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Writer's pictureEdward D. Andrews
Nov 189 min read

What Role Does Logic Play in the Defense of Christian Doctrine?



Logic, a systematic and coherent method of reasoning, is essential in apologetics, particularly for conservative Evangelical Christians. Logic is the foundation that enables believers to offer a reasonable defense of their faith. It helps Christians demonstrate that belief in Jehovah and His inspired Word is not only grounded in faith but also supported by reason. The Bible itself invites believers to reason and think critically. For example, in Isaiah 1:18, Jehovah calls upon Israel, saying, “Come now, and let us reason together.” Logic, therefore, is not a tool foreign to Christian thought but one that can serve as a powerful instrument to explain, prove, and defend the truths of Scripture.



What Is Logic?


Logic can be understood as the structure of thought that enables people to deduce correct conclusions from a set of premises. It concerns itself with truth and validity. Truth relates to the correspondence of a statement to reality, while validity pertains to the internal consistency of an argument’s structure. In Christian apologetics, truth is of paramount importance because Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Therefore, logic helps in defending the truth that Jesus is the Son of God, that the Bible is the Word of God, and that faith in these truths is reasonable.



The Foundation of Logic: Biblical and Theological Grounding


The laws of logic are rooted in the very nature of God. Jehovah is a God of order, not chaos. Paul confirms this in 1 Corinthians 14:33, stating, “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” The consistency and order of God's character are reflected in His creation and in the structure of logic itself. Just as physical laws govern the universe, so too do the laws of logic govern human reasoning. These laws are universally applicable because they stem from Jehovah’s immutable character.


The primary laws of logic include the law of non-contradiction, the law of identity, and the law of excluded middle. Each of these corresponds to God's nature and how He interacts with His creation.


  • The Law of Non-Contradiction: This law states that contradictory propositions cannot both be true at the same time and in the same sense. For example, it cannot both be true that “Jesus is the Son of God” and “Jesus is not the Son of God.” This law reflects Jehovah’s truthfulness, as Numbers 23:19 states, “God is not a man, that he should lie.”

  • The Law of Identity: This law asserts that something is what it is. In Scripture, Jehovah clearly identifies Himself: “I am who I am” (Exodus 3:14). There is no confusion about God's identity.

  • The Law of the Excluded Middle: This law states that a proposition is either true or false; there is no middle ground. Jesus echoes this in Matthew 12:30 when He says, “Whoever is not with me is against me.” There is no neutral position when it comes to faith in Christ.


These foundational principles guide how Christians defend the faith, providing a logical structure for presenting biblical truth.



How Does Logic Apply to Christian Apologetics?


Christian apologetics seeks to demonstrate that the teachings of the Bible are logically coherent and that belief in Jehovah is both rational and reasonable. To do this, logic is employed to evaluate arguments against Scripture, overturn false reasoning, and affirm the truth of Christian doctrine.


Logical Arguments for God's Existence


Several well-known logical arguments for the existence of God have been developed over centuries by theologians and philosophers. One of the most powerful is the cosmological argument, which is rooted in the principle that everything that begins to exist must have a cause. This argument points to the creation of the universe as evidence for Jehovah's existence.


  1. Premise One: Everything that begins to exist has a cause.

  2. Premise Two: The universe began to exist.

  3. Conclusion: Therefore, the universe has a cause, and that cause is God.


This line of reasoning is fully supported by the Bible, as Genesis 1:1 declares, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” The cosmological argument is logical and coherent, providing a rational basis for belief in a Creator.


Similarly, the teleological argument posits that the design and order in the universe point to a Designer. Psalm 19:1 states, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” The intricate design found in nature is a clear indication of Jehovah’s existence. This argument uses logic to demonstrate that such complexity could not arise by chance but must be the result of an intelligent Creator.



Defending the Deity of Christ Through Logic


One of the primary areas where logic is critical is in defending the deity of Christ. Jesus made several claims about His identity, and logic allows Christians to show the consistency and coherence of these claims.


For example, in John 10:30, Jesus declares, “I and the Father are one.” This statement implies a divine nature. A skeptic may argue that Jesus was merely a great moral teacher or prophet but not divine. However, logic disproves this by what is often called the “Liar, Lunatic, or Lord” argument (popularized by C.S. Lewis but rooted in the Gospel accounts).


  1. Premise One: Jesus claimed to be God (John 8:58, John 10:30).

  2. Premise Two: Jesus was either telling the truth, lying, or mistaken.

  3. Conclusion: If Jesus was telling the truth, He is Lord. If He was lying, He was evil, and if He was mistaken, He was delusional. Given His character and the evidence, He could not have been lying or delusional; therefore, He is Lord.


