The Westminster Confession of Funk

* Quadriga: 4 interpretive layers (literal, allegorical/typological, moral, anagogical) applicable beyond biblical texts* Systematization helps prioritize foundational interpretations before application* Modern readers often use these methods intuitively; understanding the system can improve comprehensionTopicsQuadriga Overview* Latin term meaning "four-horse chariot"* Medieval exegetical method for interpreting texts, especially Scripture* Four layers of interpretation:* Literal/historical: What actually happened* Allegorical/typological: How it points to Christ or doctrinal truths* Moral: How to live rightly, practical application* Anagogical: Eternal truths, imaginative self-insertion into the narrativeJoseph in Genesis: Quadriga Example* Literal: Sold by brothers, imprisoned, rises to power in Egypt, saves from famine* Typological: Parallels Christ's betrayal, death, resurrection, and salvation* Moral: Avoid jealousy, trust God in difficulties* Anagogical: Church's role in addressing various "famines" (ignorance, illness, poverty)Modern Applications* We intuitively use these methods beyond Scripture (e.g., kids relating to Harry Potter)* Systematization helps prioritize literal/historical foundation before application* Prevents jumping to conclusions without proper textual understanding* Aids in building a logical progression: history → Christ → moral application → broader truthsBenefits of Understanding Quadriga* Improves text analysis by consciously recognizing interpretive layers* Encourages thorough examination before drawing conclusions* Applicable to various texts and life situations, not just biblical exegesis Get full access to Jason Farley's Substack at jasonfarley.substack.com/subscribe

I accidentally said 8 sages, but it is actually 7. Oops. Get full access to Jason Farley's Substack at jasonfarley.substack.com/subscribe

Key Takeaways* Modern leftist ideology stems from 1960s NYC-based philosophical nihilism, not hippie movement* This nihilism, exemplified by Andy Warhol's Factory and Velvet Underground, rejects human nature and reality as constructs* Current left-right divide: secular anti-humanism (left) vs. secular humanism (right)* Understanding this philosophical background crucial for addressing root ideological differencesTopicsHistorical Misdiagnosis of Modern Left* Often mistakenly seen as extension of hippie movement* Key differences:* Hippies: anti-war, pro-free speech* Modern left: pro-violence, anti-free speech* Deeper roots in secular anti-humanism movement from 1960s NYCThe Factory and Velvet Underground as Nihilism Vectors* Andy Warhol's Factory: hub for nihilistic philosophy* Velvet Underground:* Deliberately tuned 40Hz off-standard* Embraced "ugly on purpose" aesthetic* Famous song "Walk on the Wild Side" about LGBT nightlife* Documentary "The Velvet Underground" (Apple TV+) showcases this movementPhilosophical Nihilism in America* Metaphysical nihilism: reality only exists in our minds* Rejects notion of human nature, gender as construct* Anti-human stance: no inherent human value, all is power* Parallels to French existentialism (e.g., Camus)Current Ideological Landscape* Left: Secular anti-humanism* No human nature → no proper use of body/society* Right: Secular humanism* Allows space for Christianity* Potential "road back" to Christian thinking for someImpact on Modern Discourse* "Gender is a construct" only sensical if humans lack nature* Root disagreement: Do humans have inherent nature/meaning?* Understanding this crucial for productive dialogue Get full access to Jason Farley's Substack at jasonfarley.substack.com/subscribe

Key Takeaways* Christian humanism, rooted in the work of Christ, emphasizes the restoration of human nature and the value of understanding humanity as a reflection of God.* Secular humanism, introduced by Giovanni Pico della Mirandola, proposes a flexible human nature that can be self-determined, diverging from Christian humanism.* The shift from Christian to secular humanism significantly influenced political philosophy, as seen in Machiavelli's works, and later impacted American culture.TopicsOrigins and Development of Christian Humanism* Emerged in the Renaissance (late 14th century) as a distinctly Christian philosophy* Key figures: Dante, Petrarch, Erasmus, Calvin* Central ideas:* Christ's incarnation restores humanity to its intended nature* Understanding humans is a means to understand God* Emphasizes going back to original sources for deeper comprehension* Influenced Reformation Protestantism and Catholic restoration projects* Calvin's "Institutes" exemplifies this approach: knowledge of God and man as central to all knowledgeGiovanni Pico della Mirandola and the Shift to Secular Humanism* Pico's oration (late 1300s) introduced a nihilistic metaphysic about mankind* Argued for a changeable human nature, dependent on actions and choices* Attempted to synthesize various religious philosophies, claiming they all teach human greatness* This flexible nature concept became the foundation of secular humanism* Contrasts with Christian view of human nature as fixed but fallen, requiring divine restorationImpact on Political Philosophy* Machiavelli, influenced by Pico's ideas, applied flexible nature concept to politics* Argued that nations and kingdoms could be shaped by human will and power* Rejected the traditional view of God-given spheres of authority* Led to concepts like social contract theory* Contrasted with Christian view of authority as God-established and requiring faithful stewardship Get full access to Jason Farley's Substack at jasonfarley.substack.com/subscribe

* Genesis presents a unique cosmology: both solid/intentional and changeable* Adam & Eve's creation illustrates this dual nature: individually and together as God's image* Gratitude is central to the transformative mission and avoiding idolatry in relationships* This "both/and" cosmology reflects God's triune nature and resolves ancient philosophical debates Get full access to Jason Farley's Substack at jasonfarley.substack.com/subscribe

* The idea of man as a microcosm has been prevalent throughout history, influencing philosophy, theology, and science* Our understanding of the cosmos directly impacts our self-perception and societal structures* The shift from viewing the world as divinely ordered to power-controlled has profoundly affected human governance and social dynamics Get full access to Jason Farley's Substack at jasonfarley.substack.com/subscribe

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The world of Critical Theory, and all of modernism, puts rivalry at the center or reality. The Gospel undoes rivalry. Get full access to Jason Farley's Substack at jasonfarley.substack.com/subscribe

* Newton's work unified terrestrial and celestial physics, but didn't intend to challenge religious views* Kant's interpretation of Newton's work popularized a mechanistic universe concept, diverging from Newton's religious perspective* The shift from descriptive to causative understanding of natural laws marked a significant change in scientific philosophy Get full access to Jason Farley's Substack at jasonfarley.substack.com/subscribe

* Kant attempted to reconcile metaphysical nihilism with philosophical realism by proposing a two-tiered reality: phenomena (experienced world) and noumena (things-in-themselves).* Kant's work marked a shift from metaphysics to epistemology in philosophical discourse, influencing modern and postmodern thought.* The division between "two kinds of truth" (faith-based and sense-based) has had lasting impacts on how we conceptualize knowledge and reality. Get full access to Jason Farley's Substack at jasonfarley.substack.com/subscribe