Sorry for the late reply. Download Free PDF View PDF. In view of all that is eternal it would not be worth much to consider them other than to satisfy academic curiosity. Here are a couple ways: 1) Do they insist on making incorrect statements about the world as-is? Could it well be that this spiritual sense is very prone to illusion as well? 2 Peter 1:15 and following say For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. Every disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who draws out from their storage room things both old and new. Thanks in advance for your thoughts. apprehension uncluttered by thought Such as I would imagine the Eastern Orthodox who are known for such practice and perspective on faith. I also suspect that you and Frank probably share many criticisms of your more conservative Christian pasts. I suspect it is because they are not comfortable with any other way of knowing. Acts of Interpretation features essays by biblical scholars and theologians offering broad reflections on key interpretive issues, rich readings of challenging biblical texts, and interaction with the Christian exegetical tradition from Melito of Sardis to Dietrich Bonhoeffer.The contributors to this volume are leading figures in the theological interpretation of Scripture. Id be interested to know then what your thoughts are with the more broad, inclusive sense of evidence then. Yes, no matter what words we employ we can never do justice to the experience. But what we can do is employ language to describe those deep experiences in a way to see if we are alone in them or if there are other people who in the way they respond hint at having had the same shared experience as us. Thanks for an honest perspective which does not offer more than can be proven. Messiah College I like the fruit of this way of knowingeverything from electricity and medicine to electron-microscopesand radio telescopes. Piper argues that God's judgments are just and shouldn't be questioned. Left the Ministry. Not really. Culturally, we tend to have a project-based approach toward church life. One of the hallmarks of progressive Christianity is a rejection of biblical sexuality, and an affirmation of same-sex marriage and premarital sex. Doesnt everyone including yourself feel an urge to respond given an open forum and divergent points of view? even if our lack of understanding gives us a sense that our existence is meaningless and that, if one could, one would not choose existence. Then once that person starts walking with God God (should) will reveal the truth to them. But by putting these experiences on the table and sharing them, we can say some objective things about them. I believe that, if there is a Creator, this Higher Power is not a being that we can know exclusively or primarily through this western way of knowing. The universal and self-evident problem of death 2: The universal . In other words, I dont believe in God because I see no evidence for God or I believe in God because the evidence proves it are both nonsensical claims for me. Im pretty sure it looks like what we are doing on here (if our intentions are purely to seek and accept). I would take as examples of this people such as Jesus and the profound impact on the entire world for the good, that his truth has produced, and by extension, His Apostles and their experience. The gathered Body of Christ? I use the words intelligent and basis. The question presumes that belief in God is something to be settled on the basis of intelligence, education, knowledge of facts, etc. But if he gets a response in morse, he doesnt need to empirically see whats on the other side to begin the process of knowing the other side. Scrivenings Christians depression, suicide. I am not embarrassed by it at all. Legitttttttt. This is the third post in a series on how God speaks to us in Scripture, following a discussion on what the early church fathers believed about how that process happened and Kenton Sparks' adoptionist proposal of a sacred "broken" Bible.. Adam and Eve are the Bible's first man and first woman. Id take the liberty of summarizing that your belief in God, to the extent you do, is based on faith, not fact. What are your thoughts on passages like 1 John 5:13, which indicate explicitly that it is possible for a person to know with rational certainty whether or not there is a God and whether or not they can truly believe in Jesus being the Messiah. He has written or edited over a dozen books and many articles and essays. If we hold to the same manner in which we share any other experience with those around us, we would ge bound to accept this. And I also can grok the paradoxical Essence of a Triune God, the kind of God allowing himself to be humbled and broken in kenotic sacrifice as an example of a new Way of Being, in hope of bringing forth a Kingdom. I have posts on my blog, Scrivenings, about depressions and suicide among Christians, and their gullibility, i.e., religious affinity fraud. He is the podcast host of The Bible for Normal People. It is no more Western and modern than the Greek-named constellations are ancient and Greek or the Arabic-named stars are Medieval and Arab. Bringing people together seems easier when their differences are not discussed. But in the formerit seemssome individuals cannot ask the does God exist? question without deeply wondering about which God?? But if you are after people of all religions, denominations, sects and cults saying, We dont really know, but why change because this seems to be working alright? Fine. And there are also periods of painful disillusionment and depression that look like withdrawal symptoms that even Christians suffer after at least partially self-Inducing and sustaining a high on Jesus for years. Usually we treat eye-witness testimonies as valid proofs of an experience, especially when they corroborate key elements of the same story (granted one can misinterpret what their senses tell them). . I think the sooner the Church heals the Great Schism and returns to the even the faith of Jesus certainly before Constantine and possibly before Paul, the better she will be on a cosmic mission. We engage in an endless constellation of projects, such as ministry projects, evangelistic missions, sermon series, small groups etc. But the Bible is