So to understand Fideism a little easier let’s first analyze what it means. Fideism simply put is: Faith independent of Reason. Now, on the surface we all might agree of course we don’t need reason to come to Christ. We need that Holy Spirit convicting faith that causes us to repent, and accept salvation and walk with God. However, what about AFTER coming to Christ? Do we just still lean on faith to grow in the Christ? YES, but that’s not all! We have to also dig into the Word of God to develop our reasoning of Scripture, to better understand what the Bible means as well as what God wants from and for us. So while Fideism says we do not need reason for the journey, Scripture says we do. Fideism denys the use of reason of scientific evidence as an argument because what if some thought or idea comes along that contradicts an early convincing means? Fideism will also deny that Scripture should be used in a reasoned, or convincing way because you’re appealing to the head, not letting faith take hold in the heart. Philospher Immanuel Khant best stated it this way “…deny knowledge in order to make room for faith”. We cannot reason ourselves to Salvation and right standing with God, but as believers we need to reason, articulate, and present the Gospel and the Faith in ways that convince and leave no room for doubt about the authority of God and His Word. Does that make sense? Let’s go to the Bible for some proof!

Let’s take a look at some verses to prove that Fideism is lacking as a complete form of Apologetics. First, let’s reason together(get it? Reason?) and go to Isaiah 1:8 as a simple example. God has a request of Israel to “reason together”. In essence he wants them to analyze God’s relationship with Israel. Next can be in Psalms 19:1 where again the inference is there to learn of God and understand him. So, again, while faith is important to the sinner coming to Christ, as a believer it must be tempered with reason and understanding. Jesus put that into words in Matthew 22:36 when speaking a lawyer; “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.“. How can we understand and ultimately love God if we do not apply His Word to our minds just as much as our hearts and soul. Lastly Peter very clearly defines this notion in 1 Peter 3:15: “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:“. You cannot do that if you only say “I have Faith and believe”.

So is the Fideism approach a viable way to present the Gospel to the lost? To defend the faith to critics? To convince the gainsayer (Titus 1:9)? I would say yes and no. We certainly need to believe in faith of who Jesus is and what He did. Stephen did that with the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:37. But he did it by also explaining and reasoning with him the facts in verse 35. Fideism is a good place to start, but to staunchly adhere to it and reject any form of science and reason is not a good way to help that person grow in Christ. Peter alluded to this in his second epistle, chapter 2 verses 15 though 18. He lays out that Paul has used wisdom to speak things about the end times, and that it was some times hard to understand but to continue to grow in the “…grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” How can we do that if we only use our feelings of faith?

I’d encourage you to look up and study on Fideism as a topic. It is more than can be studied and thoroughly analyzed in this blog. I will say this though; it is a form of Apologetics I think can AND SHOULD be used when talking with a person seeking Christ, however you can not effectively convey the truth of Christ as a Saviour by only talking about your faith and the feelings you have. The hearer has to be told exactly why FAITH is important. Then by going to God’s Word to show how nature speaks of God and His order(Roman’s 1, and 1 Corinthians 11), then being presented with the evidence of an eternity based on an earthly decision to reject, or follow Christ. Fideism in-and-of itself will not fully open the hearer to the revelations of Scripture. The Holy Spirit leading in their hearts presenting the facts of God from His Word will work a result far great than Fideism can give.

So best of wishes as you study a little more on Fideism and how it can fit into Apologetics. We will learn more of another form or apologetics with studying Evidentialism next week. I’ll leave you with the first lines of Ray Palmer’s hymn: My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Cal­va­ry, Sav­ior di­vine!
Now hear me while I pray, take all my guilt away,
O let me from this day be whol­ly Thine! Repentance THROUGH FAITH is needed in coming to Christ, and admiting His greatness and our unworthiness. Blessing until next week!