Teaching the What, Why, AND How of the Christian Faith

Introduction

In the Christian faith, we often place a strong emphasis on teaching what to believe. We instruct others on essential doctrines like the Trinity, the Atonement, the divinity of Christ, and salvation by faith alone. We go to great lengths to explain why these doctrines are true, backing them up with scripture, historical tradition, and logical reasoning. However, there is a critical component often overlooked: how to believe. Teaching someone the content of faith is only one part of the journey; understanding the process of belief itself—Christian epistemology—is the foundation for sustaining faith, especially in the face of challenges.

Epistemology: The Foundation for Apologetics

Epistemology, or the study of knowledge, plays a crucial role in Christian apologetics. How do we come to know what we believe? What standards do we use to determine certainty? These questions shape the way we approach not only theology but our entire worldview. Without a robust understanding of how we believe, even the most sound doctrinal teachings can feel disconnected or unstable when faith is tested.

Throughout history, Christian thinkers have wrestled with this issue. From René Descartes and John Locke to David Hume and Immanuel Kant, the shift in how we perceive knowledge—moving from a step into the light to a blind leap of faith—has had profound implications for modern faith. This shift impacts how we defend the gospel and how we guide others through their spiritual journeys.

Sources for Theology: Where Do We Derive Our Beliefs?

Understanding how we come to know the truth brings us to the crucial topic of our sources for theology. As I’ve discussed in my classes on Christian epistemology, there are several key sources that Christians have historically relied upon to discern truth:

•  1. Scripture (Sola Scriptura) – Scripture serves as the foundational source for all Christian theology. For Protestants, this is the starting point for everything we believe. However, this does not negate the importance of other sources but places scripture in the primary position of authority.
  2. Tradition – While Protestants emphasize Sola Scriptura, tradition plays an important role in grounding our interpretation of scripture within the historical continuity of the faith. Tradition, as seen in the early creeds (like the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds) and the Vincentian Canon, helps ensure consistency in Christian beliefs.
  3. Reason (Philosophy) – Christian thinkers, such as Augustine and Aquinas, have long seen reason as a gift from God, capable of helping us understand divine truth. Reason, though limited, works in concert with scripture and tradition to guide our understanding of God’s revelation.
  4. Nature – The natural world reflects God’s creativity and order. The heavens declare the glory of God (Psalm 19:1), and studying nature allows us to gain insights into His power, design, and care for creation. It is a source through which God’s attributes can be observed and understood.
  5. Experience – Personal experience shapes how we engage with God and His truth. Our individual encounters with faith, life’s circumstances, and spiritual moments contribute to how we understand the theological truths we profess.
  6. Emotions – Emotions are a significant part of how we relate to and understand God. They help us connect with truth on a deeper, more personal level. While emotions should not govern our theology, they play a role in how we process and experience our faith.

The Balance of Essentials and Non-Essentials

An important part of how we believe is discerning which doctrines are of central importance and which are non-essential. As I’ve often discussed, this involves a careful hierarchy of certainty. We must be able to differentiate between the things we can be absolutely certain about (the deity of Christ, the resurrection, salvation by grace through faith) and those that allow for diversity of opinion (worship styles, secondary interpretations of scripture).

In my classes, I emphasize the dangers of doctrinal minimalism, which reduces belief to a vague notion of love and justice, as well as doctrinal maximalism, which insists that every point of belief must be held dogmatically. Instead, we must strive for doctrinal centralism—holding fast to the essentials while allowing for freedom in the non-essentials.

Epistemological Certainty and Faith

Faith is not a black-and-white issue. The way we believe is shaped by different levels of certainty. Some doctrines, like the resurrection of Christ, are central and non-negotiable, supported by robust evidence, tradition, and scripture. Other doctrines, like eschatological timelines, are less certain and open to interpretation.

R.C. Sproul, who greatly influenced my thinking on this topic, often spoke about different levels of belief. He helped me understand that certainty in the Christian faith exists on a spectrum. Some things we can be confident about with strong conviction, while others remain areas of exploration and mystery. This concept is key to how we hold and process our beliefs.

Conclusion: Knowing How to Believe

Teaching what to believe is essential, but we must not neglect the how. Our epistemological foundation informs our entire approach to faith, providing clarity in times of doubt and intellectual challenge. By understanding how we come to know, how we prioritize doctrines, and how we navigate the certainty of our beliefs, we can build a more resilient and thoughtful Christian faith.

The goal isn’t just to fill minds with information, but to guide believers through the process of belief itself, providing the tools to engage with God’s truth in a meaningful and lasting way. As we teach others, let’s be committed not only to the what of faith but also to the how, preparing minds and hearts for a faith that can stand the test of time.

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