Ulster Fry
Puritan Board Freshman
Greetings,
I am curious as to what the Reformed community thinks about having its own philosophers working in the field of academic philosophy. One of the defences I give to folks asking why I am studying philosopher is that the Church needs its philosophers. More specifically, I believe the Reformed church would greatly benefit from more working in this area and doing serious academic philosophy.
A common criticism (often justified) is that Christian philosophers are typically unorthodox in their theology and that they bring more confusion than clarity. However, I think this criticism could easily be applied to modern theology in general. Surely the solution to this is to have more orthodox thinkers involved, rather than withdrawing ourselves?
What do you think? Are philosophers more trouble than they're worth? Should we be pushing those wanting to study philosophy into theology/pastoral ministry instead?
An additional note - I'm well aware the elephant in the room here is the state of the modern woke universities. That may be a factor in why people vote one way or the other. Again, my opinion is that having solders on the frontline fighting against naturalistic philosophy or postmodernism is better than not (while we still can). Though I would strongly caution against anyone studying philosophy without a solid grasp of Reformed theology and its history.
I am curious as to what the Reformed community thinks about having its own philosophers working in the field of academic philosophy. One of the defences I give to folks asking why I am studying philosopher is that the Church needs its philosophers. More specifically, I believe the Reformed church would greatly benefit from more working in this area and doing serious academic philosophy.
A common criticism (often justified) is that Christian philosophers are typically unorthodox in their theology and that they bring more confusion than clarity. However, I think this criticism could easily be applied to modern theology in general. Surely the solution to this is to have more orthodox thinkers involved, rather than withdrawing ourselves?
What do you think? Are philosophers more trouble than they're worth? Should we be pushing those wanting to study philosophy into theology/pastoral ministry instead?
An additional note - I'm well aware the elephant in the room here is the state of the modern woke universities. That may be a factor in why people vote one way or the other. Again, my opinion is that having solders on the frontline fighting against naturalistic philosophy or postmodernism is better than not (while we still can). Though I would strongly caution against anyone studying philosophy without a solid grasp of Reformed theology and its history.