R
reen12
Guest
Faith, itself, is neither illogical nor irrational.
Yet there is one point that so often seems to
be glossed over.
There are 4 assumptions, that are posited as givens,
which are relied upon to “defend the Christian faith,”
no matter the denomination.
4 assertions of Christian theology:
-humankind is awash in an ‘ontological’ sin [original sin]
-We need a Savior, to effect atonement.
[To re-establish at-one-ment with Deity.]
-God became incarnate, in the Person of Jesus
-Jesus rose from the dead
These are faith-based assertions. Not at all open to
the method of empirics.
______________________________
Human beings confect syllogisms, all the time.
Syllogism:
Spot is a dog.
All dogs are animals.
Therefore------> Spot is an animal.
We can see Spot, pet him, feed him and
throw sticks, which he enjoys fetching.
The assertion, in red, is verifiable. All dogs are animals.
Call in a vet, if need be - to give a ruling, concerning
this creature, Spot.
Try this one:
Fred is a human being.
Humankind is awash in an ontological sin, at conception.
Therefore-------> Fred’s being is affected by original sin.
The statement, in blue, is sheer assertion.
One accepts*, by faith*, that this is “true.”
Once the four assertions, in maroon ink, above,
are posited - and accepted - as “fact,” application
of the canons of logic may now go full steam ahead.
These are ‘unverifiable premises.’
I find it of interest, to read the works of various apologists,
defending the statement that the RCC is the “true Church.”
Yet, this, too, is sheer assertion, for we posit - as true -
that Deity became incarnate, died and rose, before we
even get to asserting , which is the ‘true Church.’
When St. Paul says “If Christ is not risen, then our faith is in vain,”
I raise an eyebrow.
“Aren’t you rushing your fences, Paul?”
Like a magician, directing attention away from the far more critical points:
Are we awash in a primordial, inherited fault, at conception - as human beings?
[No original sin, no call for a Savior to save us from same.]
Did Deity become incarnate?
Was this Deity raised from the dead?
These are the “hinge” doctrines, of the Christian faith.
Once accept these four as “fact” - and the game begins:
“Our church is the true Church.”
“No. Ours is.”
“We are not a ‘denomination.’ We are the true Church.”
Standing on the sidelines, watching all of this, is
perfectly fascinating. Assertions - accepted as “fact.” :coffeeread:
reen12
Yet there is one point that so often seems to
be glossed over.
There are 4 assumptions, that are posited as givens,
which are relied upon to “defend the Christian faith,”
no matter the denomination.
4 assertions of Christian theology:
-humankind is awash in an ‘ontological’ sin [original sin]
-We need a Savior, to effect atonement.
[To re-establish at-one-ment with Deity.]
-God became incarnate, in the Person of Jesus
-Jesus rose from the dead
These are faith-based assertions. Not at all open to
the method of empirics.
______________________________
Human beings confect syllogisms, all the time.
Syllogism:
Spot is a dog.
All dogs are animals.
Therefore------> Spot is an animal.
We can see Spot, pet him, feed him and
throw sticks, which he enjoys fetching.
The assertion, in red, is verifiable. All dogs are animals.
Call in a vet, if need be - to give a ruling, concerning
this creature, Spot.
Try this one:
Fred is a human being.
Humankind is awash in an ontological sin, at conception.
Therefore-------> Fred’s being is affected by original sin.
The statement, in blue, is sheer assertion.
One accepts*, by faith*, that this is “true.”
Once the four assertions, in maroon ink, above,
are posited - and accepted - as “fact,” application
of the canons of logic may now go full steam ahead.
These are ‘unverifiable premises.’
I find it of interest, to read the works of various apologists,
defending the statement that the RCC is the “true Church.”
Yet, this, too, is sheer assertion, for we posit - as true -
that Deity became incarnate, died and rose, before we
even get to asserting , which is the ‘true Church.’
When St. Paul says “If Christ is not risen, then our faith is in vain,”
I raise an eyebrow.
“Aren’t you rushing your fences, Paul?”
Like a magician, directing attention away from the far more critical points:
Are we awash in a primordial, inherited fault, at conception - as human beings?
[No original sin, no call for a Savior to save us from same.]
Did Deity become incarnate?
Was this Deity raised from the dead?
These are the “hinge” doctrines, of the Christian faith.
Once accept these four as “fact” - and the game begins:
“Our church is the true Church.”
“No. Ours is.”
“We are not a ‘denomination.’ We are the true Church.”
Standing on the sidelines, watching all of this, is
perfectly fascinating. Assertions - accepted as “fact.” :coffeeread:
reen12
