Christ and Judges
Robert Blatchford, a severe critic of religion and
theism, had numerous verbal tussles with G.K. Chesterton (who liked
Blatchford and everyone else he had debates with). The atheist was sure
that no English judge would accept as adequate the evidence for the
resurrection of Jesus Christ. I think Chesterton's response was not only
amusing but of consequence. He suggested that Christians don't share
"such an extravagant reverence for English judges as is felt by Mr.
Blatchford himself. The experiences of the Founder of Christianity have
perhaps left us in a vague doubt of the infallibility of Courts of Law."
It's always tragic when we hear Christian types stupidly attack
intelligence as if intelligence were an enemy to the faith rather than
one of God's gifts by which we appropriate and rejoice in the truth that
Christ is and brought. Just the same, it makes no sense to believe that
our intellect isn't affected by our vested interests. Jesus called his
judges and critics not to "judge according to appearance, but judge with
righteous judgment." (John 7:24) Character and personal agendas can
affect how we weigh evidence. In John 5:44, Jesus makes this clear when
he says to his judges, "How can you believe, when you receive glory from
one another, and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and
only God?" It's true that professing faith can be "fashionable" but so
can unbelief. It's a stark and sad truth that we can profess ourselves
to be wise and become fools (Romans 1:21) because we lack purity of
heart. Christians and non-believers alike need to confess that humility!
and a willingness to obey can open our eyes to the good and perfect and
acceptable will of God (Romans 12:1-2)