Page 3 of 3- Was Jesus' plan true? Historical evidence for his resurrection, fulfilled prophecy and deity, and for the reliability of the New Testament, convinced me I could trust his words.
5. Isn't Christianity just a psychological crutch?
Bob Prall has often said, "If Christianity is a psychological crutch, then Jesus Christ came because there was an epidemic of broken legs." Christianity claims to meet real human needs such as those for forgiveness, love, identity, and self-acceptance. We might describe Jesus not as a crutch but an iron lung, essential for life itself.
Christian faith and its benefits can be described in psychological terms, but that does not negate its validity. Evidence supports Christianity's truthfulness, so we would expect it to work in individual lives, as millions attest.
6. I could never take the blind leap of faith that believing in Christ requires.
We exercise faith every day. Few of us understand everything about electricity or aerodynamics, but we have evidence of their validity. Whenever we use electric lights or airplanes, we exercise faith—not blind faith, but faith based on evidence. Christians act similarly. The evidence for Jesus is compelling, so one can trust him on that basis.
7. It doesn't matter what you believe as long as you're sincere.
After discussing this, a respected psychologist told me, "I guess a person could be sincere in what he believed, but be sincerely wrong." In the 1960s, many women took the drug thalidomide sincerely believing it would ease their pregnancies—never suspecting it could cause severe birth defects.
Ultimately, faith is only as valid as its object. Jesus demonstrated by His life, death, and resurrection that he is a worthy object for faith.
Your questioners may be turned off because many Christians haven't acted like Jesus. Maybe they're angry at God because of personal illness, a broken relationship, a loved one's death, or personal pain. Ask God for patience and love as you follow Peter's admonition: "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15).
This article first appeared in the March/April 2002 issue of Moody Magazine. © 2002 Rusty Wright. Used by permission.
