Faith vs. Reason

Does God exist? It is the question that has in many ways been at the helm of many philosophical pursuits, and has been at the forefront of many discussions concerning human existence, morality, time, and mortality. Christian philosophers, having obviously resolved this issue in their own minds, now turn to try and decide on yet another conflict. Is arguing for the existence of God using logic and reason apart from divine revelation an acceptable method, or does it diminish the necessity of faith?
Scripture defines faith in this way: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1, NASB) Given the natural inclination of Christians to use the Bible to define spiritual terms, this must be the understood meaning of the word “faith” in the context of the given topic. Faith in the Bible is defined in direct opposition to sight, or some physical understanding of something accepted (Rom. 8:24, 2 Cor. 4:18). So, given all these things, can evidence of God’s existence be accepted as credible apart from a total and complete acceptance based upon blind faith? There are some who say, decisively, “no.” To try and argue God’s existence apart from Scripture is, some would argue, futile and contradicts the whole purpose of faith. However, if one examines Scripture and draws some logical conclusions regarding the use of Scripture, it may be argued that these non-religious arguments are in fact a useful tool in communicating the reality of God’s being, and are in no way in opposition to the Biblical understanding of faith.
The apostle Paul, arguably one of the most learned authors in Scripture, is not silent concerning the knowledge of God and faith. For example, in Romans 1, Paul elaborates on God’s judgment over all men. He says it like this:
“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”
It is apparent from this passage that God has revealed Himself clearly; not through the Scriptures of old, and not through prophecies, but through His very creation. God has created in such a way that it reveals not only His existence, but a few of His attributes; namely, His omnipotence and majesty. As if this single passage were not sufficient, Paul gives more explanation in Romans 2:12-15.
“All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.)”
The meaning could not be clearer: those who do not know Scripture are still held accountable for their actions, because God’s mandates are implanted in the very core of man.
Those who do not live by the Bible will still be judged according to the Bible, and if God makes Himself discoverable apart from divine revelation, then why should we not attempt to fill in every gap to make belief in God justifiable? He has given us the evidence needed for the primary belief, so should we not elaborate upon that evidence and attempt to make it irrefutable? Those who do not believe in God certainly will not believe the truth of Scripture; it is only after one comes to the point of belief that Scripture becomes relevant in their life. Logic and reason are valued so greatly in our world, so why not use them as a means to influence for good those who doubt? It is natural for men to be wary of divine claims, and it is not as if Christians who reason with unbelievers are conjuring up some false evidence, but only merely pointing to the divinely implanted knowledge that may be buried under a lifestyle of ignorance.
Reason and logic can only be taken so far, for it is the inclination of man to deny God, so faith must at some point step in. Arguments for God’s existence are merely tools that God may use to begin the persuasion, but ultimately God must provide the faith to carry one to salvation. There must never be the misunderstanding that belief in God is sufficient, for this can never bring about grace. Coming to belief in God is merely a return to what should naturally be the default position of all creatures, for even demons understand and believe that God exists (James 2:19). Reason and logic are only used to supplement the claims of Scripture, the supreme truth. This is ultimately the reason that faith and reason are not in conflict, for reason may only point to a Creator, but does not put one in a right relationship with Him.