PHILOSOPHY OF THEISM AND WORLD VIEWS

Link to the source - http://home.houston.rr.com/apologia/sec3p1.htm

Christian Philosophy – The Intellectual Foundation

This lesson focuses on the intellectual foundation of our belief - Christian Philosophy. Philosophy is the intellectual pursuit of truth and wisdom. Christian philosophy is the intellectual pursuit of God, His truth and His wisdom.

In this part of our study of Apologetics, we will create a philosophical basis for our beliefs about the nature and existence God. We will define some terms, and consider tests for truth developed by thinkers and philosophers throughout history.

Last lesson we asked the question, "Why do you believe (or not believe) in God?" If our answer does not reveal an adequate foundation for our belief, we can't hope to reach someone with the truth, and our own faith may be in danger. Everything we live for (and perhaps the eternal destiny of many others) depends on the strength of the foundation upon which we build our beliefs.

What kind of foundation is required? Is religious experience enough? Is faith enough? Is intellectual assent enough? How can an honest person overlook a problem in any of these important aspects?

Religious claims make no sense to someone who has no religious experience or spiritual conviction. A skeptic usually denies the validity of religious experiences simply because they are subjective. It is unwise and unfair to claim a "private spiritual knowledge" in support of our claims, indeed, that was the sin of the Gnostics.

Often religious truth can only be discussed with a skeptic through an appeal to reason. If belief in our God is reasonable, we should be able to establish our basis or that belief intellectually, without conflicts in logic. Spiritual truth is still truth. Truth, by definition, has to be true for everyone.

I believe that God does not expect anyone to find truth by believing with "blind faith," nor on the basis of a subjective experience alone, nor from an intellectual argument alone. All of these are important in affirming our faith and belief.

God expects us as Christians to give him all of ourselves – spirit, mind and body. Our faith is built upon a spiritual foundation, affirmed through reason and confirmed by our experiences. Our defense (apologetic) must be strong spiritually, intellectually and practically.