The Universe Next Door A Basic Worldview Catalog

The Universe Next Door
A BASIC WORLDVIEW CATALOGUE

For any of us to be fully conscious intellectually, so that
we can first understand and then genuinely communicate with others in our pluralistic world,
we should not only be able to detect the worldviews of others but be aware of our own
why it is ours and why in light of so many options we think it is true.
As long as we are alive, we will live the examined or unexamined life.
It is the assumption of this article that the examined life is better.
September 2!
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The so,r'e o& 'h# !- . 'hs# /0!2 "$s (erive( &rom 1$mes W# Sire2s The Universe Next
Door3 A B$si' Wor+(vie" C$t$+o4- 5
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26 e(s# The 'h# 5 s,mm$r9 "$s
t$%en &rom $n $rti'+e poste( on S'rib(#'om# The so,r'e o& 'h# 2 "$s $($pte( &rom Sire2s N$min4
the E+eph$nt3 Wor+(vie" $s $ Con'ept# The posts'ript "$s "ritten b9 :the $,thor o&;
s'rib(#'om)t$%eittothestreets# The $nnot$te( bib+io4r$ph9 is t$%en &rom the &ootnotes o& Sire2s
boo%s#
Contents
1.1 Of the Definition of a Worldview................................................................................4
1.2 On Choosing a Worldview.......................................................................................... 5
4.1 Basic Christian Theism............................................................................................. 10
4.2 The Grander of God............................................................................................... 1!
5. Deism" The Cloc#wor# $niverse.................................................................................14
5.1 Basic Deism............................................................................................................. 14
5.2 %n $nsta&le Com'ond...........................................................................................1(
(. )atralism" The *ilence of +inite *'ace.....................................................................1(
(.1 Basic )atralism...................................................................................................... 1,
,. )ihilism" -ero .oint.................................................................................................... 1/
,.1 The +irst Bridge" )ecessit0 and Chance...................................................................11
,.2 The *econd Bridge" The Great Clod of $n#nowing.................................................11
,.! The Third Bridge" 2s and Oght................................................................................11
,.4 2nner Tensions in )ihilism........................................................................................20
/. 34istentialism" Be0ond )ihilism.................................................................................20
/.1 Basic %theistic 34istentialism ..................................................................................20
/.2 5ow far Be0ond )ihilism6........................................................................................21
/.! Basic Theistic 34istentialism....................................................................................21
10. .antheistic 7onism" % 8orne0 to the +ar 3ast.........................................................2(
10.1 Basic 3astern .antheistic 7onism..........................................................................2,
10.2 The Bddhist Difference.........................................................................................2/
10.! 3ast and West" % .ro&lem in Commnication........................................................21
11. .ostmodernism" The 9anished 5ori:on....................................................................21
11.2 The Death of Trth and the .ower of ;angage.....................................................!0
11.! The Death of the *&stantial *elf and Being Good withot God............................!0
11.4 The .anoramic *wee' of .ostmodernism..............................................................!0
11.5 .ostmodernism" % Criti<e..................................................................................... !0
12. The )ew %ge" % *e'arate $niverse..........................................................................!1
11.2 The Basic Tenets of the )ew Consciosness..........................................................!1
12.5 Crac#s in the )ew Consciosness..........................................................................!!
God ;oves =o............................................................................................!/
1. Introduction: A World of Difference
The most &,n($ment$+ iss,es "e $s h,m$n bein4s nee( to 'onsi(er h$ve no $'$(emi' (ep$rtment$+ bo,n($ries#
This $rti'+e is $bo,t "or+(vie"s < in some "$9s more b$si'- more &,n($ment$+- th$n &orm$+ st,(ies in either
phi+osoph9- theo+o49- or 'omp$r$tive re+i4ion# =e" peop+e h$ve $n9thin4 $ppro$'hin4 $n $rti',+$te phi+osoph9 0 $t
+e$st $s epitomi>e( b9 the 4re$t phi+osophers# Even &e"er- it is s,spe'te(- h$ve $ '$re&,++9 'onstr,'te( theo+o49# B,t
ever9one h$s $ "or+(vie"# Whenever $n9 o& ,s thin%s $bo,t $n9thin4 < &rom $ '$,s$+ tho,4ht to $ pro&o,n(
?,estion < "e $re oper$tin4 "ithin o,r o"n "or+(vie"- o,r &r$me o& re&eren'e &or $++ tho,4ht $n( $'tion# =or $n9 o&
,s to be &,++9 'ons'io,s inte++e't,$++9- "e sho,+( not on+9 be $b+e to (ete't the "or+(vie"s o& others b,t be $"$re o&
o,r o"n < "h9 it is o,rs $n( "h9 in +i4ht o& so m$n9 options "e thin% it is tr,e#
There&ore- ,se this $rti'+e $s $ steppin40stone &or se+&0'ons'io,s (eve+opment $n( @,sti&i'$tion o& 9o,r o"n
"or+(vie"# The p,rposes o& this $rti'+e $re3 :!; to 4ive $ b$si' o,t+ine the some "or+(vie"s th$t ,n(er+ie the "$9 "e
thin%A :2; to en'o,r$4e ,s $++ to thin% in terms o& "or+(vie"s- th$t is- "ith $ 'ons'io,sness o& not on+9 o,r o"n "$9
o& tho,4ht b,t $+so th$t o& other peop+e- so th$t "e '$n &irst ,n(erst$n( $n( then 4en,ine+9 'omm,ni'$te "ith others
in o,r p+,r$+isti' "or+(#
1.1 Of the Definition of a Worldview
Essenti$++9- $ "or+(vie" is $ 'ommitment- $ &,n($ment$+ orient$tion o& the he$rt- th$t '$n be expresse( $s $
stor9 or in $ set o& pres,ppositions :$ss,mptions "hi'h m$9 be tr,e- p$rti$++9 tr,e or entire+9 &$+se; "hi'h "e ho+(
:'ons'io,s+9 or s,b'ons'io,s+9- 'onsistent+9 or in'onsistent+9; $bo,t the b$si' 'onstit,tion o& re$+it9- $n( th$t
provi(es ,s the &o,n($tion on "hi'h "e +ive# The bib+i'$+ 'on'ept o& heart in'+,(es the notions o& "is(om :Brov
23!;- emotion :Ex /3!/A 1n !/3!;- (esire $n( "i++ :! Chron 263!C;- spirit,$+it9 :A'ts C32!;- $n( the inte++e't :Rom
!32!;# A''or(in4 to D$vi( N$,4+e it is Dthe 'entr$+ (e&inin4 e+ement o& the h,m$n person#E
A++ "or+(vie"s &irst $ss,me th$t somethin4 is there r$ther th$n th$t nothin4 is there# An(- i& "e expe't to %no"
$n9thin4- "e m,st $ss,me th$t "e '$n %no" somethin4# I& "e (onFt re'o4ni>e this- "e '$nFt move &or"$r(# The
$pprehension th$t somethin4 is there is the be4innin4 o& 'ons'io,s +i&e < $s "e++ $s o& t"o br$n'hes o& phi+osoph93
met$ph9si's :the st,(9 o& bein4; $n( epistemo+o49 :the st,(9 o& %no"in4;# Wh$t "e ?,i'%+9 (is'over ho"ever is
th$t on'e "e h$ve re'o4ni>e( th$t somethin4 is there- "e h$ve not ne'ess$ri+9 re'o4ni>e( "h$t th$t somethin4 is#
There is- o& 'o,rse- $ "$9 thin4s $re b,t "e '$n o&ten be mist$%en or in'onsistent# An( th$t is "here "or+(vie"s
be4in to (iver4e#
Whi+e "or+(vie"s m$9 $t &irst $ppe$r to pro+i&er$te- the9 $re m$(e ,p o& the v$rio,s $ns"ers to ?,estions th$t
h$ve on+9 $ +imite( n,mber o& $ns"ers# A "or+(vie" is then the set o& $ns"ers to these seven ?,estions3 :!; "h$t is
prime re$+it9G :2; "h$t is the n$t,re o& extern$+ re$+it9G :5; "h$t is $ h,m$n bein4G :/; "h$t h$ppens to $ person
$&ter (e$thG :8; Wh9 is it possib+e to %no" $n9thin4 $t $++G :H; ho" (o "e %no" "h$t is ri4ht $n( "ron4G :7; "h$t is
the me$nin4 o& h,m$n histor9G Io"ever- these seven ?,estions $re too theoreti'$+ $n( (o not $(e?,$te+9 $((ress the
n$t,re o& the "or+(vie" $s $ 'ommittment "or%e( o,t thro,4h o,r 'hoi'es in ever9($9 +i&e# There&ore- the 8
th
e(ition $((e( the &o++o"in4 ?,estion3 :C; Wh$t person$+- +i&e orientin4 'ommitments $re 'onsistent "ith this
"or+(vie"#G
When st$te( in s,'h $ se?,en'e the ?,estions '$n bo44+e the min(# I& "e &ee+ th$t the $ns"ers $re too obvio,s
to 'onsi(er- then "e h$ve $ "or+(vie" b,t h$ve no i(e$ th$t m$n9 others (o not sh$re it# A+tern$tive+9- i& "e &ee+
th$t none o& the ?,estions '$n be $ns"ere( "itho,t 'he$tin4 or 'ommittin4 inte++e't,$+ s,i'i(e- then "e h$ve $+re$(9
$(opte( $ sort o& "or+(vie" < $ &orm o& s%epti'ism "hi'h in its extreme &orm +e$(s to nihi+ism# A+so- re&,sin4 to
$(opt $n exp+i'it "or+(vie" "i++ t,rn o,t to be itse+& $ "or+(vie" or $t +e$st $ phi+osophi' position# In short- "e $re
'$,4ht# So $s +on4 $s "e $re $+ive- "e "i++ +ive the ex$mine( or ,nex$mine( +i&e# It is the $ss,mption o& this $rti'+e
th$t the ex$mine( +i&e is better p$rt+9 be'$,se o,r o"n "or+(vie" m$9 not be "h$t "e thin% it is# It is r$ther "h$t "e
sho" it to be b9 o,r "or(s $n( $'tions# O,r "or+(vie" 'o,+( +$9 so (eep "ithin o,r s,b'ons'io,s th$t ,n+ess "e
h$ve re&+e'te( +on4 $n( h$r(- "e $re ,n$"$re o& "h$t it is# An( even $&ter "e +$9 it o,t in '+e$r propositions "e m$9
"e++ be "ron4 &or o,r ver9 $'tions m$9 be+ie o,r se+&0%no"+e(4e#
1.2 On Choosing a Worldview
Un+ess e$'h o& ,s be4ins b9 $ss,min4 th$t "e $re in o,r present st$te the so+e m$%er $n( me$nin404iver o& the
,niverse < $ position he+( b9 &e" even "ithin the Ne" A4e < it "o,+( be "ise to $''ept $n $ttit,(e o& h,mi+it9- not
s%epti'ism- be'$,se "e (o ten( to $(opt positions th$t 9ie+( po"er to ,s- "hether tr,e or not# Wh$tever "or+(vie"
"e $(opt "i++ be +imite( be'$,se o,r &init,(e $s h,m$n bein4s "i++ %eep ,s both &rom tot$+ $'',r$'9 in the "$9 "e
4r$sp $n( express o,r "or+(vie"# Io"ever- to s$9 th$t "e '$n %no" somethin4 to be tr,e (oes not me$n "e m,st
%no" exh$,stive+9 "h$t is tr,e# Jno"+e(4e is s,b@e't to re&inement- b,t i& it is tr,e %no"+e(4e- there m,st h$ve
been $t +e$st $ 4r$in o& tr,th in oneFs ,nre&ine( 'on'eption#
An( "ith th$t $ss,mption other e+ements $re ent$i+e(- prim$ri+9 the so0'$++e( +$"s o& tho,4ht3 the +$"s o&
i(entit9- non0'ontr$(i'tion $n( the ex'+,(e( mi((+e# B9 &o++o"in4 s,'h +$"s "e $re $b+e to thin% '+e$r+9 $n( be
$ss,re( th$t o,r re$sonin4 is v$+i(# S,'h $ss,mptions- then- +e$( to the &irst 'h$r$'teristi' th$t o,r $(opte(
"or+(vie" sho,+( possess < inner inte++e't,$+ 'oheren'e# I& $ 'on'ept,$+ s9stem 'ont$ins $s $n essenti$+ e+ement $
set o& propositions "hi'h is +o4i'$++9 in'onsistent- it is &$+se#
A se'on( 'h$r$'teristi' o& $n $(e?,$te "or+(vie" is th$t it be $b+e to 'omprehen( the ($t$ o& re$+it9 < ($t$ o&
$++ t9pes < th$t "hi'h e$'h o& ,s 4+e$ns thro,4h o,r 'ons'io,s experien'e o& ($i+9 +i&e- th$t "hi'h is reporte( to ,s
&rom the experien'e o& others- $n( th$t "hi'h is s,pp+ie( b9 'riti'$+ $n$+9sis $n( s'ienti&i' investi4$tion# A++ o& this
($t$ m,st- o& 'o,rse- be ev$+,$te( $t the +o"est +eve+ &irst :is it veri(i'$+G is it i++,sor9G;# B,t i& the ($t$ st$n(s the
test- "e m,st be $b+e to in'orpor$te it into o,r "or+(vie"# To the extent th$t o,r "or+(vie" (enies or &$i+s to
'omprehen( the ($t$- it is &$+si&ie(- or $t +e$st in$(e?,$te#
Thir(- $n $(e?,$te "or+(vie" sho,+( exp+$in "h$t it '+$ims to exp+$in# Io" (oes the "or+(vie" exp+$in the
&$'t th$t h,m$ns thin% b,t thin% h$+tin4+9- +ove b,t h$te too- $re 're$tive b,t $re $+so (estr,'tive- "ise b,t o&ten
&oo+ish $n( so &orthG Wh$t exp+$ins o,r +on4in4 &or tr,th or person$+ &,+&i++mentG Wh9 (o "e ,s,$++9 "$nt more <
more mone9- more +ove- $n( more e'st$s9G Io" (o "e exp+$in o,r h,m$n re&,s$+ to oper$te in $n $mor$+ &$shionG
These $re h,4e ?,estions b,t th$t is "h$t $ "or+(vie" is &or < to $ns"er s,'h ?,estions or $t +e$st provi(e the
&r$me"or% "ithin "hi'h s,'h ?,estions '$n be $ns"ere(#
=in$++9- $ "or+(vie" sho,+( be s,b@e'tive+9 s$tis&$'tor9# A "or+(vie" s$tis&ies b9 bein4 tr,e# B,t- to (etermine
the tr,th o& $ "or+(vie"- "e $re '$st b$'% to the &irst three 'h$r$'teristi's# Sti++- s,b@e'tive s$tis&$'tion is import$nt-
$n( it m$9 be +$'% o& it th$t '$,ses ,s to investi4$te o,r "or+(vie" in the &irst p+$'e# We &in(- in &$'t- th$t it is on+9
"hen "e p,rs,e o,r (o,bts $n( se$r'h &or the tr,th th$t "e be4in to 4et re$+ s$tis&$'tion#
2. A Brief History of the Worldview as a Concet
O& the 4re$t phi+osophers- Imm$n,e+ J$nt :!72/0!C/; "$s the &irst to ,se in his "ritin4s the i(e$ o& $
"or+(vie"# B,t he (i( so on+9 in p$ssin4 ,n+i%e Wi+he+m Di+the9 :!C550!6!!; "ho "$s the &irst to ,se it 'entr$++9#
Di+the9 'onsi(ere( $ "or+(vie" to (eve+op thro,4h $ tho,4ht pro'ess th$t be4ins "ith the ri((+e:s; o& +i&e- then
pro'ee(s to 'onsi(er $ K'osmi' pi't,reF- $n( then onto $n ,n(erst$n(in4 o& 'ons'io,sness . the extern$+ "or+(- "ho
"e $re $s h,m$ns- v$+,es- $n( the 4oo( in or(er to (es'ribe the i(e$+ +i&e $n( so'iet9# Di+the9 s,44este( $
re&+e'tivit9 bet"een intern$+ . +o'$+ m$%e,p o& h,m$ns "ith oneFs m$'ro0vision# Ie h$( $n emph$sis on ment$+
str,'t,res)'$te4ories $risin4 &rom experien'e#
=rie(ri'h Niet>s'he :!C//0!6;- the bo+( nihi+ist- s$" the e&&e'ts on m$n $n( so'iet9 o& +i&e "itho,t Go( $n(
there&ore (e'+$re( Go(Fs (e$th# This in&$mo,s '+$im "$s m$(e be'$,se peop+e "ere +ivin4- $s he observe(- $s i&
there "$snFt $ 4o(- th$t is- "itho,t $ 4,i(e- 4o$+- or p,rpose# As $n existenti$+ist he $sserte( the po"er o& his "i++ to
over'ome nihi+ism b9 imposin4 his o"n v$+,es on others# Niet>s'he tho,4ht th$t peop+e 're$te their o"n mo(e+s o&
re$+it9 $n( be'ome (epen(ent- s,bor(in$te pro(,'ts o& them $&ter the9 &or4et th$t tr,th is @,st '$noni>e( i++,sion# In
this m$nner- L,("i4 Witt4enstein :!CC60!68!; 'onsi(ere( "or+(vie"s- $t +e$st in his +$ter 9e$rs- to be m,t,$++9
ex'+,sive- ,nveri&i$b+e- non0'ompetitive- +in4,isti' 'onstr,'tions o& re$+it9#
B9 the !67s "$s be4innin4 to be &+eshe( o,t $n( one o& its m$@or proponents "$s Li'he+ =o,'$,+t :!62H0
!6C/;# =o,'$,+t 'onsi(ere( tr,th to be $ set o& r,+es or $ "$9 o& re$sonin4 th$t 4ener$te( $n( 4overne( $++ p$tterns
o& tho,4ht# Si4ni&i'$nt+9- he propose( th$t tr,th is in $ (9n$mi'$+ re+$tion "ith the po"er s9stems th$t pro(,'e-
s,st$in- $n( $re $&&e'te( b9 it# E&&e'tive+9- peop+e $re tr$ppe( in +$n4,$4e str,'t,res $n( %no"+e(4e re4imes th$t $re
ines'$p$b+e- oppressive- po"er p+$9s#
1$mes Orr :!C//0!6!5; "$s the &irst to intro(,'e the 'on'ept o& "or+(vie" into Christi$n theo+o49# Orr
'onsi(ere( "or+(vie"s to ori4in$te (eep "ithin the 'onstit,tion o& h,m$n n$t,re $n( invo+vin4 the inte++e't $n( the
$'tions "e per&orm# Ie observe( the $tt$'%s $4$inst the Christi$n "or+(vie" on m,+tip+e &ronts $n( he+( th$t $
proper theo+o4i'$+ exposition o& it "$s $'t,$++9 its m$in (e&ense# Orr (emonstr$te( th$t $ Christo0'entri'- r$tion$+-
se+&0$,thenti'$tin4 s9stem o& bib+i'$+ tr,th '$n $(e?,$te+9 $((ress $++ the iss,es re+$te( to h,m$n &+o,rishin4#
Abr$h$m J,9per :!C570!62; exten(e( OrrFs $ppro$'h b9 (emonstr$tin4 C$+vinisti' Christi$nit9 $s $n $++0
embr$'in4 +i&e s9stem# J,9per s$i( th$t e$'h "or+(vie" $((resses three &,n($ment$+ re+$tionships3 m$n to Go(-
m$n to m$n- $n( m$n to "or+(# J,9per "ent on to (is',ss ho" the Christi$n "or+(vie" i++,min$tes $n( stim,+$tes
',+t,re :i#e# re+i4ion- po+iti's- s'ien'e- $n( $rt; to its hi4hest pe$% o& per&e'tion# One o& J,9perFs m$in 'ontrib,tions
"$s th$t he he+( to the nee( &or $++ tho,4ht to pro'ee( &rom $ sin4+e prin'ip+e#
Ierm$n Doo9e"eer( :!C6/0!677; "$s the most phi+osophi' o& Christi$n thin%ers $n( most insistent th$t
theoreti'$+ tho,4ht is not the b$sis o& "or+(vie"s# R$ther- he he+( e$'h "or+(vie" $s pro'ee(in4 &rom $ spirit,$+ .
