• About
  • BULLETIN ARTICLES

etsop95

~ Perspectives on Bible, philosophy, and politics (sometimes)

etsop95

Tag Archives: philosophy

Two Philosophies – No Third Option

08 Sunday May 2022

Posted by Ron Thomas in Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

God, man, philosophy

There are only two philosophies in life from which a person chooses to live and love. Those philosophies are either (1) of man or (2) not of man. There is no third option.

If the philosophy one chooses to live and love by is of man, then his (her) course of life will be directed by his best judgment as life unfolds. When one gets to the end of life, there is a strong desire to believe the life lived was of great value to those surrounding the one who chose this course of action. Not only that, but there is also a desire to believe at the point of death, there is a resting place that corresponds to rest in peace.

Yet, in the world of the unseen, this can’t be known.

There is another philosophy of life from which to choose. That philosophy chosen is not of man. If it is not of man, then what is its source? There are only two options here also. It is of God or not God. There is not third option.

God, however, revealed Himself to man to give clarity to the fact (truth) there is a realm of the unseen, an unseen realm that only God can know anything about.

If one chooses to live by this philosophy, the life lived on earth is radically changed, it is no longer of this world. Things thought, said, and done are from the source of this philosophy. “I am the way, the truth, and the Life. No man goes to the Father but by me” Jesus said.

Those who live by this philosophy can know whether their desired rest in peace is true or not, something that is not possible, that does not exist with those who choose the philosophy originating in man.

More than that. Those who have chosen this philosophy of life belonging to God want others to have what they have.  

Now that is love.

Misfiring

22 Friday Apr 2022

Posted by Ron Thomas in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

philosophy, sin

People want a god that serves the flesh, is visible to the eyes, and deifies himself. The essence of misfiring is to dethrone God and enthrone oneself. A battle always lost. #parlerphilosophy

Faith and Reason

09 Wednesday Mar 2022

Posted by Ron Thomas in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

faith, philosophy, reason

Faith and reason – is it truly the case one must set to the side his rational (reasoning) capabilities if there is belief and commitment to the Almighty. Not a chance! Those who think this are on the defensive because the answers to life’s greatest questions are found in a Source they have no desire with which to be connected. In fact, they bought into their own god (of this world), and they live in denial of it.

Faith (philosophy of life) is commitment to truth, not some delusional nebulous way of thinking that has no foundation. #parlerphilosophy

How We Learn

23 Friday Apr 2021

Posted by Ron Thomas in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Aristotle, experience, growth, knowledge, learning, philosophy

Subtitle: KNOWLEDGE IS GAINED

Amy Peikoff, Law Professor, posted on Parler (a social media platform, like Twitter), “[T]he things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them, e.g., men become builders by building and lyre-players by playing the lyre; so too we become just by doing just acts, temperate by doing temperate acts, brave by doing brave acts” (Aristotle: Nichomachean Ethics).

The words of the renown philosopher certainly have a ring of truth; experiences tell us as much. While learning come by experience, it also comes an additional way. Before something can be done, one must learn about that which he is going to build or play. In a similar way, before one knows how to administer justice, exercise a temperate disposition, and even be brave in some situations, he (and she) must know what these qualities of life are and how to implement them.

One’s ability to know comes from where? There are only two sources by which we come to know something. In the natural realm, we come to know things by experience with those material things in our world. A second source by which we come to know something is from outside of our human experience, that is, information comes to us from a Source greater than us. In the case of the Lord, this Source of information interacts with us in our material Universe.

In the natural realm, we come to know things because the Lord created within us the ability to think and discern, we pay attention to those material things we experience. In other words, the mind (brain) generates a logical analysis (or connection) to things in our material world which brings us to conclude this or that about it.

In biblical matters, we take a similar approach. No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him: and I will raise him up in the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall all be taught of God. Every one that hath heard from the Father, and hath learned, cometh unto me (John 6:44-45). The Lord expected those of His day to learn from what had been written, from a Source greater than the man who put pen to paper (Moses). We gain knowledge by learning and considering the connection between the words written by the One who spoke them and the relation to that which about which He spoke. In Acts 17:11, the truth-seekers in Berea were considered honorable because they compared what Paul spoke with what the Lord wrote.

Information (knowledge) comes from a teacher who teaches you, and you learn. Now it came to pass, while the multitude pressed upon him and heard the word of God, that he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret (Luke 5.1). It comes from objects that leave an impression on/with you. But Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord (Luke 5.1-8). It comes by what a person reads. “…how that by revelation was made known unto me the mystery, as I wrote before in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ” (Ephesians 3:3-4). It comes from our response to experiences with objects. And amazement took hold on all, and they glorified God; and they were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to-day (Luke 5.26). It comes from the mind being creative and forming its own impressions. But Jesus perceiving their reasonings, answered and said unto them, Why reason ye in your hearts? (Luke 5.22).

