The Limits of Logic

It is not uncommon for both the Christian and the non-Christian to exalt the creature above the Creator.  Because of sin, the human heart strives for this on a daily basis.  That's why we need the Gospel every day.  We must be constantly reminded that we are the creature and the Lord alone is the Creator.

Human use of logic is a prime example.  Tragically, many place God under the lordship and authority of logic.  To use Augustinian language, many feel that they must understand before they believe, when the reality is that they must believe before they can understand.

The goal of this post is to help demote logic to its rightful "created" place.  I hope to do this by identifying a few of its limitations - a few of its creaturely attributes.

First, logic is not the ultimate presupposition necessary to rationally conclude theism or atheism.  Logic must use and presuppose things like order, objectivity, consistency, and laws in order to be faithfully conducted.  Therefore, God, the source of all order, objectivity, self-consistent being and personality, is the ultimate presupposition necessary to conduct rational and logical thought.

Second, because logic depends upon objective reality, it cannot determine reality, but can only help identify it.  Van Til states, God existed as the self-conscious and self-consistent being.  The law of contradiction, therefore, as we know it, is but the expression on a created level of the internal coherence of God's nature.  Christians should therefore never appeal to the law of contradiction as something that, as such, determines what can or cannot be true.

Third, logic is a part of creation and thus cannot act as the standard for judging all of reality.  It is limited by human reason as well as God's intention.  Being a fallen creature, our logic can only accomplish so much.  And because God has given us logic, we must not use it autonomously.  Our reason is safely held in check by the Lord's authority, control and presence.

Fourth, logic is a gracious gift from God.  Van Til continues, "The gift of logical reason was given by God to man in order that he might order the revelation of God for himself."  Logic is a critical tool to enable man to have dominion over what God has given him.  Without logic we could not know, process, love, communicate or worship.  Logic is a grounds for gratitude, not the object of it.

Finally, logic must be kept in check by Scripture.  The Lord has not revealed everything to man, but He has revealed some.  When we make deductions about God and reality beyond what Scripture reveals, we enter into a realm of madness.  Scripture lovingly, but sternly, lets us know when our reasoning has stepped out of bounds.  It lets us know when we have become irrational in our reasoning.

Without a doubt, more can be said on this matter.  The central point that we must see is that logic has its limits.  Identifying them is essential to right worship and joyful experience.  Instead of worshiping logic, may we all use it to bring a faithful witness of the truth of God.