vo+ition$+ 'ommitment- o& "hi'h there $re on+9 t"o3 m$n 'onverte( to Go( or m$n $verte( to Go(# Berson$++9- I :o&
$rti'+e; h$ve $((e( m9 tho,4hts in the posts'ript $bo,t these %e9 points o& J,9perFs $n( Doo9e"eer(Fs#
!. "u##ary of the Worldviews
A "or+(vie" is $ 'ommitment- $ &,n($ment$+ orient$tion o& the he$rt- th$t '$n be expresse( $s $ stor9 or in $ set
o& pres,ppositions :$ss,mptions "hi'h m$9 be tr,e- p$rti$++9 tr,e or entire+9 &$+se; "hi'h "e ho+( :'ons'io,s+9 or
s,b'ons'io,s+9- 'onsistent+9 or in'onsistent+9; $bo,t the b$si' 'onstit,tion o& re$+it9- $n( th$t provi(es ,s the
&o,n($tion on "hi'h "e +ive#
Choosing A Worldview
Io" "e++ (oes the "or+(vie" re+$te to itse+&G
Consistency 0 It (oes not vio+$te the +$" o& non0'ontr$(i'tion#
Coherence 0 Do its p$rts &it to4etherA (o sep$r$te st$tements s,pport one $notherG :=or inst$n'e the
&o++o"in4 st$tements $re tr,e M4r$ss is 4reenA 2 N 2 O /- Sprin4&ie+( is the C$pit$+ Cit9 o& I++inoisP ho"ever
the9 (o not s,pport one $nother in $n9 "$9 $n( there&ore t$%en ho+isti'$++9 the9 $re not 'oherent;
Io" "e++ (oes the "or+(vie" exp+$in the "or+(G
Co#rehensiveness 0 Does it 'over $++ the b$sesG
Congruence 0 Does it &it "ith re$+it9A (oes it &it the ($t$G
Io" "e++ (oes the "or+(vie" exp+$in h,m$nit9G
Co#ensation 0 Does it provi(e $ sense o& s$tis&$'tionA is the "or+(vie" +iv$b+eG
Is the "or+(vie" the best $+tern$tiveG
Co#ara$ility 0 Does it (o the best @ob o& $ns"erin4 $++ the ?,estionsG
Christian %heis#
Go(),+tim$te re$+it93
Cre$tor- in&inite- person$+- tri,ne- r$tion$+#
Tr$ns'en(ent $n( imm$nent#
Soverei4n $n( 4oo(#
Cosmos)prime re$+it93
Cre$te( ex nihi+o#
Oper$tes "ith $ ,ni&ormit9 o& '$,se $n( e&&e't#
Open s9stem :mir$'+es possib+e thro,4h 4o(Fs imm$nen'e;#
=$++en "or+(#
I,m$ns3
Cre$te( in the im$4e o& 4o(
Bossess se+&0tr$ns'en(en'e- r$tion$+it9- person$+it9- mor$+it9-
're$tivit9- so'i$bi+it9#
Ori4in$++9 4oo(- no" &$++en b,t '$p$b+e o& re(emption#
Jno"+e(4e)reve+$tion3
C$n h$ve $(e?,$te %no"+e(4e o& the "or+( $n( 4o(#
Av$i+$b+e thro,4h 4ener$+ $n( spe'i$+ reve+$tion#
Ethi's3
Tr$ns'en(ent#
B$se( on the 'h$r$'ter o& 4o( $s 4oo( :ho+9 $n( +ovin4;#
Some ethi'$+ prin'ip+es $re ,nivers$+ :not re+$tive;#
Given b9 4ener$+ $n()or spe'i$+ reve+$tion#
De$th3
G$te"$9 to eternit9 "ith or eternit9 sep$r$te( &rom 4o(#
O,t'ome (etermine( b9 re+$tionship "ith 'hrist#
In(ivi(,$+it9 ret$ine(#
Iistor93
Line$r#
Le$nin4&,+#
Le$(in4 to the &,+&i++ment o& 4o(Fs p,rposes#
G,i(e( b9 4o(Fs provi(en'e $n( mir$',+o,s intervention#
Deis#
Cre$tor#
Tr$ns'en(ent not imm$nent#
Not &,++9 person$+#
Cre$te(#
C+ose( s9stem :mir$'+es not possib+e)$'t,$+ be'$,se 4o(
+$'%s imm$nen'e;#
Not &$++en#
I,m$ns3
Berson$+#
B$rt o& the '+o'%"or% ,niverse#
C$p$'it9 &or mor$+it9 is Db,i+t inE#
Not ',rrent+9 (epen(ent ,pon 4o(Fs invo+vement#
Cosmos is %no"$b+e vi$ h,m$n re$son#
Go( is %no"$b+e on+9 thro,4h n$t,r$+ reve+$tion#
Ethi's3
Lor$+ prin'ip+es b$se( on 4o(Fs tr$ns'en(ent n$t,re#
Jno"$b+e on+9 thro,4h n$t,r$+ reve+$tion#
Wh$t DisE m,st be Dri4htE#
De$th3
Bossib+9 (evine @,(4ment "ith re"$r(s $n( p,nishment
b$se( on merit#
Bossib+9 (e$th $s the en( o& person$+ existen'e#
Iistor93
Line$r#
Determine( $t 're$tion#
Go( (oes not $'t in histor9#
Oti#istic naturalis# &secular hu#anis#'
Etern$+ or se+&04ener$te( m$tter#
No 4o(#
Un're$te(#
C+ose( s9stem :mir$'+es not possib+e be'$,se there is no
4o(;#
Ever9thin4 is "ithin the DboxE o& the ,niverse#
I,m$ns3
D&ee 9et D'omp+ex m$'hinesE#
Berson$+it9 not 9et ,n(erst$n($b+e#
Appe$rs to be nothin4 more th$n the inter$'tion o& ph9si'$+
$n( 'hemi'$+ properties#
Bossib+e to (is'over#
Import$nt to e&&e't pro4ress#
Not (ivine+9 reve$+e(#
Ethi's3
Cre$te( b9 h,m$n 'onsens,s#
A,tonomo,s :not (epen(ent on $n9 4o(;#
Sit,$tion$+#
De$th3
Extin'tion o& 'ons'io,sness- person$+it9- $n( in(ivi(,$+it9#
Iistor93
Line$r stre$m o& events +in%e( b9 '$,se $n( e&&e't#
No over$r'hin4 p,rpose#
(essi#istic naturalis# &nihilis#'
No 4o(#
A 'osmos th$t $ppe$rs not to '$re- to v$+,e 4oo(ness- or to
be r$tion$+#
Abs,r(#
Oper$tes either &rom ne'essit9 or 'h$n'e#
No inherent v$+,e or me$nin4#
Brovi(es no $ns"ers#
Abs,r(#
I,m$ns3
No v$+,e- me$nin4 or se+&#
=ree(om $n( 'ons'io,sness ,n(ermine(#
No &o,n($tion &or %no"+e(4e#
No re$son to thin% the br$in $s p,re m$tter "o,+( 4ive
Dtr,thE#
Tr,th $n( i++,sion in(istin4,ish$b+e#
Ethi's3
No b$sis &or mor$+ v$+,es#
V$+,es re+$tive#
C$nnot pro(,'e Do,4htsE &rom "h$t DisE the '$se#
De$th3
Extin'tion o& 'ons'io,sness- person$+it9- $n( in(ivi(,$+it9#
=in$+ $bs,r(it9#
Iistor93
No (ire'tion or p,rpose#
In(ivi(,$+ $n( "or+( histor9 $re me$nin4+ess#
Atheistic e)istentialis#
T"o (is,nite( &orms ob@e'tive :m$tter; $n( s,b@e'tive :m9
experien'e o& &ree(om;#
Consists o& ob@e'tive Dessen'esE "hi'h $re 4overne( b9
n$t,reFs +$" $n( +o4i'#
Abs,r(#
I,m$ns3
Existen'e pre'e(es essen'e :&or h,m$ns $+one;#
L$n &ree to (e&ine himse+&#
A+ien$te( &rom the "or+(#
Ob@e'tive %no"$b+e b9 +o4i' $n( s'ien'e#
Se+& remove( &rom $n$+9sis#
Ethi's3
I,m$ns m,st Drevo+tE $4$inst $bs,r(it9 $n( 're$te v$+,e#
Goo( $'tions $re those th$t $re 'ons'io,s+9 $n( &ree+9
'hosen#
De$th3
Un(eni$b+e $bs,r(it9#
=$'e it bo+(+9 $s the &in$+ exer'ise o& revo+t#
Iistor93
Wor+( histor9 is me$nin4+ess#
Tempor$r9 in(ivi(,$+ me$nin4 m$9 $rise thro,4h 'hoi'es
$n( person$+ en'o,nters#
%heistic e)istentialis#
Go( is person$+- tr$ns'en(ent- imm$nent $n( 4oo(#
A''epte( "itho,t proo& thro,4h $ +e$p o& &$ith#
B$r$(oxi'$+#
Gives no me$nin4#
O&&ers no evi(en'e &or 4o(#
I,m$ns3
The Dperson$+E i0tho, is v$+,$b+e#
=inite#
=$++en#
Not s$tis&ie( $p$rt &rom s,rren(er to 4o(#
O&ten p$r$(oxi'$+#
Go( be+ieve( "itho,t re$son or proo&#
Reve+$tion is person$+ en'o,nter not reve$+e( propositions
or (o'trines#
Ethi's3
Un(erstoo( prim$ri+9 in Dperson$+E terms#
Emph$sis on person$+ re+$tionship not mor$+ v$+,es#
De$th3
Berson$+ en'o,nter "ith 4o( '$n prompt hope over the
$bs,r(it9 o& (e$th#
Liter$+ 'ontin,e( +i&e ,n'ert$in#
Iistor93
Un'ert$in $n( ,nimport$nt#
C$n provi(e $ mo(e+ to +ive b9#
*astern antheistic #onis#
A++ re$+it9 is D(ivine onenessE :br$hm$n;#
This D4o(E s,perse(es $++ r$tion$+)mor$+ (istin'tions#
Cosmos is one#
Not per'eive( $s it is- it is th,s m$9$ :i++,sion;#
I,m$ns3
Re$+ se+& is not ps9'ho0ph9si'$+ se+& :@iv$;#
Re$+ se+& is $ p$ssive observer :$tm$n; th$t is one "ith
br$hm$n#
Atm$n is brahman.
