The topic of reality is certainly an interesting one. It is one of those subjects that we think about often, whether or not we realize it. In the past few weeks, we have studied different ideas that relate to answering the question, "What is real?" Richard Dawkins, in The Magic of Reality, notes that we can discover reality in three different ways. It is this topic that has provoked the content of this entry.
Dawkins notes that we can understand reality directly, using our senses, or indirectly through instruments that aid our senses, as well as by testing mental models and seeing how they correspond to reality. As a naturalist, knowing reality is limited to the knowing cosmic world. This assumes that all of life's questions (Why am I here? Where am I going? Why is there suffering? What is life's meaning?) must be answered naturally, within the cosmic order. This is why the atheist often notes that, "We do not understand everything, but we are making progress...this is goal of science..." (or something of the sort). But I would like to discuss another means by which we biblical philosophers can know what is real.
Christians, in the truest sense of the word, are not purely naturalistic in regards to our philosophy. A super-natural philosophy understands that, although the cosmos is indeed natural, there is a reality that transcends the natural order. This supernatural reality is not merely fanciful or imaginary, but is rooted in evidences (for another entry) that point to one who exists eternally. I believe this understanding provides us with a complete picture of reality. If God does indeed transcend the natural order and reveals himself to mankind by general and specific means, that means that reality is more than what I can see, taste, touch, smell, hear, or even imagine. There is another way by which we can discover reality, and that is through divine revelation.
This may come as a surprise to some. They may think, "That's too subjective! Can't someone make up anything and call it 'revelation?'" Allow me to qualify this understanding. If the idea of revelation is to be taken seriously, then it must rooted in objectivity and wisdom; philosophy, after all, is the "love of wisdom." The prophets understood revelation as an "uncovering" of that which is hidden. It doesn't mean that we uncover that which can be "imagined," in a subjective sense. But rather, we uncover the that which was previously not understood, yet exists. The apostle Paul said it best:
Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, "No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart imagined what God has prepared for those who love him..." these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.
1 Corinthians 2:6-10
Revelation's objectivity is found only in His word and by His Spirit.
...more to come soon...
Dawkins notes that we can understand reality directly, using our senses, or indirectly through instruments that aid our senses, as well as by testing mental models and seeing how they correspond to reality. As a naturalist, knowing reality is limited to the knowing cosmic world. This assumes that all of life's questions (Why am I here? Where am I going? Why is there suffering? What is life's meaning?) must be answered naturally, within the cosmic order. This is why the atheist often notes that, "We do not understand everything, but we are making progress...this is goal of science..." (or something of the sort). But I would like to discuss another means by which we biblical philosophers can know what is real.
Christians, in the truest sense of the word, are not purely naturalistic in regards to our philosophy. A super-natural philosophy understands that, although the cosmos is indeed natural, there is a reality that transcends the natural order. This supernatural reality is not merely fanciful or imaginary, but is rooted in evidences (for another entry) that point to one who exists eternally. I believe this understanding provides us with a complete picture of reality. If God does indeed transcend the natural order and reveals himself to mankind by general and specific means, that means that reality is more than what I can see, taste, touch, smell, hear, or even imagine. There is another way by which we can discover reality, and that is through divine revelation.
This may come as a surprise to some. They may think, "That's too subjective! Can't someone make up anything and call it 'revelation?'" Allow me to qualify this understanding. If the idea of revelation is to be taken seriously, then it must rooted in objectivity and wisdom; philosophy, after all, is the "love of wisdom." The prophets understood revelation as an "uncovering" of that which is hidden. It doesn't mean that we uncover that which can be "imagined," in a subjective sense. But rather, we uncover the that which was previously not understood, yet exists. The apostle Paul said it best:
Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, "No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart imagined what God has prepared for those who love him..." these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.
1 Corinthians 2:6-10
Revelation's objectivity is found only in His word and by His Spirit.
...more to come soon...