Gullible or Guarded?
Which conversion is "better:" quick, or careful?
March, 2018
It can be frustrating to witness to someone who seems totally immune to reason or facts. Such people often claim they're simply being "skeptical," when in reality they're being obstinate. It can be just as exasperating to work with those who seem to accept everything they encounter, especially if it agrees with their preferences. This raises a curious question when it comes to evangelism: is it "better" to see a person respond to the gospel immediately, having only a brief introduction to it, or "better" for them to accept Christ only after prolonged investigation? Any instance of salvation is good, of course, but which of those is more likely to be a "real" conversion? Do we doubt the legitimacy of an immediate convert, or the sincerity of a slow-moving skeptic?
As usual, the answer involves taking the entire Bible in proper context. Scripture presents many areas where mankind is held in tension between two extremes. The debate over sovereignty and free will, for instance, often overlooks the fact that Scripture seems to indicate both: that God is in control and we are responsible for our choices. Somewhere in the tension between those is where we, as Christians, are apparently meant to remain. We're not supposed to let the idea of God's sovereignty make us complacent, nor the idea of free will make us paranoid or arrogant.
This issue of skepticism versus credulity—demand for evidence versus blind faith—is another area of tension. Scripture discourages us from being unreasonably skeptical (Hebrew 3:8; Proverbs 29:1), but it also discourages us from being gullible (Proverbs 18:13). Unlike any other religious text, the Bible openly encourages us to test (1 John 4:1), value evidence (Luke 1:1–4; 2 Peter 1:16), and validate claims, especially those which are spiritual in nature.
So, there is a sense in which it's "better" for a person to expect some evidence, logic, or other support before they accept the gospel. A person who does that—provided they're honestly looking for truth—is all the more likely to be legitimately converted. Someone who reacts entirely on emotion, or in the passion of the moment, might not really be responding to the gospel as much as they are their own feelings. This is why the Bible encourages all people, even saved believers, to use critical thinking (Colossians 2:8) and cautious skepticism (Acts 17:11). Even in matters of one's own salvation, we're expected to use self-examination (2 Corinthians 13:5) and investigation (Philippians 2:12).
On the other hand, the Bible also warns us that unsaved people aren't fully equipped to understand spiritual matters (1 Corinthians 2:14). And, that it's possible for a person to make excuses against belief, even when the evidence is clear (John 5:39–40). Biblical "faith" really means "trust," the same as it would for any other category of knowledge. It means acting according to what we do know, despite what we don't know. So, there comes a point where asking for even more evidence is not a sign of honesty, or searching (Matthew 7:7–8). It's an excuse—a mark of rebellion (Mark 8:12).
So, when we evangelize, we should be supportive of those who ask for evidence. We can tell them, honestly, that God honors those who are seeking the truth. We can remind that same person, at some point, that every worldview requires some level of trust—faith—since we can never absolutely "prove" everything. When we speak to someone eager to accept the gospel immediately, we can also be supportive, since God wants us to receive His word (Matthew 19:13–14; 2 Peter 3:9). We can remind that same person the next step in their faith: to grow in their knowledge and maturity—they can't remain a spiritual infant (Hebrews 5:12–14).
Everyone has their own spiritual needs, so different people will have varied "needs" for evidence. All Christians should have an understanding of what they believe, and why, so they can both defend and proclaim it (1 Peter 3:15–16). But that doesn't mean all people need to have the same appreciation for evidence, or faith, at the moment of conversion. We should embrace those who respond immediately to the gospel—while encouraging them to deepen their faith. And, we should respect the doubts of the sincere seeker (Jude 1:22) without making excuses for unreasonable stubbornness.
-- Editor
