LECTURE 19: GOD AND REASON

CRITICISMS OF NATURAL THEOLOGY

CRITICISMS OF NATURAL THEOLOGY

Key questions:Key questions:

Is natural theology a valid means of arriving at knowledge of God?Is natural theology a valid means of arriving at knowledge of God?

Can logical, rational arguments for God ever suffice for passionate and Can logical, rational arguments for God ever suffice for passionate and personal belief in god?personal belief in god?

Can we agree with the validity or strength of an argument without having Can we agree with the validity or strength of an argument without having to accept or endorse it?to accept or endorse it?

For example; can I accept the validity of the cosmological For example; can I accept the validity of the cosmological argument without agreeing that God exists?argument without agreeing that God exists?

Would it ever be acceptable if someone believed in God purely because Would it ever be acceptable if someone believed in God purely because of the rational and logical validity of an argument?of the rational and logical validity of an argument?

What is it about faith that makes logical arguments inappropriate? What is it about faith that makes logical arguments inappropriate?

BACON AND HAMANN

Is the distinction between natural and revealed theology valid?Is the distinction between natural and revealed theology valid?

Natural Theology

Revealed Theology

Knowledge of God through special revelation

Knowledge of God through the natural intellect

The knowledge of man is as the waters, some descending from above, and some springing from beneath; the one informed by the light of nature, the other inspired by divine revelation.

Francis Bacon, The Advancement of Learning, p.105

BACON AND HAMANN

Consider Bacon’s claim in light of Hamann’s observationConsider Bacon’s claim in light of Hamann’s observation

The knowledge of man is as the waters, some descending from above, and some springing from beneath; the one informed by the light of nature, the other inspired by divine revelation.

Francis Bacon, The Advancement of Learning, p.105

Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters!

J.G. Hamann, Aesthetica in Nuce, p.95

BACON AND HAMANN

Is the distinction between natural and revealed theology valid?Is the distinction between natural and revealed theology valid?

Natural Theology

Revealed Theology

Knowledge of God through special revelation

Knowledge of God through the natural intellect

Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the

fountains of waters!J.G. Hamann, Aesthetica in Nuce, p.95

Hamann claims that even natural theology

is only possible because of God.Natural theology depends first on

revelation

For Hamann, revealed and natural theology

cannot be distinguished so clearly.

CRITICISMS OF NATURAL THEOLOGY

Can we know God rationally?

Natural theology does not exist as an entity capable of becoming a separate subject within what I consider to be real theology – not even

for the sake of being rejected. If one occupies oneself with real theology one can pass by so-called natural theology only as one

would pass by an abyss into which it is inadvisable to step if one does not want to fall. All one can do is turn one’s back upon it as upon the great temptation and source of error, by having nothing to do with it

-Karl Barth-“No!” in Emil Brunner and Karl Barth, Natural Theology (Eugene, OR:Wipf and Stock, 2002) p. 75. “No!” in Emil Brunner and Karl Barth, Natural Theology (Eugene, OR:Wipf and Stock, 2002) p. 75.

CRITICISMS OF NATURAL THEOLOGY

Can we know God rationally?

Based on his radical empiricism, Hume makes the following claim:

I am better pleased with the method of reasoning here delivered, as I think it may serve to confound those dangerous friends or disguised enemies to the Christian Religion, who have undertaken to defend

it by the principles of human reason. Our most holy religion is founded on faith not on reason; and it is a sure method of exposing

it to put it to such a trial as it is, by no means, fitted to endure.