Tr$ns'en(s +o4i'- +$n4,$4e- ph9si'$+ senses#
A (ire't experien'e( %no"+e(4e o& oneFs oneness "ith the
,niverse#
Ethi's3
Distin'tion bet"een 4oo( $n( evi+ $b$n(one( (,e to oneness
o& re$+it9#
De$th3
C9'+e o& rebirth :s$ms$r$; th$t is on+9 stoppe( "hen oneness
is $'hieve(#
=,t,re +i&e (etermine( b9 %$rm$#
Iistor93
In(ivi(,$+ $n( 'osmi' histor9 $re '9'+i'$+#
Time is ,nre$+ $s one p$sses be9on( it in the experien'e o&
the one#
+ew Age
Se+& +in%e( to $ perme$tin4 &or'e thro,4ho,t the ,niverse#
No tr$ns'en(ent 4o(- on+9 the 4oo( "ithin#
Visib+e :$''essib+e b9 norm$+ 'ons'io,sness;#
Invisib+e :$''essib+e b9 $+tere( 'ons'io,sness;#
I,m$ns3
In(ivi(,$+ more import$nt#
Atman is br$hm$n#
Gro"in4 'osmi' 'ons'io,sness +e$(s to s,perior h,m$n
r$'e#
Experien'in4 tr,e re$+it9 in its ,nit9 is the 4o$+#
A''omp+ishe( thro,4h $+tere( st$tes o& 'ons'io,sness#
Assiste( b9 me(it$tion- m$ntr$s- me(i,ms- et'#
Ethi's3
Goo( is "h$tever &$'i+it$tes $ 'osmi' 'ons'io,sness o&
oneness#
O&ten invo+ves e'o+o4i'$+ $n( h,m$n sensitivit9#
Ever9thin4 p$rt o& mother e$rth#
De$th3
Not the en( o& se+&#
Wh$t +ies be9on( ,n'+e$r#
L$n9 opt &or repe$te( rein'$rn$tions#
Iistor93
Cosmos $n( m$n h$ve entere( $ ne" $4e#
Some stress $ one0"or+( 4overnment $n( 'omin4 one0"or+(
+e$(er#
,. Christian %heis#: A -niverse Charged with the .randeur of .od
Up to the en( o& the seventeenth 'ent,r9- the theisti' "or+(vie" "$s '+e$r+9 (omin$nt# The inte++e't,$+
s?,$bb+es th$t existe( (i( so "ithin the 'ir'+e o& theism- &or most p$rties sti++ he+( the s$me b$si' pres,ppositions#
The re$son is obvio,s# Christi$nit9 h$( so penetr$te( the Western "or+( th$t "hether peop+e be+ieve( in Christ or
$'te( $s Christi$ns sho,+(- the9 $++ +ive( in $ 'ontext o& i(e$s in&+,en'e( $n( in&orme( b9 the Christi$n &$ith# This
',+t,r$+ 'onsens,s- th$t 4$ve $ sense o& p+$'e $n( (ominion- $n( the b$sis &or me$nin4- mor$+it9- $n( i(entit9- no
+on4er exists $s "or+(vie"s h$ve sin'e pro+i&er$te(#
It is import$nt to note th$t Christi$n theism "$s ',+t,r$++9 $b$n(one( not be'$,se it "$s in$(e?,$te+9
,n(erstoo(- &or4otten 'omp+ete+9 or not $pp+ie( to the iss,es $t h$n(# Loreover- not ever9one $b$n(one( theism#
There rem$ins $t ever9 +eve+ in so'iet9- ever9 $'$(emi' (is'ip+ine- $n( ever9 pro&ession- those "ho t$%e their
Christi$n theism "ith 'omp+ete inte++e't,$+ serio,sness $n( honest9#
,.1 Basic Christian %heis#
1' od is infinite, transcendent and immanent, omniscient, sovereign, personal !triune" and good.
od is infinite# Ie is be9on( s'ope- me$s,re# No other bein4 '$n 'h$++en4e his n$t,re < $++ e+se is se'on($r9#
Ie is the on+9 se+&0existent bein4 $n( is the be0$++ $n( en(0$++ o& existen'e# Go( is the one prime existen'e- the one
prime re$+it9- $n( the so,r'e o& $++ re$+it9# As Go( spo%e ,nto Loses o,t o& the b,rnin4 b,sh- DI $m "ho I $mE
:Ex#53!/;#
od is transcendent. This me$ns th$t Go( is be9on( $++- 9et in $++ $n( s,st$inin4 $++# Qet Go( is not so be9on(
th$t Ie be$rs no re+$tion to ,s $n( o,r "or+(# It is +i%e"ise tr,e th$t od is immanent- $n( th,s Ie is "ith ,s# =or
Go( is not m$tter- b,t Spirit# The Bib+e s$9s th$t 1es,s Christ is D,pho+(in4 the ,niverse b9 Iis "or( o& po"erE
:Ieb !35;#
od is omniscient. This me$ns th$t Go( is $++0%no"in4- the ,+tim$te so,r'e o& %no"+e(4e $n( inte++i4en'e# Ie
is the $+ph$ $n( the ome4$- %no"in4 the be4innin4 &rom the en( :Rev# 223!5;#
od is sovereign. This is $nother r$mi&i'$tion o& Go(Fs in&initeness- b,t it emph$si>es the &$'t th$t nothin4 is
be9on( Go(Fs interest- 'ontro+- $n( $,thorit9#
od is personal# This me$ns th$t Go( is not mere &or'e or ener49 or existent Ds,bst$n'eE# Go( is $e- th$t is-
Go( h$s $ person$+it9- "hi'h re?,ires t"o b$si' 'h$r$'teristi's3 i; se+&0re&+e'tion- ii; se+&0(etermin$tion# Go( is
person$+ in th$t Ie %no"s Iimse+& to be :Ie is se+&0'ons'io,s; $n( he possesses se+&0(etermin$tion :Ie Dthin%sE $n(
D$'tsE;# One imp+i'$tion is th$t Go( is not simp+e ,nit9- $n inte4er# Ie h$s $ttrib,tes- 'h$r$'teristi's# In &$'t- Ie is $
,nit9- b,t $ ,nit9 o& 'omp+exit9#
Another imp+i'$tion o& the person$+it9 o& Go( is th$t Ie is +i%e ,s# :In &$'t "e m$(e in Iis im$4e- see
proposition R5;# This me$ns th$t there is someone ,+tim$te "ho is there to 4ro,n( o,r hi4hest $spir$tions- o,r most
pre'io,s possession 0 o,r person$+it9- "hi'h me$ns th$t "e &in( o,r tr,e home in $ re+$tionship "ith Iim# DThere is
$ Go(0sh$pe( v$',,m in the he$rt o& ever9m$n-E "rote A,4,stine# DO,r he$rts $re rest+ess ti++ the9 rest in thee-E
"rote B$s'$+# Go( &,+&i++s o,r ,+tim$te +on4in4 b9 bein4 the per&e't &it &or o,r ver9 n$t,re- b9 s$tis&9in4 o,r +on4in4
&or interperson$+ re+$tionship- b9 bein4 in Iis in&initeness the en( to o,r se$r'h &or %no"+e(4e $n( re&,4e &rom $++
&e$r- b9 bein4 in Iis ho+iness the ri4hteo,sness 4ro,n( o& o,r ?,est &or @,sti'e- b9 bein4 in Iis in&inite +ove the
'$,se o& o,r hope &or s$+v$tion- b9 bein4 in Iis in&inite 're$tivit9 both the so,r'e o& o,r 're$tive im$4in$tion $n( the
,+tim$te be$,t9 "e see% to re&+e't $s "e o,rse+ves 're$te#
A't,$++9- in Christi$n theism :not 1,($ism or Is+$m; od is not only personal, but triune# Th$t is- "ithin the one
essen'e o& the Go(he$( "e h$ve to (istin4,ish three KpersonsF "ho $re neither three 4o(s nor three p$rts or mo(es
o& Go(- b,t 'oe?,$++9 $n( 'oetern$++9 Go(# The Trinit9 'on&irms the 'omm,n$+- Dperson$+E n$t,re o& ,+tim$te bein4#
Go( is not on+9 there < $n existent bein4 < he is person$+ $n( "e '$n re+$te to Iim in $ person$+ "$9# To %no" Go(-
there&ore- me$ns %no"in4 more th$n Ie exists# It me$ns %no"in4 Iim $s "e "o,+( o,r o"n &$therS
od is good. This is the prime st$tement $bo,t Go(Fs 'h$r$'ter $n( &rom it $++ e+se &o++o"s# There is no sense in
"hi'h 4oo(ness s,rp$sses Go( or Go( s,rp$sses 4oo(ness# As bein4 is the essen'e o& Iis n$t,re- 4oo(ness is the
essen'e o& Iis 'h$r$'ter# A+tho,4h Go( is tot$++9 ,n'onstr$ine( b9 his environment- Go( is +imite( :"e mi4ht s$9;
on+9 b9 his 'h$r$'ter# Go(- bein4 4oo(- '$nnot +ie- be tempte(- $'t "ith evi+ intent $n( so &orth# B,t- Go( is &ree to
(o $s Ie "i++s- $n( Iis "i++ is in 'ontro+ o& Iis 'h$r$'ter#
Go(Fs 4oo(ness is expresse( in t"o "$9s- thro,4h Iis ho+iness $n( Iis +ove# Go(Fs 4oo(ness me$ns th$t there
is $n $bso+,te st$n($r( o& ri4hteo,sness- "hi'h is &o,n( in Go(Fs ho+9 'h$r$'ter# A+so there is hope &or h,m$nit9
be'$,se Go( is +ove $n( "i++ not $b$n(on Iis 're$tion# This t"in observ$tion be'omes espe'i$++9 si4ni&i'$nt $s "e
tr$'e the res,+ts o& re@e'tin4 the theisti' "or+(vie"#
2' od created the cosmos ex nihilo to operate with a uniformity of cause and effect in an open system.
It is import$nt to ,n(erst$n( th$t Go( (i( not m$%e the ,niverse o,t o& Iimse+& or o,t o& some pre0existen'e
'h$os :i& it "ere re$++9 Dpre0existentE- it "o,+( be $s etern$+ $s Go(;# R$ther- Ie spo%e it into existen'e $n( 're$te(
it o,t o& nothin4# =or DGo( s$i(- KLet there be +i4htFA $n( there "$s +i4htE :Gen !35;# A+so- Go(Fs ,niverse $n( Go(Fs
'h$r$'ter $re '+ose+9 re+$te(# Go( (oes not present ,s "ith 'on&,sion b,t "ith '+$rit9 $s the ,niverse h$s $n
or(er+iness $n( re4,+$rit9 to it :this is exp$n(e( in proposition R8;#
=,rthermore- the s9stem is open- me$nin4 it is not pro4r$mme(# Go( is 'onst$nt+9 invo+ve( in the ,n&o+(in4
p$ttern o& the on4oin4 oper$tion o& the ,niverse# An( so $re "e $s h,m$ns3 e$'h (e'ision to p,rs,e one 'o,rse r$ther
th$n $nother- 'h$n4es or r$ther Dpro(,'esE the &,t,re# We &in( the ,niverse (r$m$ti'$++9 $+tere( $t the &$++- "hen
A($m $n( Eve m$(e $ 'hoi'e# B,t Go( m$(e $nother 'hoi'e in re(eemin4 peop+e thro,4h Christ# I& the ,niverse
"ere not or(er+9- o,r (e'isions "o,+( h$ve no e&&e't# I& the 'o,rse o& events "ere (etermine(- o,r (e'isions "o,+(
h$ve no si4ni&i'$n'e# So theism (e'+$res th$t Go(Fs ,niverse is or(er+9 $n( ,n(etermine(#
!' a' $uman beings are created in the image of od and thus possess personality, self%transcendence, intelligence,
morality, gregariousness, and creativity.
The %e9 phr$se here is the image of od, $ 'on'eption hi4h+i4hte( b9 the &$'t th$t it o'',rs three times in the
short sp$'e o& t"o verses :Gen# !32H027;# Th$t peop+e $re m$(e in the im$4e o& Go( me$ns "e $re +i%e Go(# We $re
person$+ be'$,se Go( is person$+# Th$t is- "e %no" o,rse+ves to be $n( "e $re '$p$b+e o& $'tin4 to 'h$n4e the
'o,rse o& both h,m$n $n( 'osmi' events $s oppose( to mere+9 re$'tin4 to o,r environment# O,r se+&0tr$ns'en(en'e
m$%es ,s ,ni?,e $n( re&+e'ts :$s $n im$4e; the se+&0tr$ns'en(en'e o& Go(# No t"o peop+e $re $+i%e not on+9 be'$,se
no t"o h$ve sh$re( the s$me here(it9 $n( environment b,t be'$,se e$'h possess $ ,ni?,e 'h$r$'ter o,t o& "hi'h "e
thin%- &ee+- @,(4e < in short- 'hoose to $'t#
We '$n s,mm$ri>e this 'on'eption o& m$n m$(e in Go(Fs im$4e b9 s$9in4 th$t- +i%e Go(- "e h$ve person$+it9
:"e $re se+&0'ons'io,s;- se+&0tr$ns'en(en'e :"e possess se+&0(etermin$tion;- inte++i4en'e :the '$p$'it9 &or re$son $n(
%no"+e(4e;- mor$+it9 :the '$p$'it9 &or re'o4ni>in4 $n( ,n(erst$n(in4 4oo( $n( evi+;- 4re4$rio,sness or so'i$+
'$p$'it9 :o,r 'h$r$'teristi' $n( &,n($ment$+ (esire $n( nee( &or h,m$n 'omp$nionship)'omm,nit9- espe'i$++9
represente( b9 the m$+e $n( &em$+e $spe't;- $n( 're$tivit9 :the '$p$'it9 to im$4ine ne" thin4s or to en(o" o+(
thin4s "ith ne" si4ni&i'$n'e;#
In Christi$n theism h,m$n bein4s $re in(ee( (i4ni&ie(# As h,m$n bein4s "e $re (i4ni&ie(- b,t peop+e (o not
possess it- even i& $s $ 4i&t so "e $re not to be pro,( o& it- &or it is $ (i4nit9 (erive( &rom $ re&+e'tion o& the
U+tim$te+9 Di4ni&ie(# Qet it is $ re&+e'tion# So peop+e "ho $re theists see themse+ves $s $ sort o& mi(point < $bove
the rest o& 're$tion :&or Go( h$s 4iven them (ominion over it < Gen# !32C $n( Bs# C3H0C; $n( be+o" Go(# Ie+m,t
Thie+i'%e s$9s it "e++3 DIis Mm$nFsP 4re$tness rests so+e+9 on the &$'t th$t Go( in Iis in'omprehensib+e 4oo(ness h$s
besto"e( Iis +ove ,pon him# Go( (oes not +ove ,s be'$,se "e $re so v$+,$b+eA "e $re v$+,$b+e be'$,se Go( +oves
,s#E This is then the i(e$+ b$+$n'e( h,m$n st$t,s# It is &$i+in4 to rem$in in th$t b$+$n'e th$t o,r tro,b+es $rose#
$' $uman beings were created good, but through the fall, the nature of man, as created in the image of od,
became defaced, though not so ruined as to be incapable of restoration& through the work of Christ, od redeemed
humanity and began the process of restoring people to goodness, though any given person may choose to re'ect that
redemption.
I,m$n Dhistor9E '$n be s,mme( ,p in o,r "or(s3 're$tion- &$++- re(emption- $n( 4+ori&i'$tion# To the essenti$+
h,m$n 'h$r$'teristi's- $s note( $bove- "e no" $(( th$t $++ o& h,m$nit9- in(ee( $++ o& 're$tion "$s 're$te( Dver9
4oo(E :Gen# !35!;# Be'$,se Go( b9 Iis 'h$r$'ter sets the st$n($r(s o& ri4hteo,sness- h,m$n 4oo(ness 'onsiste( in
bein4 "h$t Go( "$nte( peop+e to be < bein4s m$(e in he im$4e o& Go( $n( $'tin4 o,t th$t n$t,re in their ($i+9 +i&e#
The tr$4e(9 is th$t "e (i( not st$9 $s "e "ere 're$te(#
As note(- Go( 4$ve h,m$ns the '$p$'it9 &or se+&0(etermin$tion $n( there&ore- Go( 4$ve the ori4in$+ p$ir- A($m
$n( Eve the &ree(om to rem$in or not rem$in in the '+ose re+$tionship o& im$4e to ori4in$+# As Genesis 5 reports-
the9 'hose to (isobe9 Go( $t the on+9 point "here Go( p,t (o"n +imit$tions- $n( hen'e vio+$te( the person$+
re+$tionship the9 h$( "ith their Cre$tor# The res,+t o& this $'t o& rebe++ion "$s (e$th &or A($m $n( Eve# An( their
(e$th h$s invo+ve( &or s,bse?,ent 4ener$tions +on4 'ent,ries o& person$+- so'i$+- $n( n$t,r$+ str,44+e- t,rmoi+- $n(
(e'$9#
The im$4e o& Go( in m$n "$s (e&$'e( in $++ its $spe'ts# In personality "e +ost the '$p$'it9 to %no" o,rse+ves
$'',r$te+9 $n( to (etermine o,r o"n 'o,rse o& $'tion &ree+9 in response to o,r inte++i4en'e# O,r self%transcendence
"$s imp$ire( b9 the $+ien$tion "e experien'e( in re+$tion to Go(- &or $s A($m $n( Eve t,rne( &rom Go(- Go( +et
them 4o# An( $s "e- h,m$nit9- s+ip &rom the '+ose &e++o"ship "ith the ,+tim$te+9 tr$ns'en(ent one- so "e +oose o,r
$bi+it9 to st$n( over $4$inst the extern$+ ,niverse- ,n(erst$n( it- @,(4e it $'',r$te+9 $n( th,s m$%e tr,+9 D&reeE
(e'isions# R$ther- h,m$nit9 h$s $n( is be'omin4 more o& $ serv$nt to n$t,re th$n to Go(# An( so o,r st$t,s $s vi'e0
re4ent over n$t,re :$n $spe't o& the im$4e o& Go(; "$s reverse(#
I,m$n intelligence $+so be'$me imp$ire( $n( so no" "e '$n no +on4er 4$in $ &,++9 $'',r$te %no"+e(4e o& the
"or+( $ro,n( ,s- nor $re "e $b+e to re$son "itho,t 'onst$nt+9 &$++in4 into error# (orally, "e be'$me +ess $b+e to
(is'ern 4oo( $n( evi+# )ocially- "e be4$n to exp+oit $n( s,b@,4$te other peop+e# Creatively- o,r im$4in$tion be'$me
sep$r$te( &rom re$+it9A im$4in$tion be'$me $n i++,sion- $n( the $rtists th$t 're$te( 4o(s in their o"n im$4e +e(
h,m$nit9 &,rther $n( &,rther &rom its ori4in- its p,rpose- its Cre$tor#
As in the m$nner o& the &irst h,m$ns- peop+e o& $++ er$s h$ve $ttempte( to set themse+ves ,p $s $,tonomo,s
bein4s- $rbiters o& their o"n "$9 o& +i&e- 'hoosin4 to $'t $s i& the9 h$( $n existen'e in(epen(ent &rom Go(# B,t th$t
is pre'ise+9 "h$t the9 "e (o not h$ve- &or "e o"e ever9thin4 < o,r ori4in- o,r s$+v$tion- $n( o,r 'ontin,e(
existen'e < to Go(# In brie& s,mm$r9- $t the &$++ h,m$nit9 be'$me $+ien$te( &rom Go(- &rom others- &rom n$t,re-
$n( even &rom o,rse+ves# This is the essen'e o& &$++en h,m$nit9#
B,t h,m$nit9 is re(eem$b+e $n( h$s been re(eeme(# The stor9 o& the 're$tion $n( &$++ is to+( "ithin the &irst
three 'h$pters o& Genesis# The rest o& the bib+e is (evote( to the stor9 o& re(emption- or- the stor9 o& Go(Fs +ove in
re(eemin4 ,s b9 the s$'ri&i'e o& Iis Son- 1es,s Christ- $n( thereb9 4r$ntin4 ,s the possibi+it9 o& $ ne" +i&e#
It is import$nt to note th$t Christi$ns (is$4ree on pre'ise+9 "h$t ro+e Go( t$%es $n( "h$t Ie +e$ves ,s :i#e#
pre(estin$tion vs# &ree "i++;- b,t most "o,+( $4ree th$t Go( is the prim$r9 $4ent in s$+v$tion# B,t this (oes not me$n
th$t "e p+$9 no ro+e# A($m $n( Eve "ere not &or'e( to &$++ $n( "e $re not &or'e( to ret,rn# O,r ro+e is to respon( b9
repent$n'e &or o,r "ron4 $ttit,(es $n( $'ts- to $''ept Go(Fs provisions $n( to &o++o" 1es,s Christ $s Lor( $n(
S$vio,r#
Re(eeme( h,m$nit9 is h,m$nit9 on the "$9 to s,bst$nti$+ he$+in4 o& o,r $+ien$tions- prim$ri+9 &e++o"ship "ith
Go(- $n( restor$tion o& the (e&$'e( im$4e o& Go( :i#e# o,r person$+it9- se+&0tr$ns'en(en'e- $n( re$sonin4- mor$+-
so'i$+ $n( 're$tive '$p$'ities;# G+ori&ie( h,m$nit9 is h,m$nit9 tot$++9 he$+e( $n( $t pe$'e "ith Go(- $n( in(ivi(,$+s
$t pe$'e "ith others $n( themse+ves# B,t 4+ori&i'$tion h$ppens on+9 on the other si(e o& (e$th#
,' For each person death is either the gate to life with od and $is people or the gate to eternal separation from
the only thing that will ultimately fulfill human aspirations.
