The Best Argument for Christianity

I picked up a book today that I haven't read in years. I consider it one of the best books I have ever read and I wanted to be reminded why. I simply opened it to the middle somewhere and began reading. It only took a few sentences to be, once again, entranced. I soon came across this quote that was written in the author's journal while he and his wife were still staunch agnostics, but open to an honest investigation on account of having so many Christian friends. This is what he wrote in his journal:


"The best argument for Christianity is Christians: their joy, their certainty, their completeness. But the strongest argument against Christianity is also Christians--when they are sombre and joyless, when they are self-righteous and smug in complacent consecration, when they are narrow and repressive, then Christianity dies a thousand deaths. But, though it is just to condemn some Christians for these things, perhaps, after all, it is not just, though very easy, to condemn Christianity itself for them. Indeed, there are impressive indications that the positive quality of joy is in Christianity--and possibly nowhere else. If that were certain, it would be proof of a very high order."


~Sheldon Vanuaken, A Severe Mercy


This is the perspective of an agnostic. Are we, as Christians, living lives that are arguing for or against Christianity? Notice that Vanauken, while an intellectual, does not say that the best argument for Christianity is the logical reasoning for the resurrection, the evidence for an intelligent designer or anything of the sort. All those things are important in their place, but the best way to show the world the glorious value of a life in Christ is a humble, pervasive joy in all kinds of trials that is irresistible to lost and dying people. Where does this type of joy come from? It is a gift from God alone. It comes through a deep and profound faith in God's grace (also a gift) for our lives. Is that the message that our lives are sending to the world?


Vanauken and his wife, Davy, had committed themselves to finding the greatest beauty in life, particularly in their own relationship. They were intellectuals who had no interest in any "ridiculous" organized religion. They viewed their relationship as the greatest good in their lives to be protected by the "shining barrier". They were amazingly in love with each other and some of their ideas of romance are very inspiring, and they seemed very happy. Then they befriended some Christians and wondered why the Christians were so pervasively joyful. The two began reading C.S. Lewis, G.K. Chesterton and other Christian apologists. But Lewis was the most influential and they began reading every book he wrote as well as writing him letters (to which he faithfully responded) and had the joy of meeting him several times.


If you haven't read this book, you simply must. It is one of the most beautifully written books I have ever encountered and it, as you can see by this one quote, is extremely insightful and convicting.