Modern Christian Philosophy

[Jaecp]

I don't know who Chrissy Hallquist is. I only read her article on Plantinga's creationist paper trail, which I did not know about. I never cited her (or him?) as a "legitimate academic source" but merely to credit her (it?) for the well expressed quote.

Chris Hallquist is a guy, he currently blogs on ftb

http://freethoughtblogs.com/hallq

His old blog, http://www.uncrediblehallq.net/ has a few years worth of content, he's been doing this for awhile and its about stuff you'd personally find interesting. His analysis of prominent people like Craig or Plaintinga especially. He's in my top 3 people to check at ftb

Oh, and heres a direct link to his blog post about plaintinga http://www.uncrediblehallq.net/categ...vin-plantinga/

[ZackMartin]

Marilyn McCord Adams

Can't comment on her, simply because I haven't read any of her work.

But I have read some work by her husband Robert, and I was impressed by some of his ideas, e.g. his defence of faith. My ideas about faith were significantly influenced by his (not to say that my ideas are the same as his though, I'm sure they are not.)

[headheart]

Very big question. Lots of complex answers. Adrift and I exchanged a couple of PMs on this topic. If I could distill my deconversion into an easy statement, it would be: because Christianity stopped making sense.

Okay. Hopefully the thread I'v started titled: 'If Christianity ....' might help to get that sorted.

=========> SOME MORE FOR "WHAG'S BOWLED OVER LIST" <===========

A couple for Whag's list of "engaging Christian philosophers today and what are they saying that's edifying? I want to be bowled over by a good strong speaker or writer," I'd like to add:

1. Os Guiness
2. Ravi Zacharias
and I'm not sure if (3) Bob Dylan qualifies, but I'm readomg his first volume of "Chronicles" and I believe volume two has already hit the shelves.

Bob's albums would also be considered as writings, so I'm going with Bob Dylan as my number one Jewish / Christians seeing he's been on both sides of the tracks 'philosopher today' and what he says is totally "EDIFYING" in fact one of his albums was called "KNOCKED OUT LOADED" So, I'm going to go with BOB's 1962 album and anything that followed.



Peace,
Eric

[magellan004]

Who are the really engaging Christian philosophers today and what are they saying that's edifying? I want to be bowled over by a good strong speaker or writer. Plantinga and Moreland don't count mainly because of what's in my signature, and because from essays I've read of theirs they are boring.

What do you seek Grasshopper? What Christian message calls ? All Atheists want to believe in God - but why? Hope? Christianity gives that - the atheist rejects that gift. Try praying - what have you got to lose?

If you can't stomach this - then tell us something edifying that Atheists say.


Magellan

[magellan004]

Very big question. Lots of complex answers. Adrift and I exchanged a couple of PMs on this topic. If I could distill my deconversion into an easy statement, it would be: because Christianity stopped making sense.

I like your answer because it conveys a personal experience.
Did you find a system that does make sense or are you adrift?

Magellan

[headheart]

I like your answer because it conveys a personal experience.
Did you find a system that does make sense or are you adrift?

Magellan

You snake. Don't turn this thread into a rough house. I've already asked you to cool it on the thread I referred Kane to and now you seize the moment to go ape here too.
I've got some play dough if you'd like?

[Whag]

What do you seek Grasshopper? What Christian message calls ? All Atheists want to believe in God - but why? Hope? Christianity gives that - the atheist rejects that gift. Try praying - what have you got to lose?

If you can't stomach this - then tell us something edifying that Atheists say.


Magellan

Is this Klownshooz' attempt at evangelism?

[Kane]

I like your answer because it conveys a personal experience.

Thank you. I won't deny the element of personal experience in my deconversion. Afterall, it was me who deconverted, not somebody else.

Did you find a system that does make sense or are you adrift?

I'd say I'm open and curious, not adrift. But I'm not really fond of systems. They're too limiting, by definition.

[headheart]

But I'm not really fond of systems. They're too limiting, by definition.

I wander what sort of system he had in mind for you?

[Kane]

I wander what sort of system he had in mind for you?

Yeah, I have no idea. I think he was just asking sincerely.

To make things less murky, I'm behaviourly an atheist. Epistemologically, I'm an agnostic.

[nightbringer]

Read some Charles Taylor. He's sadly not really known in the apologetics scene. He's a catholic and more influenced by continental philosophy than analytic (but his writing is pretty clear). Pick up either "Sources of the Self" or "A Secular Age." The latter is more focussed on religious matters, obviously. But both are utterly incredible. I can't think of a philosopher I'm more fond of.

[nightbringer]

Read some Charles Taylor. He's sadly not really known in the apologetics scene. He's a catholic and more influenced by continental philosophy than analytic (but his writing is pretty clear). Pick up either "Sources of the Self" or "A Secular Age." The latter is more focussed on religious matters, obviously. But both are utterly incredible. I can't think of a philosopher I'm more fond of.

Regarding what "A Secular Age" is about, it's basically a book which tries to explore the modern conditions of belief or unbelief. It asks, "what has happened in the last 500 years such that belief in God has gone from obvious to everyone to one option among many?" While he acknowledges that epistemic gains have impacted the shift, he denies that the shift has been primarily driven by epistemic factors, but has instead resulted from significant changes in how the Good, and how fullness of life has been conceived. He essentially argues that the most significant feature of the modern secular age is that, for the first time in human history, it is possible for human beings to conceive of the Good and the full life in purely immanent terms.

Taylor is a very sympathetic writer, and even though he's critical of certain types of humanism/naturalism, he's very good at describing the strengths that draw people to them. I think the book provides a challenging counter-narrative to the typical one which champions modernity as the forward march of reason and science against religion. But it's also not a comfortable read for an evangelical. Taylor is pretty hesitant and very modest about the merits of his own position.

[Carrikature]

Very big question. Lots of complex answers. Adrift and I exchanged a couple of PMs on this topic. If I could distill my deconversion into an easy statement, it would be: because Christianity stopped making sense.

You don't know me most likely...but would you mind terribly passing that info on? I think I'm at a rather similar point and would be interested in your take on it. If not, that is ok too.

[Kane]

You don't know me most likely...but would you mind terribly passing that info on? I think I'm at a rather similar point and would be interested in your take on it. If not, that is ok too.

Rather than break confidence with Adrift, I've sent you a PM. We can discuss things between ourselves.

Nice to meet you, by the way! :)

Cheers!
Kane

[headheart]

Yeah, I have no idea. I think he was just asking sincerely.

To make things less murky, I'm behaviourly an atheist. Epistemologically, I'm an agnostic.

Ah______ after couple of cold ones your sing like Aretha Franklin. Glory Hallelujah!

Peace,
Eric