At (e$th $ person is tr$ns&orme( $n( either enters $n existen'e "ith Go( $n( Iis peop+e < $ 4+ori&ie( existen'e#
Or $ person enters $n existen'e &orever sep$r$te( &rom Go(- ho+(in4 their ,ni?,eness in $"&,+ +one+iness $p$rt &rom
pre'ise+9 th$t "hi'h "o,+( &,+&i++ them# G#J# Chesterton on'e rem$r%e( th$t he++ is $ mon,ment to h,m$n &ree(om-
$n(- "e mi4ht $((- h,m$n (i4nit9# Ie++ is Go(Fs trib,te to the &ree(om Ie 4$ve e$'h o& ,s to 'hoose "hom "e
"o,+( serve# =rom this "e re'o4ni>e th$t o,r (e'isions h$ve $ si4ni&i'$n'e th$t e'hoes into eternit9#
Those- ho"ever- "ho respon( to Go(Fs o&&er o& s$+v$tion b9 $''eptin4 1es,s Christ $s their Lor( $n S$vio,r-
+ive &orever $s 4+orio,s 're$t,res o& Go( < 'omp+ete(- &,+&i++e(- b,t not s$te(- en4$4e( in the ever0en@o9$b+e
'omm,nion o& the s$ints# The s'ript,res 4ive +itt+e (et$i+ $bo,t this existen'e :ex# Rev# /08- 2!;- b,t o& "h$t is
%no"n 're$tes $ +on4in4 Christi$ns '$n expe't to be &,+&i++e( be9on( their &on(est (esires#
/' $uman beings can know both the world around them and od $imself because od has built into them the
capacity to do so and because $e takes an active role in communicating with them.
The &o,n($tion o& h,m$n %no"+e(4e is the 'h$r$'ter o& Go( $s 're$tor# As Ie is the $++0%no"in4 %no"er o& $++
thin4s- so "e '$n be the sometimes0%no"in4 %no"ers o& some thin4s#
The Wor( :in Gree% logos- &rom "hi'h the "or+( +o4i' is (erive(; is etern$+- $n $spe't o& Go( Iimse+& :see 1n#
!3!0/;# Th$t is +o4i'$+it9- inte++i4en'e- r$tion$+it9- $n( me$nin4 $re $++ inherent in Go(# It is o,t o& this inte++i4en'e
th$t the ,niverse '$me to be# An( there&ore- be'$,se o& this so,r'e the ,niverse h$s str,'t,re- or(er $n( me$nin4#
Loreover- in the Wor( :see 1n# !3!0/;- this inherent inte++i4en'e- is the D+i4ht o& men-E +i4ht bein4 in the boo% o&
1ohn $ s9mbo+ &or both mor$+ '$p$'it9 $n( inte++i4en'e# Verse 6 $((s th$t the Wor(- Dthe tr,e +i4ht T en+i4htens
ever9 m$n#E Go(Fs o"n inte++i4en'e is th,s the b$sis o& h,m$n inte++i4en'e# Jno"+e(4e is- there&ore- possib+e
be'$,se there is someone to %no" :the omnis'ient Go( $n( h,m$ns m$(e in Iis im$4e; somethin4 to be %no"n :$++
e+se o& Go(Fs 're$tion;#
O& 'o,rse- Go( is &orever so &$r be9on( ,s th$t "e '$nnot h$ve $n9thin4 $ppro$'hin4 tot$+ 'omprehension o&
Iim# In &$'t- i& Go( (esire(- he 'o,+( rem$in &orever hi((en# B,t Go( "$nts ,s to %no" Iim- $n( Ie t$%es the
initi$tive in this tr$ns&er o& %no"+e(4e# This initi$tive is '$++e( reve+$tion $n( Go( reve$+s- or (is'+oses- Iimse+& to
,s in t"o b$si' "$9s#
Thro,4h 4ener$+ reve+$tion Go( spe$%s thro,4h the 're$te( or(er o& the ,niverse :see Rom# !3!602 $n( Bs#
!63!02;# Go(Fs existen'e $n( Iis n$t,re $s Cre$tor $n( S,st$iner is reve$+e( in Go(Fs Dh$n(i"or%-E the ,niverse# As
"e 'ontemp+$te the m$4nit,(e o& this < its or(er+iness $n( its be$,t9 < "e '$n +e$rn m,'h $bo,t Go(# When "e +oo%
$t h,m$nit9- "e see somethin4 more- &or h,m$ns $(( the (imension o& person$+it9# Go(- there&ore- m,st be $t +e$st
$s person$+ $s "e $re# Th,s &$r '$n 4ener$+ reve+$tion 4o- b,t +itt+e &,rther# As A?,in$s s$i(- "e '$n %no" th$t Go(
exists thro,4h 4ener$+ reve+$tion- b,t "e 'o,+( never %no" th$t Go( is tri,ne ex'ept &or spe'i$+ reve+$tion#
Spe'i$+ reve+$tion is Go(Fs se+&0(is'+os,re in extr$0n$t,r$+ "$9s# Not on+9 (i( Ie reve$+ Iimse+& b9 $ppe$rin4
in spe't$',+$r &orms s,'h $s to Loses $s $ b,rnin4 b,sh th$t "$s not 'ons,me( :Ex# 53!0!7;# In &$'t- in this p$ss$4e
Go( '$rrie( on $ (i$+o4,e "ith Loses in "hi'h 4en,ine t"o0"$9 'omm,ni'$tion o'',rre(# L$ter- Go( 4$ve Loses
the Ten Comm$n(ments $n( reve$+e( $ +on4 'o(e o& +$"s b9 "hi'h the Iebre"s "ere to be r,+e(# Go( reve$+e(
Iimse+& to the p$tri$r'hs be&ore Loses $n( the prophets $&ter him- "ho re'or(e( Iis Wor(# The ',m,+$tive "ritin4s
4re" to be'ome the O+( Test$ment- "hi'h "$s $&&irme( b9 1es,s Iimse+& $s $n $'',r$te $n( $,thorit$tive reve+$tion
o& Go(# An( be'$,se 1es,s Christ "$s ver9 Go( o& ver9 Go( b,t sti++ 'omp+ete+9 m$n- he sho"e( ,s "h$t Go( is
+i%e more &,++9 $n( more '+e$r+9 th$n '$n $n9 other &orm o& reve+$tion# 1es,s Christ is Go(Fs ,+tim$te spe'i$+
reve+$tion# DThe Wor( be'$me &+esh $n( ("e+t $mon4 ,s- &,++ o& 4r$'e $n( tr,thE- s$9s 1ohn !3!/- $n( D"e h$ve
behe+( Iis 4+or9E#
The m$in point is th$t is th$t theism (e'+$res th$t Go( '$n $n( h$s '+e$r+9 'omm,ni'$te( "ith ,s# Be'$,se o&
this "e '$n %no" m,'h $bo,t "ho Go( is $n( "h$t Ie (esires &or ,s#
0' *thics is transcendent and is based on the character of od as good !holy and loving".
L$(e in Go(Fs im$4e "e $re essenti$++9 mor$+ bein4s- $n( th,s '$nnot re&,se to brin4 mor$+ '$te4ories to be$r
on o,r $'tions# O,r sense o& mor$+it9 h$s been &+$"e( b9 the &$++ b,t even in o,r mor$+ re+$tivit9 "e '$nnot 4et ri(
o& the sense th$t some thin4s $re Kri4htF or Kn$t,r$+F $n( others not# Di&&erin4 in o,r mor$+ @,(4ements (oes nothin4
to $+ter the &$'t th$t "e 'ontin,e to m$%e- to +ive b9 $n( vio+$te mor$+ @,(4ements# We +ive in $ mor$+ ,niverse $n(
virt,$++9 ever9one < $t +e$st i& the9 re&+e'te( ,pon it < re'o4ni>es this $n( "o,+( h$ve it no other "$9#
Io"ever- theism te$'hes th$t not on+9 is there $ mor$+ ,niverse b,t th$t there is $n $bso+,te st$n($r( < Go(Fs
'h$r$'ter o& 4oo(ness 0 b9 "hi'h $++ mor$+ @,(4ements $re me$s,re(# =,rthermore- Christi$ns :$n( 1e"s; ho+( th$t
Go( h$s reve$+e( Iis st$n($r( in the v$rio,s +$"s $n( prin'ip+es expresse( in the bib+e < the ten 'omm$n(ments-
the sermon on the mo,nt- the $post+e B$,+Fs te$'hin4- et'# Th,s there is $ st$n($r( o& ri4ht $n( "ron4 $n( peop+e
"ho "$nt to %no" it '$n %no" it#
1es,s Christ is the &,++est embo(iment o& the 4oo(# Ie is the 'omp+ete m$n- the se'on( A($m :I Cor#!83/80/6;-
h,m$nit9 $s Go( "o,+( h$ve it be# In 1es,s "e see the 4oo( +i&e in'$rn$te b,t 1es,sF 4oo( +i&e "$s s,preme+9
reve$+e( in Iis (e$th < $n $'t o& in&inite +ove :see Rm# 8370C- ! 1n# /3!;# Inevit$b+9- "hi+e ethi's is ver9 m,'h $
h,m$n (om$init is ,+tim$te+9 the b,siness o& Go(# We $re not the me$s,re o& mor$+it9# Go( is#
1' $istory is a linear, meaningful se+uence of events leading to the fulfillment of od,s purposes for humanity.
Iistor9 is not reversib+e- not repe$t$b+e- not '9'+i'- nor is it me$nin4+ess# R$ther it is te+eo+o4i'$+- +ine$r
me$nin4 th$t the $'tions o& peop+e < $s 'on&,sin4 $n( 'h$oti' $s the9 m$9 $ppe$r < $re nonethe+ess p$rt o& $
me$nin4&,+ se?,en'e th$t h$s $ be4innin4- mi((+e $n( is bein4 (ire'te( to"$r( $ %no"n en(# Go(- in Iis in&inite+9
tr$ns'en(ent omnis'ien'e- %no"s the be4innin4 &rom the en( $n( is $"$re o& $n( soverei4n over $++ h,m$n $'tion#
Sever$+ b$si' t,rnin4 points in the 'o,rse o& histor9 &orm the b$'%4ro,n( &or the theisti' ,n(erst$n(in4 o&
h,m$n bein4s in time# These t,rnin4 points in'+,(e the 're$tion- the &$++- the &+oo(- Go(Fs reve+$tion to the Iebre"s
:"hi'h in'+,(es '$++in4 o& Abr$h$m &rom Ur to C$n$$n- the exo(,s &rom E49pt- the 4ivin4 o& the +$"- $n( the
"itness o& the prophets; the in'$rn$tion- 1es,sF +i&e- the 'r,'i&ixion $n( res,rre'tion- Bente'ost- the spre$( o& the
4oo( ne"s vi$ the 'h,r'h- the se'on( 'omin4 o& Christ- $n( the @,(4ment# This is $ s+i4ht+9 more (et$i+e( +ist o&
events p$r$++e+in4 the p$ttern o& m$nFs +i&e3 're$tion- &$++- re(emption- $n( 4+ori&i'$tion#
Loo%e( $t in this "$9- histor9 itse+& is $ &orm o& reve+$tion# Th$t is- not on+9 (oes Go( reve$+ Iimse+& in histor9-
b,t $+so the ver9 se?,en'e o& events is reve+$tion# One '$n s$9- there&ore- th$t histor9 :espe'i$++9 $s +o'$+i>e( in the
1e"ish peop+e; is the re'or( o& the invo+vement $n( 'on'ern o& Go( in h,m$n events# Theists +oo% &or"$r(- then- to
histor9 bein4 '+ose( b9 @,(4ement $n( $ ne" $4e in$,4,r$te( be9on( time# B,t prior to th$t ne" $4e- time is
irreversib+e $n( histor9 is +o'$+i>e( in sp$'e# In Christi$n theism- Dit is $ppointe( &or men to (ie on'e- $n( $&ter th$t
'omes @,(4ementE :Ieb# 6327;#
As s,'h- $n in(ivi(,$+Fs 'hoi'es h$ve me$nin4 to th$t person- to others- $n( to Go(# Iistor9 is the res,+t o&
those 'hoi'es- "hi'h ,n(er the soverei4nt9 o& Go(- brin4 $bo,t Go(Fs p,rposes &or Iis 're$tion# In short- the most
import$nt $spe't o& the theisti' 'on'ept o& histor9 is th$t histor9 h$s me$nin4 be'$,se Go( < the Lo4os :me$nin4
itse+&; < is behin( $++ events- not on+9 b9 D,pho+(in4 the ,niverse b9 Iis "or( o& po"erE :Ieb# !35; b,t $+so Din
ever9thin4TM"or%in4P &or 4oo( "ith those "ho +ove Iim- "ho $re '$++e( $''or(in4 to Iis p,rposeE :Rm# C32C;#
Behin( the sometimes seemin4+9 'h$oti' events st$n(s the +ovin4 Go( s,&&i'ient &or $++#
2' Christians live to seek first the kingdom of od, that is, glorify od and en'oy $im forever.