Sometimes, the information we have is not properly analyzed or interpreted for it to be called knowledge, that is, something based on facts; instead, it’s an opinion based on a response to information seen, heard, or read. It’s up to each of us to do something with it; will we pursue to gain more information, or will we be satisfied with what little we learned? It was Paul who wrote about the Source of the knowledge he had, impressing upon the church at Ephesus this admonition, “Wherefore be ye not foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17).

Making sense of it

21 Wednesday Mar 2018

Posted by Ron Thomas in God, history, Wisdom

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

God, meaning in life, philosophy

There is no meaning to life without there being meaning in life; but meaning in life is generated from one of two sources. It is either something generated from within, or it is something generated from without. Solomon sought to determine meaning to life from the source within (“under the sun”), but he could make no sense of it. He determined that meaning in life can only be understood when there is recognition that life comes from God, and only this way can one make sense of the perplexities of life that man has contributed to and corrupted so badly, and even then he can hardly make sense of it. Nevertheless, the recognition that life came from God is important, but it is only the foundation from which one builds his/her life; the follow-up is to obey the “giver-of-life,” or God.

Many people (most people) assign meaning to life, but they are not sure if the meaning individually assigned is correct, and British philosopher John Powys saw this clearly in his reply to Will Durant’s inquiry; in the meantime, a person does the best one can. In the end, however, one perhaps wonders why he/she even existed in the first place! What is my place in the world? Why was I born at this time and in this place? What did I do to make the world better? Why did I use this standard of right/wrong rather than that standard of right/wrong? Will anyone remember me? What is my legacy? And on and on the questions are asked. Without clarity of knowledge and understanding, the last remaining bit of hope is taken away when life is over because the individually assigned meaning is vanity.

Man & God’s Wisdom

08 Friday Jan 2016

Posted by Ron Thomas in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

God, philosophy, wisdom

In the grand scheme of this world’s existence, there are competing philosophies. There is a philosophy that says the material universe has always existed. From this material universe that has always existed comes what man knows to be life. In other words, in the long ago there was nothing but inanimate material that corresponded to rocks and dirt. At some time in the past from this inanimate existence (rocks and dirt) came animate existence (or life). How this is explained is never accomplished.

Another philosophy that gives some explanation to this material universe is the belief that the material universe came into existence, but the source of its existence is itself. In other words, at one time in the long past NOTHING existed. This nothing means there was no one thing; there was absolutely nothing (zero, zip, notta) that existed. Suddenly and without explanation, something came into existence. Some call this a “big bang.” There is an inherent problem with this philosophy, however. If nothing existed in the past, since nothing can only “create” nothing, then it is absolutely the case that nothing produces (creates) nothing—and we don’t exist! Complete nonsense, but some actually believe it.

A third philosophy gives explanation to the material universe by saying that, indeed, there was creation by a source, but that source is unknown. This third philosophy is more in accord with the evidence, but there is a strong determination to keep God, especially the Christian God out of the picture.

A fourth philosophy says, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters” (Genesis  1:1-2, KJV).

In giving explanation, scientists are just as much controlled by religious fervor as just about anyone else. Their religious fervor in is making certain that whatever explanation is given to explain the material universe and life within it, it can’t be God, especially God as described in Scripture, the Bible. Why such religious devotion? There may be many reasons, but at least one of them pertains to morality. If the Scriptures are correct in its declarations then there is such a thing as right and wrong and, more than that, there is a judgment day coming. People don’t want to be trouble by such ways of thinking.

Near the end of his life, Joshua told the people of Israel they needed to be very courageous and do all the things written in the Law of Moses (Joshua 23:6-7). This exhortation given them is one that, in part, we need also to hear. In this world with the competing ideologies, there are a great many that mock Christians because of their acceptance of a world-view that has at its source Almighty God. “The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew” (Proverbs 3:19-20).

What a contrast to the “wisdom” man offers!

Atheism’s Bondage

18 Monday Nov 2013

Posted by Ron Thomas in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

atheists, church, mega churches, philosophy

They are “bound by their belief in unbelief” is a line in a recent article concerning atheist mega-churches. The originators of the atheistic mega-church idea seeks to raise just under a million dollars for the perpetuation of their ideology and “Sunday gatherings.” They do this as an affront and with jealousy to the various churches spread abroad in western society. The news report (Foxnews.com) tells us, to the credit of these founders, “They don’t bash believers but want to find a new way to meet likeminded people, engage in the community and make their presence more visible in a landscape dominated by faith.”

One of the intellectual challenges atheists have is in  association with meaning in life. Many atheists feel the need to give themselves meaning in life when their ideology presents no meaning, no purpose to life’s existence. In order to combat the meaninglessness of life, they “copycat” the religious community’s sense of belonging and purpose with their own. “Hey, wait a minute. We are charitable, we are good people, we’re good parents and we are just as good citizens as you and we’re going to start a church to prove it.”

