The Greek philosopher Socrates famously said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Two thousand years later, a theology professor added, “The unexamined faith is not worth believing.”

What do you believe? Why do you believe it? Do you know for sure that your beliefs are true, or do you believe them because someone else told you they were true?

Have you ever taken the time to see where your beliefs originated? Can your doctrinal views be traced all the way back to the time of the early Christians? Or did they originate later – perhaps with a Gnostic heretic or a modern theologian?

The early Christians were careful to examine their faith. They searched the Scriptures and the traditions of the apostles to be sure that what they believed was true:

• “Condemn the truth if you have the heart, but only after you have examined it.” – Tertullian (c. 197)
• “How unjust it is to form a judgment on things unknown and unexamined!” – Mark Minucius Felix (c. 200)
• “We should consider what is said – not with what eloquence it is said. Nor should we look at how it tickles the ears. Instead, we should look at the benefits that it confers on its hearers.” – Arnobius (c. 305)
• “The power of truth is so great that it defends itself by its own clarity.” – Lactantius (c. 304-313)

After the early Christians had carefully examined their faith, they possessed a certainty about it. They were sure that they were teaching the truth – not because someone else had told them that it was true – but because they had examined it themselves, proven it to be true, and seen it change their lives. As a result, they could speak with authority, wisdom, and confidence:

• “Study, therefore, to be established in the doctrines of the Lord and the apostles.” – Ignatius (c. 105)
• “The soul that has chosen the best life – the life that is from God and righteousness – exchanges earth for heaven.” – Clement of Alexandria (c. 195)
• “The tree that is deeply founded in its root is not moved by the onset of winds.” – Cyprian (c. 250)
• “Though threatened with death, we do not deny His name.” – Justin Martyr (c. 160)
• “The course of virtue consists in acquiring those things that neither man nor death can take away.” – Lactantius (c. 304-313)
• “Only request on my behalf that I may not merely be called a Christian, but may really be found to be one.” – Ignatius (c. 105)
• “We are philosophers – not in words – but in deeds. . . . We do not speak great things; we live them.” – Cyprian (c. 250)

As believers, we will be judged for what we believe and (more importantly) how we live. Those who teach will be judged more harshly (James 3:1), but we will all give an account of our lives before God (Romans 14:12). Are you ready?

Or does your faith (and your life) have yet to be examined?