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Study Guide The Importance of Philosophy for
Christians
Philosophy and Contemporary Ideas (Liberty University)
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PHIL 201
Lesson Overview
STUDY GUIDE: LESSON 3
The Importance of Philosophy for Christians
In our last lesson for this module/week, we examined why developing the philosophical mindset
is important for people in general. In this lesson, we want to ask that question specifically for
Christians. What value does philosophy have for Christians? We will begin by examining the
biblical basis for developing a philosophical mindset. We will discuss the biblical mandate for
philosophy and three elements in fulfilling that mandate. We will then survey a number of roles
that philosophy functions for Christians. Finally, we will examine the role that the Bible plays in
doing philosophy.
Tasks
Read and take notes from Prelude to Philosophy, Chapter 3: “What Athens has to do with
Jerusalem: The Importance of Philosophy for Christians.” As you read, make sure you
understand the following points and questions:
•Know the historical and literary background to Col. 2:8.
oColossae was a town in the Lycus valley of Phrygia. In the fifth century B.C.
it had been a large, wealthy city, but by the Christian era it had become a
small village due to the growth of two neighboring cities, Laodicea and
Hierapolis
oPauls collegue Epaphras, who apparently was the founder of the church in
Colossae and remained as their elder when Paul moved on.
oPaul is prisoner to Rome 5 years later and Epaphras has come to visit Paul
and brings news of a heretical teaching that has developed within the church
at Colossae
oAddressing this heresy is the primary purpose of Paul’s letter to the Colossians
•Be able to explain Col. 2:8 (know what it says, but you do not need to memorize it).
o“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive
philosophy, which depends on human tradition and elemental spiritual forces
[alternate reading: the basic principles] of this world rather than on Christ”
oPaul is contrasting deceptive philosophy based on human tradition vs. philosophy
based on Christ.
oPaul spelled the philosophy based on Christ in Col. 1:15-23 He is warning them to
beware of being kidnapped by deceptive philosophy and cling to Christ. (pg.79-
80)
•Identify the 3 elements in fulfilling the biblical mandate.
oAppreciation of the role reasoning plays in evaluating philosophies
oConstruction of a Christian system of philosophy
oRefutation of contrary philosophies (pg. 80)
•Why do some Christians devalue the use of reason?
oThink religion is about faith, not reason. Believe that we are to have the faith of a
child and even portray ignorance and foolishness as virtues via I Cor. 1:18-20. Has
caused people to view Christians as shallow, simple and unintellectual. (pg. 80-81)
•What does Jesus affirm about the use of reason?
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oIn Matt. 22:37 states the greatest commandment of loving the Lord with our heart, soul
and our MIND or UNDERSTANDING. God requires us to understand him and the
world he has made and not just love him with our heart only. (pg. 81)
•How does Acts 17 demonstrate the value of reason?
o2 times Paul reasons with the Jews concerning the Gospel message. The 2nd time the
Bereans "received the Word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily TO
SEE IF THESE THINGS WERE SO." (ACTS. 17:11) Luke called them "noble-minded"
for not having a blind faith, but subjecting even Paul, the greatest of teachers, to critical
scrutiny. (pg. 82)
•Know what I Pet. 3:15 states (you do not need to memorize it).
oPeter exhorts us to apply our reasoning skills. "Being ready to make a defense to
everyone who asks you to give an account of the hope that is in you". Be prepared to
defend your faith involves a degree of philosophical mindset and be an effective
disciple. (pg. 83)
•What does II Tim. 2:15 have to say about constructing a Christian worldview?
o"be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be
ashamed, ACCURATELY HANDLING THE WORD OF TRUTH." Paul contrasts in II
Tim. 2:16 teaching that is worldly and empty chatter. (pgs. 84-85) This task will be
hard work!
•What are some elements of II Cor. 10:5 that inform us that Paul is referring
to philosophy here?
oWe demolish ARGUMENTS and every PRETENSION that sets itself up against the
KNOWLEDGE of God, and we take captive every THOUGHT to make it obedient to
Christ." Thoughts & ideas permeate Pauls' defense here. Paul exhorts readers to
beware of those philosophies contrary to Christ. We need to refute those contrary
philosophies and demolish them.(pg. 88)
•What are we all called to do?
oThink critically. Must construct a Christian worldview to refute those views that are
contrary to Christ. Ensure we are not kidnapped by hollow and deceptive philosophy,
but able to construct, maintain and defend a philosophy based on Christ. (pg. 89)
•List and explain the 5 functions of philosophy for the Christian.
oPlays a large role in the task of hermeneutics, or interpreting Scripture (pg. 89)
o. Task of doing theology. (pg. 90)
oApologetics (pg. 92)
oPolemics (pg. 92-93)
oEvangelism (pg. 93) (To explain study book - pgs. 89-93)
•Explain how hermeneutics is a philosophical endeavor.
oInterpretation involves applying principles or criteria to discover the original meaning of
the text. (pg. 89) Principles of interpretation are derived philosophically. (pg. 90) Task
of application - we must be careful that the manner in which we apply it is in
accordance with those criteria. (pg. 90)
•How does philosophy help in systematic theology and developing
theological concepts?
oSystematic theology - Philosophy provides the principles of systemizing that data into
accessible categories where we can study and understand God and his creation.