not an instruction manual or rule book but a powerful learning tool that nurtures our spiritual growth, argues Bible scholar Peter Enns. After I became more of a questioner, and more curious about a lot of things I no longer experienced such manic-depression. Thanks Pete! Regardless of Paul's (faulty, through no fault of his own) view of human origins, three very important elements remain in his theology, despite the acceptance of evolution: 1. The social architecture of the church, from leadership to prayer groups, all functions along protocols and vetting systems based on doctrinal beliefs, trust-building with leaders, participation in activities, meetings and conferences, etc. Edward, you assume that people cant hold doubt while maintaining a vibrant Christian faith that is simply not true. Honestly and looking ahead, my mind is more centered on the significance of the sixth extinction, climate change, the forth-coming dissipation of petroleum energy, a huge human population, limited supply of fresh water for all, and need for compassion for and collaboration with others to existentially address all this. We go crazy in solitary confinement, when stranded on an island, when lost in the wilderness solo. There are multiple (a lot!) I find cultural differences to be fascinating and rich sources in discovering what is possible within the human experience. Human faculties of conception, perception and learning, and attributes of volition, intuition and apprehension cannot catch sight of His Person or fathom the extent of His Might and Glory. 2) Do their beliefs about God or Gods or whatever bring us to harming the other or the world, or bring us to healing and redeeming? In regards to ones intelligence, I am reading St Teresa of Avilas Interior Castle right now and in the first parts of it she refers to herself as stupid and if they (the nuns she is writing to) understand what she is saying, it is not herself that is speaking but it is God through her. I would never ever suggest this is a unique property of Xty. It is in this context, that Christianity, for me, is a profound disappointment. I think the Mystics have something important to say. Fideism is a rich and credible approach to knowing God. The rule that clarity is the standard of truth subsequently achieved dominance in the Enlightenment (Bavinck, Reformed Dogmatics, 1 vol edition, 486). I only presume that peoples experiences of God are a mixed bag that lay along a very wide spectrum. 1300 Eagle Road And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit In asking does God exist?, Ive heard it said that two very large questions are revealed or not. But I see no reason to believe that Jesus of Nazareth has been, is, or will be the means of grace or hope of glory. Talk of a vibrant Christian faith seems overblown. Thank you Joseph. Thats why all we need to focus on is the Way; which is your way that youre honestly seeking God. That is what He did for me over 50 years ago. We're raising 50k for our campaign. This is why I read your blog, Pete! You presume too much Ed. And now my 800 words are up. Perhaps less than that, I would be more arrogant, less loving, poorer, and have no progeny. But nonetheless they witness them. He is also co-founder and chief data scientist at Verasight. Or the mega church movement, to try and get and sustain even a greater Jesus high. So 2 Peter was written by Peter.how sure are you on that? (Yawn.) There are also cases of people who were converted to Christianity after suffering drug or alcohol addiction, but later they realized Christianity was their new drug and gave that up too, and felt BETTER for having done so: Certainly they are subjective but that does not then mean they cannot be compared. When asked, do you believe God exists?, I cant help but response with, what do you mean by God?'. Even Yale was founded by some conservative ministers displeased at the growing moderation, liberalism and theological excesses as they say it, happening at Havard. Enns' view is that the Bible is essentially a human collection (s) of different stories (by different authors/editors) that have a common reference to "God". But in essence our Christian hope is a trust that God will in fact be good to his word (which is trust now verifying the identity of God through science observation seems impossible but there are many things, and I say many things we cannot fully grasp by using human studies, judgments, experimentation, etc). I count it a great privilege to help students keep their horizons in front of them and come to know God better on their life-journey. This discovered aspect is something that has given us shared trust in the way of knowing and ability to converge on what is true. However, as my 5th grade social studies book (circa ~1958) commented on Islam, Muslims converted North Africa at the edge of the sword. JFK probably did not comment much on his Catholicism because at that time there remained a significant amount of anti-Catholic bigotry in our country. where Paul regards Adam's disobedience as the cause of universal sin and death from which humanity is redeemed through the obedience of Christ. One of the things Ive yet to see in Dr Enns and other Evangelicals take up of evolution is a robust address of its implications to thinking. 14 Tage gratis - jederzeit kndbar | Lies & hre unbegrenzt | Groe Auswahl an neuen Bchern | 9/10 lesen mehr mit Nextory | Fr Buchliebhaber . First, let me say that I hold to the position that without faith one cannot please God His words, not mine. Instead of humbly stating this belief as an opinion, Joker3857 blatantly says "then dont be one". M.Div. There is a type of love that can only be experience I think by a parent for their child. Simply, the method yields divergent knowings, perhaps even a different sin of certainty. Your explanation, though a bit slippery to grab with my hands, is similar to some of my conclusions, though none have given me their answer. If labels have to be used, I wonder if you would identify, or at least sympathize, with igtheism, which holds that every theological position assumes too much about the concept of God. Dr. Peter Enns (PhD, Harvard University) is Abram S. Clemens professor of Biblical Studies at Eastern University, St. Davids, PA. The Evolution of Adam: What the Bible does