3 of 3

"I believe because it is absurd," Adler quotes and quickly shows how Augustine and Aquinas both second Tertullian's credo.

Adler then himself ascribes to the credo: "Articles of faith are beyond proof. But they are not beyond disproof. We have a logical, consistent faith. In fact, I believe Christianity is the only logical, consistent faith in the world. But there are elements to it that can only be described as mystery."

We read the Nicene Creed together, and Adler glosses on the three main mysteries of the Christian tradition: the Trinity, the Incarnation, and the Resurrection.

"Your faith and my faith must include these three mysteries. They are difficult to understand. They are not unintelligible—God understands them. But for us there is an element of mystery.

"I'm not always sure whether I'm making that judgment as a philosopher or a Christian believer."

But Adler's credo concludes: "The greatest error anyone can make is to think they can fully understand these three mysteries. It makes a mockery of faith."

After decades of fighting battles in secular academic settings by the rules of logic and philosophy, Adler has added some theological arrows to his quiver.

One is the sovereignty of God: "In the beginning, the scientists forgot about God. Now when they realize he must be there, they're trying to remake him in their own image."

Another is the truth of Christianity: "A property of true religion is to be evangelical. When I hear the term evangelical, I don't think about TV preachers—I think about the mission. Christianity is the only world religion that is evangelical in the sense of sharing good news with others. Islam converts by force; Buddhism, without the benefit of a theology; Hinduism doesn't even try."

With these additional insights, Mortimer Adler faces the future with hope: "I'm pessimistic about the future in the short run. We won't get over relativism in 10 or even 20 years. But in the long run, by the middle of next century, I'm convinced we can get philosophy and education back on track."

One suspects that such a prospect will be helped along by Adler's persuasive efforts.

Mortimer Adler usually makes it clear to interviewers—either explicitly or indirectly—that he will not talk about his own faith. In so doing, he probably shows more sense than most celebrity Christians. He refuses to wear his faith like a badge.

But one wonders if this restriction is really necessary. These days, so many of his books, conversations, and lectures invariably lead to absolute truth and God. The mystery of why Mortimer Adler is into the mystery of Christian theology is really no mystery at all. In 1984 he became a Christian.

"My chief reason for choosing Christianity was because the mysteries were incomprehensible. What's the point of revelation if we could figure it out ourselves? If it were wholly comprehensible then it would be just another philosophy."

Call him a Christian, then.

But if you should get carried away and ask this wonderful old man to tell you the story of his conversion, he may arise, and mumbling something about another appointment, pick up and leave. He is still a professional philosopher, and has work to do—and arguments to win.

This article originally appeared in the November 19, 1990 issue of Christianity Today. At the time, Terry Muck was associate professor of comparative religion at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He is now professor of missions and world religions at Asbury Theological Seminary. Muck is also former executive editor of Christianity Today. He was assisted in interviewing Adler by R.C. Sproul, chairman of Ligonier Ministries.

Copyright © 2001 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

The Radical Academy Web site has a listing of Adler's books, his thoughts on various topics, reader-submitted Adler anecdotes and Adler's list of what every person needs in life.

Adler's Center for the Study of the Great Ideas has information on programs, its missions and a topical index of Adler's works.

first page |  3 of 3

share this page

June (Web-only) 2001, Vol. 45