Wisdom is good with an
inheritance,
and profitable to those who
see the sun.
For wisdom is a defense,
but the excellence of
knowledge is that wisdom
gives life to those who
have it.
Ecclesiastes 6:11-12
Tackling the subject of faith in a systematic manner is like ploughing in a West Fresno virgin land; it is hard, tough, and slow going, it takes effort and time, but the end result is good. Examining the various aspects of faith, the different kinds of faith allows for a greater understanding of the word, faith, and gives a strong foundation for our faith but maturing us into the image of Christ. How? By the in depth study of God's Word, looking up the Scriptures, and taking time to pray and to meditate. We have been looking at what various Church fathers, and theologians have demonstrated and concluded as to faith. Now from that understanding we can come to a better understanding of our faith and the One who gave the faith. Sir William Hamilton (1788-1856), a philosopher of some renown, who wrote such as "The Philosophy of Perception" seems to agree with the Lutherans in some manner as both agree that we are bound to believe what we can prove to be false (that by reason) but as for the Lutherans he disagrees with the nature of faith and reason. He was a philosopher of the order of Kant therefore we list him only because his philosophy has entered into some of the Churches. this is why we take the time to systematically examine faith, so as not to be misled. the Lutherans will admit to the fact that any conflict of our faith is due to the corruption and deterioration of our nature. Yet, Hamilton will disagree and state that the conflict arises from the necessary limitation of human thought. He would agree to that God made man with reason and when reason acts in accordance with its own laws, by necessity it will arrive to a conclusion that is directly opposed to the doctrines of religion, both natural and revealed. He further states that God, the Absolute, cannot know, cannot be a cause, and cannot be conscious, and that he could prove or demonstrate that fact. Now, Hamilton delves into the Doctrine of the Trinity for he admits to proof that with all clearness, the Infinite (God) cannot be a person, further, He cannot possess moral attributes. What is true religion? What are we by necessity to believe? What is the point for men in view of their virtue by means of their nature as to what they do believe, for it all can be proved to be false. Here, if I may say, "Is a sticky wicket" for now we have an irreconcilable conflict between our intellectual and moral nature.
As for the Idealist, due to our reason, the world does not exist. Hmm!! I wonder what I am typing on, and those enchiladas were so tasty, I guess I imagined them to be for my sanity then, I must, to be safe, act on the assumption that it is, and it is what it appears to by (a computer, and Mexican enchiladas). I must then by reason also act on the assumption that God is real, is a Person, even while our reason demonstrates that an infinite Person is a contradiction. This kind of thinking and promulgation such heretical and unScriptural teaching has no room for faith, except by some idealistic notion that I must by some necessity for my sanity, place faith in this nothingness, somethingness, or whatever. This is ludicrous, yet many people have a problem when it comes to faith and their understanding of faith and listen to such men that follow these philosophers.
It is to be admitted that there is a conflict between reason and faith, yet our obligation of faith is on the testimony of our moral and religious nature and of the Word of God. Our faith, a free gift from God, our moral and religious nature, that too from God, and the Bible, all are based upon the authority of God. An authority God must have if He is to be God, otherwise, He is something else. But because He had enables us to have faith, and accepts our choosing Him upon that faith, our nature is changed and our morals and nature become more conformed to Christ. With Hamilton and such men, there is nothing but a dualistic possibility.
When it comes to speculative philosophers we find no difference between them and Hamilton in as much that reason demonstrates the doctrines of revelation and even of natural religion to be false. They do not, and they cannot recognize them as objects of faith. Why, because they are contrary to reason making those doctrines false and because they are false they are to be rejected, especially by those who are enlightened. As they propound, if you cling to them because of feelings, allow them, but renounce all claim to philosophic insight.
I hope this will help you to understand why this blog is necessary in its approach. These forms of teaching in regards to faith are being taught in some of the most prestigious Churches and by men held in high regard. It may be happening in your Church and because you have never taken time for introspection have tacitly agreed to what is espoused and that without a moment of cavil. We must continue until we have the full examination to its completion where we can with all maturity know why we have faith, what it means and how it is affecting our nature, therefore our lives.
In the fear of the LORD there
is strong confidence,
And His children will have a
place of refuge.
The fear of the LORD is a
fountain of life,
to turn one away from the
snares of death.
Proverbs 14:26-27
Bless Be His Glorious Name Forever
Richard L. Crumb
As for the Idealist, due to our reason, the world does not exist. Hmm!! I wonder what I am typing on, and those enchiladas were so tasty, I guess I imagined them to be for my sanity then, I must, to be safe, act on the assumption that it is, and it is what it appears to by (a computer, and Mexican enchiladas). I must then by reason also act on the assumption that God is real, is a Person, even while our reason demonstrates that an infinite Person is a contradiction. This kind of thinking and promulgation such heretical and unScriptural teaching has no room for faith, except by some idealistic notion that I must by some necessity for my sanity, place faith in this nothingness, somethingness, or whatever. This is ludicrous, yet many people have a problem when it comes to faith and their understanding of faith and listen to such men that follow these philosophers.
It is to be admitted that there is a conflict between reason and faith, yet our obligation of faith is on the testimony of our moral and religious nature and of the Word of God. Our faith, a free gift from God, our moral and religious nature, that too from God, and the Bible, all are based upon the authority of God. An authority God must have if He is to be God, otherwise, He is something else. But because He had enables us to have faith, and accepts our choosing Him upon that faith, our nature is changed and our morals and nature become more conformed to Christ. With Hamilton and such men, there is nothing but a dualistic possibility.
When it comes to speculative philosophers we find no difference between them and Hamilton in as much that reason demonstrates the doctrines of revelation and even of natural religion to be false. They do not, and they cannot recognize them as objects of faith. Why, because they are contrary to reason making those doctrines false and because they are false they are to be rejected, especially by those who are enlightened. As they propound, if you cling to them because of feelings, allow them, but renounce all claim to philosophic insight.
I hope this will help you to understand why this blog is necessary in its approach. These forms of teaching in regards to faith are being taught in some of the most prestigious Churches and by men held in high regard. It may be happening in your Church and because you have never taken time for introspection have tacitly agreed to what is espoused and that without a moment of cavil. We must continue until we have the full examination to its completion where we can with all maturity know why we have faith, what it means and how it is affecting our nature, therefore our lives.
In the fear of the LORD there
is strong confidence,
And His children will have a
place of refuge.
The fear of the LORD is a
fountain of life,
to turn one away from the
snares of death.
Proverbs 14:26-27
Bless Be His Glorious Name Forever
Richard L. Crumb
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