If I am asked, as a purely intellectual question, why I believe in Christianity, I can ony answer, “For the same reason that an intelligent agnostic disbelieves in Christianity.” I believe in it quite rationally upon the evidence. But the evidence in my case, as in that of the intelligent agnostic, is not realy in this or that alleged demonstration; it is in a enormous accumulation of small but unanimous facts.
pg. 216, Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton
G.K. then goes on for around about 10 pages… giving examples of and arguments against that which an intelligent agnostic would use to disprove God, or in the least to give reasons one could not believe in God. Which in G.K.’s mind is a decision based on un-true demonstrations or as he puts it chance rationalist arguments. To begin to follow his line is a exercise of the mind, though it is very logical, it is also very philosophical (meaning: big words and complex sentences). I encourage anyone to pick up this book and ponder its words… I often recommend Orthodoxy to people with intelligent determination and ambitious doubts as it took me 2 years and many a G2 to sift through the language, thoughts and arguments.
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Its nice to know someone still getting use out of that book. I find it fascinating that chesterton’s writing led in large part to lewis’ Mere Christianity, which has, in its own right, led to the current bottle neck (at least in my opinion) of christian apologists. Chesterton and Lewis both had a gift for doing such things and making them feel light. Chesterton would participate in public debates with his detractors, but I doubt that those involved would consider it a debate when comparing it to our standards. They would offer explanations, while we have the tendency to try to make the other party look like an idiot. Even our basic arguing is different. Generally, when I argue with someone I take the stance that I am right and you are wrong, but when contemplating the wonders of our glorious Savior, the attitude I want to have is : Here is truth, and I may start to attempt to explain why it is truth, but in essence, I can barely even grasp it myself. And as far as telling you why you are wrong, it is difficult to go far beyond saying that what you are saying is incorrect because it is not the truth. If this sounds tautological, it probably is, but that doesn’t mean its wrong.
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