to keep people in line is
patently false. First, we know nothing for sure about pre-historic man, simply
because he is pre-historic. All of our “discoveries” are purely speculation.
Yet the legends handed down throughout the generations all speak of a time when
humanity was more kind and more upright, and then something happened to change
that. Christianity calls this the Fall. The truth is that humanity has not
become more civilized, but more barbaric. We continue to create new and more
horrible ways to kill one another.
Lastly,
the idea that priests, in particular, and religion, in general, have caused
people to live dull, colorless lives is demonstrably false. Those people groups
who have embraced Christianity have also excelled in the arts, music, and in
general, the love of life. The boundaries imposed by faith actually foster
freedom and creativity. To quote Chesterton, “Christianity is the only frame
which has preserved the pleasure of Paganism.”
One
of Chesterton’s most compelling arguments is the resilience of Christianity and
Christian culture. The most amazing thing is that the Church still exists. It
has gone through a continuous cycle of death and rebirth. Again to quote
Chesterton, “It is hardly an exaggeration to say that there is, in historical
Christendom, a sort of unnatural life; it could be explained as a supernatural
life.” “We are all revenants [returned from the dead]; all living Christians
are dead pagans walking about.”
The
most compelling and encouraging aspect of what Chesterton wrote is the idea
that most, if not all, of the arguments used against Christianity can actually
be turned around and used to defend it. During a time when it feels like
Christianity is being attacked from all sides, it is refreshing to be reminded
that our faith can weather any storm.
Matthew 16:13-18
When
Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples,
"Who do people say the Son of Man is?"
They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and
still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I
am?"
Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living
God."
Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was
not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you
are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will
not overcome it.
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