The Christi$n "or+(vie" is ,ni?,e be'$,se it serves $s the &o',s &or the ,+tim$te me$nin4 o& h,m$n existen'e-
h,m$n histor9- $n( the +i&e o& e$'h Christi$n# To 4+ori&9 Go( is not @,st to (o so in re+i4io,s "orship $n( pr$ise# It
$+so in'+,(es reve$+in4 Go(Fs 'h$r$'ter b9 bein4 "ho "e "ere me$nt to be < the embo(iment o& the im$4e o& Go( in
h,m$n &orm# To be +i%e 1es,s is to be +i%e Go(# We $re to imit$te him- see% &irst his %in4(om $n( ri4hteo,sness
:L%# H355;# A++ the h$ppiness $n( @o9 "e re'eive "hen "e s,bstit,te o,r (esires &or Go(Fs 4+or9 'omes to ,s $s $
res,+t o& 9ei+(in4 o,r "i++ to his# I,m$n &+o,rishin4- "hi+e not bein4 $ prim$r9 4o$+- is $ res,+t o& t,rnin4 oneFs
$ttention to"$r( Go( $n( his 4+or9#
There $re other "$9s to person$+i>e o,r 'ommittment to the Lor(# Some Christi$ns s$9 it is to obe9 Go(- or to
+ove Iim "ith $++ o,r he$rts- min(s- so,+- $n( stren4th $n( their nei4hbo,rs $s themse+ves# Others s$'ri&i'e &or the
s$%e o& the 4ospe+#
,.2 %he .randeur of .od
It sho,+( no" be obvio,s th$t Christi$n theism is prim$ri+9 (epen(ent on its 'on'ept o& Go(- &or theistsF ho+(
th$t everything stems &rom Iim# Nothin4 is prior to Go( or e?,$+ to Iim# Ie is $e -ho Is- the I Am. Th,s theism
h$s $ b$sis &or met$ph9si's# Sin'e $e -ho Is $+so is $e -ho .nows- theism h$s $ b$sis &or epistemo+o49# An( sin'e
$e -ho Is $+so is /he -orthy 0ne- &or Ie h$s $ "orth9 'h$r$'ter- theism h$s $ b$sis &or ethi's# There&ore- theism is
$ 'omp+ete "or+(vie"#
The "or+(- $s Ger$r( L$n+e9 Iop%ins on'e "rote- is D'h$r4e( "ith the 4r$n(e,r o& Go(E# The 4re$tness o&
Go( is the 'entr$+ tenet o& Christi$n theism# =,++9 'o4ni>$nt Christi$n theists- there&ore- (o not @,st be+ieve $n(
pro'+$im this vie" $s tr,e# Their &irst $'t is to"$r( Go( < $ response o& +ove- obe(ien'e $n( pr$ise to the Lor( o& the
Universe < o,r m$%er $n( s,st$iner- $n( thro,4h 1es,s Christ- re(eemer $n( &rien(#
/. Deis#: %he Cloc3wor3 -niverse
A m$n s$i( to the ,niverse3 DSir- I exist#E
DEIo"ever-E rep+ie( the ,niverse-
DThe &$'t h$s not 're$te( in me $ sense o& ob+i4$tion#E
=rom Stephen Cr$ne- -ar Is .ind and 0ther 1ines :!C66;- &re?,ent+9 $ntho+o4i>e(#
A+tho,4h theism +$ste( &or so +on4- m$n9 &or'es oper$te( to sh$tter the b$si' inte++e't,$+ ,nit9 o& the West#
Deism he+( s"$9 over the inte++e't,$+ "or+( o& =r$n'e $n( En4+$n( brie&+9 &rom the +$te seventeenth into the &irst
h$+& o& the ei4hteenth 'ent,r9# Deism (eve+ope(- some s$9- $s $n $ttempt to brin4 ,nit9 o,t o& $ 'h$os o& theo+o4i'$+
$n( phi+osophi'$+ (is',ssion# The perio( be'$me bo44e( (o"n in intermin$b+e ?,$rre+s over "h$t be4$n to seem-
even to the (isp,t$nts- $s trivi$+ ?,estions# Deism- to some extent- is $ response to this- tho,4h the (ire'tion s,'h
$4reement too% p,t (eism r$ther be9on( the +imits o& tr$(ition$+ Christi$nit9#
Another &$'tor in the (eve+opment o& (eism is $ 'h$n4e in the +o'$tion o& the $,thorit9 o& %no"+e(4e $bo,t the
(ivineA it shi&te( &rom the spe'i$+ reve+$tion &o,n( in S'ript,re to the presen'e o& re$son- Dthe '$n(+e o& Go(-E or to
int,ition- Dthe inner +i4htE# The re$son &or this shi&t is some"h$t ironi'# Thro,4h the mi((+e $4es- (,e in p$rt to the
r$ther B+$toni' theor9 o& %no"+e(4e th$t "$s he+(- the $ttention o& theisti' s'ho+$rs $n( inte++e't,$+s "$s (ire'te(
to"$r(s Go(A the i(e$ "$s th$t %no"ers in some sense Dbe'omeE "h$t the9 %no"# An( sin'e one sho,+( be'ome
D4oo(E $n( Dho+9E one sho,+( st,(9 Go(# Theo+o49 "$s th,s 'onsi(ere( the ?,een o& the s'ien'es :"hi'h $t th$t
time simp+9 me$nt %no"+e(4e;- &or theo+o49 "$s the s'ien'e o& Go(# This hier$r'hi'$+ vie" o& re$+it9 is more
B+$toni' th$n theisti' be'$,se it pi'%s ,p &rom B+$to the notion th$t m$tter is someho"- i& not evi+- th$n $t +e$st
irr$tion$+ $n( 'ert$in+9 not 4oo( or "orth9 o& st,(9#
B,t more bib+i'$+ min(s be4$n to re'o4ni>e th$t this is Go(Fs ,niverse $n( even tho,4h it is &$++en- it sti++ h$s
v$+,e# =,rthermore- Go( is r$tion$+ $n( th,s Iis ,niverse is r$tion$+- or(er+9- $n( %no"$b+e# S'ientists oper$tin4 on
this b$sis be4$n to st,(9 the &orm o& the ,niverse# A pi't,re o& Go(Fs "or+( emer4e( $s $ h,4e- "e++0or(ere(
me'h$nism- $ 4i$nt '+o'%"or%#
D,e to the s,''ess o& the metho( o& obt$inin4 %no"+e(4e $bo,t the ,niverse- the s$me metho( "$s ,se( to
obt$in %no"+e(4e $bo,t Go(# I$vin4 '$st o,t Aristot+e $s $n $,thorit9 in m$tters o& s'ien'e- (eism no" '$sts o,t
s'ript,re $s $n $,thorit9 in theo+o49 $n( $++o"s on+9 the $pp+i'$tion o& Dh,m$nE re$son# Deism th,s sees Go( on+9
in Dn$t,reE b9 "hi'h "$s me$nt the s9stem o& the ,niverse# An( sin'e the s9stem o& the ,niverse is seen $s $ 4i$nt
'+o'%"or%- Go( is seen $s the '+o'% m$%er#
Christi$n theism- o& 'o,rse s$9s th$t the (epth o& the 'ontent reve$+e( $bo,t Go( in n$t,re- 4ener$+ reve+$tion- is
+imite(# =or Christi$ns- m,'h is +e&t to +e$rn &rom the st,(9 o& spe'i$+ reve+$tion# Io"ever- (eism (enies th$t Go(
'$n be %no"n b9 reve+$tion- b9 spe'i$+ $'ts o& Go(Fs se+&0expression in- &or ex$mp+e- S'ript,re or the In'$rn$tion#
As Beter Le($"$r s$9s- DThe seventeenth 'ent,r9 (o'trine o& the necessity o& re$son "$s s+o"in4 4ivin4 "$9 to the
sufficiency o& re$son#E
/.1 Basic Deis#
Iistori'$++9- (eism is not re$++9 $ s'hoo+ o& tho,4ht be'$,se $+tho,4h $ n,mber o& peop+e he+( re+$te( vie"s- not
$++ he+( ever9 (o'trine in 'ommon# Sti++- it is he+p&,+ to thin% o& (eism $s $ s9stem $n( to st$te th$t s9stem in $
re+$tive+9 extreme &orm# =or in th$t "$9- "e "i++ be better $b+e to 4r$sp the imp+i'$tions the v$rio,s Dre(,'tionsE o&
theism "ere h$vin4 on ei4hteenth 'ent,r9 so'iet9#
1' A transcendent od, as a First Cause, created the universe but then left it to run on its own, od is thus not
immanent, not fully personal, not sovereign over human affairs, not providential.
As "ith theism- the most import$nt proposition re4$r(s the existen'e $n( 'h$r$'ter o& Go(# Essenti$++9- (eism
Dre(,'esE the n,mber o& &e$t,res Go( is s$i( to (isp+$9# Ie is $ tr$ns'en(ent &or'e or ener49- $ Brime Lover or =irst
C$,se- $ be4innin4 to the other"ise in&inite re4ress o& p$st '$,ses# B,t he is re$++9 not $ he. Cert$in+9 he (oes not
care $bo,t his 're$tionA he (oes not love it# Ie h$s no Dperson$+E re+$tion to it $t $++# To (eists- Go( is (ist$nt-
&orei4n- $+ien# S,'h $ 4o( is not one to be "orshippe(- b,t mere+9 $n inte++e't or &or'e to be re'o4ni>e(# The +one+9
st$te this +e$ves h,m$nit9 in "$s- ho"ever- not seemin4+9 &e+t b9 e$r+9 (eists# A+most t"o 'ent,ries p$st be&ore this
imp+i'$tion "$s p+$9e( o,t on the &ie+( o& h,m$n emotions#
2' /he cosmos od created is determined because it is created as a uniformity of cause and effect in a closed
system& thus, no miracle is possible.
The ,niverse is '+ose( in t"o senses# =irst- it is '+ose( to Go(Fs reor(erin4 be'$,se he is not intereste( in it $n(
be'$,se $n9 t$mperin4 "o,+( s,44est $n error in the ori4in$+ p+$n- "hi'h "o,+( be be+o" $n $++0'ompetent (eit9#
There&ore- no mir$'+es or events "hi'h reve$+ $n9 spe'i$+ interests o& Go( $re possib+e# Se'on(- the ,niverse is
'+ose( to h,m$n reor(erin4 be'$,se &or $n9 h,m$n to be $b+e to reor(er the s9stem- he or she "o,+( h$ve to be $b+e
to tr$ns'en( it- 4et o,t o& the 'h$in o& '$,se $n( e&&e't# B,t this "e '$nnot (o# It sho,+( be note( th$t this se'on(
imp+i'$tion is not o&ten emph$sise( b9 (eists# Lost 'ontin,e to $ss,me- $s "e $++ (o $p$rt &rom re&+e'tion- th$t "e
'$n $'t to 'h$n4e o,r environment#
!' $uman beings, though personal, are part of the clockwork of the universe.
To be s,re- (eists (o not (en9 th$t h,m$ns $re person$+# E$'h o& ,s h$s se+&0'ons'io,sness $n(- $t +e$st $t &irst
4+$n'e- se+&0(etermin$tion# Bishop =r$n'ois =ene+on :!H8!0!7!8;- 'riti'i>in4 the (eists o& his ($9- "rote- DThe9
're(it themse+ves "ith $'%no"+e(4in4 Go( $s the 're$tor "hose "is(om is evi(ent in his "or%sA b,t $''or(in4 to
them- Go( "o,+( be neither 4oo( nor "ise i& he h$( 4iven m$n &ree "i++ < th$t is- the po"er to sin- to t,rn $"$9
&rom his &in$+ 4o$+- to reverse the or(er $n( be &orever +ost#E I& "e '$nnot Dreverse the or(erE then "e '$nnot be
si4ni&i'$nt# I& $n in(ivi(,$+ h$s person$+it9- it m,st then be $ t9pe "hi'h (oes not in'+,(e the e+ement o& se+&0
(etermin$tion#
Deists- o& 'o,rse- re'o4ni>e th$t h,m$n bein4s h$ve inte++i4en'e- $ sense o& mor$+it9- $ '$p$'it9 &or 'omm,nit9
$n( 're$tivit9# B,t $++ these- "hi+e b,i+t into ,s $s 're$te( bein4s- h$ve $ sort o& $,tonomo,s n$t,re @,st +i%e the rest
o& the st,&& o& the ,niverse# The9 $re not 4ro,n(e( in Go(Fs 'h$r$'ter $n( th,s h$ve to be seen in the +i4ht o& h,m$n
(imensions on+9# Th$t is- $s h,m$n bein4s "e h$ve no essenti$+ re+$tion to Go( $n( th,s "e h$ve no "$9 to
tr$ns'en( the s9stem in "hi'h "e &in( o,rse+ves# I,m$n bein4s are "h$t the9 $reA $n( $''or(in4 to (eism- "e h$ve
+itt+e hope o& be'omin4 $n9thin4 (i&&erent or $n9thin4 more#
,' $uman beings may or may not have a life beyond their physical existence.
Were the histor9 o& "or+(vie"s $ m$tter o& the imme(i$te "or%in4 o,t o& r$tion$+ imp+i'$tions o& $ 'h$n4e in
the i(e$ o& the re$++9 re$+- $ be+ie& in the $&ter+i&e "o,+( h$ve imme(i$te+9 (is$ppe$re(# B,t it (i(nFt# Nor (i( $ be+ie&
in mor$+it9A th$t too% $nother 'ent,r9# So "$rm (eists- +i%e Ben =r$n%+in "ho be+ieve( in $ 're$tor04o( "orth9 o&
"orship $n( 1ohn Lo'%e "ho "$s not hosti+e to Christi$nit9- $re those '+oset to Christi$n theism $n( persiste( in the
notion o& $n $&ter+i&e# Co+( (eists- +i%e Vo+t$ire- "ho "$s hosti+e to Christi$nit9- ho"ever- (i( not#
/' /hrough our innate and autonomous human reason and the methods of science, we can not only know the
universe but we can infer at least something of what od is like. /he cosmos, this world, is understood to be in its
normal state& it is not fallen or abnormal.
To (eists- Go( is to be %no"n thro,4h n$t,re $n( not thro,4h histor9- sin'e no spe'i$+ reve+$tion is ne'ess$r9 or
possib+e- $n( none h$s o'',rre(# Go( h$( simp+9 're$te( $n( m$int$ins the ,niverse- b,t other"ise h$s +e&t it $+one
$n( m$n in 'h$r4e o& his o"n (estin9# B,t h,m$nit9- "hi+e in one sense the m$%er o& its o"n (estin9- is 9et +o'%e(
into the '+ose( s9stem# I,m$n freedom from Go( is not $ freedom to $n9thin4A in &$'t- it is not $ &ree(om $t $++#
Deism m$int$ins the prim$'9 o& empiri'ism $n( re$son- sin'e nothin4 is reve$+e( to ,s- the9 s$9- o,tsi(e th$t
"hi'h "e experien'e# Io"ever- some (eists- +i%e A+ex$n(er Bope in his *ssay on (an, $ss,me %no"+e(4e o& Go(
$n( o& n$t,re th$t is not '$p$b+e o& bein4 %no"n b9 experien'e# B,t then ho" is it %no"n th$t the ,niverse is $ v$st
$++0or(ere( '+o'%"or%G One '$nFt h$ve it both "$9s# Either :!; $++ %no"+e(4e 'omes &rom experien'e $n( "e- not
bein4 in&inite- '$nnot %no" the s9stem in its entiret9- or :2; some %no"+e(4e 'omes &rom $nother so,r'e < &or
ex$mp+e- &rom inn$te i(e$s b,i+t into ,s or &rom reve+$tion &rom the o,tsi(e# Sin'e reve+$tion is re@e'te( $n( inn$te
i(e$s $re o&ten (is'o,nte(- tension th,s $rises in (eismFs epistemo+o49#
0' *thics is intuitive or limited to general revelation& because the universe is normal, it reveals what is right.
