From the Christian perspective, how are "ethics" defined? Is "ethics" the moral values ascribed to by Christians, or is there more to the body of beliefs that also equates to a philosophical study of ethics? Are we dealing solely with right and wrong? Or are we focused on pursuing a life of goodness?
To some degree, the Bible deals with both. In the legal sense, the Old Testament set out rules by which people were to live. These are ethics in the strictest sense of right and wrong. However, Jesus teaches in the New Testament a method of living for God, pursuing the good that is God. To study these teachings seems to represent studying ethics in the sense of pursuing the right and good life.
Do these ideas embody one another? Does living by the "codified" ethic necessarily equate to leading the good life pursuing the will of God? To what degree is there flexibility in the "codified" ethic to further permit the pursuit of Christian Ethics? Is there ever a conflict between those two ideals, and if so, which trumps the other?
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Of God and Time
In the metaphysical sense we are only able to conceptualize time in a linear way. This necessarily impacts how we view the world around us. Time, in its basic form, is defined as a methods of measuring rates of change. A second, for example, is little more than the amount of time necessary for a particular released from a certain atom due to molecular decay to travel one meter. Time, then, is little more than a scalar quantity used to measure the movements of three dimensional objects through three dimensional space.
We conceptualize time on a grand scale. The earth rotates around the Sun at a specific rate. We subdivide this rate to the minutest form and organize our own movement based on this celestially predictability. Every derivation of time is necessarily linked to the denomination of a second.
If we conceptualize time in a linear fashion, can we, then, define eternity?
Logically, based on our perspective of the linear nature of time, eternity is time in an infinite quantity. However, this definition presupposes the linear definition of time.
How do we conceive of God and eternity on this basis?
If we know that God is omnipresent, then time, from the prospective of omnipresence, cannot be linear. A linear under standing of time is diametrically opposed to the concept of omnipresence.
For example, we understand God as having one being, concurrently present everywhere and every time we are capable of perceiving our surroundings from our linear perspective. If God exists in a way that is ever-present, a linear conception of time cannot apply. If it did, God could not be omnipresent.
Therefor, linear time is wholly unique to our universe. This does not suppose that time can or may exist by reference of some other being, just that our linear conception of time cannot apply with reference to God.
Eternity from our prospective, then, must be redefined in terms of a God-like perception. In this frame of reference, linear time cannot apply. Eternity, therefore is the absence of time and is necessarily timeless.
We conceptualize time on a grand scale. The earth rotates around the Sun at a specific rate. We subdivide this rate to the minutest form and organize our own movement based on this celestially predictability. Every derivation of time is necessarily linked to the denomination of a second.
If we conceptualize time in a linear fashion, can we, then, define eternity?
Logically, based on our perspective of the linear nature of time, eternity is time in an infinite quantity. However, this definition presupposes the linear definition of time.
How do we conceive of God and eternity on this basis?
If we know that God is omnipresent, then time, from the prospective of omnipresence, cannot be linear. A linear under standing of time is diametrically opposed to the concept of omnipresence.
For example, we understand God as having one being, concurrently present everywhere and every time we are capable of perceiving our surroundings from our linear perspective. If God exists in a way that is ever-present, a linear conception of time cannot apply. If it did, God could not be omnipresent.
Therefor, linear time is wholly unique to our universe. This does not suppose that time can or may exist by reference of some other being, just that our linear conception of time cannot apply with reference to God.
Eternity from our prospective, then, must be redefined in terms of a God-like perception. In this frame of reference, linear time cannot apply. Eternity, therefore is the absence of time and is necessarily timeless.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Inauguration...
This blog will, hopefully, help me to explore what it means to be a Christian from an intellectual perspective. Before that scares you off, let me explain. Many people know theDonnybrook from In the Grey. In the Grey typically focuses on political and social issues, taking a moderate and secular approach to issues involving politics and society. This blog will do something completely different. As a philosopher and lawyer, I have struggled long and hard with my Christian faith. I walked away from the Church because I lacked the tools with which to answer the questions that raised my doubts. Now I feel I have the tools to answer these questions, or at least confront them knowing that my faith is not in jeopardy. These rantings will be a medium by which those questions may be posed, answered (or not answered), and posed again.
The intention is not to question whether God exists, this is taken as a presupposition based on an existential argument for the existence of God. I am a Christian because I feel, believe, and generally have an idea that this is the truth. My aim is not to offend or provoke doubt in others. My purpose here is simply to explore, intellectually, the ideas I have about my faith, and attempt to resolve doubts that may arise in the process. Faith, though, stands up in the face of doubt.
Ultimately, the goal is not to fall away, but to strengthen my faith by understanding exactly why faith is necessary. Feel free to join me in this thought experiment.
The intention is not to question whether God exists, this is taken as a presupposition based on an existential argument for the existence of God. I am a Christian because I feel, believe, and generally have an idea that this is the truth. My aim is not to offend or provoke doubt in others. My purpose here is simply to explore, intellectually, the ideas I have about my faith, and attempt to resolve doubts that may arise in the process. Faith, though, stands up in the face of doubt.
Ultimately, the goal is not to fall away, but to strengthen my faith by understanding exactly why faith is necessary. Feel free to join me in this thought experiment.
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