Letter to the Skeptic

Dear Seeker of Truth,

It’s clear from your thoughtful examination of Scripture that you value intellectual honesty and clarity. Such dedication is commendable, and I respect your commitment to engaging with critical questions about God, the Bible, and faith. Today, I’d like to invite you to consider a slightly different perspective—one that moves beyond intellectual analysis alone and engages with the relational essence of what Scripture reveals.

Your focus on uncovering inconsistencies or evaluating the moral character of God is intellectually stimulating. However, I humbly ask: Is this approach alone fully satisfying your ultimate goal? If your aim is to evaluate whether God exists or whether Scripture is reliable, could we be in danger of missing the forest for the trees? After all, Scripture is not merely a collection of historical claims or theological puzzles—it is an invitation to relationship with the God who created us.

The Role of Reason—and Its Limits

You and I would likely agree that reason and evidence are crucial in any search for truth. Yet reason is not neutral; it operates within the framework of our assumptions. If one begins with the presupposition that God does not exist or that Scripture must be errant, the evidence will often confirm these assumptions, regardless of the facts. Skepticism, while valuable for testing claims, can also obscure truth if it presumes its conclusions at the outset.

Jesus addressed this very dynamic in John 5:39–40, speaking to religious leaders who diligently studied the Scriptures, thinking they would find life in them. Yet they missed the One to whom the Scriptures pointed, refusing to come to Him for life. Could the same dynamic be at work in your analysis? Might focusing on perceived inconsistencies prevent you from encountering the relational and transformative message of the Bible?

Faith and Evidence: A Greater Invitation

Faith in God is not a leap into the dark but a step into the light, based on reason, evidence, and personal experience. Yet faith also transcends reason. It asks not merely, “Is this intellectually coherent?” but also, “Can I entrust myself to this truth?” Christianity does not invite us to believe in abstract concepts or doctrines but to place our trust in a Person: Jesus Christ.

Interestingly, even those who encountered the risen Christ did not all respond with faith. In Matthew 28:17, we read that some of His followers doubted, even as they stood in His presence. Similarly, in Revelation, during the end times, humanity will witness undeniable evidence of Christ’s authority and judgment. Yet, as Revelation 9:20–21 describes, many will still refuse to repent. This stark truth illustrates a key point: intellectual acknowledgment of God’s existence or power is not the same as entering into a trusting, relational faith.

Engaging Scripture with the Whole Self

What, then, is Scripture’s purpose if not merely to answer intellectual questions? The Bible’s purpose is to reveal the character of God and His desire for a relationship with humanity. It shows us who God is and who we are in light of Him—fallen, broken, yet loved and redeemable. Jeremiah 29:13 offers this promise: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Seeking God with our minds alone risks reducing Him to an intellectual construct—a God who fits neatly into human reason. But to seek Him with our hearts involves engaging the seat of our affections and will. It means being open to the possibility that God’s ways, while reasonable, may transcend our finite understanding. It also means being vulnerable enough to acknowledge our need for Him—not merely as a concept, but as Savior and Lord.

A Gentle Challenge for Reflection

I encourage you to continue your inquiry with the same dedication and curiosity that has brought you this far. But let me also challenge you to reflect: Is it possible that focusing solely on intellectual analysis is limiting your exploration? What would it mean to approach Scripture not as a skeptic seeking to refute but as a seeker open to encountering the God it reveals? Could the questions you raise about Scripture be pathways, rather than obstacles, to a deeper understanding of God’s character and His love?

Anticipating Your Response

You might respond, “But isn’t it my job to test these claims rigorously?” Absolutely. Christianity does not shy away from scrutiny. But testing the claims of faith must go beyond intellectual rigor to include its relational and transformative dimensions. It is possible to know all the arguments for and against God’s existence and still miss Him entirely if we are unwilling to seek Him with our whole being.

You may also wonder, “If faith requires the heart as well as the mind, is it simply emotional?” Not at all. Faith engages the whole person—mind, heart, and will. It is reasonable and relational, grounded in evidence but transcending it, calling us to trust not merely in an idea but in the Person of Christ.

An Invitation to Relationship

As you continue your journey, I invite you to take this promise seriously: “Seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7). Approach Scripture with an openness to not only finding answers but encountering the One who is the Answer. Ask God—if He exists—to reveal Himself to you. This may feel like an act of faith, but it is also an act of intellectual honesty, leaving room for the possibility that the God you are investigating is also pursuing you.

In this pursuit, you may find that the God of Scripture is not simply a subject to be debated but a Savior to be trusted and loved.

Sincerely,
A Fellow Seeker