As I listened to the radio, I heard a familiar song, performed by the Doobie Brothers, and one part of the chorus caught my attention: "The wise man has the power to reason away." How true that is. And how sad--that some men would "reason away" their own salvation. Such is the ongoing process of one about whom I have previously written, one who once claimed to be a Christian, but now considers himself an agnostic, (though I am persuaded that he is, in fact, an atheist).
After submitting my article concerning this man's slow decent into atheism, I received in the mail from a publishing company a letter addressed to, "A friend of Keith Cantrell." Apparently, Keith has written a book entitled, "The Most Dangerous Book in the World." There is no doubt (according to the letter) that the Bible is the "book" to which Keith refers. This man has become so wise in this world's knowledge that he has "reasoned away" the very existence of God and His power to save, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Truly, this is sad. But how many souls will he take with him?
Based on our conversations, in person and through the mail, Keith was never a "Christian" in the Scriptural sense; nevertheless, I am reminded of what is written in 2 Peter 2:18-22, especially vs.19. "While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage." As long as this world stands, there will be those who seek to set at "liberty" those whom they see as "entrapped" by the Bible. Why else would Mr. Cantrell publish such a book? Truly, a person such as him, who formerly claimed to be loyal to Christ, but now completely denies Him, is like a dog returning to eat his own vomit, and leading others to do the same.
Do you know what the word "reason" means? Consider the following definitions taken from the American Heritage Dictionary:
- The basis or motive for an action, decision, or conviction.
- The capacity for rational thought.
- Good judgment; sound sense; intelligence.
- To use the faculty of reason; think logically.
Now, consider Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary definition under #2 (verb): "To think different things with oneself, to ponder, then, to dispute with others, is translated to reason in Acts 17:2." That is where Paul sought to "reason" with the Jews, out of the Scriptures, that Jesus was indeed the Christ. Some believed, but others were moved to envy, and sought to destroy the work of the gospel. However, as Gamaliel declared in Acts 5:39: "But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God." This is the position occupied by Keith's "reasoning."
Consider carefully the following passages in which the "power of reason" joins with the "power of will."
"For the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold (back) the truth in unrighteousness; because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools..." (Romans 1:18-22) Men reason away sin, but it's still sin.
"Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation. For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water." (2 Peter 3:1-5)
"But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up." (2 Peter 3:7-10) Some simply reason away total destruction of the earth at the end, but God's word says the earth will be destroyed.
The powers of "reason and will" will destroy countless souls eternally. Some choose ignorance and error over truth (2 Timothy 4:3,4). Vine's defines will as "power to reason away; self-established beliefs and conclusions." When one follows self, there is no room for God. How different are these men from the apostle Paul. "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." (Galatians 2:20) At one time, Paul thought to do what was contrary to God's way (Acts 26:9). The events on the road to Damascus, being an eye witness of the resurrected Christ, and the words of Ananias changed Paul's heart and will. He began to "reason from the Scriptures," instead of doing his own thinking!
God wants all men to know and understand the truth. God's love and His Son's death on the cross make it possible for sinful men to find the way to the Father (John 14:6). God does not force anyone to obey Him and believe His word. By the same token, the devil cannot force us not to believe. Each person has the power and freedom to use his own mind to "think and reason" on the truthfulness of the Scriptures. God's word is plain enough for us to understand. "How that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets." (Ephesians 3:3-5) "Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is." (Ephesians 5:17) Still, man must make the effort to study and understand the doctrines of Christ.
"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13,14) When used correctly, reason can be an awesome power. We must choose between divine and human wisdom. Unfortunately, man can "reason" himself right out of heaven and into hell. Could it be that some have begun to think they know more than God? Dear reader, what kind of Scripture "reasoning" are you using?