Is Faith Irrational, Emotional, or Just Personal Feelings?
This is a common question, especially in our postmodern culture that emphasizes freedom of choice in every part of life. Each day we make countless decisions—what to wear, what to eat, where to study, what career to pursue, even who our friends will be. We even decide whether to trust the weatherman (who is often wrong!). So why not treat faith as just another personal choice—an irrational preference, or a leftover from a bygone era?
To answer this, we need to first ask: What is faith?
According to the Oxford Dictionary, faith is “complete trust or confidence in someone or something.” This is something we practice every single day.
When we get sick, we go to a doctor. He listens with a stethoscope, makes a diagnosis, and prescribes medicine. Do we usually question whether he is right? Not often. We trust him because of his training. That’s faith in action.
When our car’s check engine light comes on, we take it to a mechanic. If he says it only needs an oil change, most of us don’t second-guess him. We trust his word. Again, faith in action.
When we eat at a restaurant, we order food without demanding proof that every ingredient is fresh. We simply trust they won’t serve us spoiled food. That’s faith, too.
Faith, then, is not blind or irrational—it’s reasonable trust based on evidence, even without absolute proof.
So, when Christians talk about faith, are they speaking of something irrational? Not at all. The Bible itself emphasizes reason. Consider Isaiah 1:18:
“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord.
Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”
In this passage, God is inviting His people to bring their doubts, questions, and reasoning before Him. Far from asking us to shut off our minds, He calls us to think, to reason, and to engage in dialogue with Him.
To Christians, this shows that God recognizes our questions and uncertainties—but rather than ignoring them, He invites us into a conversation that leads to truth, forgiveness, and relationship with Him.
If you’re reading this and feel a longing for answers, that may be the beginning of such a conversation. You can start simply by praying:
“God, I feel I need to talk to You about ____. Please help me understand the longing I’m feeling. I ask this in Your Son’s name. Amen.”
After you pray, open the Bible. God often answers through His Word. And don’t walk this journey alone—seek out a local church and talk to a pastor who can help you explore your questions. If you’d like, you can even message me.