The Inner Witness of the Holy Spirit: A Properly Basic Belief
- Joel Hopkins
- Jul 19, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 22, 2023
Promised by Jesus in John 14:26 and referenced by Paul in Romans 8:12-17, the inner witness of the Holy Spirit is regarded as one of the most profound and transformative experiences in an individual's life. It is a confirmation and assurance of the reality of God's presence in our lives and the truth of His Word.
While the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives is integral to our walk with God, did you also know that the inner witness of the Holy Spirit can also be viewed as a properly basic belief? This can have a pretty big implication in apologetics, so let's dive into the nature of this belief, examine its justification, and consider objections that may arise. Ultimately, we'll show that the inner witness of the Holy Spirit can be rationally considered a properly basic belief for individuals with a sincere and genuine faith.
Defining A Properly Basic Belief
A properly basic belief is a belief that is justified without the need for other evidence or support. For example, a belief like "I am conscious" is a properly basic belief because it is something we can know directly through our own experience without needing other evidence. Some other examples of properly basic beliefs include things like "I exist," "I know my own thoughts and feelings," or "there is a reality outside of my mind." These beliefs are considered to be properly basic because they are intuitively obvious and require no other justification. In fact, if someone tried to convince you that these beliefs were incorrect, there would be a great burden of proof on them to do so. Your initial reaction to someone telling you, "You don't really exist, man," would rightly be to think that person is crazy.
Defining the Inner Witness Of The Holy Spirit
The inner witness of the Holy Spirit refers to the personal and experiential encounter with God's presence and guidance within the heart and mind of those who have accepted the gift of salvation through Christ. It is a deep sense of peace, assurance, and conviction regarding our relationship with God that process from the indwelling of His Holy Spirit who bears the truth of the Christian Faith. This inner witness is a direct and immediate work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer, providing an internal confirmation of the truths revealed in Scripture and the reality of God's existence.
The Justification of the Inner Witness As A Properly Basic Belief
Firstly, the inner witness is rooted in the words of Jesus himself. In the Gospel of John, Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit to his disciples, who will guide them into all truth (John 14:16-17, 26; 15:26; 16:13-14). This promise suggests that believers can expect a personal encounter with the Holy Spirit, leading to a deep sense of assurance and understanding.
"I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you." John 16:12-15
As well as the teachings of Paul:
"And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." Romans 5:5
"Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." Romans 8:28
According to Reformed Epistemology, this belief can be justified without the need for external evidence or arguments. Instead, it is grounded in the inherent reliability of the cognitive faculties involved in perceiving and experiencing the divine.
Many Christians report experiencing a profound transformation in their lives, a sense of peace, and a conviction of God's presence through the work of the Holy Spirit. While these personal experiences cannot be directly accessed or verified by others, they serve as a form of evidence for the individual experiencing them, forming the basis for their properly basic belief.
Objections and Responses
Objection 1: Subjective Variability
These critics argue that the inner witness is subjective and varies from person to person, leading to contradictory beliefs. They contend that the inner witness cannot serve as a properly basic belief since it lacks objective consistency.
Response: While the inner witness is subjective, it does not invalidate its status as a properly basic belief. Subjectivity does not equate to falsehood or irrationality. Personal experiences, including religious experiences, can vary due to differences in backgrounds, spiritual maturity, or individual circumstances. The subjective nature of the inner witness does not diminish its significance for the individual experiencing it.
Objection 2: Psychological Explanation
These skeptics propose that the inner witness can be explained solely in psychological terms, such as wishful thinking or emotional manipulation. They argue that psychological factors undermine the reliability and objectivity of the inner witness.
Response: While it is true that psychological factors can influence religious experiences, they do not necessarily negate the authenticity or validity of the inner witness. Reformed Epistemology does not claim that the inner witness is infallible or immune to psychological influences. However, it asserts that psychological factors do not necessarily negate the underlying truth of the experience itself. Furthermore, individuals can discern the genuine work of the Holy Spirit from mere psychological phenomena through critical reflection, spiritual discernment, and the consistency of the experience with the Scriptures.
Objection 3: Inconsistent Testimonies
These critics point out that individuals from different religious traditions claim to experience an inner witness that confirms their beliefs. They argue that this inconsistency undermines the notion that the inner witness can be a reliable source of truth.
Response: The fact that individuals from different religious traditions claim to have experiences that confirm their beliefs does not invalidate the inner witness of the Holy Spirit in Christianity. Reformed Epistemology acknowledges the existence of various religious experiences and does not claim that all religious experiences are necessarily genuine encounters with the divine. Christians argue that the consistency and coherence of the inner witness with biblical teachings, the transformation it produces in the lives of believers, and the wider Christian community's affirmation provide criteria for discerning the authenticity of the inner witness.
The inner witness of the Holy Spirit can be considered a properly basic belief within the framework of Reformed Epistemology. While it is subjective and varies from person to person, it finds its basis in the teachings of Jesus and the testimonies of countless believers. Skeptical objections related to subjective variability, psychological explanations, and inconsistent testimonies do not diminish the justification for this belief. The inner witness is deeply personal and transformative, providing believers with a sense of assurance, conviction, and guidance. It is an intimate encounter with the divine that serves as a foundational belief for Christians, shaping their understanding of God and their relationship with Him.
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