The logical consistency of this argument reinforces the truth of Christ's deity.



How Does Logic Refute False Reasoning?


Logic is not only useful in defending the truth; it is also effective in refuting false reasoning and overturning the objections of skeptics. Many of the criticisms against Christianity are based on flawed logical reasoning or misunderstandings of biblical doctrine.


The Problem of Evil


One of the most common objections raised by skeptics is the problem of evil. They argue that the existence of evil is incompatible with an all-powerful and all-loving God. However, this objection is based on a misunderstanding of both God's nature and the nature of evil.

The logical form of the problem of evil is often stated as follows:


  1. Premise One: If God is all-powerful, He can prevent evil.

  2. Premise Two: If God is all-loving, He would want to prevent evil.

  3. Premise Three: Evil exists.

  4. Conclusion: Therefore, God either cannot prevent evil or does not want to prevent evil, and thus the Christian God does not exist.


However, this argument is based on a false understanding of God's purposes. The Bible teaches that Jehovah has allowed evil for a limited time to demonstrate the inherent flaw in human independence from His sovereignty (Genesis 3:17-19, Romans 5:12). Rather than disproving God's existence, the presence of evil actually confirms the biblical narrative of a fallen world. Additionally, God's power and love are demonstrated through His provision of redemption through Christ (John 3:16). In logical terms, the argument fails because it does not take into account God's ultimate plan for justice and restoration.



Contradictions in the Bible?


Another common objection involves alleged contradictions in the Bible. Skeptics claim that discrepancies between various passages disprove the Bible's reliability. However, upon closer examination, many supposed contradictions are based on misunderstanding the context or the intended meaning of the text. Logic helps to clarify these issues by carefully analyzing the language, context, and purpose of the passages.


For instance, skeptics might point to differences in the Gospel accounts of the resurrection as evidence of contradiction. However, the differences in details are not contradictions but complementary perspectives. Each Gospel writer emphasizes different aspects of the same event, much like how different witnesses to an event might focus on different details. Logical analysis reveals that these accounts are consistent when understood in their proper context.



What Is the Biblical Foundation for Rational Thought?


The Bible encourages rational thought and logical reasoning, often using logical constructs within its own text. For example, Paul regularly employs logical argumentation in his letters, particularly in Romans. In Romans 1:20, Paul writes, “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” Here, Paul uses logical reasoning to argue that the evidence for God is so clear in creation that no one can claim ignorance of His existence.


Similarly, in 1 Corinthians 15, Paul uses a form of logical reasoning to argue for the truth of the resurrection. He says, “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:17). Paul's argument is straightforward: if the resurrection did not happen, then the entire Christian faith collapses. However, because the resurrection did happen, it provides the foundation for faith and hope in eternal life.


Jesus Himself often used logical reasoning in His teaching. For example, in Matthew 22:41-46, Jesus posed a logical dilemma to the Pharisees regarding the identity of the Messiah. He asked them how the Messiah could be both David’s son and David’s Lord. This question challenged their understanding and revealed the inadequacy of their interpretation of Scripture. Jesus’ use of logic demonstrated His mastery of reasoning and His divine wisdom.



The Importance of Logic in Theological Discourse


Logic is indispensable for theological discourse and the defense of biblical doctrines. Christian theology rests on the premise that truth is coherent, consistent, and knowable. Since Jesus is the embodiment of truth (John 14:6), it follows that the doctrines He taught must be logically consistent. Logic helps theologians and apologists ensure that their interpretation of Scripture is faithful to the text and free from contradictions.


Additionally, logic is essential for distinguishing truth from error. In 1 John 4:1, believers are warned, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” This admonition calls for careful examination of teachings to ensure they align with Scripture. Logic plays a key role in this process, as it helps to identify fallacies and inconsistencies in false teachings.



Logic and Faith Are Not Mutually Exclusive


Christianity is often mischaracterized as being opposed to reason and logic. However, as demonstrated throughout Scripture, faith and logic are not mutually exclusive. On the contrary, they complement one another. Jesus calls His followers to love Jehovah with all their heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37). This includes using the mind to reason through the truths of Scripture, defend the faith against critics, and live in accordance with God's wisdom.


Logic provides the framework for Christians to explain and defend their beliefs effectively. It helps to clarify the coherence of biblical doctrine and shows that faith in Jehovah is not blind but reasonable. The Bible’s encouragement to reason, the logical structure of its arguments, and the emphasis on truth all highlight the importance of logic in the Christian life. Through logic, believers can fulfill the command found in 1 Peter 3:15 to “always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.”


About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).


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