Reason

Here we take another look at the deist’s view of God and how we can connect with them. Reason is a huge part of this outlook on God. The deist has reasoned from his observation of nature that there is a Creator but that He is not involved in what goes on here any longer. This creates a big question for me, “Why did He make us? What was (is) His reason?” And as I have asked this over the years, the only explanation that makes any sense is that He wants to interact with us. Not just through scripture or in tough times but everyday, even in the littlest things. Each of us that know Him have stories to tell that can’t be dismissed and through our experience others get to be introduced to or encouraged to better know God. Motive is a really big deal in understanding the people in the world around us. It’s an even bigger deal in understanding the One that made us.

Inconsistent

Deists and those that hold various other views of God, often label Scripture as inconsistent or full of discrepancy while many of us believe the Bible is without error. This contradiction causes many to reject the scriptures as a reasonable interaction with God. What turns out to be the case most often though is not that scripture contradicts itself but that man’s interpretations of scripture sometimes differ. One man or group sees that scripture says this and then make conclusions far out in one direction while another man or group sees that scripture says that and make their conclusions just as far in the other direction. From anywhere you stand you can see how confusing this can be.

We mustn’t allow the Bible to be dismissed along with the incompatible conclusions of men. Scripture is clear that without God we are unable to understand it. The Bible is just one of the ways God interacts with us. It’s a good place to start for many but is not all that is needed to know God. Knowing Him is a lifelong endeavor that will occupy eternity for us. We have the honor of helping those who doubt find reasonable answers to their questions so that they can see the God who loves them and wants to be involved in their lives.

He Made Us, Then Left Us Alone

This is also known as deism. Deists hold that reason and the observation of nature indicate that the universe is a product of the all-powerful creator. They typically reject the supernatural and don’t believe God involves Himself in human affairs. Essentially, their take is that God set the world in motion and is letting it play out however it may. This is also known as the “Clockwork Universe Theory”. You would think that scripture would be a good tool for discussion with deists, especially as it relates to prophecy and historically documented miracles. However it’s the apparent inconsistencies in the writings that have led many deists to their position. Tomorrow we’ll continue looking at the deist point of view and from there to some reasoning ourselves.