I know a couple of learned and thinky 'Christians. That they apply said thought to the better understanding of spooks is neither here nor there. One the other hand, I do know more Christians of the non-thinking variety. Meantime, it would be interesting to know what makes some Christians go academic. A desire to get closer to god? Whatever it is, the extra thinking doesn't appear to include the thought "perhaps I should take a step back, just to make sure I haven't been sold a crock".
phi·los·o·phy noun \fə-ˈlä-s(əfē\ : the study of ideas about knowledge, truth, the nature and meaning of life, etc. : a particular set of ideas about knowledge, truth, the nature and meaning of life, etc. : a set of ideas about how to do something or how to live Jesus said, "I am the TRUTH, the way and the life"...
... of course you ignored the non-religious people who are "of the non-thinking variety." That a force, like religion, keeps working on people even after High School, and until they die, seems to be positive force for better world than letting them wallow without any challenge. Right?
The things that make christianity obsolete today are the things that were necessary for it to flourish in the past. Gods were measured by their power, so miraculous works were important to create belief in for those unfamiliar with whichever god was being proposed. Sort of a, my god is better than your god because..... And in that sense thinking people are less likely to be religious. Almost everyone agrees that thunder is not the roaring of Thors chariot wheels, and lightning is not hurled by Zeus, and giants are not rolling over when earthquakes hit and so on. But that kind of theological argument is very juvenile. In todays world it amounts to "Hey, I believe in science and your god can't do any of the the things science can do. I don't need a powerless god." vs "My god is gonna get you when you die!!!!!" With the exception of some fire and brimstone fundamentalist most theologians do not bother with miracles. They don't bother with primitive laws either (when its ok to stone your children or your wife, or what kind of a sacrifice is necessary to get a good harvest or get rid of blemishes etc...) What they focus on is trying to find deeper meaning locked inside the history and scripture. Now if the only point of religion is getting a good seat in heaven, or to get some kind of preferential treatment on earth, I absolutely agree with you. On the other hand if they are trying to understand mans connection to the unknown and to each other, and the role of human kind in the universe, maybe a little thinking is necessary.
So how do you explain what Rev Martin Luther King did in 1965????? John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Not a miracle in the classic sense. Did an angel appear with flaming wings and open the hearts of men? Or did a very influential leader stake his life on speaking the truth and pray that men would hear it? Unlikely things happen. Impossible things don't.
Rev Martin Luther King just did what Jesus recommended, he spoke the Truth about the inequity of "Separate but Equal." The Truth will work or rise again and again until it does.
Without a direct comment I have to guess what you mean. Theology isn't about truth. If it isn't about truth then it's not philosophy.
I believe the thread pertains to RELIGION and non-thinking. Of course there are atheist who dont think. What planet are we on? Meantime, what is this mysterious "force" you speak of? Could you describe it practical terms please. No bible quotes or new agey waffle, if you dont mind
Theology is the study of Religion. Jesus on the other hand, was setting down his belief, that Truth is man's lord and master. He was stating his ideas, and specifically, that Truth was the main idea.
The "force" of religion??? Its a Social Force. It is one of the seven fundamental Social Institutions, the Religious Institution, that every society requires to exist.
That's a bit of a misnomer. There is much philosophy in theology but little to no theology in philosophy. For this reason I see Buddhism more as a philosophy than a religion... but the idea of reincarnation would fit into theology. I do understand your point as I see many of the organized religions as dogma driven and bound to the dictates of a deity. In philosophy we are free to explore ideas... in theology not so much.
You seem to be equating Theology with Religion. Theology is the study of God, which can be accomplished by atheists, for that matter. Religion is a practice which is founded upon some Theology which includes the concept of a God. An alcoholic worships Bacchus, for instance.
