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Writer's pictureEdward D. Andrews
Sep 249 min read

How Can Christians Use Coherence as a Test of Truth to Defend Their Faith?

Understanding Coherence in Relation to Truth


In the realm of Christian apologetics, the idea of coherence is a critical tool for defending and persuading others of the truth of Christianity. Coherence as a test of truth refers to the internal consistency and logical harmony of a belief system or set of claims. For Christians, this means that the doctrines of the faith, the teachings of Scripture, and the realities of life must align in a manner that is logically sound and free from contradictions. When discussing coherence as a test of truth, the Christian worldview, as revealed in the Bible, must not only be consistent with itself but also provide a comprehensive and logical explanation of the human condition, morality, and the nature of God.


Coherence has always been a guiding principle in theological reflection and biblical exegesis. A coherent Christian worldview will demonstrate how various doctrines and teachings interconnect, revealing the unity of God’s purpose for humanity as displayed through Scripture. The apostle Paul reflects this interconnectedness when he writes, “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33). Here, Paul is addressing a specific context of orderly worship, but the principle extends to the overall nature of God’s truth. A truth that originates from God will not contradict itself.


The test of coherence works as a form of internal verification. It ensures that the parts of Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, work together to form a unified whole. For instance, God’s attributes of love and justice are harmonized through the atoning sacrifice of Christ (Romans 3:25-26). Critics who attempt to pit God’s love against His justice fail to recognize the coherence of God’s nature as expressed in Scripture.



Biblical Coherence: Demonstrating the Unity of the Old and New Testaments


One of the most significant demonstrations of coherence within the Christian faith is the unity between the Old and New Testaments. Many skeptics argue that the Old Testament God seems wrathful and punitive, whereas the New Testament presents a God of love and mercy, as seen through Jesus Christ. However, this critique fails to appreciate the continuity and coherence between both Testaments.


The Bible presents one consistent narrative of redemption, from the fall of humanity in Genesis to the final restoration in Revelation. God’s character does not change between the Testaments, but His plan unfolds progressively. Malachi 3:6 states, “For I Jehovah do not change,” reinforcing the idea that God’s attributes remain consistent. His love, justice, holiness, and mercy are equally expressed across both Testaments.


In the Old Testament, God’s justice is vividly portrayed, as is His long-suffering and mercy (Exodus 34:6-7). In the New Testament, these characteristics reach their full expression in Jesus Christ, who fulfills the law and prophets (Matthew 5:17). The coherence between God’s justice in the Old Testament and His grace in the New Testament is perfectly harmonized in the work of the cross. Jesus bore the punishment for sin, upholding God’s justice, while offering mercy to all who believe (Romans 3:23-26).



The Coherence of Biblical Doctrines: The Example of Sin and Redemption


Another way coherence operates as a test of truth is through the interconnectedness of biblical doctrines. The doctrine of sin, for instance, is essential to understanding the doctrine of redemption. Without an accurate understanding of humanity’s fall and inherent sinfulness, as depicted in Genesis 3, the necessity of Christ’s sacrificial death makes little sense. Romans 5:12 explains that “sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.”


This foundational truth about sin is coherent with the need for a Savior, which the Old Testament sacrificial system foreshadowed. Hebrews 9:22 highlights the principle that “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins,” establishing a logical continuity between the Old Testament sacrifices and the atoning death of Christ in the New Testament.


The coherence of these doctrines—sin, sacrifice, and redemption—forms the theological framework that supports the entire biblical narrative. A worldview that denies the reality of sin would be incoherent in light of the biblical evidence, as well as the experiential reality of evil and suffering in the world. The coherence of the Christian explanation of human nature and God’s solution through Christ stands as a compelling defense of the faith.



The Harmony of the Doctrine of God’s Attributes


A central aspect of Christian theology is the doctrine of God’s attributes, such as His omniscience, omnipotence, omnibenevolence, and justice. The coherence of these attributes within the biblical narrative is essential for a sound theological understanding of God’s nature. When skeptics attempt to challenge the nature of God, they often do so by isolating one attribute from the others, thereby creating a false dichotomy. For example, some argue that if God is all-loving and all-powerful, then evil should not exist. However, this critique misunderstands the coherence of God’s attributes, particularly His justice and the allowance of free will.


