Why Do You Believe? Is God Fading Away?
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Apr 26, 2021 Dr. Richard G. Howe, SES Provost and classical theism expert, joins the discussion on the decline of traditional views of God. They explore the implications of this shift on theology and morality. With insights on slippery slopes in philosophy, Howe critiques modern evangelicalism's tendency to oversimplify God's nature. The conversation also touches on the interplay between divine simplicity and contemporary beliefs, emphasizing the need for robust theological understanding amidst changing cultural narratives.
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Classical Theism Defined
- Classical theism, rooted in Western thinking, emphasizes God's attributes based on Greek philosophy, Church Fathers, and medieval scholastics.
- Abandoning this tradition leads to a "fading away" of God's attributes in modern theology.
Charnock's Sermons
- Stephen Charnock, a 17th-century Puritan, preached complex sermons on God's attributes to common farmers.
- Today, such in-depth theological discussions are mostly found in graduate-level seminary courses.
Simplicity's Importance
- God's simplicity, the idea that God is not composed of parts, is foundational to other classical attributes.
- Rejecting simplicity can lead to rejecting other key attributes like God's goodness.