Philosopher
Nicholas Beale and scientist John Polkinghorne use the following story to
illustrate the nature of biblical faith:
A philosopher, a scientist, and a simple man—none of whom could
swim—were trapped in a cove with sheer cliff faces. They split up, but the tide
kept coming in. Rescuers lowered a rope with a safety harness. The philosopher
said, "Ah, this looks like a rope, but I might be mistaken—it could be
wishful thinking or an illusion." So he didn't attach himself, and he was
drowned. The scientist said, "Ah, this is an 11 mm polyester rope with a
breaking strain of 2800 kg. It conforms to the MR 10-81 standard," and
then proceeded to give an exhaustive, and entirely correct, analysis of the
rope's physical and chemical properties. But he didn't attach himself, and he
was drowned. The simple man said, "Ah, I'm not sure if it's a rope or a
python tail, but it's my only chance, so I'm grabbing it and holding on with my
whole life." He was saved.
Of course other things being equal, it is better to have an
enlightened faith in God than an unenlightened faith. But mere intellectual
understanding that does not lead to trust and action is not what God is after.
Adapted from John Polkinghorne and Nicholas Beale, Questions of Truth
(Westminster John Knox Press, 2009), pp. 26-27
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