Page 107 - Apologetics Student Textbook (3 Credits)

complementary fashion. (https://reformedreader.wordpress.com/2015/08/26/a-christian-view-of-knowledge-k-
samples/)

Three ways to glean knowledge

A philosopher disconnect from God believes that knowledge and reason are obtained in two central
ways. The empiricist will look to the world outside of himself as the source of knowledge. He looks to
what we can see, smell, hear, touch and taste to provide him his knowledge. Quite often many
scientists are empiricists in that the look to experimentation and the scientific method to learn what is
true or false. They publish their findings in journal reviews so that the information or knowledge they
have gleaned can be shared with others seeking similar knowledge.

The rationalist, however, takes a different approach to finding knowledge. He looks to the world within
himself as his source of knowledge. The rationalist would argue that humans, and even other animals,
have innate knowledge that does not come from experience but simply exists within from birth. Based
on that innate knowledge, the rationalist holds that humans can reason toward new knowledge. Rene
Descartes, a famous rationalist said, “I think, therefore I am.” He was saying that because we can think,
we can find truth.

The Christian theist takes a different approach to gaining knowledge. The Christian fully understands
that human knowledge apart from God is at best flawed by sin. It is untrustworthy. He agrees with the
writer of proverbs who says, “Trust in the Lord with all our hearts, and lean not on your own
understanding. In all your ways submit to Him, and He shall make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Humans are finite and our thoughts are untrustworthy. Every human being is subject to error, and
neither empiricism nor rationalism can provide understanding that is reliable. That is why we must trust
God to provide the answers and the knowledge we need, and that comes from God’s Word. God’s
Word is truth (John 17:17).

Can a person be guided by logic and knowledge?

The following quote is attributed to Albert Einstein:

The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We
have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.

Einstein was a rationalist. He believed that the mind of a man was the source of reason and knowledge.
Rationalism is the belief man looks to himself to gain knowledge. Rationalists hold man’s mind to be
perfectly suitable alone to acquire knowledge about the world in which we live. Thinking is the key.
Descartes’ “I think therefore I am.” is their well-beloved adage. Rationalism holds that but man is born
with certain innate ideas. The laws of logic are thought to be some of these; they are not learned, but
rather, every man is equipped with these ideas apart from experience regardless of whether they know
it.

According to the Christian worldview, the laws of logic are remnants of God’s creation found in
mankind. Genesis says that God created man in His image. It’s obvious that that image is not a physical
image, but a mental and spiritual image. Man can think. He can reason. He can communicate. He has a

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