Summary: Because it presents problems that we cannot ignore, history is a good place to start the study of philosophy. For example, in the aftermath of World War II different groups advanced radically different ideas about how to handle Germany. Some advocated severe sanctions, others held that a prosperous Germany was necessary for European stability. [...]
Archive for the ‘Theology’ Category
CVMT No.7: Ch.2, Philosophy of History
Posted in A Christian View of Men and Things, Scripturalism on March 5, 2012 | 4 Comments »
CVMT No. 6: Ch. 1 Introduction, Method: Choice
Posted in A Christian View of Men and Things, Scripturalism on February 20, 2012 | 7 Comments »
Section Summary: In light of the fact that there may be multiple, plausible philosophical systems and that limited time and energy make it difficult for us to adequately assess them, we may wish to suspend making a judgment about which one is true and use out time for something that appears to promise greater rewards. [...]
CVMT No. 5: Ch.1 Introduction, Method: The Law of Contradiction
Posted in A Christian View of Men and Things, Scripturalism on February 7, 2012 | 4 Comments »
Section Summary: 1) The traditional first step for establishing a theistic worldview, proving the existence of God, has been a failure. The various proofs offered by philosophers and theologians are invalid. 2) All systems of thought are built on first principles called axioms. These principles are unproven and by definition unprovable. 3) But while axioms [...]
CVMT No. 4: Ch. 1 Introduction, The Unity of Truth
Posted in A Christian View of Men and Things, Scripturalism on January 31, 2012 | 25 Comments »
Section Summary: Truth, contrary to what contemporary philosophers and theologians tell us, is a unified system. Although the unity of truth does not prove the existence of an omniscient God, it does accord well with Christian belief in such a being. Christianity is the system of truth in the mind of this omniscient God, and [...]
CVMT No.3: Introduction, The Questions of Philosophy
Posted in A Christian View of Men and Things, Scripturalism on January 23, 2012 | 4 Comments »
Those coming to philosophy for the first time often find it at once interesting and frustrating. Clark likens philosophy to a puzzle that can, on the one hand, delight and amuse, and, on the other, frustrate and bewilder. Some people find it boring, thinking it has no practical value. Others find philosophy intimidating and try [...]
Augustine on Predestination
Posted in Theology on January 11, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
When reading Luther and Calvin, it’s hard to get very far without finding references to Augustine, for both authors make frequent reference to his work. Luther himself got his start as an Augustinian monk, and Augustine’s work was a major influence on Luther in bringing him to a Biblical understanding of grace and predestination. While [...]
A Christian View of Men and Things No.1: Foreword
Posted in A Christian View of Men and Things, Scripturalism on January 9, 2012 | 4 Comments »
Does anyone write a better foreword than John Robbins? Of course, were someone to put that question to me, I would have to respond, “I don’t know, since I have not read every foreword by every author.” On the other hand, were someone to ask me whether I had ever read a better author of [...]
Atheist Bullies
Posted in Scripturalism on December 17, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Christopher Hitchens now believes in God. I can say this with certainty, because the noted journalist and outspoken atheist died this week. News of his passing prompted me to skim through an anthology he put together a few years ago called The Portable Atheist. And even though I haven’t made it very far, I have [...]
Clark on Colossians
Posted in Scripturalism on December 12, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them. (Col.3:19) The Biblical doctrine of marriage is among the most hated teachings of Scripture. It is under constant assault both within and without the walls of the visible church. One of the [...]
Confessions of an Inadvertent Thomist
Posted in Scripturalism, Theology, Uncategorized on December 5, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. (Col 2:8) Before I came to the Scripturalism of Gordon Clark and John Robbins, my attitude toward philosophy was a mix of indifference, fear. Indifference, because [...]
