Faith Seeking Understanding: Theology's Relevant Contexts and Postmodern Epistemology

1. Introduction to Theology Renewing the Mind

2. Defining Theology credo ut intelligam “faith seeking understanding” This is a Latin phrase coined by Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109) meaning “faith seeking understanding.” This is one of the earliest definitions of theology. It starts with the assumption that we are believers and, as such, we are seeking to understand our beliefs better.

3. Analogy of Scripture Contextualize Principles for today Theology Author's Intent Timeless Audience Time-bound Audience 1. Exegetical Statement “What did it mean then?” • Historical interpretation • Grammatical interpretation • Contextual interpretation • Literary Interpretation 3. Homiletical Statement “How does it apply to us?” Contemporary Audience author's Intent Ancient Audience

4. Postmodern Epistemology Understanding Our Changing Culture

5. Postmodern Epistemology What is Epistemology?

6. Postmodern Epistemology “The theory or science of the method or grounds of knowledge.” —Webster’s Dictionary

7. Postmodern Epistemology “The branch of philosophy that is concerned with the theory of knowledge. It is an inquiry into the nature and source of knowledge, the bounds of knowledge, and the justification of claims to knowledge.” —Paul Feinberg Walter A. Elwell ed., “Epistemology” in The Evangelical Dictionary of Theology (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2001), 382.

8. Postmodern Epistemology JOHN 18 33 Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” 34 “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?”35 “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” 37 “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” 38 “What is truth?” retorted Pilate.

9. Postmodern Epistemology But Pilate answered, “You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him.” 7 The Jewish leaders insisted, “We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimedto be the Son of God.” 12 From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jewish leaders kept shouting, “If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar.”

10. Postmodern Epistemology But Pilate answered, “You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him.” 7 The Jewish leaders insisted, “We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God.” 12 From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jewish leaders kept shouting, “If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar.”

11. 2 Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you. 24 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. 26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. 27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. 28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ 29 “Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill. 30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.” 32 When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.” 

12. Explain the reaction of the Athenians. 1 Cor15 Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.

13. 2 PETER 1:16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. 19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

14. Postmodern Epistemology Key Terms Relativism: The belief that all truth is relative, being determined by some group. Subjectivism: The belief that all truth is subjective, being defined by the perspective of the individual. Skepticism: The belief that truth cannot be known with certainty. Perspectivism:The belief that truth is found in the combined perspectives of many. Pragmatism: The belief that truth is ultimately defined by that which works to accomplish the best outcome. “The end justifies the means.” Objectivism: The belief that truth is an objective reality that exist whether someone believes it or not.

15. Postmodern Epistemology Which best describes our culture today? • Relativism • Subjectivism • Skepticism • Perspectivalism • Pragmatism • Objectivism

16. Postmodern Epistemology Which is true? • Relativism • Subjectivism • Skepticism • Perspectivalism • Pragmatism • Objectivism

17. Question What is Postmodernism?

18. Postmodern Epistemology Protagoras: Truth is relative. It is only a matter of opinion. Socrates: You mean that truth is mere subjective opinion? Protagoras: Exactly. What is true for you is true for you, and what is true for me is true for me. Truth is subjective. Socrates: Do you really mean that? That my opinion is true by virtue of its being my opinion? A Conversation Between Protagoras and Socrates (4th Century B.C.)

19. Postmodern Epistemology Protagoras: Indeed I do. Socrates: My opinion is: Truth is absolute, not opinion, and that you, Mr. Protagoras, are absolutely in error. Since this is my opinion, you must grant that it is true according to your philosophy. Protagoras: You are quite correct, Socrates.

20. Postmodern Epistemology

21. Postmodern Epistemology A short history of western civilization Three periods: • Premodern (400-1600 A.D.) • Modern (1600-1900 A.D.) • Postmodern (1960-present)

22. Modernism Intellectual Reason Optimism Hope for the future Objectivism Exclusivism Science method Man is evolving Postmodernism Anti-intellectual Feeling Pessimism Despair for the present Subjectivism/relativism Pluralism/inclusivism Distrust in science Man is devolving Postmodern Epistemology

23. Spock is always logical and objective. Never acts upon feeling, because that would be “illogical.” “Physical laws simply cannot be ignored. Existence cannot be without them.” “Pain is a thing of the mind. The mind can be controlled.” The Ideal Modern Man:Mr. Spock Postmodern Epistemology

