Part Two of Five: The Same Primary Truth-Test Used in Science, Law, and History Prove Beyond Reasonable Doubt That Christianity is Divine Truth

 There are different levels of proof relevant to some areas of knowledge but not to others. However, almost all things people consider adequately proven are based on probability. If I refuse to buy a car unless I’m absolutely certain it will not break down the moment I drive off the lot, I could never buy a car. I would never travel in an airplane if I had to be absolutely certain I will arrive safely at my destination.

Absolute certainty must be ruled out as a standard for making virtually all of life’s decisions—including religious ones. We can’t expect mathematical precision to apply to religion, just as it doesn’t apply to scientific, legal, and historical issues. When we reach the highest level of probability attainable in these particular categories, the vast majority of people believe we have realistically achieved proof in terms of practical application.

People are sent to prison based on evidence deemed to be beyond reasonable doubt—probability. We evaluate the validity of historical events based on the probable accuracy of documentation, and the same is true for everyday decisions. We judge our chances of safely crossing a busy street or that a prescribed medicine won’t harm us based entirely on the probable outcomes. In all these examples, we consider probable conclusions as essentially proof because probability is the highest level of certainty possible in these particular areas—the weight of evidence is overwhelmingly convincing.

We can tie this to religious truth-claims. Christianity can provide the same level of practical certainty for the deity and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the reliability and trustworthiness of the Bible, and other Christian truth-claims that are accepted as proof beyond reasonable doubt in scientific, legal, and historical matters. Furthermore, no other religion in the world provides this same level of proof. In this sense, we can honestly and legitimately assert that Christianity is religious truth. This will become clearer as we look at these three areas of knowledge—science, law, and history—and apply how they determine truth to Christianity.

Next week, I’ll explain how science determines truth—the scientific method—and apply it to Christianity—and demonstrate how it supports Christian truth-claims.

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For further study, see my updated and revised edition of Defending Your Faith; Reliable Answers for a New Generation of Seekers and Skeptics (Kregel publications, 2019).