Christian Philosophy

[James224]

Hi Everyone,

I’n new to this particular forum and have a general question. I’ve studied a couple major works of St. Thomas in the past but, at that time, I looked at them from a theological perspective only - not philosophical. Mabye I’m wrong on saying that and you can correct me.

It seems that all christian religions must use some philosophy and, of course, we use scholastic or Aristotleian philosophy and many protestants traditionally use Platonic Philosophy (so I understand). I don’t know much about it. In recent times, some Catholics and protestants have used Marxist Philosophy as in Liberation Theology.

My question is this: Can anyone explain what major philosophies are being used in christian denominations and what kind of effects these have on the faith?

 

[geekborj]

Hi Everyone,

I’n new to this particular forum and have a general question. I’ve studied a couple major works of St. Thomas in the past but, at that time, I looked at them from a theological perspective only - not philosophical. Mabye I’m wrong on saying that and you can correct me.

It seems that all christian religions must use some philosophy and, of course, we use scholastic or Aristotleian philosophy and many protestants traditionally use Platonic Philosophy (so I understand). I don’t know much about it. In recent times, some Catholics and protestants have used Marxist Philosophy as in Liberation Theology.

My question is this: Can anyone explain what major philosophies are being used in christian denominations and what kind of effects these have on the faith?

I think the very reason one cannot identify a (or agree on which) philosophy or framework for every discussion that christianity today is a broken faith. The full unity can only be attained using one language, just as Science uses (almost) well-defined terms. In Physics that one language is Mathematics.

The catholic Faith has been proclaimed to use the Thomistic philosophy (Aristotelian, i guess). So your philosophy must be using the catholic “language”; whether you have viewed it theologically “only”. How I wanted to understand Thomas especially his Summa Contra Gentiles since this is more using the natural philosophy in arguing for the christian Truth.

 

[Gus74]

Hi Jim,

Our source is the revelation. St Thomas gave an explanation using aristotelic philosophy and that led to a deeper understanding of our own revelation.

Like you said we must be aware of what are the presupositions of a specific thinker/philosopher to understand what vision of the world he has. Marxists are materialists, for them there is no creator and the material world is all that there is, even our souls would be a consequence of the material being, but no transcendence or purpose, this is in direct opposition to our faith and leads to errors when trying to understand the revelation from that perspective. You can say Theology of Liberation is tainted by materialism.

But Aristotle created used more like a method for knowing the truth, therefore he could undestand many truths that are compatible with the revelation.

I don’t know if there is a treaty of philosophies that influence certain denominations. What I see is theologians having an effect over those denominations, so they end up having their names, like Luther → Lutheranism, Calvin → Calvinism (presbiterians).

Gus

 

[James224]

Hi Jim,

Our source is the revelation. St Thomas gave an explanation using aristotelic philosophy and that led to a deeper understanding of our own revelation.

Like you said we must be aware of what are the presupositions of a specific thinker/philosopher to understand what vision of the world he has. Marxists are materialists, for them there is no creator and the material world is all that there is, even our souls would be a consequence of the material being, but no transcendence or purpose, this is in direct opposition to our faith and leads to errors when trying to understand the revelation from that perspective. You can say Theology of Liberation is tainted by materialism.

But Aristotle created used more like a method for knowing the truth, therefore he could undestand many truths that are compatible with the revelation.

I don’t know if there is a treaty of philosophies that influence certain denominations. What I see is theologians having an effect over those denominations, so they end up having their names, like Luther → Lutheranism, Calvin → Calvinism (presbiterians).

Gus

Thank you for your (name removed by moderator)ut. It seems that which philosopy you use effects the way you interpret scripture and church teachings. Probably the way it’s being done is by reading philosophical arguments into scriptrue and teachings - eisogesis.

 

[Gus74]

Thank you for your (name removed by moderator)ut. It seems that which philosopy you use effects the way you interpret scripture and church teachings. Probably the way it’s being done is by reading philosophical arguments into scriptrue and teachings - eisogesis.

You can say that, that’s why we also have the Magisterium which interpret Scripture for us and Holy Tradition. It’s like a tripod that securely rests on the floor, if you interpret Scripture ignoring the other two you might fall into error.

God himself has to make sure the message remains incorrupted through time.

Gus

 

[levinas12]

One philosophical approach is phenomenology. But what the heck is that? You could say that phenomenology looks at the “how”, or the ways various beings disclose themselves to us. A rock discloses itself in a certain way (as a “what” captured by species and genus). A person discloses his/her self in a different way, as a “who” as opposed to a “what”. Because of this difference, a specific person is not disclosed through a species/genus because a “who” is a singularity - there is no universal concept for a specific person. John Doe the person is not an instantiation of a Platonic Form of John Doe that could be shared with other instantiations of John Doe. Of course, a “who” can also be a “what” - John Doe has the essence of human beings (which is defined by a species/genus). But the person John Doe is not disclosed through a species/genus. Phenomenology, by helping to clarify the way persons are disclosed, is a good basis for understanding truths of the faith.