A Word to the Wise: You gotta have faith to live in today's world

I am currently facilitating an Apologetics class at Capital Bible College. The term "apologetics" means a defense of the Christian faith. The apostle Paul used the word in Philippians 1:17 to declare that he was "set for the defense (apologia) of the faith." In the class we read "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis and "Know Why You Believe" by Paul Little.This whole apologetics business is a funny thing. In many if not most ways it is impossible to prove Christianity — if by "prove" you mean "amass a set of logical premises that can be scientifically verifiable."However, faith and reason are not contradictory. Faith and science are not at odds. Sometimes it's an apples and oranges sort of thing. It is my contention that everybody has faith in something or someone, even if it is their own selves. Faith is only as solid as the object in which it is placed. I can say, and honestly believe, that I am the Pope. But it still isn't empirically true.A nurse can sincerely administer a lethally incorrect dosage of medicine. A father can sincerely but mistakenly shoot a family member whom he thought was a burglar. Sincerity is not a guarantee of validity. Skeptics and unbelievers insist that Christians prove God to them. It cannot be done, okay? It can never be done on that level. In the same way, unbelievers cannot prove His non-existence (although I know it is not philosophically sound to try and prove a negative).I choose to believe. Others choose not to believe. It is not necessarily a sign of intellectual weakness to make either choice. More often, it is not an intellectual choice at all. The heart and will are also involved. I believe if I could actually prove the existence of God or the veracity of the resurrection, there would still be those who choose not to believe. Some misguided souls think you have to check your brain at the door of the church or obliterate your personality to become a Christian. If your experience has been like that, do not judge the whole by a small negative part. Open your life to the God of love and the love of God. Proof often, but not necessarily, will follow."I believe in the sun when if isn't shining. I believe in love even when I am alone. I believe in God even when he is silent."Tom Rupp is a Bible teacher at Capital Bible College. He can be reached at truppfolsom@yahoo.com.