-David Hume-Principles Concerning Human Understanding, pp.666-667

NON-RATIONAL APPROACHES

PASCAL’S WAGER

A non-rational argument for God’s existenceA non-rational argument for God’s existence1.1. We can choose whether to believe or not believe in God’s existence We can choose whether to believe or not believe in God’s existence 2.2. If we choose not to believe in God then either:If we choose not to believe in God then either:

a)a) Our belief is correct; God does not exist and there will be no Our belief is correct; God does not exist and there will be no consequencesconsequences

b)b) Our belief is incorrect; God does exist we will be punished Our belief is incorrect; God does exist we will be punished infinitely for not believing in Godinfinitely for not believing in God

3.3. If we choose to believe in God then either:If we choose to believe in God then either:a)a) Our belief is correct; God does exist and we will be rewarded Our belief is correct; God does exist and we will be rewarded

infinitely for our beliefinfinitely for our beliefb)b) Our belief is incorrect; God does not exist and there will be no Our belief is incorrect; God does not exist and there will be no

consequencesconsequences4.4. Therefore we ought to wager on God’s existence (we have less to Therefore we ought to wager on God’s existence (we have less to

lose)lose)

RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE

Is Religious experience evidence for the existence of God?Is Religious experience evidence for the existence of God?

Some thinkers maintain that religious experience is sufficient for belief in Some thinkers maintain that religious experience is sufficient for belief in God’s existenceGod’s existence

Examples:Examples:Saul became Paul after a religious experience and conversionSaul became Paul after a religious experience and conversionNear-death experiencesNear-death experiencesPeople claim to be ‘touched’ by GodPeople claim to be ‘touched’ by GodSt. Theresa’s mystical visionsSt. Theresa’s mystical visions

In such cases these immediate, private, personal experiences are ‘proof’ In such cases these immediate, private, personal experiences are ‘proof’ that God existsthat God exists

Such proof is entirely individualSuch proof is entirely individual

FREUD’S ATTACK ON RELIGION

Freud’s attack on religionFreud’s attack on religion

Religion is a ‘mass-delusion’ which depresses the value of life and Religion is a ‘mass-delusion’ which depresses the value of life and distorts our picture of the real worlddistorts our picture of the real world

oAccording to Freud the need for religion arises from our unresolved According to Freud the need for religion arises from our unresolved childhood need for a father to protect uschildhood need for a father to protect us

oThis need is accompanied by feelings of resentment, need, love and This need is accompanied by feelings of resentment, need, love and fear which continue to influence us as adultsfear which continue to influence us as adults

oReligion arises out of the human attempt to create certainty in an Religion arises out of the human attempt to create certainty in an uncertain worlduncertain world

oWe use religion to ensure our own happiness and protection from We use religion to ensure our own happiness and protection from sufferingsuffering

FREUD’S ATTACK ON RELIGION

Freud’s solutionFreud’s solution

Religion is nothing more than an ‘infantile’ escape from reality for weak Religion is nothing more than an ‘infantile’ escape from reality for weak and deluded individualsand deluded individuals

How do we escape from this?How do we escape from this?

o Freud maintains that dispelling the illusion of religion is Freud maintains that dispelling the illusion of religion is fundamentalfundamental

o Religion can only be escaped on an individual level (no Religion can only be escaped on an individual level (no prescription for social transformation)prescription for social transformation)

o We must courageously face the truth and harshness of life We must courageously face the truth and harshness of life without deluding ourselves (through science, or art?)without deluding ourselves (through science, or art?)

WILLIAM JAMES

William James on Religious ExperienceWilliam James on Religious Experience

James objects to theories of Medical MaterialismJames objects to theories of Medical Materialism

Medical materialism maintains that we can explain religious experiences Medical materialism maintains that we can explain religious experiences by appealing to underlying physical problemsby appealing to underlying physical problems

Examples:Examples:Saul became Paul after an epileptic fitSaul became Paul after an epileptic fitSt. Theresa’s mystical visions were the result of hysteriaSt. Theresa’s mystical visions were the result of hysteria

In such cases these immediate, private, personal experiences are ‘proof’ In such cases these immediate, private, personal experiences are ‘proof’ that there are underlying physical problemsthat there are underlying physical problems

James argues that medical materialism is not philosophically reasonable James argues that medical materialism is not philosophically reasonable and it is incoherent with the rest of our moral and intellectual lifeand it is incoherent with the rest of our moral and intellectual life

Instead, what matters is whether religious experience makes a Instead, what matters is whether religious experience makes a practical practical difference in the life of the individualdifference in the life of the individual

