Christian Rationalism – What is it?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Christian Rationalism is a philosophical and spiritual movement that diverges significantly from biblical Christianity. While it uses the term "Christian," its core beliefs contradict fundamental biblical doctrines. Christian Rationalism emphasizes using reason and logic to understand and interpret Christian doctrines, often prioritizing human intellect over traditional faith-based approaches. It seeks to reconcile Christian beliefs with rational thought, sometimes leading to a more philosophical and less mystical view of spirituality. The Bible consistently portrays God as a personal being, not an impersonal force or collection of particles. It affirms Jesus Christ's deity and His unique role in salvation, contrary to Christian Rationalism's views. Scripture warns against false teachings that deviate from the gospel message (Galatians 1:6–9) and encourages believers to discern truth from error (1 John 4:1–3). The Bible's teachings on the nature of God, the person of Christ, and the path to salvation stand in stark contrast to the beliefs promoted by Christian Rationalism.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Genesis 1:1: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." This establishes God as a distinct, personal Creator, not a universal force or collection of particles.
• Exodus 3:14: "God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM.' And he said, 'Say this to the people of Israel: "I AM has sent me to you."'" God reveals Himself as a personal being with a name, contradicting the impersonal concept of God in Christian Rationalism.
• Isaiah 44:6: "Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: 'I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god.'" This affirms God's uniqueness and personal nature, opposing the pantheistic view of Christian Rationalism.
• Deuteronomy 6:4: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one." This verse, known as the Shema, emphasizes the unity and uniqueness of God, contrary to the idea of God as billions of spiritual particles.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• John 1:1, 14: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." Scripture affirms Jesus's deity and incarnation, contradicting Christian Rationalism's view of Jesus as merely a misunderstood teacher.
• Colossians 1:15–17: "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." The emphasis here is on Christ's divinity and role in creation, opposing the idea that He was simply a wise human teacher.
• Acts 4:12: "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." This verse contradicts Christian Rationalism's claim that various religious figures taught essentially the same thing.
• Second Timothy 3:16–17: "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." We see the divine inspiration and authority of Scripture, which Christian Rationalism denies.
• First John 4:1–3: "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. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already." There’s a clear test for discerning true teachings from false ones, based on the confession of Jesus Christ's incarnation.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Belief systems like Christian Rationalism reveal the ongoing need for biblical literacy and discernment among believers. In a world where various philosophies and spiritual ideas compete for attention, Christians must be grounded in Scripture to distinguish truth from error. The appeal of Christian Rationalism to some people highlights the human tendency to seek spiritual truth while attempting to reconcile it with personal preferences or popular ideas.

We need to understand what the Bible teaches, so we are not swayed by so-called “Christian doctrines.” It is especially important to know and hold onto those doctrinal truths regarding the nature of God, the person and work of Jesus Christ, and the path to salvation. The existence of movements such as Christian Rationalism reminds us of the need for compassion toward those who may be misled by false teachings. As Christians, we are called to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), gently correcting those who oppose the truth (2 Timothy 2:24–26), always being prepared to give a reason for the hope that we have (1 Peter 3:15).

UNDERSTAND

• Christian Rationalism views Jesus as a misunderstood teacher, not as the Son of God.
• Christian Rationalism sees God as an impersonal force, rather than a personal Creator.
• Christian Rationalism prioritizes human reason over Scripture’s divine authority and is not Christian.

REFLECT

• How does understanding Christian Rationalism's denial of Jesus's divinity affect your view of the importance of recognizing Christ's unique role in salvation?
• What implications are there for God being a personal Creator, rather than an impersonal force?
• Why is it detrimental to prioritize human thinking over God’s Word, and how can you make sure your thinking aligns with biblical doctrine?

ENGAGE

• Christian Rationalism asserts that figures like Jesus, Buddha, and Confucius were misinterpreted as deities and that their true teachings, once compiled, reveal a coherent philosophy. It integrates ideas related to the occult and New Age thought but diverges from authentic Christianity by dismissing the divinity of Jesus and proposing that human reason can construct religious truths.
• How can we approach conversations with those who see Jesus as a mere teacher, rather than a divine being? What biblical truths are most compelling in these discussions?
• How can Christians effectively communicate the significance of scriptural authority in a culture that often values human reason and philosophical interpretations?
• INCLUDE ARTICLE LINK: https://www.compellingtruth.org/Christian-Rationalism.html