Why Does Believing in God Feel Like Work? | Joseph Minich
Sep 19, 2023
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Dr. Joseph Minich explores the challenges of believing in God in the modern world. Topics discussed include shifts in beliefs and dissonance experienced by American evangelicals, the misconception of science disproving God, the ontological argument and simultaneous rootedness, the purpose of proofs for believing in God, the treatment of faith and the concept of felt divine absence, the crisis of faith and the role of religious experience, and strategies for responding to doubt.
The conveniences of technology and modern living have diminished the immediate presence of God and our connection to His creation, leading to a challenge in maintaining faith and belief.
The prevalence of technology has weakened the connection between our own aptitudes and the ultimate goal of our work, creating a greater reliance on intellectual arguments for belief in God rather than a deep, instinctual understanding of His presence.
The modern labor system, driven by monetary incentives, alienates individuals from their intended vocation and diminishes their sense of fulfillment and purpose, while the shift towards city living and reliance on technology erodes community and interpersonal relationships, making unbelief seem more natural.
Deep dives
The Impact of Technology on Belief
In today's world, the conveniences of technology, such as cities, automobiles, and easy access to goods, have created a comfortable environment that removes the need to navigate and interact with the natural world. This has resulted in a diminished sense of the immediate presence of God and a loss of connection to the natural revelation of His creation. The modern labor system, driven by monetary incentives, often disconnects individuals from their intrinsic aptitudes and sense of purpose, leading to a lack of fulfillment and meaning in work. Additionally, the shift towards urban living and the reliance on technology has eroded the sense of community and interpersonal relationships that were once more prevalent. These changes in how we relate to the world and ourselves contribute to a general sense of agencylessness that challenges belief in God and requires effort to maintain faith.
How Technology Alters Perceptions of Natural Revelation
The prevalence of technology in modern life has diminished the immediacy of the natural world and the sense of purpose and design that can be observed in its creatures and systems. In an age of convenience and urban living, the visceral experience of nature's teaching is often lost, and the connection between our own aptitudes and the ultimate goal of our work is weakened. The focus on monetary gain in modern labor systems further distances individuals from a sense of fulfillment and meaning, creating a greater reliance on intellectual and formal arguments for belief in God rather than a deep, instinctual understanding of His presence. This changing perception of natural revelation can create a tension between what the mind knows and what the heart feels, leading to doubts and the need for apologetic defenses of faith.
The Effect of Modern Labor and Community Dynamics
The modern labor system, driven by monetary incentives and separated from personal aptitudes and purpose, can contribute to a sense of alienation from one's intended vocation and a lack of fulfillment in work. The shift towards city living and reliance on technology has also led to a decline in community and interpersonal relationships, as individuals become independent and disconnected from their neighbors. This loss of community and genuine connection further erodes the sense of agency and purpose, heightening doubts and making unbelief seem more natural. As believers navigate these challenges, they must recognize the transformation that technology and labor systems have on their perceptions and cultivate a deep sense of purpose and connection to God in the midst of a changing world.
The Return of the Universe to God
The podcast explores the concept of man as a microcosm of the universe, and the idea that the return of the universe to God involves retracing the cosmos and giving it back to God in worship. The mind's return to God is seen as the approximation of full knowing, and Thomas Aquinas is discussed as taking saints on a journey up into God to discover things about Him and bring them back to the world.
The Experience of Divine Absence and the Role of the Church
The podcast delves into the experience of divine absence throughout history, highlighting that historical options for resolving the absence of God were often focused on questioning His power or goodness, rather than denying His existence. However, in the modern period, the feeling of divine absence can extend beyond existential and moral aspects to a sense of God's absence even ontologically and metaphysically. The discussion also touches on the role of the church in providing a human community that connects individuals through human interaction and emphasizes the importance of human presence and the rediscovery of a deeper subterranean relationship with God.
Atheists like to tell a story in which religion declined because of scientific evidence and arguments. But what if unbelief became a plausible option because of the way modern people work, live, and relate to the world, and the way these changes make us feel? Shane welcomes Dr. Joseph Minich to discuss his book, Bulwarks of Unbelief.
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