Is faith the surrender of logic and reason or does it transcend logic and reason?

Question

For those of you who might be wondering Fireball226 is referring to something(s) I wrote to others voicing my opinion in a not so nice fashion (very infrequently, by the way), but I've done it. She's right to ask me to stop and I apologize. It'll never happen again.

Answer 1

Logic is sound reasoning within the context of revealed knowledge. There is a sphere of knowledge unknown to the natural man, given through the revelation of the invisible, inscrutable God, received by faith through the proclamation of the Gospel.

"For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.'

I Corinthians 1:21

Answer 2

Depends on what kind of faith you are refering to. You have faith. Every day you use faith. You have faith that when you will step on the gas, the car will go. And that when you step on the brake, it will stop. When you sit on a chair, the chair will hold you. You don't have to think about this, you have faith, in a way about things that surround you.

Biblical faith is a conviction of what you cannot see, that is IS indeed. Does it transcend logic? Sure it does! Sometimes. And reason, too? Of course! You have faith in a Being that you cannot see, feel, touch or smell. And yet, He is here, He lives, He created Time, intervenes in what we call 'history'.

My faith is in a Person. Sure, and when I brake, the car DOES stop!

Answer 3

When people speak of faith I believe it is really a perversion or distortion of faith. They do not put their faith in God, but what other men have told them about God. In reality, they give up God's gifts, their ability to think and reason and understand the world and thereby develop some genuine appreciation for his creation. Is that how we should honor the Creator? Do we believe that is what we are doing when we suspend our ability to analyze and reason, draw intelligence infereneces, make predictions, etc.

For those that see that devil as a real entity, wouldn't that be the manner in which he would work- the great deceiver! Convincing others to follow another man's supposed vision or spiritual insight, surrender their ability to reason, follow his interpretation even though it might lead to mass suicide, witch burning, an inquisition, genocide, terrorism, etc.

It amazes me that all of these acts were done by people that were no different than ourselves, yet we somehow feel insulated from making similiar disastrous mistakes, even though we have given up our ability to make decisions and judgements in the name of faith. We somehow feel that others can make those important decisions for us because they have some special understanding? relationship with God?
have pointy hats? are good at public speaking? working in a big building with many other people? say that they love us???

If you really want to have a faith that transcends logic and reason have faith that no matter how much you embrace logic and reasoning, no matter how much you may be critical and analytical, that you will not loose your relationship with God. Because your relationship is profoundly personal (by the way...some of the earliest Christian gnostic teachings).

And as far as reason and logic are concerned you might be reassured to know that all of our scientific struggles to understand the laws and physics of our universe have dramatically moved us away from the Newtonian, clockwork, reductionsitic, cause and effect reality that would contrast so dramatically with a God that can operate outside of those laws.

What is known about our universe, our reality is that it is so bizzare, that it is beyond our imagination to conceive (Neil Bohr). According to scientific principles their are things that are impossible to know, things that pop into and out of existence for no apparent reason and do not follow laws of cause and effect. As I sit and write this, there is a probability (very small, but real), that I will tunnel through my building and end up outside. There are likey to be multiple dimensions maybe multi-universes (multiverses) and what determines reality is what we decide to observe!!

Does God seem so farfetched in such a magical existence?

It seems to be that it is our scientists, who continue to enthusiastically may a heartfelt attempt to find meaning through all the absurdity or within the absurdity, that have a true faith that transcends logic.

Answer 4

Believing in the Bible is ultimately a matter of informed faith.

I've studied the Bible for a couple of decades now. I have never surrendered my logic or ability to reason. We are invited by scripture to think, my friend. God created us with this wonderful brain and the ability to use it.

Faith in God does not "transcend logic and reason".

"Come now, and let us reason together," says the Lord..." Isaiah 1:18

Read and study the Bible. It holds the key to what you are looking for.

Answer 5

To me, faith must transcend all that is logical or within reason to the human mind. I have faith in God because I feel the need to put my faith and trust in something far greater than I am because I'm imperfect, and thus, destined to fail. I need God because he's bigger than my mind can comprehend and if my faith is something I have all figured out, then why is it worth having? If I can simply explain away every aspect of the Bible and God Himself, then He's nothing more than a mathematical equation created simply to make myself feel safe within a system of beliefs. I need something bigger than that....something that transcends the logic and reason of the imperfect, fallable human mind. This is why I choose to have faith in God.

Answer 6

I'd say it's both in a way. I like to subscribe to the Kierkegaardian leap of faith rational, which says that faith is, essentially, irrational. If I had to chose I would say it transcends logic and reason because it exists completely in the spiritual realm which is not dictated by the laws (logic) of this world.

Answer 7

I don't understand to whom the question is addressed. What religion? What denomination,if Christianity is your subject? I'm Unitarian and we do not recognize any doctrine that is in conflict with logic and reason. You people should try specifying to whom your questions are directed. It would be a big help. No,I don't think faith requires any such "surrender".

Answer 8

I don't think it transcends logic and reason so much as incorporates them as far as they can take us and then it examines the evidence for and against faith and then makes a choice one way or the other.

Answer 9

It Transcends Logic & Reason & is able to Discern & Enhance them Both!!! John

Answer 10

To believe by faith is to surrender logic and reason.