One.

Both Articles that were read in class focused on different aspects of Christianity. Tim Keller believes that "a faith without some doubts is like a human body without antibodies in it." He explains that if a Christian is too "indifferent" to ask themselves questions about what he/she believes than when time comes to face a difficult time in his/her life occurs or when a smart skeptic plagues him/her with frustrating questions, they find themselves defenseless and then too easily yielded to the other side. Doubt, however, is like "an alternate set of beliefs," therefore it would be unfair to only challenge your religion and not your doubts. "The only way to doubt Christianity rightly and fairly," states Keller, "is to discern the alternate belief under each of your doubts and then to ask yourself what reasons you have for believing it." I think he says it the best when he says, "It would be inconsistent to require more justification for Christian belief than you do for your own, but that is frequently what happens. In fairness, you must doubt your doubts. My thesis is that if you come to recognize the beliefs on which your doubts about Christianity are based, and if you seek as much proof for those beliefs as you seek from Christians for theirs-- you will discover that your doubts are not as solid as they first appeared."

Paul Little talks about the importance of knowing WHY we believe. How can we convince others when we are not convinced ourselves? He brings up two points that we should avoid; the first is an "anti-intellectual attitude" and the second is a naive reliance on our own answers. If we do either, the results could be spiritually tragic for both Christians and non-Christians. Non-Christians conclude from out lack of answers and intellectual apathy that their honest questions have no answers, this only REAFFIRMS their reason to not believe. As Christians, we begin to wonder whether or not we have have the truth. Is what we believe real? Or is it just a convenience?

What both of these have in common though is their encouragement for us to search deeper in our faith, to not tolerate with incompetence. To penetrate our beliefs, to solidify it, we must challenge it. No pain, no gain as they say.

If a an extremely logical, reasonable, and devout Muslim man walks up to me and explains Islam without any inconsistencies, irrationalities, or any ambiguities, I would listen intently and think carefully, whether I would believe him or not is beyond me. I must commend Muslims for the strength of their faith, and for their discipline, but honestly, many concepts about Islam doesn't appeal to me (as in I disagree). The thing about Christianity that stands out to me more than other religions though, is how it abounds in grace and love, and I personally know that if I had to earn my eternity and peace, I would never secceed because I am not worthy of it, whether God is or is not in the question.