Philosophy and Faith

If you have the time, watch this. Tim Keller is a pastor in New York (Redeemer Presbyterian) and approaches the reasoning for God in a very philosophical way. It can be a little heady (he's speaking at Google), but it's good stuff. I especially like his reference to C.S. Lewis' Surprised by Joy. Lewis writes that we relate to God, not like me relating to my neighbor (whose existence I can prove), but like Hamlet relating to Shakespeare. Hamlet can't initiate the relationship, it must be Shakespeare that does so. And that only happens if Billy were to write himself into the story.

And when you realize that Jesus Christ did just that, well, it makes it all the more meaningful.

I don't think that strict philosophical arguments will ever pave the way for belief. Keller doesn't either. He gives the example of falling off of a cliff, but recognizing a branch for you to grab. If you believe the branch is strong enough, but fail to grab it, you're dead. If you believe the branch to be weak, but grab it anyway, you're safe. He states that "weak faith in a strong object is infinitely better than strong faith in a weak object, because it is the object of faith, not the strength of your faith that saves you."