About Reasons to Believe
- 6 Staff Scholars
- 50+ Visiting Scholars
- 250+ Apologetics Community Members
- 140+ Scholar Community Members
Our Purpose
We open people to the gospel by revealing God in science.
Our Approach
We use scientific advances to answer questions and identify new evidence of God’s existence, character, and the Bible’s reliability. We engage skeptics and cultivate communities where scholars and others learn to integrate science, theology, and philosophy so they can open the world of science to the gospel.
Our Invitation
We invite people seeking answers to questions about the Bible and its relationship to science to explore our resources. Many of these resources answer theological and philosophical questions, too. We invite you to explore and integrate the full breadth of scientific, theological, and philosophic answers we offer.
Our History
Reasons to Believe (RTB) was established in 1986 by world-renowned Christian astrophysicist, Dr. Hugh Ross. Initially a skeptic, Dr. Ross was later convinced by evidence that words of the Bible are trustworthy.
His search for truth began at age seven when he went to the library to find out why stars are hot. Physics and astronomy captured his curiosity and never let go. After completing his doctorate at the University of Toronto and postdoctoral research at the California Institute of Technology, Ross served on the ministry team at Christ Church Sierra Madre. Enthusiastic response to his scientific defense Scripture’s veracity—based on a breadth and depth of experience in both science and faith—drove him, in 1986, to launch Reasons to Believe.
From a tiny office in Sierra Madre, CA, and a small crew of volunteers, RTB quickly grew. In 1995 RTB unveiled the first Christian website which by now has expanded into a wellspring of articles, blogs, and videos. In 2003 Reasons Institute was launched—a premier provider of science apologetics courses. RTB is homebase to a number of communities, such as our scholar community, apologetics community, regional chapters, and Monthly Partners.
Over the years, a team of scholars has come alongside Hugh in this quest to show how science reveals God. Together these scholars have taken the gospel worldwide, bringing scientific evidence for the God of the Bible to more than a dozen countries on five continents. In July of 2022, Dr. Ross entrusted his CEO title and the organization’s leadership to one of his most accomplished colleagues, biochemist Dr. Fazale “Fuz” Rana.
Through the strength of its supporters and by the guidance and grace of God, RTB boldly continues to fulfill its calling to “Go into all the world and preach the Good News.” Its message remains unchanged: Nature and Scripture come from one and the same Source.
Our Impact
People tell us via letters, emails, social media posts, and in-person comments that RTB uplifts them in a variety of ways, thanks to the work of God’s Spirit. Some find fresh hope, others discover answers to doubts, some resolve their cognitive dissonance, others gain confidence to speak openly about their faith, and many learn they are not alone in their need to question and challenge rather than “just believe.”
Our Convictions
At a time when controversies abound and threaten to disrupt unity among Christ’s followers, we at Reasons to Believe want to affirm and clarify our spiritual, moral, and scientific convictions.
Conviction #1: God’s revelation in the words of Scripture and in the world of nature is wholly trustworthy and will always prove consistent when thoroughly understood because God is the Source of both.
Conviction #2: Scripture and nature deserve humble, careful, and prayerful investigation/interpretation. We must look at all available research data, making every effort to mitigate personal, political, and cultural biases.
Conviction #3: We are called by God to present our findings and engage with others—those who agree with our views and those who disagree—in earnest, respectful dialogue that supersedes our desire to argue or persuade.
Our Beliefs
We believe questions and dialogue are good because truth invites and withstands testing.
Our Distinctives
RTB embraces a matrix of distinctives, based on what we see in the life of Jesus:
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High View of Scripture and Science The words of the Bible and the facts of nature come from the same Source, from God himself, who chose to make himself known.
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Ongoing Development Of a testable creation model because the world needs a positive growing case for faith in a caring Creator.
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Readiness to Give Reasons People have questions and doubts that deserve reasonable, well-researched responses (1 Peter 3:15a)
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Communication of Those Reasons With gentleness, respect, and a clean conscience because people observe attitude and demeanor as much as they listen to words (1 Peter 3:15b).
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Commitment to Application Because intellectual engagement should lead to effective evangelism, not merely to winning arguments.
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Apologetics for Evangelism Because history awaits completion of the commission Christ charged his followers to fulfill.
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Constructive Integration Of God’s revelation because truth will always be consistent whenever it’s found.