Another imp+i'$tion o& seein4 Go( on+9 in $ n$t,r$+ "or+( "hi'h one vie"s $s ,n&$++en is th$t Go(- bein4 the
omnipotent Cre$tor- be'omes responsib+e &or ever9thin4 $s it is# This "or+( m,st then re&+e't either "h$t Go( "$nts
or "h$t he is +i%e# Ethi'$++9- this +e$(s to the position expresse( b9 A+ex$n(er Bope th$t- D"h$tever is- is ri4htE-
"hi'h e&&e'tive+9 (estro9s the notion o& ethi'$+ (e'isions# Goo( be'omes in(istin4,ish$b+e &rom evi+- $n( there&ore-
neither 4oo( nor evi+ exists# As B$,(e+$ire s$i(- DI& Go( exists- he m,st be the (evi+#E A+so- the notion o& sin t$%es
on $ ne" 'o+o,r in s,'h $ 'ontext or even (is$ppe$rs i& "h$tever is- is ri4ht# =or $ sin "o,+( be not $4$inst $
person$+ Go(- b,t $4$inst the DEtern$+ C$,seE- $4$inst $ phi+osophi' $bstr$'tion# This $+so "o,+( remove $n9
tho,4ht o& etern$+ spirit,$+ $''o,nt$bi+it9 &,rther promotin4 $n $n9thin4 4oes $ttit,(e#
Qet- "e 'ontin,e to m$%e ethi'$+ (istin'tions# Some"here- ever9 one o& ,s (istin4,ishes bet"een 4oo( $n( evi+-
ri4ht $n( "ron4- mor$+ $n( immor$+# Deisti' ethi's (o not &it ,s in o,r $'t,$+ h,m$n (imensions- m$%in4 (eism $n
impr$'ti'$+ "or+(vie" to +ive b9# Io"ever- not $++ (eists s$" :or no" see; th$t their $ss,mptions +e$( to BopeFs
'on'+,sions# Some be+ieve th$t 1es,sF ethi'$+ te$'hin4s "ere re$++9 n$t,r$+ +$" expresse( in "or(s# As intereste( $s
the (eists "ere in preservin4 the ethi'$+ 'ontent o& Christi$nit9- or in '+$imin4 th$t h,m$ns h$ve $n inn$te '$p$'it9
to (is'ern ri4ht $n( "ron4- the9 "ere ,n$b+e to &in( $ s,it$b+e b$sis &or it#
1' $istory is linear& for the course of the cosmos was determined at creation. -ritten histories are based solely on
the autonomy of human reason and as a result display a wide variety in the interpretation of the meaning and
significance of human events.
Deists themse+ves see +itt+e interest in histor9 be'$,se the9 so,4ht %no"+e(4e o& Go( prim$ri+9 in n$t,re# The
Bib+e is most ,se&,+ not $s $ re'or( o& Go(Fs $'ts in histor9 b,t $s i++,str$tions o& (ivine +$" &rom "hi'h ethi'$+
prin'ip$+s '$n be (erive(# Sin'e the stress is on 4ener$+ r,+es- the spe'i&i' $'ts o& histor9 $re ,nimport$nt#
=,rthermore- Go( is ?,ite ,nintereste( in men $n( "omen $n( even "ho+e peop+es# Besi(es- the ,niverse is '+ose(
to his reor(erin4 $n9"$9s#
2' Cold deists use their own autonomous reason to determine their goal in life& warm deists may reflect on their
commitment to a somewhat personal od and determine their goal in accordance with what they believe their god
would be pleased with.
Un+i%e "ith Christi$n theism- there is no ortho(ox (eism $n( so (eists $re $b+e to 'hoose &rom $mon4st their
re$son- int,ition- tr$(ition- or "h$tever e+se to (e'i(e $spe't o& +i&e is most import$nt to them# B,t $s $ (eist
be'omes more (ivor'e( &rom $n $++e4i$n'e to $ person$+ Go( $n( Iis etern$+ st$n($r(s o& ri4ht $n( "ron4- the more
so'ieties be'ome p+,r$+isti' $n( +ess so'i$++9 'ohesive#
/.2 An -nsta$le Co#ound
=or its in'onsisten'ies- impr$'ti'$+it9- $n( (epen(en'e on Christi$n theism- (eism (i( not prove to be $ st$b+e
"or+(vie"# These tensions soon be'$me $pp$rent- $n( in'+,(e :!; h,m$ns 'o,+( not m$int$in si4ni&i'$n'e $n(
person$+it9 in the &$'e o& $ ,niverse '+ose( to reor(erin4# On'e re$son rep+$'e( reve+$tion- the 'on'ept o& Go( "$s
,p &or 4r$ps $n( the s+i(e &rom Christi$n theism to be+ie& in 4o(s "ith +esser $n( +esser person$+it9 "$s inevit$b+e#
Io"ever- the h,m$n person$+it9 is $ D&$'tE o& the ,niverse# I& Go( m$(e th$t- m,st he not be person$+G
:2; I(,'tive re$sonin4 prove( in$(e?,$te- &or it "o,+( t$%e $n in&inite min( to ho+( the (et$i+s ne'ess$r9 &or $n
$'',r$te 4ener$+i>$tion# Sin'e no h,m$n min( is in&inite- 'ert$in %no"+e(4e o& ,nivers$+s "$s impossib+e- $n(
tho,4ht&,+ peop+e "ere +e&t "ith $ re+$tivit9 o& %no"+e(4e the9 &o,n( h$r( to $''ept# To($9 "e 'o,+( &in( even
more $spe'ts o& (eism to ?,estion# S'ientists h$ve +$r4e+9 $b$n(one( thin%in4 o& the ,niverse $s $ 4i$nt '+o'%#
S,b$tomi' p$rti'+es (o not beh$ve +i%e min,te pie'es o& m$'hiner9# I& the ,niverse is $ me'h$nism- it is &$r more
'omp+ex th$n "e tho,4ht- $n( Go( m,st be ?,ite (i&&erent &rom $ mere D$r'hite'tE or D'+o'% m$%erE#
:5; The $ss,mption o& $n ,n&$++en- norm$+ ,niverse ten(e( to imp+9 th$t "h$tever is- is ri4ht- thereb9
e+imin$tin4 ethi's# B,t (eists "ere ver9 intereste( in ethi's- th$t bein4 the one (ivision o& Christi$n te$'hin4 th$t
"$s most $''ept$b+e# An( $t &irst $,tonomo,s re$son $n( tr$(ition$+ mor$+it9 tr$'%e( "e++ to4ether $s the the
s,rro,n(in4 ',+t,re $ss,me( the re$son$b+eness o& these v$+,es# In the e$r+9 9e$rs- (eists h$( 'on&i(en'e in the
,nivers$+it9 o& h,m$n re$sonA peop+e "ho ,se( their re$son "o,+( $4ree on "h$t is ri4ht $n( "ron4# This event,$++9
t,rne( o,t to be $ &$+se hope# Io"ever ,nivers$+ h,m$n n$t,re m$9 bein pr$'ti'e peop+e (o not $4ree on m$tters o&
4oo( $n( evi+ or "h$t 'onstit,tes D4oo(E beh$vio,r $s m,'h $s the e$r+9 (eists tho,4ht#
So histori'$++9 (eism is $ tr$nsition$+ "or+(vie"- $n( 9et it is not (e$( in either pop,+$r or sophisti'$te( &orms#
Some (es'ribe Go( $s s,per&+o,s "ith "or(s +i%e Ener49- =or'e- or =irst C$,se- or- $s $stroph9si'ist Stephen
I$"%in4- ,se Dthe term Go( $s the embo(iment o& the +$"s o& ph9si's#E Others o& $ more phi+osophi'$+ (eism
(es'ribe Go( $s m9ster9 o& bein4- or(er o& existne'e- the hi((en sphere- $bso+,t,e hori>on- $n( "hi+e this bein4
m$ni&ests theisti' 'h$r$'teristi's- some +i%e V$'+$v I$ve+ :&ormer C>e'h Rep,b+i' presi(ent; $vio( this 'on'+,sion
b9 shi&tin4 the $ttention to themse+ves $s re&+e'tor o& their 'ons'io,s experien'e# The9 t$%e this bein4 to h$ve $
mor$+ (imension $n( the onto+o4i'$+ &o,n($tion &or h,m$n mor$+ responsibi+it9# Some more 9o,th&,+ $n(
ther$pe,ti' versions o& (eism 'onsi(er the 're$tor to "$t'h ,s $s "e +ive 4oo(- h$pp9- b,t se',+$r +ives $n( 4oin4 to
he$ven "hen "e (ie# These vie"s $re not ,n'ommon be'$,se $ &,++ b+oo(e( n$t,r$+ism is not so $mbiv$+ent#
0. +aturalis#: %he "ilence of 4inite "ace
Deism is the isthm,s bet"een t"o 4re$t 'ontinents < theism $n( n$t,r$+ism# Then- i& (eism is @,st $ p$ssin4
ph$se- $+most $n inte++e't,$+ ',riosit9- n$t,r$+ism- on the other h$n(- is serio,s b,siness# The inte++e't,$+ ro,te is
this3 in theism Go( is the in&inite0person$+ Cre$tor $n( s,st$iner o& the 'osmos# In (eism Go( is Dre(,'e(EA he
be4ins to +ose his person$+it9- tho,4h he rem$ins the Cre$tor $n( :b9 imp+i'$tion; the s,st$iner o& the 'osmos# In
n$t,r$+ism Go( is &,rther Dre(,'e(EA he +oses his ver9 existen'e#
Rene Des'$rtes :!86H0!H8;- $ theist b9 'ons'io,s 'on&ession- set the st$4e b9 'on'eivin4 o& the ,niverse $s $
4i$nt me'h$nism o& Dm$tterE "hi'h peop+e 'omprehen(e( b9 Dmin(#E Ie th,s sp+it re$+it9 into t"o %in(s o& bein4 in
s,'h th$t ever sin'e the Western "or+( h$s &o,n( it h$r( to see itse+& $s $n inte4r$te( "ho+e# The n$t,r$+ists- t$%in4
one ro,te to ,ni&i'$tion- m$(e min( $ s,b'$te4or9 o& me'h$nisti' m$tter#
1ohn Lo'%e :!H520!7!/;- $ theist &or the most p$rt- be+ieve( in $ person$+ Go( "ho reve$+e( himse+& to ,s b,t
tho,4ht th$t o,r Go(04iven re$son "$s the @,(4e o& "h$t "$s to be t$%en $s tr,e &rom the Dreve+$tionE in the Bib+e#
The n$t,r$+ists remove( the DGo(04ivenE &rom this 'on'eption $n( m$(e Dre$sonE the so+e 'riterion &or tr,th#
1,+ien O&&r$9 (e L$ Lettrie :!760!78!;- $ theoreti'$+ (eist b,t $ pr$'ti'$+ n$t,r$+ist- h$s s$i(- DNot th$t I '$++ in
?,estion the existen'e o& $ s,preme bein4A on the 'ontr$r9 it seems to me th$t the 4re$test (e4ree o& prob$bi+it9 is in
&$vo,r o& this be+ie&#E Nonethe+ess- he 'ontin,es- Dit is $ theoreti' tr,th "ith +itt+e pr$'ti'$+ v$+,e#E The re$son he '$n
'on'+,(e th$t Go(Fs existen'e is o& so +itt+e import$n'e is be'$,se the Go( "ho exists is only the m$%er o& the
,niverse# Ie is not person$++9 intereste( in it nor bein4 "orshippe( b9 $n9one# It is pre'ise+9 this 'on'+,sion- this
&ee+in4- "hi'h m$r%s the tr$nsition to n$t,r$+ism#
0.1 Basic +aturalis#
1' 2rime reality is matter. (atter exists eternally and is all there is. od does not exist.
In n$t,r$+ism- the n$t,re o& the 'osmos is prim$r9 $n( "ith $n etern$+ 're$tor0Go( o,t o& the pi't,re- the 'osmos
be'omes etern$+ < $+"$9s there tho,4h not ne'ess$ri+9 in its present &orm# Nothin4 'omes &rom nothin4# Somethin4
is# There&ore- somethin4 $+"$9s "$s# B,t th$t somethin4 is not $ tr$ns'en(ent 're$tor b,t the m$tter o& the 'osmos
itse+&# Io"ever the (e&inition o& m$tter 'h$n4es#
In the ei4hteenth 'ent,r9 s'ientists h$( 9et to (is'over the 'omp+exit9 o& m$tter nor its '+ose re+$tionship "ith
ener49# The9 'on'eive( o& re$+it9 $s m$(e ,p o& irre(,'ib+e D,nitsE existin4 in me'h$ni'$+- sp$ti$+ re+$tionship "ith
e$'h other# A re+$tionship th$t "$s bein4 investi4$te( $n( expressib+e in exor$b+e D+$"sE# L$ter s'ientists "ere to
(is'over th$t n$t,re is not so ne$t or $t +e$st not so simp+e# There seem to be no irre(,'ib+e D,nitsE $n( ph9si'$+ +$"s
h$ve on+9 m$them$ti'$+ expression# No"- s'ientists se$r'h &or $ 'omp+ete (es'ription o& the ,niverse b,t some h$ve
+ost 'on&i(en'e in ever (is'overin4 n$t,reFs tr,e &orm#
2' /he cosmos exist as a uniformity of cause and effect in a closed system.
Lo(ern s'ientists h$ve &o,n( the re+$tions bet"een the v$rio,s e+ements o& re$+it9 to be &$r more 'omp+ex- i&
not more m9sterio,s th$n the (eisti' '+o'%"or% im$4e '$n $''o,nt &or# Nonethe+ess- the ,niverse is $ '+ose( s9stem#
It is not open to reor(erin4 &rom the o,tsi(e < either b9 $ tr$ns'en(ent bein4 :&or there is none; or b9 se+&0
tr$ns'e(ent or $,tonomo,s h,m$ns :&or "e $re p$rt o& the ,ni&ormit9;# Lost n$t,r$+ists $re (eterminists- tho,4h the9
s$9 th$t this (oes not remove o,r :sense o&; &ree "i++ or o,r responsibi+it9#
!' $uman beings are complex 3machines4& personality is an interrelation of chemical and physical properties we
do not yet fully understand.
There is on+9 one s,bst$n'e in the 'osmos3 m$tter- $n( "e $re it $n( on+9 it# I,m$ns $re ,ni?,e $mon4 $nim$+s
be'$,se "e $+one $re '$p$b+e o& 'on'ept,$+ tho,4ht- emp+o9 spee'h- possess $ ',m,+$tive tr$(ition :',+t,re;- $
mor$+ '$p$'it9- $n( h$ve h$( $ ,ni?,e metho( o& evo+,tion# Io"ever- $n9 m9ster9 th$t s,rro,n(s ,s is $ res,+t o&
o,r me'h$ni'$+ 'omp+exit9 $n( not be'$,se o& $n extr$m$teri$+ b$sis or tr$ns'en(ent po"er# Thro,4h stressin4
h,m$nit9Fs (istin'tiveness n$t,r$+ism &in(s $ b$sis &or v$+,e#
,' 5eath is the extinction of personality and individuality.
The on+9 immort$+it9 th$t is possib+e is to 'ontin,e to exist in o,r pro4en9 $n( in the "$9 th$t o,r +ives h$ve
in&+,en'e( others in o,r ',+t,re# This is perh$ps the h$r(est proposition o& n$t,r$+ism to $''ept- 9et it is (em$n(e(
b9 their 'on'eption o& the ,niverse# It is '+e$r $n( ,n$mbi4,o,s $n( m$9 tri44er immense ps9'ho+o4i'$+ prob+ems#
/' /hrough our innate and autonomous human reason, including the methods of science, we can know the universe.
/he cosmos, including the world, is understood to be in its normal state.
Both (eists $n( n$t,r$+ists $''ept the intern$+ &$',+t9 o& re$son $n( the tho,4hts h,m$ns h$ve $s 4ivens# =rom $
'osmi' st$n(point- re$son (eve+ope( ,n(er the 'ontin4in'ies o& evo+,tion over $ +on4 perio( o& time# =rom $ h,m$n
st$n(point- $ 'hi+( is born "ith inn$te &$',+ties "hi'h mere+9 h$ve to be (eve+ope(# These &$',+ties "or% on their
o"n "ithin the &r$me"or% o& the +$n4,$4es $n( ',+t,res to "hi'h the9 $re expose(# At no time is there $n9
in&orm$tion or interpret$tion or ment$+ m$'hiner9 $((e( &rom o,tsi(e the or(in$r9 m$teri$+ "or+(# As 'hi+(ren
4ro"- the9 +e$rn "hi'h o& their tho,4hts $re he+p&,+ to (e$+ "ith the "or+( $ro,n( them# The metho(s o& s'ien'e $re
espe'i$++9 ,se&,+ in pro(,'in4 more pro&o,n( %no"+e(4e# I,m$n %no"+e(4e- then- is the pro(,'t o& n$t,r$+ h,m$n
re$son 4ro,n(e( in its per'eive( $bi+it9 to re$'h the tr,th $bo,t h,m$n bein4s $n( the "or+(# L$n9 e$r+9 n$t,r$+ists-
$n( some mo(ern s'ientists $n( other +$9 e(,'$te( peop+e m$9 thin% in this "$9 b,t mo(ern phi+osophi'$+
n$t,r$+ists '+$im th$t no one '$n %no" "h$t somethin4 tr,+9 is# The9 $re 'ontent to s$9 th$t "e '$n +e$rn to (es'ribe
"h$t "e t$%e to be re$+it9 in +$n4,$4e th$t $++o"s ,s to +ive s,''ess&,++9 in the "or+(# There is $ ri&t bet"een "or(s
$n( thin4s th$t '$nnot be bri(4e(- "hi'h is &,++9 p+$9e( o,t in post0mo(ernism#
0' *thics is related only to human beings.
