What is confirmation bias?

Answer

Confirmation bias is the tendency to interpret evidence and reality in a way that confirms our beliefs. An example of confirmation bias is when two people watching a football game support opposing teams. If there is uncertainty about a play where a wide receiver catches a ball near the sideline, each supporter will interpret the replays to confirm their desired outcome. One will look for evidence that the catch was inbounds, while the other will seek proof that it was out of bounds. Both are biased towards their preferred interpretation of the evidence.

Do Christians exhibit confirmation bias at times? Are they unconsciously interpreting evidence to validate their beliefs? The straightforward answer is yes, Christians are occasionally influenced by confirmation bias.

A more constructive approach to this issue is to reframe the question: “Are individuals susceptible to confirmation bias?” Another way to address this is by asking, “Are people unintentionally interpreting evidence to support their beliefs?” The answer to both is a resounding yes. In reality, no one views evidence objectively or neutrally. It might be beneficial to eliminate the notion of “guilt” from this discussion. Confirmation bias is neither inherently good nor bad; it is simply a part of human nature.

Thomas Nagel, an atheist

Philosopher who has taught at New York University strongly affirms the reality of confirmation bias as part of the human condition. In 2003, Nagel wrote an essay entitled “Evolutionary Naturalism and the Fear of Religion.” In this essay, he makes an honest statement of his own confirmation bias: “I speak from experience, being strongly subject to this fear [of religion]. I want atheism to be true and am made uneasy by the fact that some of the most intelligent and well-informed people I know are religious believers. It isn’t just that I don’t believe in God and, naturally, hope that I’m right in my belief. It’s that I hope there is no God! I don’t want there to be a God; I don’t want the universe to be like that” (The Last Word, Oxford University Press, 1997, p. 130). It would be helpful for all people to be as aware of and as forthright concerning their own confirmation bias.

How, then, should a Christian confront the reality of confirmation bias? First, a Christian needs to honestly admit this reality, not just for himself, but for all of mankind. We need to be striving to live truthful, honest lives before God and men “Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: And in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.”, (Psalm 51:6).

Second, we need to recognize that a person apart from the miraculous work of God in his or her life has a confirmation bias against the truth of God’s Word. Psalm 14:2–3, which Paul references in Romans 3, makes this reality clear: “The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.” In Romans 8:7, Paul informs us that “the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will” (NLT). Most Christians can recall the time before the

They were saved while they were in this place, hostilely opposed to God, His ways, and His Word.

Thirdly, we should not deny the presence of confirmation bias in our defense and proclamation of the gospel. Instead, we should gently and respectfully persuade our neighbors and friends about the reality of the life of Christ and the truth of God’s Word.

Lastly, recognizing that all people everywhere are susceptible to confirmation bias, we should pray for God to reveal to our neighbors and friends their own bias against God and the biblical worldview. We should ask God to reveal to them their sin, need, and hostility toward God; we should ask God to reveal to them how forgiveness, reconciliation, and renewal are available in Christ.

In conclusion, Christians should acknowledge that all people are prone to confirmation bias. The believer should strive to recognize his or her own biases and ensure that these biases align with the truth of God’s Word (Psalm 139:23-24). Moreover, the believer should pray for and gently point out the confirmation biases in the lost. We have been entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation «And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; », (2 Corinthians 5:18), and we should direct all people to the ultimate truth in Christ and God’s Word.