Evidence-based Beliefs

Updated on May 8, 2021

Joe believes he won’t get a raise, so he doesn’t ask for one. Julie believes the stock market will make gains, so she invests. Kevin believes that God doesn’t love him, so he returns the favor.

We all believe something, and we all live according to what we believe. What we believe matters.

Truth is reality, and it’s best to live in accordance with reality. Thus, life is better when we believe the truth.

The best way to find truth is by following the evidence — facts, reason, and experience. Belief (by definition) does not stand on proof. However, sound belief stands on compelling evidence. Evidence-based beliefs are less likely to be shaken and more likely to be true.

Building Evidence-based Beliefs


Should I believe this is a bald eagle based on the evidence?
Building evidence-based beliefs means that we consider all of the evidence and figure out the best explanation for that evidence.

How to keep your brother from starting a cult
James wasn’t a blind believer in Jesus. He wasn’t an in-the-bag follower, just because He was his brother or a nice guy. James believed only when he was presented with compelling evidence.

Why a Protestant would like the idea of purgatory
It is important that we know where ideas come from, especially the ideas we embrace or reject. It matters why we believe what we believe. We would be wise to base our beliefs — not on desires or hopes or an attempted explanation of one person’s notion — but on evidence.

Our future depends on history’s most compelling event
The claim of Jesus’s resurrection deserves investigation because there is evidence for it and because, if it is true, it is of utmost significance to us all. If Jesus rose from the dead, we too can be resurrected to eternal life. Our future just might depend on history.

5 ways to figure out what’s true and what isn’t
Especially with information that affects our health and lives, it’s important to sort truth from error. In these days when we’re all being careful with where we go and what we touch, let’s remember also to be careful with information.

Why do you (or don’t you) trust the Bible?
What are your reasons for trusting — or not trusting — the Bible as a historical and holy book?

Is faith rational? It depends.
Faith, by definition, is belief without proof, but it does not have to be — nor should it be — belief without evidence.