By David Geisler
Have you ever heard someone say, “Your faith may be true for you, but it’s not true for me?” As Christians wanting to share our faith, such a statement can make us feel a little awkward, and we may not know how to respond. But rather than walk away or quote a Bible verse, why not help them explore the real meaning of truth, by using the common ground you already share?
My father taught that the most effective way we can share our faith is to come alongside of a non-believer and help them to build a bridge to the Truth. One plank at a time, they can begin to realize why it matters what they believe, and that starts with the way they understand truth. Furthermore, he also taught me that the only way to successfully build this bridge to the Truth is by using the tools of the laws of logic.
Logic may seem too academic a subject to use in daily conversation. But actually, logic is the common ground we all share. In fact, without logic we couldn’t have a conversation at all! Think about this: almost everyone knows that we must use a computer operating system, like Microsoft Windows for example, in order to use our computers. Computer operating systems are kind of like the laws of logic. We could have neither a meaningful conversation nor disagreement with someone if we are not using the laws of logic to make a statement (“truth claim”). We even use logic just to think about something!
The only way to successfully build this bridge to the Truth is by using the tools of the laws of logic.
One of the three laws of logic we can use to begin building a bridge to truth is the Law of Non-Contradiction. Based on this law, we can determine that opposites cannot both be true at the same time and in the same sense. As my father says in the second of his 12 Points… “The opposite of true is false.” Here is an example of the law of non-contradiction in action: My wife is either pregnant or non-pregnant, but she can’t be both!
Normally most people will agree with what we have said so far. However, have you noticed that when we further apply logic to making a truth claim about a religious view, or about something that has moral implications, many people seem to chuck their logic right out the door? They may say what I mentioned earlier, “Your religious views may be true for you but not for me,” or even, “All religious views are true.” So how can we help them recognize for themselves that such statements don’t make sense?
One plank at a time, they can begin to realize why it matters what they believe.
The first thing we need to do is to help them understand there is a difference between essential and non-essential truths. Non-essential truths are ones that we may all agree on, even between people who hold opposite religious perspectives. This is because non-essential truths are not foundational to systems of belief. For example, many religions agree on some form of “The Golden Rule”, including Christianity. When I lived in Southeast Asia, I got to talk to many Buddhists, who believe that we need to remove bad desires. This is something that Christianity agrees with, so we could say that Buddha got it partly right on this non-essential issue.
It’s important to point out, however, that just because different religions can agree on certain non-essential truths, it doesn’t mean that they are each true in their entire system of belief. It is more correct to say, as my father taught, that “Christianity is a system of truth with some error. All other religions in the world are a system of error with some truth.”
Non-essential truths are not foundational to systems of belief.
The second thing we need to do is to acknowledge that Christianity, as a system of truth, has some minor errors on non-essential issues. Christians do not all agree on the non-essentials, which is why there are so many different branches of Christianity. Some Christians have different views on the gifts of the Holy Spirit operating today. Some have different perspectives on the issue of God’s sovereignty and man’s choice. Some disagree on the age of the universe. But we should make it clear that the errors are only on non-essential issues.
The third thing we need to do is to help them see that if one religion is correct in its essential truths, any religion that holds opposing essentials cannot also be true. An essential truth is one that different religions cannot disagree on and still be correct, because essential truths are foundational to systems of belief, and their opposites cannot both be true at the same and in the same sense. For example, either God exists or He does not. It cannot be the case that God exists for me, but not for you. If it’s true, it’s true for all of us.
While Buddha and Jesus agree on the non-essential truth that we should get rid of bad desire, they disagree on the essential truth of salvation. Buddha got it wrong when he insisted that our salvation comes from removing all desire, and not through Christ alone.
Salvation being through Christ alone is an essential truth that all Christians agree on. So if Christianity is true on this essential, then logically, any religious system that holds an opposing essential truth is not true as a whole. Both essentials cannot be true at the same time and in the same sense.
