Ask a Christian philosopher a question

[anonymous person]

I know many here have asked me questions and for whatever reason I either was unable to respond, chose not to respond, or did not see the question and thus have left the questioner feeling overlooked.

Therefore I propose that in this thread, if anyone wants to ask me a question post it and I will address it. Since there are numerous questioners and I am but one, I ask that you only present one question to me. Not two or three or ten, no statements or claims, but just one question. No memes, gifs, sarcasm or cynicism. No jokes, and nothing that would cause this thread to be closed.

No questions about why I haven't answered this question or that.

So if anyone has a question that fits that criteria the ask and I shall attempt a worthy response. If there passes an interval of time between the last question I answer, then the first person to have asked a question can ask another one and so in turn following that order.

Think carefully about what you will ask and make the question succinct as possible.

Thank you.

 

[Albion]

Which church/denomination do you belong to?

 

[HitchSlap]

Is it possible to derive morality sans an external moral agent?

 

[Archaeopteryx]

Do you think it is acceptable to lie if doing so furthers Christianity in some way?

 

[anonymous person]

Which church/denomination do you belong to?

I attend Elevation Church out of Charlotte, NC and it is a non-denominational church.

 

[Albion]

I attend Elevation Church out of Charlotte, NC and it is a non-denominational church.

Thank you.

I don't know why people who do belong to some Christian denomination choose to identify themselves here only as "Christian," which leaves everyone else to wonder if they're one of those who refuses to have anything to do with other Christians, if they have some very strange definition of "Christian," or or else are just calling themselves by this term in order to have access to many of the Christians Only forums.

 

[anonymous person]

Is it possible to derive morality sans an external moral agent?

Good question.

I think it not only possible, but that men in fact do come up with certain moral judgments without appealing to an external agent.

I am not sure if that was what you are asking or not.

 

[anonymous person]

Do you think it is acceptable to lie if doing so furthers Christianity in some way?

Since the term "Christianity" is so broad and encompasses so many things , I would have to say no to this question.

However, I do believe there are times when it is morally obligatory and good to tell a lie, if that is what you wanted to know.

 

[Archaeopteryx]

Since the term "Christianity" is so broad and encompasses so many things , I would have to say no to this question.

However, I do believe there are times when it is morally obligatory and good to tell a lie, if that is what you wanted to know.

Okay, then let's narrow it down: do you consider it acceptable to deceive others if doing other furthers your own theological commitments in some way?

 

[anonymous person]

Thank you.

I don't know why people who do belong to some Christian denomination choose to identify themselves here only as "Christian," which leaves everyone else to wonder if they're one of those who refuses to have anything to do with other Christians, if they have some very strange definition of "Christian," or or else are just calling themselves by this term in order to have access to many of the Christians Only forums.

Since all questions asked at present have been answered, I will answer this. It seems to me you are asking me why do some here who are in fact, a member of a specific denomination, choose not to identify as such?

My answer would be that there may be any number of reasons these people have chosen not to identify themselves as members of the denomination of which they belong.

 

[anonymous person]

Okay, then let's narrow it down: do you consider it acceptable to deceive others if doing other furthers your own theological commitments in some way?

Yes.

I can give you a scenario where I would do this if you would like.

 

[Albion]

Since all questions asked at present have been answered, I will answer this. It seems to me you are asking me why do some here who are in fact, a member of a specific denomination, choose not to identify as such?

My answer would be that there may be any number of reasons these people have.

I always wonder what the reason would be for not identifying one's denomination (or 'non-denominational' as the case may be) when filling out the personal data form, especially when one's actual association is one of the choices offered.

But I was only asking you which church you belong to, so to better understand where you're coming from. You did answer my question, so that's settled.

 

[Archaeopteryx]

Yes.

Why do you think it is acceptable to do so?

I can give you a scenario where I would do this if you would like.

Go on...

 

[anonymous person]

I always wonder what the reason would be for not identifying one's denomination (or 'non-denominational' as the case may be) when filling out the personal data form, especially when one's actual association is one of the choices offered.

But I was only asking you which church you belong to, so to better understand where you're coming from. You did answer my question, so that's settled.

Thanks Albion! Happy to be help.

 

[Eudaimonist]

What degree in philosophy do you have? Where did you get your degree in philosophy?

If you have no degree, in what sense are you calling yourself a philosopher?


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[Archaeopteryx]

I attend Elevation Church headquartered in Charlotte NC.

Pastor Furtick last week preached on "I am better under Pressure".

If you can, go to their website and watch his sermon and any other ones you see that you might be interested in. He is a relatively young man and the church is being blessed by God for I have witnessed this first hand.

You will be encouraged!

Elevation Church

I attend Elevation Church out of Charlotte, NC and it is a non-denominational church.

An interesting concordance (1, 2). I'm sure it's just another coincidence though.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Thank you.

I don't know why people who do belong to some Christian denomination choose to identify themselves here only as "Christian," which leaves everyone else to wonder if they're one of those who refuses to have anything to do with other Christians, if they have some very strange definition of "Christian," or or else are just calling themselves by this term in order to have access to many of the Christians Only forums.

Albion,

....some of us don't feel comfortable with a firm identification to any specific denomination, and if others are like me, they may also want to leave open the door to affiliate with various other Christians on an ecumenical level, without sparring over the secondary issues.

I classify myself as a "Historic Christian," meaning that I attempt to draw from all sources of Christian faith available to us from the last 2,000 years, with the Scriptures holding the Primary, or preeminent, place in my faith (i.e. Jesus and the Apostles).

 

[bhsmte]

An interesting concordance (1, 2). I'm sure it's just another coincidence though.

Ah yes, Jeremy, that was his other user name.

 

[quatona]

Ah yes, Jeremy, that was his other user name.

And wasn´t Jeremy a reincarnation of elioenai?

 

[Albion]

Albion,

....some of us don't feel comfortable with a firm identification to any specific denomination, and if others are like me, they may also want to leave open the door to affiliate with various other Christians on an ecumenical level, without sparring over the secondary issues.

I classify myself as a "Historic Christian," meaning that I attempt to draw from all sources of Christian faith available to us from the last 2,000 years, with the Scriptures holding the Primary, or preeminent, place in my faith (i.e. Jesus and the Apostles).

Very well, but that does more or less fit one of the "categories" I referred to, doesn't it?--not a member of any denomination or non-denominational congregation and also not partial to any particular set of ideas identified with one of the leading denominations. I'm assuming that not being a regular attendee at any particular church goes with it.

The only "problem" there (for the rest of us, that is) is that we don't know--until we get the explanation you volunteered here--which reason for choosing the generic "Christian" category is the one that applies to you (or anyone else in the same situation).

By the way, there seems to be only a slight benefit in taking "Christian," since most of the religious forums are open to any Christian; it's only the denominational safe houses that aren't, and they would demand their own denominational tag. Anyway, it was just a small consideration that I perhaps shouldn't have brought up.