What impact did David Hume have on the Christian faith?

Answer

David Hume (1711—1776) was a philosopher and historian of the Enlightenment. His major philosophical works include A Treatise of Human Nature (1739—1740), Enquiries Concerning Human Understanding (1748), and Concerning the Principles of Morals (1751), along with his posthumously published Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion (1779).

David Hume is sometimes referred to as “The Scottish Skeptic” because of his Scottish origin and his skepticism towards anything that could not be empirically verified. Hume argued that most of our fundamental beliefs about reality are impossible to justify through reason. Religious assertions are rooted in faith rather than knowledge. Hume is renowned for his dismissal of miracles and the argument from design for proving God’s existence. While this rejection was groundbreaking in his era, it is now widely accepted, showcasing Hume’s enduring influence on our society.

Hume did not claim that miracles are inherently impossible, but rather that they could never be empirically confirmed, rendering belief in their occurrence nonsensical. He contended that it is far more plausible for someone to fabricate a miracle than for a genuine miracle to transpire; hence, there is no valid basis to take the New Testament accounts (or any similar reports) of miracles seriously.

Hume acknowledged that believing in the existence of God is a common and instinctive inclination, but he emphasized that this belief lacks rational substantiation (such as the argument from design). He advocated for the rejection of dogmatic theological assertions that surpass what can be empirically verified through human experience.

Conversely, Hume did not assert that the existence of God could be disproven through rational arguments. He displayed less skepticism than contemporary atheists by suggesting that both the dogmatic religious adherent and the dogmatic nonbeliever were equally irrational in their positions.

In his skepticism, Hume contributed to the foundation of what would later be recognized as postmodernism.

Hume acknowledged the potential existence of God but rejected the idea of supernatural revelation. While God’s existence might be possible, the notion of Him communicating is deemed impossible. Any assertions of supernatural communication are deemed improbable, leading to the conclusion that we cannot truly comprehend anything about God and should refrain from making absolute claims. In this regard, Hume paved the way for theological liberalism. Theological liberalism retains many religious customs and traditions while openly acknowledging that they are not rooted in divine revelation. Dogmatism is viewed as a flaw, and “courageous ignorance” is considered a virtue. This concept has also been embraced by postmodernism, although the current wave of postmodernists is swiftly discarding all religious elements. If there is no rational foundation or divine mandate for rituals and moral duties, why should anyone be concerned?

Hume’s impact on Christianity has been to diminish its influence among those who align with his perspective. He did not outright reject Christianity but aimed to eliminate the dependence on divine revelation or any logical justification for it. Nonetheless, the type of faith devoid of reason that Hume portrayed does not align with the faith depicted in the New Testament. The New Testament is firmly grounded in historical events where occurrences, including miracles, could be empirically verified:

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life” «That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; », (1 John 1:1).

“Many have undertaken to compose an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they

“The accounts were handed down to us by the initial eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, after carefully investigating everything from the beginning, it also seemed good to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught” (Luke 1:1-4).

“Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:30-31).