Philosophy Club

[Left]

This thread is for people who genuinely value philosophy as an important subject along with history, science, etc to talk. And don't just think of philosophy as a general assault on theology or the Bible or a useless subject.

I called myself "Theory of Forms" on this forum - so you knew it was only a matter of time before I created such a thread.

I'll start with a subject...

I am a Creationist. The best theistic argument I have heard about Evolution is that Creationism makes God out to be, pardom my french, a dishonest magician in various ways, like making us so similar to the monkey population, and various other examples. Why would He hide things on our planet that clearly point to Evolution if Creationism is a fact?

That being said, I am not 100% convinced, so I stay a Creationist.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

This thread is for people who genuinely value philosophy as an important subject along with history, science, etc to talk. And don't just think of philosophy as a general assault on theology or the Bible or a useless subject.

I called myself "Theory of Forms" on this forum - so you knew it was only a matter of time before I created such a thread.

I'll start with a subject...

I am a Creationist. The best theistic argument I have heard about Evolution is that Creationism makes God out to be, pardom my french, a dishonest magician in various ways, like making us so similar to the monkey population, and various other examples. Why would He hide things on our planet that clearly point to Evolution if Creationism is a fact?

That being said, I am not 100% convinced, so I stay a Creationist.

As a fellow Christian philosopher, I can respect that. And I'd count myself as a Creationist as well, it's just that I lean much more toward the BioLogos framework than I do, say, toward an Intelligent Design framework.

Moreover, since epistemology is one of my main philosophical 'squeezes,' I'm more concerned that we try to recognize the differentiation between what we think we see in God's handiwork, and the fact that there are things God has intended for us to be delayed in recognizing about the world until later, as well as some things He's intended to keep "secret," and for Himself.

(Well, TOF...let's see what other philosopher types may happen by this little thread you've made.)

Peace,
2PhiloVoid

 

[2PhiloVoid]

This thread is for people who genuinely value philosophy as an important subject along with history, science, etc to talk. And don't just think of philosophy as a general assault on theology or the Bible or a useless subject.

I called myself "Theory of Forms" on this forum - so you knew it was only a matter of time before I created such a thread.

I'll start with a subject...

I am a Creationist. The best theistic argument I have heard about Evolution is that Creationism makes God out to be, pardom my french, a dishonest magician in various ways, like making us so similar to the monkey population, and various other examples. Why would He hide things on our planet that clearly point to Evolution if Creationism is a fact?

That being said, I am not 100% convinced, so I stay a Creationist.

Well....so far there's two of us who 'genuinely' value philosophy, TOF.

 

[Left]

Well....so far there's two of us who 'genuinely' value philosophy, TOF.

I know dude. It's really sad.

I think some people are scared of it. They take the Bible verses that say "philosophies of men" and apply it to the subject of Philosophy.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

I know dude. It's really sad.

I think some people are scared of it. They take the Bible verses that say "philosophies of men" and apply it to the subject of Philosophy.

Very true, TOF. You're definitely right. I too think a number of Christians take what Paul said about philosophy in his letter to the Colossians and construe it to mean that we shouldn't 'touch' philosophy, even with a ten-foot pole. Personally, I think that is a less than well-rounded interpretation about what Paul was saying.

Then again, we may need to also recognize that the Lord didn't give everyone the aptitude to understand, grapple with, or even care about, philosophical inquiries which could expand our views on faith (as well as hinder them if we're not careful). I get this response from my wife and son all the time. It's just not their thing (although, sometimes I wish it would be).

Peace,
2Philovoid

 

[Left]

Well before I found God, I was the biggest skeptic you have ever seen. It took a Christian with a major understanding of philosophy to convert me. I don't think someone without the understanding of logic and philosophy they had and with just a Bible, could have converted me.

 

[4x4toy]

This thread is for people who genuinely value philosophy as an important subject along with history, science, etc to talk. And don't just think of philosophy as a general assault on theology or the Bible or a useless subject.

I called myself "Theory of Forms" on this forum - so you knew it was only a matter of time before I created such a thread.

I'll start with a subject...

I am a Creationist. The best theistic argument I have heard about Evolution is that Creationism makes God out to be, pardom my french, a dishonest magician in various ways, like making us so similar to the monkey population, and various other examples. Why would He hide things on our planet that clearly point to Evolution if Creationism is a fact?

That being said, I am not 100% convinced, so I stay a Creationist.

When I hear that argument I always think , well how would you do it Hamilton Burger ? I used to know evolution was fact until I met Jesus , now I know for a fact evolution is 100% false and a lie .. Psalms 8:1-9 .. "Paths of the sea" , receive a revelation of that while in prayer and meditating on the Word .. You can't limit God , you can only limit what you're willing to know of him .. Even then we only know in part for now ..

 

[Left]

So why are most people who follow philosophy these days existentialists?

 

[4x4toy]

So why are most people who follow philosophy these days existentialists?

Is existentialism like saying "I'm all I got" ?

 

[Left]

Is existentialism like saying "I'm all I got" ?

Maybe. I was under the impression there was a tiny bit more to it than that. Maybe not though.

