I am teaching two philosophy classes at MCCC this fall. They are: Introduction to Logic, and Philosophy of Religion.
Logic is about evaluating arguments. This is different than being argumentative. An “argument,” in philosophy, is one or more statements that lead to a conclusion. If, from the statements to the conclusion, there is what is called a “claim of inference,” then it’s “logical.” With a little bit of logic under one’s belt one is then prepared to consider the big philosophical discussions that present arguments either for or against the existence of God.
When I turned from a form of indifferent agnosticism to belief in God many years ago, I was an undergraduate at Northern Illinois University. I became part of a campus ministry called Campus Crusade for Christ. Two of my leaders were great scholars who both went on to get Ph.Ds in philosophy. They introduced me to a verse in the Bible that has stayed with me all my life: 1 Peter 3:15 – “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
Even as I type that verse right now I am thinking, what a great piece of the Bible that is! I break it down three ways.
#1 – “In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.” The word “set apart” literally means, “be holy.” “Holiness,” literally, is “set-apartness.” Which means, for me, this: at the age of 21 I made a decision to live my life entirely for Jesus. Jesus became my “Lord.” So, in all I do I look to him for direction. And my hope, the basket I am putting all the eggs of my life into, is about knowing Jesus and making Jesus known to others.
#2 – “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” OK – I have this hope. But does it have any rationale to it? Personally, while I know a lot of very good Jesus-followers who “just believe” in Jesus, this has never been enough for me. I worked as a pastor at Michigan State University for 11 years, and most of the students I met felt this way too. In fact, most of the students in my classes at MCCC who are either wondering about God and if he really exists or are already God-believers want to know that there’s some kind of logical basis for either their belief, unbelief, or agnosticism.
Here is where Logic and the Philosophy of Religion come in. Because one of the main thing philosophers talk about is God, God is a main part of my MCCC courses. In Philosophy of Religion I teach: a) the major arguments for the existence of God; b) the major atheistic arguments against there being a God; c) and what the major world religions say about “God” or “gods”; plus a few other things along the way. (The textbook I use is right here.) I find that most of not all really get into these discussions and the learning that goes along with it. In fact, I believe this: today’s university students are looking for people to talk with about this without the discussions becoming one-sided and imperialistic. That, for me, is where the third point comes in.
#3 – “But do this with gentleness and respect.” I love this. I have seen a lot of un-gentleness and disrespect poured out of the mouths of “Christians” over the years. Mostly I think it is not only ineffective but really turns people away from the Real Jesus. Getting really angry and controlling quickly turns a potential dialogue about God into a one-sided preachy monologue. If you are reading this and you are a passionate believer in God and Jesus, the good news is that you can chill out when talking to others about the hope that is within you and trust God to do a work that you cannot do yourself and were not meant to do. And, FYI, I’ve had some atheistic students who behave more like Jesus than some so-called Christians.
I find that at MCCC, and in Monroe as elsewhere, people are greatly interested in God-talk, whether they believe or don’t believe. If in my classes I can legitimize that discussion and provide a safe place to engage in it then I am very grateful for the opportunity.
(The picture is of the La-Z-Boy Center at MCCC’s campus.)
5 comments en “Talking About God at MCCC”
August 31st, 2007 at 4:05 pm
Your introduction to the MCCC Logic class last night really caught my attention… I’ve never heard of another class where students are encouraged to argue their views against the instructor’s!
I hugely appreciate an opportunity like that- what a great environment for learning. Much more beneficial than a setting where students/teachers are expected to see eye-to-eye all the time.
August 31st, 2007 at 5:03 pm
Thanks Andrew for the comment. I know I appreciated professors who were clear about their views but encouraged us to openly dialogue with them. Their views, clearly expressed, gave me something to hold on to and evaluate my own beliefs from. I value that kind of learning environment.
September 9th, 2007 at 4:56 pm
Hi John,
How are you doing? I’m well.
#2 has got me thinkin’. I have never associated the debate over the existence of God as necessary, or even relevant to assist, in any way, a believer’s foundation of hope. Before I run away with a misunderstanding of what was intended, let me tell you what these two paragraphs say to me as I read them.
This is what I conclude from your #2:
When Paul wrote that awesome (Holy Spirit inspired) passage, he allows (if not intends) that we, as part of our testimony of the truth of Christ in our lives, would be well served by an ability to demonstrate via argument (as you have defined it), the philosophical logic of the existence of God; and that the cause of Christ could/should/would be advanced by man’s ability to reason such things and lobby on Christ’s behalf (to give the reason for the hope that we have) to a non-believer; lastly that our own faith would be edified by having reached this level of “believing.”
I have to say that I am nowhere close to that so, unless I misunderstand, it sure would be worth the time and the price of 2 cups of coffee to talk this one over.
Thanks John,
Dave
September 10th, 2007 at 12:32 pm
Hi Dave – Peter wrote that we should “always be prepared to make a defense for the hope that is within us.” The word “defense” implies some kind of “attack” on one’s hope in Jesus. This, essentially, is what Christian apologists do. For those that do it, like myself, it does prove to be spiritually edifying. But a basic, maybe the basic, point is: when attacked, make a defense. We’re told to do this. I thank God for those who are especially equipped to do it.
I think that every Jesus-follower has a defense. Some are better than others. Intellectual ability in this area is not essential to faith/belief.
There are many examples of God using apologetics to influence unbelievers towards Christ. I have seen this happen many times in my life.
A good example of contemporary apologetics are the books by Lee Strobel – Case for Christ; Case for Faith, Case for a Creator; and so on. It seems that reading thee books helps many people.
Not all will be so helped by, e.g., Strobel’s books. There are many who would not be able to understand them, even though they are written down to a more common level.
When my son Dan was in Istanbul Campus Crusade for Christ hosted Ravi Zacharias (a well-known Christian scholar-apologist who is an excellent communicator, and who is from India, spoke at a university to several hundred Turkish students.)
Christian apologetics has a long and fruitful history, beginning with Paul speaking in Athens, and quoting the Athenian poets and philosophers in his message. Then on through Augustine, Anselm, Aquinas, and so on….
If you are interested in contemporay apologetics I suggest starting with the Strobel books. See also William Lane Craig’s website – reasonablefaith.org.
Blessings,
John
September 12th, 2007 at 7:08 am
John,
Thank you for the additional perspective.
I struggle with faith vs. philosophy personally as someone who likes it all to add up. I tend to prefer logical conclusions, but I also am not always willing to accpet a case built on layers of logical assumptions. In other words, I like the evidence vs. the argument.
This has plagued me over the years in the following way,
Logic, arguments, logical basis, rationale, philosophy et al, seem to me to have their basis in our mind. Biblically, I do not see where our faith in Christ has any basis in our mind. I have always understood that “eyes to see” and ears to hear” come at the awakening of our spirit through the prompting of the Spirit of God, and our spirit once awakened serves as a conduit for the things of God to our hearts.
Given that pre-disposition, I have always considered my mind an obstacle to greater faith because of my need to know.
Given that, I have tried to suppress my need to know and accept through faith alone.
Given that, (accompanied by the fact that I thought I was right) I have always been eager to challenge the “school of thought” on behalf of the “school of faith.”
If I accept your insight here, it is possible that my mind becomes an enabler as opposed to an obstacle. That is very tempting.
If I use a gardening analogy it might go like this?
For those who have a strong need to know, engaging the school of thought is akin to tilling the soil in the garden. In the spring to accept the seed and regularly once the seed takes root to allow the roots to spread and uproot the any weeds that pop up before they establish themselves.
Am I gettin’ it?
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