KIERKEGAARD

THE STORY OF ABRAHAM

1.1. Abraham and Sarah are very old and Sarah has still not had a childAbraham and Sarah are very old and Sarah has still not had a child||

2.2. God promises Abraham that through his offspring the word of god will God promises Abraham that through his offspring the word of god will be spread throughout the worldbe spread throughout the world

||3. Miraculously Sarah gives birth to Isaac3. Miraculously Sarah gives birth to Isaac

||4. God tells Abraham to bring Isaac to mount Moriah to be sacrificed4. God tells Abraham to bring Isaac to mount Moriah to be sacrificed

||5.5. Abraham journeys to mount Moriah and prepares to sacrifice IsaacAbraham journeys to mount Moriah and prepares to sacrifice Isaac

||6.6. At the very last moment an angel stops AbrahamAt the very last moment an angel stops Abraham

||7.7. Isaac is spared. Abraham sacrifices the ram instead. They return homeIsaac is spared. Abraham sacrifices the ram instead. They return home

Genesis 22:1-19Genesis 22:1-19

Caravaggio's The Binding of Isaac

THE STORY OF ABRAHAM

In In Fear and Trembling Fear and Trembling Kierkegaard tries to understand the trial of Kierkegaard tries to understand the trial of AbrahamAbraham

Kierkegaard finds Abraham’s trial to be terrifying because it makes Kierkegaard finds Abraham’s trial to be terrifying because it makes murder into a holy act (must I go and murder my son?)murder into a holy act (must I go and murder my son?)

He claims that is incomprehensible (how can Abraham be willing to He claims that is incomprehensible (how can Abraham be willing to murder Isaac and still believe that Isaac will live?)murder Isaac and still believe that Isaac will live?)

Kierkegaard asks, why did Abraham follow God’s command?Kierkegaard asks, why did Abraham follow God’s command?

Abraham could have:Abraham could have:Ignored God’s commandIgnored God’s commandPretended it was not addressed to himPretended it was not addressed to himTurned around and gone homeTurned around and gone homeMurdered Isaac earlier (get the job done sooner!)Murdered Isaac earlier (get the job done sooner!)Refused to murder IsaacRefused to murder Isaac

But Abraham But Abraham chosechose to follow God’s command to follow God’s command

THE STORY OF ABRAHAM

Kierkegaard asks, what separates abraham from madmen and Kierkegaard asks, what separates abraham from madmen and murderers?murderers?

Abraham enjoys honor and glory as the father of faith, whereas he ought Abraham enjoys honor and glory as the father of faith, whereas he ought

to be prosecuted and convicted of murderto be prosecuted and convicted of murder

Either abraham is the father of faith OR he is a murdererEither abraham is the father of faith OR he is a murderer

A: Abraham has faith.A: Abraham has faith.Q: what is faith if it can transform murder into a holy act?Q: what is faith if it can transform murder into a holy act?

Abraham Madman

God Made Us Do It!

THE STORY OF ABRAHAM

Kierkegaard on FaithKierkegaard on Faith

According to Kierkegaard, the story of Abraham shows:According to Kierkegaard, the story of Abraham shows:

o Faith is distinct from and irreducible to reasonFaith is distinct from and irreducible to reason

o Faith is paradoxical (involves believing in both P and ¬P)Faith is paradoxical (involves believing in both P and ¬P)

o Because faith is paradoxical it defies reason; it is absurdBecause faith is paradoxical it defies reason; it is absurd

o Faith is incomprehensible; it is impossible to ‘understand’Faith is incomprehensible; it is impossible to ‘understand’

o Faith is capable of defying human moral standardsFaith is capable of defying human moral standards

For Kierkegaard belief in God requires faith, passion, subjectivity and For Kierkegaard belief in God requires faith, passion, subjectivity and belief, not objective knowledge or reason.belief, not objective knowledge or reason.

Mistakes occur when we try to relate objectively to that which is entirely Mistakes occur when we try to relate objectively to that which is entirely subjectivesubjective