Ethi'$+ 'onsi(er$tions (i( not p+$9 $n e$r+9 ro+e in the rise o& n$t,r$+ism $s it "$s $n o,t"or%in4 o& notions o&
the extern$+ "or+(# Lost e$r+9 n$t,r$+ists 'ontin,e( to ho+( ethi'$+ vie"s simi+$r to those in the s,rro,n(in4 ',+t,re-
th$t is- theism $n( (eism# An( tho,4h these three "or+(vie"s 'o,+( $(opt simi+$r ethi'$+ norms- their b$sis is
r$(i'$++9 (i&&erent#
I& there "$s no 'ons'io,sness prior to the existen'e o& h,m$ns then there "$s no prior sense o& ri4ht $n( "ron4#
An( i& there "$s no $bi+it9 to (o other th$n "h$t one (oes- $n9 sense o& ri4ht $n( "ron4 "o,+( h$ve no pr$'ti'$+
v$+,e# So &or ethi's to be possib+e there m,st be both se+&0'ons'io,sness $n( se+&0(etermin$tion :ie person$+it9;#
N$t,r$+ists s$9 th$t person$+it9 '$me "ith the $ppe$r$n'e o& h,m$n bein4s $n( so too '$me ethi's# No ethi'$+
s9stem "$s (erive( so+e+9 &rom the n$t,re o& Dthin4sE o,tsi(e o& h,m$n 'ons'io,sness me$nin4 th$t no ethi'$+
s9stem or n$t,r$+ +$" is ins'ribe( in the 'osmos#
Io" ex$'t+9 v$+,e $n( mor$+s $re bro,4ht $bo,t in the h,m$n sit,$tionin other "or(s- ho" to tr$nsition &rom
the re$+m o& "h$t is :person$+it9; to "h$t o,4ht to be "itho,t $ tr$ns'e(ent st$n($r( or 4,i(e is ver9 (i&&i',+t $n(
(eb$teb+e# Some ho+( th$t h,m$ns h$ve $ sense o& mor$+it9 &rom int,ition- $,thorit9- $n( 'onvention# An( "hi+e $
person m$9 re@e't these $n( +ive in ostr$'isim $n( m$rt9r(om- r$re+9 (oes $n9one s,''ee( in inventin4 v$+,es tot$++9
(ivor'e( &rom ',+t,re#
O& 'o,rse v$+,es (i&&er &rom ',+t,re to ',+t,re $n( none seems $bso+,te+9 ,nivers$+# So some $r4,e &or $n ethi'
b$se( on ob@e'tive in?,ir9 $n( &in( it in $ h$rmonio,s $(@,stment o& peop+e to e$'h other $n( their environment#
Wh$tever promotes h$rmon9 is 4oo(# This m$9 ten( to (e&ine 4oo( $'tion $s 4ro,p0$pprove(- s,rviv$+ promotin4
$'tion# The persisten'e o& n$t,r$+ism +ies in its $ppe$r$n'e $s ob@e'tive $n( 'oherent#
N$t,r$+ists 'on'eive o& mor$+it9 in $ tot$++9 me'h$nisti' &$shion- "ith nothin4 tr$ns'e(ent $bo,t it# Beop+e
simp+9 &o++o" $ p$ttern embe((e( in them $s 're$t,res# Re'ent+9 m$n9 n$t,r$+ists 4ive permission to sex o,tsi(e o&
m$rri$4e- e,th$n$si$- $n( $bortion# N$t,r$+ism ho+(s v$+,es $re 'onstr,'te( b9 h,m$n experien'e- nee(- $n(
interest# An ethi' o& beh$vio,rism "o,+( (e&ine h$ppiness $s h$vin4 short r,n rein&or'ers 'on4r,ent "ith +on40term
ones# I,m$nism is the over$++ $ttit,(e th$t h,m$n bein4s- espe'i$++9 in(ivi(,$+s $re o& spe'i$+ v$+,e# Christi$n
h,m$nists :C$+vin- Er$sm,s- Spenser- Sh$%espe$re- Li+ton; emph$si>e( h,m$n (i4nit9 (erivin4 &rom the im$4e o&
Go(# Se',+$r h,m$nism is 'omp+ete+9 &r$me( "ithin n$t,r$+ism- b,t not $++ n$t,r$+ists $re se',+$r h,m$nists#
Some t$%e the 4oo( to be somethin4 th$t h$s so &$r on+9 been re'o4ni>e( b9 the e+ite- D$ vo+,nt$r9 $risto'r$'9
o& the spirit#E The 4oo( 'onsists o& (isintereste(ness $s $ no" m$n($tor9 "$9 o& $++evi$tin4 the (isor(ers $n(
&r,str$tions o& the mo(ern "or+(# L$rxism '$n v$r9 &rom h,m$nisti' (emo'r$'9 to St$+inisti' tot$+it$ri$nism# In
theor9- L$rxism is s,ppose( to bene&it "or%in4 peop+e $n( en$b+e them to 4$in e'onomi' 'ontro+ over their o"n
+ives# In re$+it9- the b,re$,'r$ti' ri4i(ities o& +i&e ,n(er 'omm,nism +e( to e'onomi' st$4n$tion $s "e++ $s +oss o&
person$+ &ree(om#
1' $istory is a linear system of events linked by cause and effect but without an overriding purpose.
N$t,r$+ism vie"s n$t,r$+ $n( h,m$n histor9 $s $ 'ontin,it9# N$t,r$+ histor9 se+&0$'tiv$te( $n( be4$n in the
re'esses o& the ,niverse $n in're(ib+9 +on4 time $4o# The theor9 o& evo+,tion- "hi'h is he+( responsib+e &or h,m$n
ori4ns- "$s 4iven $ Dme'h$nismE b9 D$r"in# Io"ever- evo+,tion is nonte+eo+o4i'$+ $n( so $%s $s m$n9 ?,estions $s
it $ns"ers# Th,s "hi+e evo+,tion 'onsi(ere( stri't+9 on the bio+o4i'$+ +eve+ 'ontin,es to be ,n'ons'io,s $n(
$''i(ent$+- h,m$n $'tions $re not3 the9 $re h,m$n histor9# In other "or(s- "hen h,m$ns $ppe$re(- me$nin4&,+
histor9 be4$n $+so# B,t +i%e evo+,tion- "hi'h h$s no inherent 4o$+- histor9 h$s no inherent 4o$+# I,m$n events h$ve
on+9 the me$nin4 peop+e 4ive them "hen the9 'hoose them or re&+e't b$'% on them#
2' 6aturalism itself implies no particular core commitment on the part of any given naturalist. 7ather core
commitments are adopted unwittingly or chosen by individuals.
E$'h in(ivi(,$+ is ,n'onstr$ine( in their 'hoi'e o& (ire'tion in +i&e# Lost n$t,r$+ists $re $n inte4r$+ p$rt o& $
p$rti',+$r ',+t,r$+ 'omm,nit9 $n( orient their person$+ +ives "ithin its norms# Io"ever- so'i$+ rebe+s '$nnot be
re$son$b+9 'riti>e( &rom "ithin n$t,r$+ism# An( "hi+e n$t,r$+ism h$s no @,sti&i'$tion to $'t se+&+ess+9- some 'hoose
to serve $ p,re+9 se',+$r h,m$n &+o,rishin4#
1. +ihilis#: 5ero (oint
Nihi+ism is more $ &ee+in4 th$n $ phi+osoph9# Stri't+9 spe$%in4- nihi+ism is not $ phi+osoph9 $t $++# It is $ (eni$+
o& phi+osoph9- $ (eni$+ o& the possibi+it9 o& %no"+e(4e- $ (eni$+ th$t $n9thin4 is v$+,$b+e# I& it pro'ee(s to the
$bso+,te (eni$+ o& ever9thin4- it even (enies the re$+it9 o& existen'e itse+&# In other "or(s- nihi+ism is the ne4$tion o&
ever9thin4 0 re$+it9- %no"+e(4e- ethi's- be$,t9# In nihi+ism no st$tement h$s v$+i(it9A nothin4 h$s me$nin4#
Ever9thin4 is 4r$t,ito,s- (e trop- th$t is- @,st there#
Those "ho h$ve been ,nto,'he( b9 the &ee+in4s o& (esp$ir- $nxiet9- $n( enn,i $sso'i$te( "ith nihi+ism m$9
&in( it h$r( to im$4ine th$t it 'o,+( be $ serio,s+9 he+( "or+(vie"# B,t it is- $n( it is "e++ &or those "ho "$nt to
,n(erst$n( the t"entieth 'ent,r9 to experien'e- i& on+9 vi'$rio,s+9- somethin4 o& nihi+ism $s $ st$n'e to"$r( h,m$n
existen'e# To re$( nihi+isti' $rt is to be4in to &ee+ the p$n4s o& h,m$n emptiness- o& +i&e "itho,t v$+,e- p,rpose-
me$nin43 L$r'e+ D,'h$mp2s or(in$r9 ,rin$+- si4ne( "ith $ &i'tion$+ n$meA S$m,e+ Be'%ett2s En( G$me- W$itin4 &or
Go(ot- Bre$thA Do,4+$s A($m2s The Iit'hhi'%er2s G,i(e to the G$+$x9A =r$n> J$&%$- E,4ene Iones'o- 1oseph
Ie++er- J,rt Vonne4,t 1r#-
1.1 %he 4irst Bridge: +ecessity and Chance
A mo(er$te &orm o& nihi+ism ho+(s to the &irst t"o propositions o& n$t,r$+ism- th$t :!; m$tter is $++ there is $n( it
is etern$+- $n( :2; the 'osmos oper$tes "ith $ ,ni&ormit9 $n( 'ontin,it9 o& '$,se $n( e&&e't in $ '+ose s9stem- b,t
re'o4ni>e th$t these propositions imp+9 $ +oss o& h,m$n (i4nit9 $n( &ree(om# I& the ,niverse is '+ose( then its
$'tivit9 '$n on+9 be 4overne( &rom "ithin# An9 &or'e th$t $'ts to 'h$n4e the 'osmos- on $n9 +eve+ :mi'ro'osmi'-
h,m$n- m$'ro'osmi';- is p$rt o& the 'osmos# There "o,+( th,s seem to be on+9 one exp+$n$tion &or 'h$n4e3 the
present st$te o& $&&$irs m,st 4overn the &,t,re st$te# In $ '+ose( ,niverse the possibi+it9 th$t some thin4s nee( not be-
th$t others $re possib+e- is not possib+e# In $ '+ose( ,niverse- &ree(om m,st be $ determinacy unrecogni8ed "hi'h
pre'+,(es se+&0(etermin$'9 $n( mor$+ responsibi+it9# Se+&0'ons'io,sness- $s it is on+9 $n epiphenomenon- '$n be
$&&e'te( b9 'h$n4in4 the $4ent2s environment# A''or(in4 to beh$vio,r$+ p9s'ho+o4ist B#=# S%inner- U$ person (oes
not $'t on the "or+(- the "or+( $'ts on him#U In s,m- h,m$n bein4s $re "itho,t the $bi+it9 to 'hoose on the b$sis o&
$n inn$te se+&0'ons'io,s 'h$r$'ter to $&&e't their o"n (estin9 or (o $n9thin4 si4ni&i'$nt#
Nihi+ism ho+(s th$t some events $re more pre(i't$b+e th$n others- b,t none is uncertain# Io"ever- n$t,r$+ism
o&&ers 'h$n'e $n( ne'essit9 $s the '$,se &or h,m$nit9Fs emer4en'e $n( &ree(om# B,t 'h$n'e is either the inexor$b+e
pro'+ivit9 o& re$+it9 to h$ppen $s it (oes- $ppe$rin4 to be 'h$n'e (,e to $n i4nor$n'e o& the &or'es o& (eterminism- or
it is $bso+,te+9 irr$tion$+# In the se'on( sense- 'h$n'e is not $n exp+$n$tion b,t the $bsen'e o& one# An event o'',rs#
No '$,se '$n be $ssi4ne(# So "hi+e 'h$n'e pro(,'es the $ppe$r$n'e o& &ree(om- it $'t,$++9 intro(,'es $bs,r(it9
sin'e it is '$,se+ess- p,rpose+ess- (ire'tion+ess# Ch$n'e- then- (oes not $++o" &or se+&0'ons'io,sness $n( &ree(om- b,t
$ s,b@e'tion to '$pri'io,sness#
1.2 %he "econd Bridge: %he .reat Cloud of -n3nowing
The pres,pposition o& $ '+ose( ,niverse $+so h$s epistemo+o4i'$+ 'onse?,en'es3 i& $ person is the res,+t o&
imperson$+ &or'es < either h$ph$>$r( or inexor$b+e < then th$t person h$s no "$9 o& %no"in4 "hether "h$t is
seeme( to be %no"n is tr,th or i++,sion# N$t,r$+ism ho+(s th$t per'eption $n( %no"+e(4e $re either i(enti'$+ "ith or
b9pro(,'ts o& the br$inA the9 $rise &rom the &,n'tionin4 o& m$tter# B,t m$tter &,n'tions b9 $ n$t,re o& its o"n# There
is no re$son to be+ieve th$t m$tter h$s $n9 interest in +e$(in4 $ 'ons'io,s bein4 to tr,e per'eption or to +o4i'$+
'on'+,sions#
The on+9 bein4s in the ,niverse "ho '$re $bo,t s,'h m$tters $re h,m$ns# B,t peop+e $re bo,n( to their bo(ies#
Their 'ons'io,sness $rises &rom $ 'omp+ex interre+$tion o& hi4h+9 or(ere( m$tter# Wh9 sho,+( "h$tever th$t m$tter
is 'ons'io,s o& be in $n9 "$9 re+$te( to "h$t $'t,$++9 is the '$se# An9 tests &or (istin4,ishin4 i++,sion &rom re$+it9
,ti+i>e the br$in the9 $re testin4# E$'h test 'o,+( "e++ be $ &,ti+e exer'ise in spinnin4 o,t the 'onsisten'9 o& $n
i++,sion# There&ore i& n$t,r$+ism is tr,e there is no "$9 o& est$b+ishin4 its 're(ibi+it9- +et $+one provin4 it# An9
$r4,ment 'onstr,'te( imp+ies the '+$ssi'$+ +$"s o& i(entit9- non'ontr$(i'tion- $n( the ex'+,(e( mi((+e b,t this (oes
not 4,$r$ntee the tr,th&,++ness o& these +$"s in the sense th$t $n9 '+$im obe9in4 them ne'ess$ri+9 re+$tes to the
ob@e'tive- extern$+ ,niverse# Loreover- $n9 $r4,ment to 'he'% the v$+i(it9 o& $n $r4,ment is $n $r4,ment th$t mi4ht
be mist$%en#
Virt,$++9 no one is $ p,re epistemo+o4i'$+ nihi+ist# Qet n$t,r$+ism (oes not $++o" $ person to h$ve $n9 so+i(
re$son &or 'on&i(en'e in h,m$n re$son# One o& the "orst 'onse?,en'es o& epistemo+o4i'$+ nihi+ism is the ver9 (eni$+
o& the &$'ti'it9 o& the ,niverse# B,t "hi+e "e thin% o& s,'h sit,$tions prim$ri+9 in p9s'ho+o4i'$+ terms 'ommittin4
s,'h D'$sesE to instit,tions- this is the proper st$te- the +o4i'$+ res,+t o& $n9 per'eption or (re$m be'omin4 e?,$++9
re$+ or ,nre$+# We th,s en( in $n ironi' p$r$(ox# N$t,r$+ism- born in the A4e o& En+i4htenment- "$s +$,n'he( on $
&irm $''ept$n'e o& the h,m$n $bi+it9 to %no"# No" n$t,r$+ists &in( th$t the9 '$n p+$'e no 'on&i(en'e in their
%no"in4#
1.! %he %hird Bridge: Is and Ought
=or n$t,r$+ism- the ,niverse is mere+9 there- not provi(in4 h,m$nit9 "ith $ sense o& o,4htness# It on+9 is#
Ethi's- ho"ever- is $bo,t "h$t o,4ht to be- "hether it is or not# I& ever9 person h$s mor$+ v$+,es $n( m$n9 v$+,es
'on&+i't "ith e$'h other then "hi'h $re the tr,e or hi4her v$+,es# Th$t mor$+ v$+,es $re re+$tive to oneFs ',+t,re is
on+9 $nother "$9 o& s$9in4 th$t is :the &$'t o& $ spe'i&i' v$+,e; e?,$+s ought :"h$t sho,+( be so;# Loreover- the
',+t,r$+ rebe+Fs is is not 'onsi(ere( ought i& the9 ,pset so'i$+ 'ohesiveness $n( @eop$r(i>e ',+t,r$+ s,rviv$+#
There&ore the ',+t,r$+ re+$tivist h$s $&&irme( $ v$+,e < the preserv$tion o& $ ',+t,r$+ in its ',rrent st$te < $s more
v$+,$b+e th$n its (estr,'tion or tr$ns&orm$tion &rom one or more e+ements "ithin it#