There are many atheistic people in this world who try to live life in such a way to be good, productive citizens in the community. With regard to that effort, they are to be commended. If they are right, however, there is no point to such efforts. If there is no objective reality (God), then everyone can do whatever is liked because there is no ultimate accountability. Simply because someone else, or some group, does not like it is…well, meaningless.

Atheism is not supported by science; it is not supported by morality; it is not supported by philosophy; it is not supported by the nature of man; and it is not supported by the rational component of man. What supports it then? One’s willingness to reject all of the above and allow themselves to be in bondage to emptiness.

As Christians, it is important we take the time and try to persuade those who think and live this way, however good it may be considered by some, that life’s meaning is not in the empty philosophy of atheism.

  • Atheism can’t explain man’s existence, or even the world’s existence (meaning).
  • Atheism can’t explain why man should be moral, or even what morality is (direction).
  • Atheism can’t give any good rational reasons for living or even continuing life (hope).
  • Atheism can’t explain the “component” of man that is non-material (the mind).
  • Atheism rejects history (the Bible) for the sake of an ideology (irrational).

Satan will not let you (or me) engage this fight without being scarred in the battle. Satan is evil, and he desires his philosophy to hold sway with as many as he can get to accept it. Unfortunately many have. “The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good” (Psalm 14:1, NKJV).

Does God want us to do morally right?

26 Thursday Jul 2012

Posted by Ron Thomas in Uncategorized

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

God's existence, meaning of life, philosophy

Does God want us to do morally right? Seems like a silly question, I know. Yet, that is the opinion of one who wrote against me in a recent letter to the editor. “God would want us to do what is morally right, to put an end to the moral evils of persecution if that is, there is a God” [sic].

The opinion writer thinks I am confused; she helps me out of my confusion by giving me what she thinks God wants. She does not even know whether or not God exists, and she postulates what God wants. Arrogant? You can judge.

This gets to a larger point, however. Atheism and agnosticism adopt a morality that can’t get any higher than “I think.” If there is a collective response of atheists and/or agnostics, then it is “We think…” That is the highest they can go. In order to give themselves a “high” standard they formed the dogmatic creed of the Humanist Manifestos I and II. This gives them their collective “we.” Still, that is all the higher they can go.

Will Durant, an atheistic philosopher of many years ago, wrote a book “On the Meaning of Life” (1932). In this book he confronts the “bitterest possibilities” of life’s meaning without God. He said, “The growth and spread of knowledge, for which so many idealists and reformers prayed, has resulted in disillusionment which has almost broken the spirit of our race” (p. 4).

I smiled at this lecture in print of hers to me because she thinks I should accept what she thinks God wants.

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 720 other followers

Last Month

Log in

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

Blogs I Follow

  • Christian Publishing House Blog
  • Canon Fodder
  • PreachingHelp.org
  • Biblical Proof
  • Sunrush Church of Christ
  • The Church of God : Official Website
  • Brotherhood News
  • Believing Prayer
  • Daniel B. Wallace
  • NT Resources
  • etsop95
  • Forthright Press
  • Ferrell's Travel Blog
  • Larry Hurtado's Blog
  • Carolina Messenger
  • ThinkingJesus
  • CRI
  • Big Ten Network
  • eScriptorium
  • Biblical Notes

Blog Stats

  • 15,226 hits

RSS Unknown Feed

  • An error has occurred; the feed is probably down. Try again later.
<ul id="<a-href="https://jar.tiddlyhost.com/-WebList">See-WebList
  • Blog at WordPress.com.

    Christian Publishing House Blog

    Apologetic Defense of the faith, the Bible, and Christianity

    Canon Fodder

    Exploring the origins of the New Testament canon and other biblical and theological issues

    PreachingHelp.org

    The sermons and writings of Steve Higginbotham

    Biblical Proof

    Speaking where the bible speaks, and silent where the bible is silent.

    Sunrush Church of Christ

    The Church of God : Official Website

    There is one Body!

    Brotherhood News

    Believing Prayer

    Daniel B. Wallace

    Executive Director of CSNTM & Senior Research Professor of NT Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary

    NT Resources

    etsop95

    Perspectives on Bible, philosophy, and politics (sometimes)

    Forthright Press

    Straight to the Cross

    Ferrell's Travel Blog

    Commenting on biblical studies, archaeology, travel and photography

    Larry Hurtado's Blog

    Comments on the New Testament and Early Christianity (and related matters)

    Carolina Messenger

    "This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all." (1 John 1:5)

    ThinkingJesus

    Letting Jesus Speak Today

    CRI

    Big Ten Network

    Big Ten Network's website

    eScriptorium

    Biblical Notes

    - Est. 1965 by Roy C. Deaver -

    • Follow Following
      • etsop95
      • Join 720 other followers
      • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
      • etsop95
      • Customize
      • Follow Following
      • Sign up
      • Log in
      • Report this content
      • View site in Reader
      • Manage subscriptions
      • Collapse this bar