Recently I was talking to someone who told me he was an atheist. “I’m just too rational to believe in God,” he said. “That’s interesting,” I replied. “I’m a really rational person too. That’s why I believe in God.”

I felt it was important to say because there’s a myth out there that reason is on one side and faith is on the other—as if they’re opposites.

But they’re not. It’s a caricature.

When I first started making my faith my own, I was primarily propelled by the figure of Jesus—his teachings, his integrity, his power. And the deeper I went into history, into science, and into philosophy, the more reasons I found to believe.

I say this because we need to acknowledge that putting invisible duct tape over your mouth when it comes to your questions about God never helps.

A thinking faith is a faith worth having.

Do you wonder if there is scientific evidence for God’s existence? Good question, explore it.
Do you wonder if Jesus actually came back to life? Good question, explore it.
Do you wonder if God really cares about morality and how you live? Good question, explore it.
Do you wonder if something bad in your life could be used for something good? Good question, explore it.

Albert Einstein said, “The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” How awesome is that! I believe that curiosity exists to draw you closer to your Creator.

Asking honest, thoughtful questions often results in discovering honest, thoughtful answers.

So don’t be afraid to explore. But you need to be committed to going deeper than some random blog post a friend sent you. As it says in Proverbs 18:15: “An intelligent heart acquires knowledge…”

The Lord gave you a brain. I’m sure he didn’t intend for you to turn it off.

Curiosity has its own reason for existing.

By Matthew Ruttan

• Speaking of questions, on Sunday I start a new 3-part series called “Does God Even Exist?” Click here for a short 45-second video about what to expect.
• “Up!” is published 5 days a week (Tuesday to Saturday) and returns on September 19th.