24. Data is the “perfect” modern human. Despite his “perfection,” Data . . . Wants to be human. Rebels against logic. Attempts to develop emotions and feelings The Ideal Modern Man Mocked:Data Postmodern Epistemology

25. Postmodern Epistemology “In Postmodernism, there is no objective, universal truth; there is only the perspective of the group. . . . In postmodernism, all viewpoints, all lifestyles, all beliefs and behaviors are regarded as equally valid. . . . Tolerance has become so important that no exception is tolerated.” –Charles Colson How Now Shall We Live? (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 1999), 23

26. Christian Epistemology

27. Question What questions are postmoderns asking?

28. Christian Epistemology Modernist Objections to Christianity • What about all the contradictions? • God is just a crutch. Religion was invented by man. • Jesus was just a man. • The Bible we have today is not the same as when it was written 2000 years ago. • I don’t believe in what I can’t see. • Evolution has proven Christianity to be wrong.

29. Christian Epistemology • The Bible is a myth full of fairy tales. • How did Noah get all of the animals on the Ark? • There are no such thing as miracles. • Do you really believe in the story of Adam and Eve?

30. Christian Epistemology Postmodernist Objections to Christianity • If God exists, why is there evil? • The Inquisition and the Crusades show that Christianity is oppressive. • Christianity is a way to God but not the only way. • Christianity is arrogant and exclusive. • How do you know that your Bible is better than other religious writings? • Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?

31. Christian Epistemology • What about those who have never heard? • The church is full of hypocrites. • Why would God send anyone to Hell? • The God of the OT is cruel, partial, and unjust.

32. Christian Epistemology

33. Question What is the modern view of truth?

34. Christian Epistemology Correspondence view of truth: (1) Truth is an objective reality that exists whether someone believes it or not, (2) and that objective reality is grounded in nature.

35. Christian Epistemology True statements are those which correspond to that objective reality. False statements are those which do not correspond to that objective reality.

36. Christian Epistemology Law of non-contradiction applies A≠-A at the same time and in the same relationship.

37. Epistemology Key Motto “Man can and will know all truth.”

38. Question What is the postmodern view of truth?

39. Christian Epistemology Relative view of truth:(1) Truth is a perspective reality that exists in the perspective of the individual or group, (2) and that perspective reality is grounded in time.

40. Christian Epistemology Law of non-contradiction does not apply A = -A at the same time and in the same relationship.

41. Christian Epistemology Key Motto “The truth cannot be known.”

42. Christian Epistemology Religious Spin on Postmodern Epistemology Universalism:The belief that all people, good or bad, will eventually make it to Heaven. Pluralism: The belief that there are many ways to God that are equally valid. Syncretism: The assimilation of differing beliefs and practices. Inclusivism: The belief that salvation is only through Christ, but Christ may be revealed in other religions.

43. Christian Epistemology Vatican II (1962-1965) and inclusivism “But the plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the creator. In the first place among these there are the Moslems, whom professing to hold the faith of Abraham, along with us adore the one and merciful god, who on the last day will judge mankind. Those also can attain salvation who through no fault of their own do not know the gospel of Christ or his church, yet sincerely seek god and, moved by grace, strive by their deeds to do his will as it is known to them through the dictates of conscience.”

44. Question What is the Christian view truth?

45. Christian Epistemology Correspondence view of truth:(1) Truth is an objective reality that exists whether someone believes it or not, (2) and that objective reality is grounded in an eternal God.

46. Christian Epistemology The law of non-contradiction is a foundational necessity to all truth. God cannot even violate this principle since it is a logical impossibility.

47. Christian Epistemology Key Motto “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law” (Deut. 29:29).

48. Christian Epistemology Christian truth must have a balance between the “things revealed” and mystery (“secret things”).

49. Christian Epistemology Apophadic Theology: Lit. “negative theology.” Apophadic Theology emphasizes mystery. Often called the “way of negation” (via negativa) or “negative theology,” apophadic theology sees God, and much of theology, as beyond our understanding and, therefore, beyond defining through positive assertations. Finite people cannot say what the infinite God is but only what He is not. God is “uncreated,” “immutable,” “infinite,” “immortal.”

50. Christian Epistemology Cataphatic Theology: Lit. “affirmative theology.” Cataphatic Theology emphasizes revelation. Often called “positive theology,” cataphatic theology seeks to understand God in positive terms, understanding that God communicates to us through language and concepts that are analogous to who and what He truly is (“analogy of language”).