I grew up believing that reason can only take you so far–after that, faith takes over. In one sense this belief is true: Intellectual faith/belief, if it isn’t blind, comes ‘after’ good evidence. However, in the sense that faith persists independent of reason or even in spite of evidence to the contrary (the sense preferred by New Atheists) this belief is false.

One cannot trust God and his promises unless one already knows (with good evidence) God and his promises exist–and simply knowing does not equate to trusting. Compare this to having faith in the faithfulness of one’s spouse. Whether or not they exist or have made promises of faithfulness is not a matter of faith. Trusting them and their promises is where faith comes in.

Some doubt, like Thomas did, even though he was daily in the presence of the miraculous before Jesus was crucified. Some all out reject Jesus and everything (they think) he is about, as did most of the Pharisees in Jesus’ day, who would rather claim his signs were demonic than change their worldview. So even in the presence of overwhelming evidence, faith can be lacking. Genuine, biblical faith is more than just knowing, it is more than mere intellectual assent. It is trust, and is never blind.