56 - Clifford Humphrey on Misreading Mere Christianity, Anthropology, and Habit Formation
Aug 8, 2022
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Clifford Humphrey, an expert in theological anthropology and baptist political theology, discusses the misreading of C.S. Lewis's "Mere Christianity" and its implications. They explore the tendency to condense Christianity into a simplistic form and the need for deeper spiritual experiences. The importance of discipleship and creating authentic communities is emphasized, as well as the significance of embracing distinctive beliefs. They also discuss the relationship between anthropology and education, critiquing the Cartesian model of humans and highlighting the importance of both mental and physical connection. Finally, the guest critiques James K.A. Smith and emphasizes the role of faith in the public square.
Rediscovering and embracing denominational traditions in Christianity is crucial for creating a sense of community and identity.
Recognizing the significance of physicality in worship and spiritual formation is essential in modern Christianity.
Deep dives
The Importance of Rediscovering Denominational Traditions
The podcast discusses the importance of rediscovering and embracing denominational traditions in Christianity. The speaker highlights how Protestants have shifted towards a more generic form of Christianity, neglecting the distinct practices and rituals that create a sense of community and identity. The emphasis is on the need to have specific traditions and habits that guide individuals and communities in their faith, rather than constantly striving for innovation and novelty.
The Loss of Anthropological Understanding in Faith Practices
The podcast explores the diminishing understanding of human anthropology in modern Christianity. The speaker argues that the tendency to view humans as solely rational beings, detached from the physical and embodied aspects of life, undermines the transformative power of faith. An analogy is drawn with a workout group that emphasizes physicality, demonstrating the importance of integrating physical practices into religious rituals. The discussion highlights the need to embrace incarnational theology and recognize the significance of physicality in worship and spiritual formation.
The Negative Impact of Habituation to Online Church Services
The podcast raises concerns about the habituation of attending online church services during the COVID-19 pandemic. It points out that such habits can lead to a diminished sense of communal worship and detachment from the importance of physical presence and participation in religious practices. The speaker emphasizes the need to break away from the virtual church experience and return to physical gatherings, highlighting the significance of the Eucharist and other communal rituals that require in-person participation.
The Necessity of Engaging in the Public Square with Faith
The podcast discusses the importance of Christians engaging in the public square and expressing their faith in the political arena. The speaker challenges the notion that religious beliefs should be kept private and argues that Christians should not shy away from asserting their values and principles in public discourse. The focus is on reclaiming the role of Christianity in shaping political theology and promoting a positive vision of faith in public life.
In this episode, I talk with Dr. Clifford Humphrey on how Christians have misunderstood Mere Christianity. We discuss how most people misread and have misapplied C.S. Lewis’s aim in his book Mere Christianity. We dive into theological anthropology and implications for Christian formation and spirituality. We close discussing baptist political theology.
Bio from Troy University - “Dr. Humphrey, originally from Warm Springs, Georgia, earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Palm Beach Atlantic University. Following graduation, he spent a few years learning the trade of woodworking in New York City and did a bit of world traveling before attending the Van Andel Graduate School of Statesmanship at Hillsdale College.
After earning his PhD, he was a postdoctoral fellow at the Catholic University of America and most recently helped launch Thales College in Raleigh, North Carolina.”