 

[4x4toy]

Maybe. I was under the impression there was a tiny bit more to it than that. Maybe not though.

What are your thoughts , I'm curious and impressed ..

 

[brinny]

i don't know if i'm for or against philosophy, although i do find it fascinating, if not maybe limited, possibly.

i definitely believe in God the Creator.

I also believe that He is inexplicably creative in ways we cannot fathom, because He is infinite, and we are but finite.

Intriguing thread.

I appreciate the "thinking out loud" this type of thread invites us to engage in.

 

[Left]

What are your thoughts , I'm curious and impressed ..

I'm going to be blunt, and I might misunderstand the subject completely...

Existentialism is a set of beliefs relating to philosophy. There are several categories or sets and most people fit into one. Existentialism is one of them. I kind of think "existentialism" is the new "nihilism" except it's really hard to call yourself nilhilist and Christian. The same problem for some reason doesn't apply with existentialism, even if it should.

Of course, I'm probably misunderstanding the subject entirely.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Well before I found God, I was the biggest skeptic you have ever seen. It took a Christian with a major understanding of philosophy to convert me. I don't think someone without the understanding of logic and philosophy they had and with just a Bible, could have converted me.

Well, that sounds like God used the right person to reach you, didn't He? In your case, maybe it did take some philosophical analysis to construct a viable view of God so you could see the truth Jesus had for you. And you have an interesting testimony, one that is not the usual.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

So why are most people who follow philosophy these days existentialists?

Do you mean 'Christian Philosophers'? Some of them are existentialists, yes. But, I'm pretty sure that isn't so much the case among those who are bona-fide Christian philosophers. Sitting on my shelves are two books: Philosophers Who Believe, and God and the Philosophers. Both are collections of essays and writings (mainly personal testimonies) by various Christian Philosophers (not apologists), and only a few of those philosophers are or were existentialists.

 

[Left]

Back when I was a member of a dating site, I did a search within 250 miles of me for people who liked philosophy, and like 8 females popped up who all said they were existentailists.

...So what do you think of my description of existentialism?

 

[4x4toy]

I'm going to be blunt, and I might misunderstand the subject completely...

Existentialism is a set of beliefs relating to philosophy. There are several categories or sets and most people fit into one. Existentialism is one of them. I kind of think "existentialism" is the new "narcissism" except it's really hard to call yourself narcissist and Christian. The same problem for some reason doesn't apply with existentialism, even if it should.

Of course, I'm probably misunderstanding the subject entirely.

Thank you TOF , I always appreciate when folks are blunt .. Have you ever seen any video on 'The Jezebel Spirit' ? I used to think it was about women and sex only .. It has explained a lot of what I've seen ..

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Back when I was a member of a dating site, I did a search within 250 miles of me for people who liked philosophy, and like 8 females popped up who all said they were existentailists.

...So what do you think of my description of existentialism?

Well...your brief articulation about it is one way of looking at it. But, for the most part, we need to realize that when we talk about Christian existentialism, we're talking about what Kierkegaard set into motion as a way of approaching Christian faith. And then secular adopters like Nietzsche, Sartre, and Heidegger came along and took the basic notions into other directions.

I don't know that I'd call 'existentialism' the new narcissism. I do know that if you want to talk about existentialism with someone here at CF, then there is a neat guy who goes by the handle "Received," and he knows quite a bit about it. And he is anything but narcissistic, TOF.

As for me, I only take existentialism as an essential starting point, but my epistemological approach parts company fairly quickly with Kierkegaard. And if I'm going to integrate some level of fideistic thought into my faith, I really have to admit my affinity for Pascal in this regard. But, that doesn't mean I disregard Kierkegaard.

 

[Left]

Well...your brief articulation about it is one way of looking at it. But, for the most part, we need to realize that when we talk about Christian existentialism, we're talking about what Kierkegaard set into motion as a way of approaching Christian faith. And then secular adopters like Nietzsche, Sartre, and Heidegger came along and took the basic notions into other directions.

I don't know that I'd call 'existentialism' the new narcissism. I do know that if you want to talk about existentialism with someone here at CF, then there is a neat guy who goes by the handle "Received," and he knows quite a bit about it. And he is anything but narcissistic, TOF.

As for me, I only take existentialism as an essential starting point, but my epistemological approach parts company fairly quickly with Kierkegaard. And if I'm going to integrate some level of fideistic thought into my faith, I really have to admit my affinity for Pascal in this regard. But, that doesn't mean I disregard Kierkegaard.

Well, your understanding of philosophy is better than mine. It just sounds like you know at least twice as much, not to say that I can't surprise you with a few ideas at times - so I will certainly take your word for it.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Well, your understanding of philosophy is better than mine. It just sounds like you know at least twice as much, not to say that I can't surprise you with a few ideas at times - so I will certainly take your word for it.

I find your comment here very inspiring, but you shouldn't take my word for it. I wouldn't want you to since it wouldn't be very academic to do so. But, if you didn't see it on my personal information page already, I do have a BA in Philosophy. So, yes, I am quite familiar with the field, my friend. But I only use it to bolster my faith in Christ (or to deny skeptics and atheists a sense of complete legitimacy in their respective viewpoints).