Essential truths are foundational to systems of belief.
Certainly, there is no lack of historical evidence for anyone who may want to dig deeper to confirm the essential truths of Christianity. So, if using the laws of logic can show that Christianity as a belief system is either true or not true, and if the evidence from history can confirm the essential truths of Christianity, why are so many still reluctant to follow through on this conclusion?
To answer this question, let me ask another question. Why is it that some will readily accept this statement, “My wife is either pregnant or non-pregnant, but can’t be both,” but then struggle to acknowledge this equally true religious statement: “Either Jesus is the only way to God, or He is not.” May I suggest to you that their reluctance is for other reasons.
While Buddha and Jesus agree on the non-essential truth that we should get rid of bad desire, they disagree on the essential truth of salvation.
The apostle John hinted at the answer when he said, “…even though he [Jesus] did so many miracles, yet they still were not believing in Him.” (Jn. 12:37). I remember one day talking to a student on a college campus, and after a few minutes of talking with him, he finally made a confession to me. “David,” he said, “I know everything you are saying to me is true. But I’ve just got some things in my life I don’t want to give up.”
If you get to this point in building a bridge with someone, there may be two reasons at least that they may not want to follow through on the logical conclusion from the evidence they’ve uncovered.
- They may simply not want to make the lifestyle changes they know God wants them to make.
- They may feel incapable of making those lifestyle changes on their own.
It is important for us to be sensitive to their concerns. It can be a great encouragement for them to realize that we don’t have to clean up our life and then come to Christ. We can make the decision that we want to turn our life around 180 degrees, and then invite Christ to come into our lives to help us make those changes. (Phil 2:13) The remarkable truth is that no other religion in the world offers this kind of transformational power!
“I know everything you are saying to me is true. But I’ve just got some things in my life I don’t want to give up.”
I remember one day being invited to participate in a religious panel discussion on a college campus in Asia. The panel included leaders from many religious faiths, but I was the sole representative for Christianity. Someone asked the most important question of the night: “How does your religion help mankind to stop hating other human beings?” Now to be honest, I was very curious to hear what the representatives from other religions would say, so I kept silent. To my surprise, not one of these leaders even attempted to answer this question.
I chose to share a plank that builds on the essential truth that only the Christian God can atone for man’s sins through the power of Christ’s resurrection. So I pointed out to my audience that the Bible teaches in Romans 8:11, that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to me as a Christian to live a transformed life. As a result, I can be a better husband to my wife, a better father to my children, and yes, I can even love those I naturally hate.”
It can be a great encouragement for them to realize that we don’t have to clean up our life and then come to Christ.
The next time you are building a bridge to the Truth with someone and find they are struggling to follow through on the logical conclusions of their beliefs, keep in the back of your mind this question: “How can I help them recognize what’s really standing in the way, so that they can be more willing to take that first step to the Cross?”
Remember that God brings people into our lives so that we can share His love, but only He can make those inner changes in their life (Phil. 2:13). 2 Corinthians 4:4 says, “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light.” Furthermore, 1 Corinthians 2:14 says “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him…”So don’t forget to pray for the people in your circle of influence, that the Holy Spirit will help them to see and accept the Truth (Jn. 6:65). As martyred missionary Jim Elliot said, “He is no fool to give up what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.”
To understand more about the Law of Non-Contradiction, see chapter 2 of my father’s book, The Twelve Points That Show Christianity is True, or dig deeper by taking this self-paced workshop. For a daily reminder of these twelve logical steps to building a bridge to the Truth, download a free bookmark.
As you look for opportunities to help those in your circle of influence understand the Truth of the Christian faith, a free, downloadable bookmark may help you remember some tools you can use to share the truth in ways they may find easier to accept. If you want to get a better grasp on these tools, which can help you share the truth in ways that are personally, culturally, and spiritually sensitive, try reading this book, or taking this self-paced workshop.
