Why Another Site Like This?

With so many other sites and blogs already dedicated to philosophy, apologetics, and the Bible, why another? While there are many other sites on similar topics, not all share the same viewpoint. Some of this site will be dedicated to defending Christianity against non-Christians, and some will be dedicated to defending positions that are debated among Christians, such as the usefulness and types of arguments for God’s existence, God’s nature and attributes, different methods of apologetics, and issues relating to hermeneutics and biblical studies. Thus, this site will argue for positions that other sites do not argue for or defend. In fact, the viewpoint of this site is somewhat unique among Christians, even those who are Protestant and evangelical. Let me explain why this is the case by discussing some of the positions this site will take.

Protestant and Evangelical

First and foremost, the material on this site is from a Protestant, evangelical point of view. I maintain the inerrancy of the biblical texts in the original documents (autographs), that the Bible is infallible, a classical view of the Trinity and Incarnation, that salvation is by grace through faith, not of works, and that Jesus’ death and bodily resurrection secure the salvation for all who believe.

Philosophy

The point of view of philosophy that will be argued for and defended on this site will be a classical one. More specifically, it will be from an empirical, moderate realist perspective as found in the writings of Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas. This position will be argued for and explained in a later blog, but in short, it means that we have direct knowledge of the real, objective world. This is in contrast to critical realism which says that there is some kind of gap between our minds and the world that must be overcome in some way (such views are often held by evangelical philosophers, theologians, and even those in biblical studies and hermeneutics—the science and art of interpretation). Even more specifically, the moderate realism that will be argued for is the kind found in the works of Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas.

Ethics

Given the realist position in metaphysics, this site will maintain a natural law view of ethics. This means that given the human nature, we all have a conscience that tells us what is right and wrong. Morality is thus objective and not determined by individuals.

Apologetics

A realist view of philosophy (metaphysics and epistemology) leads to the classical method of apologetics. While there are several different methods for doing apologetics, the classical method first attempts to demonstrate the existence of a theistic God. After this move, the classical apologist offers evidences for the truth of the Bible and Christianity. (The evidential apologist starts with the second step, while the presuppositionalist starts with the presupposition that the Bible is true and argues from there.) The classical method will be defended and utilized on this site.

Biblical Studies and Hermeneutics

From a realist view of metaphysics and epistemology comes a realist view of the philosophy of language and hermeneutics. Most, almost all, contemporary teachers/writers on hermeneutics say that due to bias, presuppositions, etc., one cannot have an objective view of the Bible (or history, etc.), or know the objective meaning of the text (in fact, many, if not most, deny that there even is an objective meaning in the text).

If this is the case, then no one can know if he has a true understanding of the biblical text. Indeed some well-known authors of evangelical works say just this, namely, that a true understanding of the biblical text cannot be had. When dealing with issues relating to hermeneutics and biblical interpretation, this site will maintain that objectivity (not infallibility) is indeed possible, even necessary, to understand the text.

Further, this site maintains the literal, historical-grammatical method of interpretation, while recognizing the use of figures of speech, metaphor, and allegory in various places in the text.

Summary

In sum, this site will maintain a Protestant, evangelical view that is committed to the empirical and moderate realist views of metaphysics and epistemology espoused by Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas, leading to a natural law of ethics, the classical method of apologetics, the possibility of knowing the meaning of the text objectively, while reading the text from a literal, historical-grammatical method.

These are indeed somewhat unusual views taken as a whole. This is certainly not the only site that holds these views, but it is probably in the minority of Protestant evangelicals.

Thanks for visiting the site!