The greatest proof of Christianity is not some philosophical argument. Nor is it some argument based upon creation. All these arguments are in and of themselves, while of some value, flimsy. The greatest proof of Christianity is the experience the Christian receives after he repents and trusts in God. The experience of redemption where our lifestyle changes and the constant changes that come afterwards vindicates the Christian religion as true. The understanding of the world into something that is coherent and makes sense because we have a new framework (or schema) in which to understand the world gives a solid argument. In other words, the greatest proof of Christianity is the subjective experience in which the world begins to makes sense and our life is changed in a permanent manner that is not attainable by mere human will. These experiences speak little to those who do not believe, but to those who believe, it is all the proof we need when we face the uncertainties of the world we have yet to make sense of. Personal experience is stronger than any argument one can present for or against the existence of God and the claim of Christianity.
But this vindication is made once we take the step of faith and not before. That is why those who do not believe struggle to believe and those who believe do not easily stop believing.
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The proof via personal experience argument was employed by Josh McDowell in the first two editions of Evidence That Demands a Verdict, in a chapter titled, "The Uniqueness of the Christian Experience." He dropped that chapter from future editions however.
Google,
"The Uniqueness of the Christian Experience"
to find an online rebuttal to Josh's argument and chapter.
Many who have experienced Christ and God via personal experience have later either broken with their brethren over differing matters of belief, or, backslidden, or, left the fold entirely, based on subsequent personal experiences and/or via biblical studies and increasing weight of questions concerning former things they felt they knew with certainty. Google,
"Leaving Christianity"
"ExChristian"
Or see the book, "Leaving the Fold: Testimonies of Former Fundamentalist Christians"
Edward T. Babinski
Of course. People forget their experiences or they can not explain certain parts of life. This causes a crisis, and often times in crisis a person doubts the previous experience. But this cloth cuts both ways.
But nevertheless, the greatest motivator for people's beliefs are not philosophical arguments or scientific arguments. People will people as they do, more often than not, because of their experience.
And if the Christian religion is true, then the experience is the greatest proof at all. If there is no experience, it is the greatest proof against it.
But by no means does the Christian experience make one unable to reject it. Nor did I say that. Just as a person who has experience the world in an atheistic manner may become Christian. How we interpret our experiences does change with time, especially in times of crisis.
Besides, presenting anecdotal evidence of those who have rejected the faith disproves my argument no more than anecdotal evidence in support of it.
For instance, I am a person who was an atheist, embraced Christianity but no change, and then after four years of being a "Christian" I experienced a conversion. Then, I have based my faith on that experience but I have encountered things that made me question. And yet I persisted in my belief, in part because I came to be able to explain the things that made me to question, but also because of my experience. But I wouldn't submit that as proof of a rebuttal itself, because it is merely anecdotal. But it is proof enough for me, in conjunction with me knowledge of psychology (I did major in it), to say that the greatest proof for a Christian is the personal Christian experience. It isn't a guarantee of belief forever, but it is stronger than any argument one may present.
And besides, you can always find someone who fits into a certain category, but to think more scientifically, what is the prevalence of it. But I would imagine that more nonbelievers have become believers than the reverse, though I don't have any statistics on it, nor do I think there are any on it. But I have seen more people in my time within Christianity come to it than have rejected it. Not empirical evidence by any means, but nevertheless, it explains why I come from.
But just one reminder. This blog's purpose is the exploration of Christian theology and not a rejection of Christianity. You are welcomed to interact with the arguments I present, but you may not in any way argue against Christianity itself here. I am saying this because of the tone of your post plus seeing a list of blogs you contribute to. But I do welcome the discussion of the idea I presented itself, but I ask that you do leave your comments to that itself.
the reason why they feel so good after repenting is just in human nature. if you do something you find important or unique, you feel the same way. you could go out and try something new and be really good at it. you would feel the same way. its only because they make themselves feel that way. im 16 and i have more knowledge and common sense than all of you ignorant christians.
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