The Bible portrays God as both just and merciful, and these attributes are not in conflict. As noted in Exodus 34:6-7, God is described as “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty.” God’s justice demands that sin be punished, but His mercy provides a way of redemption through Christ. This coherent relationship between justice and mercy is exemplified in Romans 3:26, where God is described as “just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”


Thus, God’s allowance of evil and suffering in the world can be understood within the coherent framework of free will, divine justice, and ultimate redemption. God’s omniscience allows Him to bring good out of evil, as seen in the story of Joseph, who said to his brothers, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20). The coherence of these attributes helps defend against the claims that Christian theology is internally inconsistent or contradictory.



Coherence in Christian Ethics and Moral Living


Another area where coherence serves as a test of truth is in Christian ethics and moral living. The ethical teachings of Scripture are not arbitrary rules but are based on the consistent character of God. The Bible consistently teaches that human beings are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), and this understanding provides the foundation for the value and dignity of human life. The commandments given in Scripture are coherent with this fundamental truth. For instance, the commandment “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13) aligns with the teaching that human beings bear the image of God.


The coherence of biblical morality is also seen in the teachings of Jesus, who summarizes the law and the prophets in two great commandments: “You shall love Jehovah your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39). These commandments encapsulate the ethical coherence of Scripture, demonstrating that all moral teachings are rooted in love for God and love for others.


Christian ethics, therefore, is not a disjointed set of rules but a coherent system that reflects the nature of God and His design for humanity. This coherence in ethical teaching provides a strong defense against moral relativism, which denies absolute truth and moral standards. The consistent moral framework of Christianity, rooted in the unchanging character of God, offers a coherent and compelling answer to the moral confusion of the world.



The Coherence of the Resurrection and the Christian Hope


One of the most important doctrines in Christian theology is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The coherence of the resurrection is central to the Christian faith, as Paul emphasizes in 1 Corinthians 15:14, “And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.” The resurrection is not an isolated event but is coherently tied to the promises of the Old Testament, the person and work of Jesus, and the future hope of believers.


The resurrection is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, as seen in passages like Psalm 16:10, which foretells that God’s Holy One will not see decay. Jesus Himself pointed to the coherence of His resurrection with the Scriptures when He said, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead” (Luke 24:46).


Moreover, the resurrection is coherent with the rest of Jesus’ life and ministry. Jesus repeatedly predicted His death and resurrection (Mark 8:31; John 2:19-22), and His resurrection serves as the validation of His claims to deity. As Romans 1:4 states, Jesus “was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead.”


The coherence of the resurrection also provides the foundation for the Christian hope of eternal life. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:20-22, “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” The resurrection of Christ is the guarantee of the future resurrection of believers, demonstrating the coherence of God’s plan of redemption from beginning to end.



Defending the Coherence of the Christian Worldview


The coherence of the Christian worldview is one of its strongest defenses against competing worldviews and ideologies. Christianity provides a comprehensive and internally consistent explanation for the fundamental questions of life: Where did we come from? Why are we here? What is wrong with the world? What is the solution? The Christian worldview coherently answers these questions through the doctrines of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration.


The doctrine of creation explains the origin of the universe and humanity in a manner that is coherent with the existence of a personal, omnipotent, and loving God. Genesis 1:1 states, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” This account of creation is coherent with the observable order and complexity of the universe, as well as with the moral and spiritual nature of human beings, who are made in the image of God.


The doctrine of the fall explains the presence of sin, evil, and suffering in the world. Genesis 3 recounts how Adam and Eve’s disobedience brought sin and death into the world, and this doctrine is coherent with the human experience of moral failure and the universal need for redemption. Romans 5:12 states, “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.”


The doctrine of redemption, centered on the person and work of Jesus Christ, provides the solution to the problem of sin and evil. The coherence of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection as the means of redemption is foundational to the Christian faith. John 14:6 records Jesus’ declaration, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” This exclusive claim is coherent with the biblical teaching that there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).


Finally, the doctrine of restoration offers the hope of a new creation, where sin and death will be no more. Revelation 21:1-4 describes the future fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan, where He will make all things new and dwell with His people. This future hope is coherent with God’s character and His promises throughout Scripture.



Conclusion: Coherence as a Test of Truth in Christian Apologetics


The coherence of the Christian worldview provides a powerful defense against skepticism, relativism, and competing ideologies. By demonstrating the internal consistency of Christian doctrines and their harmony with the realities of life, believers can confidently defend their faith and persuade others of its truth. As Christians, we are called to provide a reasoned defense of the hope that is in us (1 Peter 3:15), and coherence serves as a crucial tool in that defense.


Ultimately, the coherence of the Christian faith is rooted in the character of God, who is the source of all truth. As believers, we can trust that the truth revealed in Scripture will not contradict itself but will form a unified and coherent whole that points to the glory of God and the redemption offered through Jesus Christ.


About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).


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