Why do you or don't you trust the Christmas story?
Posted on December 2, 2010 by Pastor Tom
Is the Christmas story about the arrival of baby Jesus a true historical account or something that belongs beside Santa Claus? If someone asked “do you believe the Christmas story to be true,” you would likely answer “Yes; No or I don’t know.” But why do you believe or conclude that?
Those who don’t trust the history might back their case with the argument, “I only trust or agree with facts supported by convincing evidence.” This approach certainly has value. But do people come to their convictions solely based on facts? Might other factors also play a role?
I recently listened to a talk where Australian historian John Dixon brought up Aristotle’s 4th century BC book on the art of persuasion entitled “The Art of Rhetoric.” Basically, Dixon summarizes Aristotle’s thought like this. Three factors influence decisions about belief. One is “logos” or the intellectual side. The logos factor in us searches for evidence and facts. If the intellectual questions receive satisfactory answers, then our “logos” side says “yes” to a particular claim.
Next is “pathos” or the emotional and passionate factor. Here Aristotle talks about our feelings about a particular issue or claim. People could look at the same set of facts about the Oil Sands and come to different conclusions about belief. So person A comes along and looks at a set of facts detailing environmental impact of the Oil Sands. After considering these and remembering the oil sands employs their son which provides for their grandchildren, they conclude “the Oil Sands are good.” Person B comes along and looks at the same set of facts about the oil sands. Then they look at pictures of the dead ducks from that tailing pond or the pictures in National Geographic that describe an “environmental disaster.” They conclude “the Oil Sands are bad.” Same facts plus a different emotional trigger can lead to a different belief.
Finally, Aristotle comes to “ethos,” the social/psychological factor. Friends, family and social circles can influence our beliefs. So if we work with or regularly socialize with oil sands executives, they’re influence can play a part in our decision about the oil sands. If we hang out with Greenpeace members and folks with a “nature first” mentality, their opinions can influence our beliefs.
Australian historian John Dixon quotes Aristotle as saying “He is a fool who thinks he makes up his mind only based on logos.” Or if we think that we base our convictions solely on the “facts,” we’re deceiving ourselves.
This brings me back to the Christmas story. If you don’t trust the Christmas story because of “lack of evidence,” would you consider Aristotle’s quote? What emotions or social factors might also influence your decision? Then if you’d like to look at the Christmas story anew, contact me at pastortom@svbc.ab.ca and we’ll get you a copy of “The Case for Christmas.” It could make for a very different holiday season. Merry Christmas!
(For more on John Dixon and his research visit http://johndickson.org/)
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