Developing theological concepts - Ex: doctrine of the Trinity - not stated in the Bible,
but INFERRED through bringing together a number of passages. (pg. 91)
•List 2 ways in which philosophy helps in the task of apologetics?
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oShowing that a particular argument against Christianity is weak or does not follow.
oChristian apologists also offer positive arguments to support their beliefs. (pg.
92) Apologetics deals with external attacks against Christian beliefs
•How does philosophy help in doing polemics?
oNonorthodox teachings that arise within the church can be defended through
philosophy. Philosophy can support the historical teachings of the church. (pg. 92-93)
•How is the philosophical mindset effective in doing evangelism?
oHelps us to understand where others are coming from and to tailor our
evangelistic message to meet their needs and questions. (pg. 93)
•Explain the problems with the 2 extreme views of the role of the Bible in
doing philosophy.
oIgnore the Bible while doing philosophy (pg. 94)
oThe Bible is all we need and that all of our moral and metaphysical ideas must come
from only that source is detrimental to Christians. (pg. 95)
•What are some reasons why Christians adopt an “erroneous view of the use of
the Bible?”
oFalse dichotomy between faith and reason t hat has permeated modern thinking
and marginalized religious truth claims to little more than subjective feelings.
oproblematic theological view of human depravity that denies the possibility of
knowledge to nonbelievers
oSincere but mistaken view that the Bible alone addresses every issue and need (pg. 96)
•Know the 6 guidelines for a critical use of Scripture in doing philosophy.
o1. Do not feel obligated to appeal to a biblical passage in doing philosophy or to support
a philosophical argument. (pg. 98-99)
o2. Avoid prooftexting (pg. 99)
o3. Be prepared to explain how the passage applies to the philosophical issue
in accordance with its literary and historical context. (pg. 99)
o4. Recognize the difference between the biblical text and your interpretation of
the biblical text. Do not conflate the two. (pg. 100)
o5. Recognize the possibility of alternative reasonable interpretations of difficult
passages. (pg. 100-101)
o6. Be aware of and take seriously the orthodox interpretations of the text as
developed throughout the history of the church. (pg. 101)
•Explain what is meant by critical and strategic use of scripture.
oCritical - use it in accordance to accepted standards of historical and
literary interpretation and application.
oStrategic - appeal to it wisely, when necessary, and when specifically
addressing believers. (pg. 102)
View and take notes on the presentation, “The Bible and Philosophy.”
•
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Terms
Make sure you fully understand the following terms and concepts:
•Reasonable Faith
oHebrews says that without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb 11:6). This
not a blind faith, however; it is a reasonable faith. We believe God because we
have good reasons to believe him; he has proven himself trustworthy
•Ladder of Abstraction (footnote 13 on p. 86)
o
One tool used in applying Old Testament passages is often referred to
as the
ladder of abstraction. The idea is to climb up the ladder and find a
principle taught by that passage and then to climb back down to find a
similar modern situation to which that principle might apply.
•Hermeneutics
oInterpreting Scripture (pg. 89)
•Theology
oA branch of study that we organize our beliefs about God. (pg. 90)
•Systematic Theology
oSystemize our beliefs into different subcategories: Theology Proper,
Hamartiology, Christology, Pneumatology, Eschatology (listed on pg. 90)
•Apologetics
oApologia - defend rational defense of the truth claims of Christianity
Apologetics
is an attempt to address questions by offering arguments and
evidence to support Christianity. (pg. 92)
•Polemics
oDeals with the nonorthodox teachings that arise from within the church.
(pg. 92)
polemics - art or practice of disputation especially in theology (SB card)
•Evangelism
oThe idea that all Christians should go out into the world and convert
people (SB
card) (pg. 93)
•Myth of Neutrality
oNeutrality is the freedom from bias - this is impossible - We are all
influenced by
beliefs, traditions and upbringing. (where is this in the book?)
•Proof-Texting
oBelievers who search anxiously to discover some verse or passage they
presume will prove a particular point, all the while ignoring the serious
exegetical work involved in interpreting and applying scripture. (pg.
97) Taking passages and verses out of context.
•Supererogatory Act
oIn ethics, the idea of this act are moral actions an individual might
perform that
are right and praiseworthy but are not obligatory. "Beyond the call of
duty" (pg. 97)
•Critical
oUsing Scripture in accordance to accepted standards of historical and
literary
interpretation and application. (pg. 102)
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•Strategic
oAppeal to Scripture wisely, when necessary, and when specifically
addressing
believers. (pg. 102)
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