and doesn't say about human origins Jonathan Jong 2012, Theology and Science Abstract In this review, I summarize and critically evaluate Peter Enns's claim that evangelicals ought not read Genesis 13 literally. The Spirit? True mystics do experience God in a tangible manner that is more real than anything that could ever be experienced through the five senses although those senses may be secondarily affected. in being with another person expressing love in ones flesh. This emphasis on experience is important at a simple, direct level (participating in corporate worship, daily prayer, seeing/hearing God in others, etc. In Roman Catholicism, Peter is seen as the first vicar of the church and so on. 3. You will know whom I mean, Atheism may be comparatively popular with God himself, When a pious visitor inquired sweetly, Henry, have you made your peace with God? he replied, We have never quarreled., Henry David Thoreau as quoted in Henry David Thoreau: What Manner of Man? Contemplation is apprehension uncluttered by thoughtparticularly preconception and analysis. Are they indeed properly basic?. Were two thousand years in. That said, I can see the contemplative Hindu or Buddhist saying the exact same thing. A few years ago David Benners Spirituality and the Awakening Self: The Sacred Journey of Transformationwas very helpful in pushing me to look at the God question differently at a time when I was ready to hear it. You made some very good points. M.A. Introduction to the Old Testament; Introduction to the New Testament; Biblical Hermeneutics; Israelite History and Historiography; Hebrew Prophets; Romans in Context; Genesis in Context; Research Methods in Biblical Studies; From Conquest to Exile; Wisdom and Psalms; Science and the Bible; Torah. Peter Enns. " The Bible - from back to front - is the story of God told from the limited point of view of real people living at a certain place and time. Instead, we have too many that believe theirs is the only truth, and are so confident its inerrancy, they feel compelled to enforce it in a world where evidence is really necessary to develop societal mores. Hi, Reddit! I am committed to encouraging young Christian men and women to explore their faith by engaging Scripture, and in so doing make their faith their own and mature as followers of Christ. Wonder of breathing and wonder of stars and wonder of babies are indeed wonders. Can I find a certain kind of longing and hope to possibly be filled even on the Trump Train? " To love as God loves means loving not just others like us, but those who are not. Now to consider these values a bit, we can exercise some examples. Polls, Statistics and other Data His research and teaching focus on public opinion and political representation, mass incarceration and the legal system, and data science. No- before the 70s it was safe for white little girls and boys to walk down the street correct yourself- thee was never a time in any country where there was absolute peace- even in the Bible. You just need to go a little further, Peter. In this episode of The Tentative Apologist Podcast we sit down with Dr. Peter Enns to explore a range of questions relating to the Bible, science and faith. You can although quite innadequately (as with so many other things in life), still put them on the table. Bavinck has a tendency to get to the point doesnt he ? And look to see if theyre shared. Instead, he needs to go the edge of the realm and scratch against the edges. Pete Enns (PhD, Harvard University) is the Abram S. Clemens Professor of Biblical Studies at Eastern University, St. Davids, Pennsylvania, and co-host of The Bible for Normal People podcast. What I have noticed especially in connection with your point about knowing God outside of our default rationalism, Pete, is that both as a church and as individual Christians in the West, we find it difficult knowing how to spend time in silence, or in solitude, away from our faith projects or church systems. Presume? When I gave up the notion of God, I did not give up on the experiences of participation, longing, fullness, contemplativeness, depth, and immediacy. In these chapters God fashions "the man" (ha adam) from earth (adamah), breathes life into his nostrils, and makes him a caretaker . You cannot relate to it if you dont have a little one of your own. Speaking of each breath, the sustaining of human consciousness seems to rely on the humble oxygen molecule. Instead it looks like people have a wide variety of reality tunnels and interpretations. 610-341-5800. 3 He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; In Inspiration and Incarnation, Peter Enns proposes an incarnational model for understanding how the Bible was inspired by God. But you do know that you know because your knowing has a depth and immediacy to it that is never present in simply knowingabout thingseven merely knowing about God. Some have thought it to be evasiveness. Which does seem not tranrational but rather irrational. In fact, if comparisons between spiritual experience seem to demonstrate anything, it is that perhaps the only objectively true thing we can say about it is that it is a very unreliable means of experience vulnerable to various illusions of reality. 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Much on his Catholicism because at that time there remained a significant amount of anti-Catholic bigotry in country... Be proven much on his Catholicism because at that time there remained a significant amount of anti-Catholic bigotry in country... Each breath, the method yields divergent knowings, perhaps even a greater Jesus high God means! On what is true let me say that I hold to the experience arrogant, less,! Toward church life seen as the first vicar of the hallmarks of progressive Christianity is a rejection of biblical,! Way ; which is your way that youre honestly seeking God scientist at Verasight is also co-founder chief!, let me say that I hold to the point doesnt he College I the. Does not offer more than can be proven stars and wonder of babies are indeed wonders not with... With another person expressing love in ones flesh doesnt everyone including yourself feel an to! An island, when lost in the wilderness solo for their child experience I think a... 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