Christian Faith for the Empirically Minded
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It is clear that having empirical evidence—to have seen the resurrected Jesus as Thomas did—is not available to us today. We cannot know if Mary was a virgin, that Jesus walked on water, or that people who were dead were brought back to life. We have never seen any of these so how can we believe? Millions do believe, of course, but many do not and many would like to believe but find it difficult.
We cannot know if these things happened and it is fruitless to try or even to be bothered by the fact that we cannot know. We simply can’t. This does not mean that there are no empirical bases that can be explored that might give us insight in the search for truth. What I want to do is search for empirical groundings derived from science or other empirical sources that contribute to a reasonable evaluation of the reliability of the Christian faith. People may “walk by faith and not by sight” but they can still seek to discover what “sights” exist. Thus, we explore: What are the facts? What is empirically grounded? What can we know and how certain should we be?
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About the Book
Is being a Christian a matter of faith for which there is no empirical evidence? Or are there empirical evidences that support this faith? Christian Faith for the Empirically Minded explores several subject areas that are empirically supportive. From cosmology to history, these themes are explored. The ideas link a creator’s mind that is revealed in communications to establish Christianity as a unique cultural tradition. Intended for inquiring minds, this approach does not require scientific knowledge although it seeks to be grounded in scientific thought. Christian Faith for the Empirically Minded explores ideas from both contemporary and past thinkers.
About the Author
Charles E Garrison received the PhD in sociology from the University of Kentucky. He is Professor Emeritus at East Carolina University where he taught sociology and religious studies.
He authored three books before retirement and since retiring has developed this self-published manuscript to explore and express a long-held interest in empiricism and sciences that are supportive of the Christian faith.
He lives in Greenville, North Carolina where he continues a life-long enjoyment of jogging, sports, and travel. He and his wife, Maureen have a family of two daughters, their husbands, and seven grandchildren.