What is the difference
between proof and
evidence?
My first concern is that people frequently attach different meanings to
words. Words like proof and evidence can be confusing, sometimes used
interchangeably, sometimes not. For example, often Christians claim
that there is proof for the existence of God and instead of proof, they
offer evidence, perhaps some significant scientific phenomena of
nature. What they offer may even be good evidence, but evidence is not
the same as proof, and eventually they get a smug rebuke: "Yeah, well
you still didn’t actually prove anything."
Here are my working definitions of evidence and proof. I define
evidence as "that which points to a high probability that a given claim
is true." I define proof as "something establishing an absolute fact."
I do not believe we can know anything for an absolute fact apart from
personal experience.
If you were doing jury duty on a murder case, it is very unlikely that
you would ever have genuine proof concerning the guilt or innocence of
the accused. All you would have to go by is the evidence offered by
those who claim to be eyewitnesses or perhaps the logic presented by an
attorney as motive and probability were explored. Finally, based on
everything you could see, hear and think about the case, you would
reach a decision. Your choice might very well stand upon good evidence
and sound logic. There may even be a 99 percent probability that your
decision is the right one. But let’s face it; there will
always
be room for doubt. Why? Because you weren’t there. You did
not
see the crime committed. Maybe there is a unique and mysterious side of
the story that nobody has heard. Perhaps it is a clever frame up. Who
knows? Who really has full assurance? Only a genuine eye witness. Her
own senses would draw the final conclusion.
A scientist will tell you that nothing is proven unless it is
repeatable. An honest historian would have to admit that without the
use of a time machine, historical facts are really historical records
pointing to a likely possibility. We have every reason in the world to
believe that Julius Caesar ruled Rome. But is such documentation proof?
After all, we weren’t there. We are trusting the manuscripts,
mere testimonies of human historians who we hope weren’t
lying or
deceived.
If these illustrations seem blatantly simple, I submit to you that the
most common objections to Christian evidence can be addressed in a
similar manner. This seems hard to believe because people grant
themselves the right to invent a whole new system of logic when
religion has entered the conversation. Application of such "logic" to a
more common situation would usually be unthinkable. People have a
tendency to believe what they want, and who wants to believe that they
are condemned in their sin? A belief in Julius Caesar is harmless, for
such a belief is not demanding upon our lifestyle. People may continue
to live a selfish life whether Caesar ruled Rome or not. But they would
think twice after gaining the awareness of a God who holds them
accountable.
Wrapping it all up
With this in mind, I can safely say that we have as much evidence to
support Christianity as anything else in life accepted through "high
probability." At the same time, a person can know Jesus through a
personal experience as real as any other experience perceived through
the senses. His Spirit can come upon you and make Himself so mightily
known that you will actually be able to say, "I have met God." I know
that sounds incredible, but that is the wonderful claim: God can prove
Himself to you!
"But couldn’t I be suspicious of this too? How will I know
that I
am not hallucinating?"
You know yourself. You will have to examine your heart honestly to see
if you think you are being brainwashed. Keep in mind, however, that I
am not referring to a mental state of faith but an experience which
identifies itself as a true encounter with Christ.
"Couldn’t you just as easily ask me to suspend all judgment
about
green leprechauns until I actually meet a leprechaun? What about UFOs
or unicorns? What about Santa Claus? People claim to have all kinds of
unusual encounters. Why should I pursue Jesus and not the others?"
Because there is excellent historical and rational evidence for the
existence of Jesus. This provides a better reason with which to seek
Him out.
"So the evidence authenticates the experience, and the experience
authenticates the evidence. Sounds like a vicious circle."
Perhaps. But that is as good as information can possibly be.
Let’s face it: Our own personal experiences, along with the
witness of other testimonies, are the only two criteria people use to
establish facts. Let me illustrate with a modern parable.
A college student named Kevin was approached in the Commons by his
friend Roger. Roger had an excited and somewhat mischievous look in his
eyes.
"What’s up buddy?" Kevin asked.
"Boy, have I got some good news for you," Roger said with a smile.
Roger proceeded to tell Kevin all about this cute sophomore named
Carrie who had observed him from afar. Although Kevin could not recall
actually meeting this Carrie, Roger insisted that she existed and had
seen Kevin at a few public gatherings, such as rallies and football
games. Since Roger was prone to play practical jokes from time to time,
Kevin initially dismissed Roger’s claim.
Later in the week several other people, close friends as well as casual
acquaintances, spoke to Kevin about the alleged Carrie. "Honestly
Kevin, she really wants to meet you but she’s kind of shy.
Still,
she’s a knockout and it would be worth your while."
Kevin was now finding evidence that Carrie existed, but he still
wasn’t sure because it certainly could be a collaborated
hoax. He
began to weigh the likelihood of truth versus fiction. Although he had
no reason to trust Roger, some of the witnesses were people who did not
have joking personalities. This, Kevin found significant. Others did
not even know each other but knew Kevin. They too had spoken with
Carrie. The abundance of witnesses seemed to increase the likelihood
that Carrie was real. On the basis of evidence alone, Kevin concluded
that there actually was a Carrie, but of course, there remained a shred
of doubt. After all, he never knew how far reaching Roger’s
schemes might go.
How is Kevin ever to move from the likelihood of Carrie’s
existence to the conviction of Carrie’s existence? Yes, the
answer is simple: He must ask to actually meet her.
You can meet Jesus too. But perhaps your mind is so inclined to doubt
His existence that you first need to examine some evidence. The
evidence is abundant but it will take you only so far. Eventually, you
must invite Jesus Himself to communicate with you. This part is between
you and God, but the evidence is something the following chapters will
help you with.
If you still wish to doubt your experience with Jesus, I hope you will
be consistent enough to doubt all of your experience. On the other
hand, if the "absence of proof" leads you to doubt the evidence, I hope
you will doubt everything else in science or history that is supported
by evidence alone.
Some will claim we can always doubt our senses. Since we perceive
everything through our mind, perhaps the brain is deceiving us. Maybe
what we see, hear, touch and smell is only imaginary. I personally find
no need in discussing these possibilities. After all, nobody lives by
such a philosophy. We can speculate about our senses, but, all the
while, we are continually placing a trust in them. In fact, the moment
some one challenges the credibility of Christianity, asking for factual
data, I am quite safe in assuming that she will use her senses to
examine the data.
More Questions |
Have your own question?
questions@bobsiegel.net
This is a brief
excerpt from a larger book.
For a fuller treatment of this subject as well as a better context, see:
I’d Like To
Believe In Jesus, But…
(The harder, less frequently discussed questions)
By Bob Siegel
Published by CSN Books
Copyright © 2007 by Bob Siegel
All Rights Reserved
Published by
Campus Ambassador Press
Copyright © 1999 by Bob Siegel
All Rights Reserved
This article is not to be reproduced without written permission from
the author. |
