Since the life of the blessed Immanuel Kant, theological musings must necessarily interact with his allegation of the noumenal/phenomenal bifurcation of 'reality'. Truly, his epistemological claims speak into the realm of theology with such force that disregarding them would be like stuffing your fingers into your ears while standing in the middle of a hurricane in a vain attempt to disregard the sound of violent crashing and howling. However, while Kant's claims must receive due reckoning, they do not require absolute, unchallenged assent. I know I might be tarred and feathered for saying this, but since when did Kantian metaphysics become the only reasonable philosophical paradigm to operate from? From a philosophical/theological perspective, I find much of Kant's reasoning unhelpful and perhaps even subversive of proper theological method.
My main beef with Kant comes in relation to his assertions concerning the Divine being. Standard Kantian metaphysics (however you slice it: two 'world' or one 'world' theory) claims that God 'exists' solely in the noumenal realm. This realm, inaccessible to human consciousness/cognitive probing, contains things in themselves; things as they actually are. Subsequently, if God exists in this realm, then he remains inaccessible to human consciousness so that knowledge of him as a true referent cannot obtain. Ultimately, this assertion, developing through successive philosophers and theologians, provides the foundation for liberal theological claims that God - as a true referent - is not a proper object of knowledge, but that even his existence is untenable.
At this point, I throw up my hands and cry out, "Have we lost our minds!" To what horribly destructive philosophical systems have we subverted the magisterial gospel of God's truth! How can men defending these positions rightly call themselves theologians-proper? Oh, if only Ignatius or Polycarp could hear the beliefs propagated by so called leaders of the Christian Church! Oh, if only Athanasius or Cyril of Alexandria could speak a word of caution/correction to contemporary theologians! If only Anselm or Aquinas could challenge the thinking of Kaufman and Hick. Unfortunately, the voices of these stalwart men of faith have been suppressed in recent years. Their insights are relegated to 'past ways of thinking' that are 'not appropriate for a scientific age'.
This blog seeks to resurrect their voices; to give them a place again amidst current theological bantering. As I journey into the past to find instruction for the present, I invite you to join with me and learn from what our forefathers believed, practiced, and taught as we have conversation with the ancient church.
My main beef with Kant comes in relation to his assertions concerning the Divine being. Standard Kantian metaphysics (however you slice it: two 'world' or one 'world' theory) claims that God 'exists' solely in the noumenal realm. This realm, inaccessible to human consciousness/cognitive probing, contains things in themselves; things as they actually are. Subsequently, if God exists in this realm, then he remains inaccessible to human consciousness so that knowledge of him as a true referent cannot obtain. Ultimately, this assertion, developing through successive philosophers and theologians, provides the foundation for liberal theological claims that God - as a true referent - is not a proper object of knowledge, but that even his existence is untenable.
At this point, I throw up my hands and cry out, "Have we lost our minds!" To what horribly destructive philosophical systems have we subverted the magisterial gospel of God's truth! How can men defending these positions rightly call themselves theologians-proper? Oh, if only Ignatius or Polycarp could hear the beliefs propagated by so called leaders of the Christian Church! Oh, if only Athanasius or Cyril of Alexandria could speak a word of caution/correction to contemporary theologians! If only Anselm or Aquinas could challenge the thinking of Kaufman and Hick. Unfortunately, the voices of these stalwart men of faith have been suppressed in recent years. Their insights are relegated to 'past ways of thinking' that are 'not appropriate for a scientific age'.
This blog seeks to resurrect their voices; to give them a place again amidst current theological bantering. As I journey into the past to find instruction for the present, I invite you to join with me and learn from what our forefathers believed, practiced, and taught as we have conversation with the ancient church.
