Modern Version of Martin Luther's 95 Theses!

One of my dearest friends from college is currently posting a modern version of Martin Luther's 95 Theses on his blog (www.grace-fellowship-gulfport.blogspot.com). Joe is pastoring a new church start in Gulfport, Mississippi.

Love the Lord with Your Entire Being: Introduction

Mediation on Mark 12:28-34

This past Spring I began an in-depth study on Mark 12:28-34, with focusing on Mark 12:30: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength" (NASB, 1995 Update, emphasis mine). This particular study lead me to into an area that I have never truly given much thought to previously. The question that I sought out to addressed was: What does it mean to love the Lord with all my mind?

To answer this question I found myself reading numerous passages of Scripture and books that dealt with the notion of developing the Christian mind. Furthermore, I sought out to try to discover the full implications on what it means to love the Lord with all my mind. I am still actively involved in this in-depth study. But I hope that what I have learned thus far will be helpful for others in my forthcoming postings. Along the way I will recommend comment on various passages of Scripture that are related to the issue at hand, and I will also recommend books that I have found to be both insightful and helpful in my journey.

What does Athens have to do with Jerusalem?: Part IV

I concluded the last posting with stating that the primary distinction between Christian philosophy and the philosophy of the world is found in the foundation for epistemology. The foundation for Christian philosophy is founded upon the knowledge of Christ.

Christ, Himself, is the only source of truth and knowledge. John 14:6 states that Christ is "the way, the truth, and the light." Thus, all knowledge begins with Christ and that Christ is the standard of true philosophy.

Furthermore, Christians cannot be naive in their reasons for being a Christian. Part of the Christians responsibility is to know how to respond clearly and comprehensively to those who raise questions or criticisms against Christianity. In order for the Christian to be able to do this task effectively, the believer must be able to critique other worldviews and philosophies. And studying philosophy is the best way a believer can prepare himself or herself to know how to raise objections in other worldviews to so the inconsistencies within the worldview being discussed.

What does Athens have to do with Jerusalem? The answer to this question is everything. It is with Jerusalem, the Christian foundation of knowledge, that any sense of the pursuit of philosophy, Athens, can be made. Apart from faith in Christ and recognizing Christ as the source of truth, all other philosophies are flawed.

In the previous postings in this series I have only briefly touched upon the vastness of the subject at hand. There is so much more that can be said and perhaps should be said. There are numerous resources that one could turn for additional references. Two such sources are Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview by William Lane Craig and J. P. Moreland and Faith Has Its Reasons: An integrative Approach to Defending Christianity by Kenneth D. Boa and Robert Bowan.

What does Athens have to do with Jerusalem?: Part III

There are two primary passages of Scripture that believers appeal to in support that Christians should abandon all usage of philosophy, even attempts to form a Christian philosophy and Christian philosophical outlook.

When these two passages are cited by those who oppose the use of philosophy, often times they distort the original meaning and purpose of the text. Thus, they distort the relevance of the text for the modern day believer.

The first text that is often cited and distorted is 1 Corinthians 1-2. In these two chapters, the apostle Paul argues against the wisdom of this world and that he did not visit the church at Corinth with persuasive words of wisdom. As J. P. Moreland notes in Love Your God With All Your Mind, "some conclude from this that human reasoning and argument are futile, especially when applied to evangelism" (58). There are two primary problems with interpretation to this passage. First, if this passage is to be understood in this particular manner, it contradicts Paul's own methods of apologetics and reasoning found in the book of Acts and his philosophical appeal to the Resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15. Second, the primary purpose of this particular section of Scripture is to argue against the prideful use of philosophy/reasoning and not against the use of philosophy/reasoning itself as many would like to think.

The second passage that is often cited by those opposing the use of philosophy is Colossians 2:8. In this passage Paul writes "see to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ" (NASB, 1995 Update). This passage has been used to support the thought that Christians are to avoid secular studies, especially that of philosophy. But when one reads this verse in its original context, one will notice that Paul is warning believers against a sorting type of philosophy--a philosophy that is empty and deceptive. When this verse is studied in its fuller context of the rest of Colossians, one will see that what Paul is doing is warning "the church not to form and base doctrinal views according to a philosophical system hostile to orthodoxy" (Love Your God With All Your Mind, 59). In fact, by studying philosophy, itself, one can learn how to avoid empty and deceptive philosophies because he or she will recognize the logical errors and fallacies in arguments.

The forthcoming posting should conclude this brief series on the use of philosophy by Christians. There are distinct differences between worldly philosophy and a Christian philosophy. And the primary distinction is found in the foundation for epistemology. This is topic will be discussed in What does Athens have to do with Jerusalem?: Part IV.

What does Athens have to do with Jerusalem?: Part II

The mind of the unbeliever is distinctly different from the mind of the believer. The mind of the unbeliever is at enmity with Christ. Furthermore, the unbeliever's mind is foolish and deceived (Romans 1:21ff.). In Colossians 1:21, the apostle Paul describes the unbeliever has being "alienated and hostile in mind." Thus, the unbeliever is not capable of upholding God's greatest commandment, which is to "and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength" (Mark 12:30, NASB, 1995 Update).

Thus, the unbeliever despises both the wisdom and instruction of God (See Proverbs 1:7 and Romans 3:18). Hence, the unbeliever is incapable of realizing any of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge that are found in Christ (Colossians 2:3).

The philosophy of this world is not only deceptive, but is also hopeless. The apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 4:17-18 that the unbelievers walk "in the futility of their mind, being darkened in
in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart" (NASB, 1995 Update).

The wisdom of God is nothing like the wisdom of this world! Read First Corinthians 1:18-31:

"For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.' Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the  foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of b the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.

But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, 'Let him who boasts , boast in the Lord'" (NASB, 1995 Update).

Part III will examine the common objections raised by some believers against the use of philosophy.