Image by dima_goroziya from Pixabay The Bible demonstrates again and again how futile it is for a person to think he is able to understand and decide by himself how to live a successful and happy life. But we keep trying. Four centuries ago, René Descartes, elevated this human propensity into a philosophical belief systemn which says that … Continue reading The way to happiness
reason
Are you a deist or a theist?
If you are a deist, you believe: - that there must be a higher power because this complex world could not just have happened; - that there are moral lessons in the Bible that will help us to find happiness; - that the Bible as a whole is mysterious and confusing and better left alone; … Continue reading Are you a deist or a theist?
Consequences of a false gospel
Several weeks ago I wrote about the effect on education of René Descartes’ belief in the ability of the human mind to discover all truth through the exercise of reason. That belief has worked its way into every aspect of Western civilization. It is found in our media, our social institutions, our ideas about business, … Continue reading Consequences of a false gospel
Intellectualism, reason and faith
Intellectualism is the idea that all truth can be discovered by reasoning. René Descartes started with "I think, therefore I am," and proceeded down this line of reasoning to discover all that was worth knowing, to his own satisfaction at least. The fatal flaw in this is that God is considered as irrelevant and thus … Continue reading Intellectualism, reason and faith
In defence of doubt
As Christians, we tend to have this utopian belief that a true believer will never have any doubts about matters of faith. Thus, when a brother or sister has the courage to admit to doubt, we react with something akin to panic. Why do we react like this? Isn't it because deep down we ourselves … Continue reading In defence of doubt
Lazy thinking
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason (Proverbs 26:16). My mother told the story of a poor farmer extolling the virtues of socialism to his neighbour who was even poorer. “If everyone who has more than they need would share with those who do not have … Continue reading Lazy thinking
Belief and unbelief, according to Blaise Pascal
I marvel at the audacity with which some people presume to speak of God. In giving their evidence to unbelievers, usually their first chapter is to prove the existence of God from the works of nature. I would not be surprised about this project if they were addressing their arguments to believers, for those with … Continue reading Belief and unbelief, according to Blaise Pascal
Flatlander Faith 