Comments on: Doing Philosophy Under the Cross http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2007/03/doing-philosophy-under-the-cross/ Making Theology Accessible Mon, 22 Mar 2010 01:53:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: CT http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2007/03/doing-philosophy-under-the-cross/comment-page-1/#comment-293 CT Sun, 30 Nov 2008 02:06:37 +0000 http://reclaimingthemind.org/devblog/index.php/2007/03/31/doing-philosophy-under-the-cross/#comment-293 There is a tension between being a Christian and being a (sincere) student of philosophy. Here's one way to put it. The task of understanding the arguments for an alternative point of view naturally puts you at some risk of changing your own beliefs. Now if your eternal salvation depends upon having a particular belief (i.e., your belief in truth of the Gospel), then is it really worth it to put this particular belief at risk in order to understand alternative arguments? Suppose, not unrealistically, that there were evidence showing a correlation between the study of David Hume's philosophical works and the loss of one's faith in the Gospel. In such a case, shouldn't you (generally speaking) avoid studying David Hume? On the other hand, if you allow such fears to determine what you study, and you avoid certain arguments because they might change your beliefs, then you have compromised your willingness to expose yourself in good faith to the best opposing arguments and to follow evidence and reason to wherever they might lead. And when you make this sort of compromise, it seems somehow dishonest to say that you are truly doing philosophy. There is a tension between being a Christian and being a (sincere) student of philosophy. Here’s one way to put it.

The task of understanding the arguments for an alternative point of view naturally puts you at some risk of changing your own beliefs. Now if your eternal salvation depends upon having a particular belief (i.e., your belief in truth of the Gospel), then is it really worth it to put this particular belief at risk in order to understand alternative arguments? Suppose, not unrealistically, that there were evidence showing a correlation between the study of David Hume’s philosophical works and the loss of one’s faith in the Gospel. In such a case, shouldn’t you (generally speaking) avoid studying David Hume?

On the other hand, if you allow such fears to determine what you study, and you avoid certain arguments because they might change your beliefs, then you have compromised your willingness to expose yourself in good faith to the best opposing arguments and to follow evidence and reason to wherever they might lead. And when you make this sort of compromise, it seems somehow dishonest to say that you are truly doing philosophy.

]]> By: Paul Copan http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2007/03/doing-philosophy-under-the-cross/comment-page-1/#comment-291 Paul Copan Wed, 04 Apr 2007 19:29:35 +0000 http://reclaimingthemind.org/devblog/index.php/2007/03/31/doing-philosophy-under-the-cross/#comment-291 I wanted to say thanks to you all for your comments. I'm glad you found this posting helpful. There is far more to the Christian life than evidence and reason; there are passion, relationship, mystery, and much more that can't be reduced to information, facts, or logic. As for getting a signed copy of my forthcoming book, I'm sure that, as the Beatles sang, "we can work it out." And yes, I'd love to be back on the Converse with Scholars program. I've enjoyed doing so in the past. Best wishes to you all. Paul I wanted to say thanks to you all for your comments. I’m glad you found this posting helpful. There is far more to the Christian life than evidence and reason; there are passion, relationship, mystery, and much more that can’t be reduced to information, facts, or logic.

As for getting a signed copy of my forthcoming book, I’m sure that, as the Beatles sang, “we can work it out.” And yes, I’d love to be back on the Converse with Scholars program. I’ve enjoyed doing so in the past.

Best wishes to you all.

Paul

]]> By: richards http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2007/03/doing-philosophy-under-the-cross/comment-page-1/#comment-292 richards Mon, 02 Apr 2007 15:16:35 +0000 http://reclaimingthemind.org/devblog/index.php/2007/03/31/doing-philosophy-under-the-cross/#comment-292 Peter Enns' book "Inspiration and Incarnation" accords well with what you've written. Like you, he argues for a "christotelic" hermeneutic, where we interpret in light of Christ. I have to remember that it isn't all about evidential, though that is part. There is also a mystical, even subjective component of our faith that is just as real as the evidential, and it cannot be disregarded. Peter Enns’ book “Inspiration and Incarnation” accords well with what you’ve written. Like you, he argues for a “christotelic” hermeneutic, where we interpret in light of Christ.

I have to remember that it isn’t all about evidential, though that is part. There is also a mystical, even subjective component of our faith that is just as real as the evidential, and it cannot be disregarded.

]]> By: johndelliott http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2007/03/doing-philosophy-under-the-cross/comment-page-1/#comment-290 johndelliott Mon, 02 Apr 2007 03:30:53 +0000 http://reclaimingthemind.org/devblog/index.php/2007/03/31/doing-philosophy-under-the-cross/#comment-290 Dr. Copan, I appreciate the comments regarding the "why" of Christian philosophy, especially the emphasis on being passionate about proclaiming, through The Word and our lives what we believe. We indeed have the correct position and the answers to the perplexing questions of life, so we should not shrink from passion. Any chance we can get an autographed copy of "Loving Wisdom: Christian Philosophy Of Religion" when it is released in October? Maybe Reclaiming The Mind can get you back on Converse With Scholars doing that timeframe? Again thanks for the great thought provoking comments. John Dr. Copan,

I appreciate the comments regarding the “why” of Christian philosophy,
especially the emphasis on being passionate about proclaiming, through
The Word and our lives what we believe.

We indeed have the correct position and the answers to the perplexing
questions of life, so we should not shrink from passion.

Any chance we can get an autographed copy of “Loving Wisdom: Christian
Philosophy Of Religion” when it is released in October?

Maybe Reclaiming The Mind can get you back on Converse With Scholars
doing that timeframe?

Again thanks for the great thought provoking comments.

John

]]> By: Carrie Hunter http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2007/03/doing-philosophy-under-the-cross/comment-page-1/#comment-288 Carrie Hunter Sun, 01 Apr 2007 22:55:30 +0000 http://reclaimingthemind.org/devblog/index.php/2007/03/31/doing-philosophy-under-the-cross/#comment-288 This really stood out to me <em>Whether Holocaust survivors or New Testament Christians, or 21st-century Christian philosophers, we shouldn This really stood out to me Whether Holocaust survivors or New Testament Christians, or 21st-century Christian philosophers, we shouldn

]]> By: nathanimal http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2007/03/doing-philosophy-under-the-cross/comment-page-1/#comment-289 nathanimal Sun, 01 Apr 2007 22:46:37 +0000 http://reclaimingthemind.org/devblog/index.php/2007/03/31/doing-philosophy-under-the-cross/#comment-289 I agree. I think Christian philosophy can be a very powerful tool in sharing the gospel I agree. I think Christian philosophy can be a very powerful tool in sharing the gospel

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