Rational. Credible. Objective. Cogent. Reliable. Attested by history.

These words describe the Christian faith.

So for example, when Luke wanted to be clear that he was not writing a collection of folk-stories about Jesus, this is what he told his audience up front [emphasis, mine]:

Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. — Luke 1:1-4

This is the way you write when you want to report an objective record of history to convince someone of something you regard as true, and not Aesop’s fables.

“Nonsense,” says the modern person. In his or her modern mind, Christians believe a lot of crazy stuff that sounds more like myths and fairy tales.

Like these gems:

• The universe was made by one all-powerful, infinite, eternal Being we call God.
• God made the first man and woman and put them in charge of part of His universe.
• They rebelled.
• God condemned them and their race.
• All human suffering, evil and death stems from their rebellion.
• God planned a rescue mission that culminated in the life of a man whose mom was a virgin.
• This man obeyed God perfectly, unlike the first man.
• But the children of the first man hated him and killed him.
• But, but he planned his murder as part of the rescue mission. (Huh?)
• But, but, but, he gave himself life again!!! — because he was also God himself in human form. (Yeah, that’s a real doozy!)
• And get this: God accepted that one, voluntary death as satisfaction for the penalty the first man’s kids deserve–the very kids who killed him!
• God forgives anyone who believes this and cancels their death penalty.
• God planned it this way all along.
• God has a plan for everything: Joy and grief. Hope and fear. Blessing and suffering. Life and death.
• Trusting this is the only way to find the true purpose in life.

I know…

Crazy, right?

Or, is it…

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God… God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. — 1 Corinthians 1:18, 21