The sit,$tion is not so 'riti'$+ i& there is s,&&i'ient sep$r$tion o& peop+es o& r$(i'$++9 (i&&erin4 v$+,es# Ethi'$+
nihi+ism ho+(s th$t there is no nonre+$tive st$n($r( b9 "hi'h to @,(4e the v$+,es in 'on&+i't exiten'e $n( thereb9
(etermine "hi'h $re ,+tim$te+9 tr,e or 4ive me$nin4 to spe'i&i' v$ri$tions#
1., Inner %ensions in +ihilis#
Lost n$t,r$+ists $re not nihi+ists be'$,se the9 (o not t$%e their n$t,r$+ism serio,s+9# No n$t,r$+ist '$n +ive $n
ex$mine( +i&e- i& ex$min$tion +e$(s to nihi+ism- &or there $re $t +e$st &ive re$sons no one '$n +ive $ +i&e 'onsistent
"ith nihi+ism#
!; =rom me$nin4+essness nothin4 $t $++ &o++o"s- or r$ther $n9thin4 &o++o"s# No $'t is more or +ess $ppropri$te#
=,rthermore- 4o$+ oriente( beh$vio,r is 're$tin4 v$+,e b9 'hoi'e- "hi'h is not +ivin4 b9 nihi+ism#
2; Ever9 moment nihi+ists thin% $n( thin% their thin%in4 h$s s,bst$n'e the9 'he$t their phi+osoph9- &or the9
h$ve (enie( th$t thin%in4 is o& v$+,e or th$t it '$n +e$( to %no"+e(4e# Nihi+ismFs one $&&irm$tion- th$t the
,niverse h$s no me$nin4- is me$nin4+ess sin'e other"ise it "o,+( be &$+se# The9 mere+9 $reA the9 mere+9
thin%# An( none o& this h$s $n9 si4ni&i'$n'e "h$tsoever#
5; Whi+e $ +imite( sort o& pr$ti'$+ nihi+ism is possib+e &or $ "hi+e- event,$++9 $ +imit is re$'he(# In or(er to be
$ practicing nihi+ist- there m,st be somethin4 to oppose $n( (en9# A pr$'ti'in4 nihi+ist is $ p$r$site on
me$nin4#
/; Nihi+ism spe++s the (e$th o& $rt $+tho,4h m,'h o& mo(ern $rt h$s nihi+ism $s its 'ore i(eo+o49# To the extent
th$t these $rt"or%s (isp+$9 the h,m$n imp+i'$tions o& $ nihi+isti' "or+(vie"- the9 $re not nihi+isti'A to the
extent th$t the9 themse+ves $re me$nin4+ess- the9 $re not $rt"or%s# Art is nothin4 i& not &orm$+- th$t is-
en(o"e( "ith str,'t,re b9 the $rtist# B,t str,'t,re imp+ies me$nin4# So to the extent th$t $n $rt"or% h$s
str,'t,re- it h$s me$nin4 $n( th,s is not nihi+isti'# Even i& the $rt is r$n(om- $ttemptin4 to be $nti0$rt $n(
s,44estin4 me$nin4+ess it sti++ p$rti'ip$tes in one o& the $bove p$r$(oxes- $n( is th,s nonnihi+isti'#
8; Nihi+ism poses severe ps9'ho+o4i'$+ prob+ems &or those "ho ho+( to it# Beop+e '$nnot +ive "ith it be'$,se it
(enies "h$t ever9 &iber o& their "$%in4 bein4 '$++s &or < me$nin4- tr,th- v$+,e- be$,t9- (i4nit9- &ree(om-
si4ni&i'$n'e- "orth#
2. *)istentialis#: Beyond +ihilis#
Existenti$+ism- $n( ever9 other import$nt "or+(vie" th$t h$s emer4e( sin'e the be4innin4 o& the t"entieth
'ent,r9- h$s $s its m$@or 4o$+ to tr$ns'en( nihi+ism# Atheisti' existenti$+ism "$s $ m$@or theme o& Niet>'he :the
D"i++ to po"erE o& the Doverm$nE; th$t ?,i'%+9 be'$me (istorte(# Theisti' existenti$+ism "$s born in the mi( !6
th
'ent,r9 $s Jier%e4$$r( re&+e'te( on the (e$th o& D$nish ortho(ox9# Either &orm (i( not $ppe$r in $n9 &,++ness or
',+t,r$+ si4ni&i'$n'e ,nti+ $&ter the WW!0WW2 er$ in the !68s- &or it "$s on+9 (,rin4 th$t perio( th$t nihi+ism
&in$++9 4rippe( the inte++e't,$+ "or+( $n( be4$n $&&e'tin4 the +ives o& or(in$r9 peop+e#
2.1 Basic Atheistic *)istentialis#
Atheisti' existenti$+ism $&&irms most propositions o& n$t,r$+ism :"or+(vie" ?,estions !-. /07; ex'ept those
re+$tin4 h,m$n n$t,re $n( o,r re+$tionship "ith the 'osmos# In(ee(- existenti$+ismFs m$@or interest is in o,r
h,m$nit9 $n( ho" "e '$n be si4ni&i'$nt in $n other"ise insi4ni&i'$nt "or+(# In short3 (atter exists eternally& od
does not exist. 5eath is extinction of personality and individuality. /hrough our innate and autonomous human
reason, including the methods of science, we can know the universe. /he cosmos, including this world is understood
to be in its normal state. *thics is related only to human beings. $istory is a linear stream of events linked by cause
and effect but without an overarching purpose.
2' /he cosmos is composed soley of matter, but to human beings reality appears in two forms sub'ective and
ob'ective.
The ,niverse is str,'t,re( or 'h$oti'# Whi'hever it m$%es no (i&&eren'e# The "or+( mere+9 is# The "or+( is
$ss,me( to h$ve existe( +on4 be&ore h,m$ns# =or ,n%no"n re$sons there $re t"o (i&&erent %in(s o& bein4s- one
'omin4 &rom the other $n( into $ sep$r$te existen'e# The &irst is the ob@e'tive ,n'ons'io,s "or+( "hi'h peop+e %no"
thro,4h re$son- sens$tion $n( s'ien'e# The se'on( %in( o& bein4 is the s,b@e'tive re$+m < th$t o& the min(- o&
'ons'io,sness- $"$reness < "hi'h s'ien'e '$nnot penetr$te# The ob@e'tive "or+( is or(er+9 "here$s the s,b@e'tive
%no"s no or(er# The inner $"$reness o& the min( is $ 'ons'io,s present- $ 'onst$nt no"# Time h$s no me$nin4- &or
the s,b@e't is $+"$9s present to itse+&- never p$st- never &,t,re# S,b@e'tivit9 is the se+&Fs $pprehension o& the non0se+&A
s,b@e'tivit9 is m$%in4 th$t non0se+& p$r o& itse+&# The s,b@e't t$%es in %no"+e(4e not $s $ bott+e t$%es in +i?,i( b,t $s
$n or4$nism t$%es in &oo(# Jno"+e(4e t,rns into the %no"er#
N$t,r$+ism ho+(s to the ,nit9 o& the t"o "or+(s b9 seein4 the ob@e'tive "or+( $s re$+ $n( the s,b@e'tive $s its
sh$(o"# As this p$th +e$(s to nihi+ism- existenti$+ism emph$si>es the t"o "or+(Fs (is,nit9# Sin'e there $re no
extr$terresti$+ bein4s- h,m$ns $re the on+9 bein4s "ho $re se+&0'ons'io,s $n( se+&0(etermin$te# There is no +on4er $n
$ttempt to ,n(erst$n( "h9 this is so#We per'eive se+&0'ons'io,s $n( se+&0(etermin$te $n( so "e "or% &rom these
4ivens# O,r si4ni&i'$n'e is not re+$te( to the &$'ts o& the ob@e'tive "or+(- over "hi'h "e h$ve no 'ontro+- b,t ,p to
the 'ons'io,sness o& the s,b@e'tive "or+( over "hi'h "e h$ve 'omp+ete 'ontro+#
!' a' $uman beings are complex 3machnines4& personality is an interrelation of chemical and physical properties
we do not yet fully understand. F or human beings alone existence precedes essence& people make themselves who
they are.
The ob@e'tive "or+( is one o& essen'es $s ever9thin4 'omes into bein4 be$rin4 its n$t,re# On+9 h,m$n bein4s
$re not h,m$ns be&ore the9 m$%e themse+ves so# E$'h person be'omes h,m$n thro,4h ,sin4 se+&0'ons'io,sness $n(
se+&0(etermin$tion# In S$treFs "or(s- DI& Go( (oes not exist- there is $t +e$st one bein4 in "hom existen'e pre'e(es
essen'e- $ bein4 "ho exists be&ore he '$n be (e&ine( b9 $n9 'on'ept- $n( T this bein4 is m$nT# =irst o& $++- m$n
exists- t,rns ,p- $ppe$rs on the s'en'e- $n(- on+9 $&ter"$r(s- (e&ines himse+&#E
$' *ach person is totally free as regards their nature and destiny.
=rom proposition 2 it &o++o"s th$t e$'h person is tot$++9 &ree# E$'h is ,n'oer'e(- r$(i'$++9 '$p$b+e o& (oin4
$n9thin4 im$4in$b+e "ith o,r s,b@e'tivit9# There is &ree(om "ithin#
,' /he highly wrought and tightly organi8ed ob'ective world stands over against human beings and appears absurd.
The h$r(- 'o+( &$'ti'it9 $n( thereness o& the ob@e'tive "or+( $ppe$rs $+ien $n( $bs,r(# It (oes not &it ,s# It is
impervio,s to o,r "ishes# We $re str$n4ers in $ &orei4n +$n( $n( the sooner "e +e$rn to $''ept this the sooner "e
tr$ns'en( o,r $+ien$tion $n( p$ss thro,4h the (esp$ir# The $,thenti' existenti$+ist is ,nimpresse( b9 the ob@e'tive
"or+(Fs ,+tim$te $bs,r(it9 $n( "e$pon- the to,4hest &$'t to tr$ns'en( < (e$th# We $re &ree so +on4 $s "e rem$in
s,b@e'ts# De$th p+$'es ,s $s ob@e'ts on'e $4$in# We m,st not &or4et o,r bent to"$r( nonexisten'e- b,t +ive o,t the
tension bet"een the +ove o& +i&e $n( the 'ert$int9 o& (e$th#
/' In full recognition of and against the absurdity of the ob'ective world, the authentic person must revolt and
create value.
Iere is ho" existenti$+ism moves be9on( nihi+ism# Nothin4 is o& v$+,e in the ob@e'tive "or+( b,t "hi+e "e $re
'ons'io,s "e 're$te v$+,e# The $,thenti' person is one "ho %eeps ever $"$re o& the $bs,r(it9 o& the 'osmos b,t
"ho rebe+s $4$inst th$t $bs,r(it9 $n( 're$tes me$nin4# =9o(or Dostoevs%9Fs D,n(er4ro,n( m$nE is $ p$r$(i4m o&
the rebe+ "itho,t $ seemin4+9 re$son$b+e '$,se# Dostoevs%9 s$9s th$t- Dthe me$nin4 o& $ m$nFs +i&e 'onsists o&
provin4 to himse+& ever9 min,te th$t he is $ m$n $n( not $ pi$no %e9#E
Ethi's is simp+e &or existenti$+ists &or the 4oo( $'tion is the 'ons'io,s+9 'hoosen $'tion# The 4oo( is p$rt o& the
s,b@e'tiveA it is not me$s,re( b9 $ st$n($r( o,tsi(e the in(ivi(,$+ h,m$n (imension# Io"ever- s,b@e'tivit9 +e$(s to
so+ipsism b,t "e $re $++ in this $bs,r( "or+( to4ether- m$%in4 me$nin4 &or o,rse+ves- $n( o,r $'tions $&&e't e$'h
other in $ m$nner th$t nothin4 '$n be 4oo( &or ,s "itho,t bein4 4oo( &or $++# Loreover- $s "e thin% $n( $'t $n(
e&&e't o,r s,b@e'tivit9- "e $re en4$4e( in $ so'i$+ $'tivit9 b9 'hoosin4 $ 'ert$in im$4e o& $ m$n# Beop+e +ivin4
$,thenti' +ives 're$te v$+,e &or themse+ves $n( others too#
Io"ever- i& "e 're$te v$+,e simp+9 b9 'hoosin4 it $n( th,s '$n never 'hoose evi+- (oes 4oo( h$ve $n9
me$nin4G Evi+ is seen $s not 'hoosin4- $s p$ssivit9- $s +ivin4 $t the (ire'tion o& others $n( not re'o4ni>in4 the
$bs,r(it9 o& the ,niverse# To 'o,nter these ob@e'tions some '+$im th$t $+tho,4h (e$th (oes in(ee( en( it $++- h,m$n
+i&e is more th$n itse+&- &or it stems &rom $ p$st h,m$nit9 $n( it $&&e'ts h,m$nit9Fs &,t,re#
A+bert C$m,sF The B+$4,e (epi'ts the possibi+it9 o& +ivin4 $ 4oo( +i&e in $ ,niverse "here Go( is (e$(# It is
$ttr$'tive to those "hose mor$+ v$+,es $re tr$(ition$+- not be'$,se C$m,s o&&ers $ b$se &or those v$+,es b,t be'$,se
he 'ontin,es to $&&irm them even tho,4h the9 h$ve no b$se# Un&ort,n$te+9- $&&irm$tion is not eno,4h sin'e it '$n be
'o,ntere( b9 $n opposite $&&irm$tion#
2' /he core commitment of every full%blown atheistic existentialist is to himself or herself.
The S$rtre$n notion o& h,m$n se+ves m$%in4 themse+ves "hom the9 "i++ 'ome to be- the9 $re the emperors $n(
bishops o& their o"n point+$n(# Sin'e the9 themse+ves m$%e themse+ves "ho the9 $re- the9 $re responsib+e on+9 to
themse+ves# The9 $(mit the9 $re &inite bein4s in $n $bs,r( "or+(- s,b@e't to (e$th "itho,t ex'eption# The
$,thenti'it9 o& their v$+,e 'omes so+e+9 b9 their virt,e o& their o"n 'ons'io,s 'hoi'es#
2.2 How far Beyond +ihilis#6
Atheisti' existienti$+ism &$i+s to provi(e $ re&erent &or $ mor$+it9 th$t 4oes be9on( e$'h in(ivi($,+# B9
4ro,n(in4 h,m$n si4ni&i'$n'e in s,b@e'tivit9- it p+$'es it in $ re$+m (ivor'e( &rom re$+it9# The ob@e'tive "or+( %eeps
intr,(in4 '$,sin4 the s,b@e't to 'ontin,$++9 $&&irm $n( $&&irm# B,t "hen $&&irm$tion 'e$ses- so (oes $,theni'
existen'e# Atheisti' existienti$+ism 4oes be9on( nihi+ism on+9 to re$'h so+ipsism# L$n9 "o,+( s$9 th$t this is not
be9on( nihi+ism $t $++A it is on+9 (onnin4 $ m$s% '$++e( v$+,e th$t is strippe( '+e$n $t (e$th#
2.! Basic %heistic *)istentialis#
A "$tere(0(o"n +iber$+ theo+o49 o& mor$+it9 $n( 4oo( "or%s th$t re(,'e( Go( to simp+9 $ p,re m$n $n( th$t
Jier%e4$$r( respon(e( to pro(,'e( not (esp$ir b,t optimism# L$te in the se'on( (e'$(e o& the t"entieth 'ent,r9
J$r+ B$rth $n( s,bse?,ent theo+o4i$ns s,'h $s Emi+ Br,nner $n( Reinhi+( Neib,hr reb,rbishe( Christi$nit9 $+on4
existenti$+ist +ines $s "h$t '$me to be '$++e( neo0ortho(ox9- sin'e it p,t Go( ver9 m,'h b$'% into the pi't,re#
Theisti' existenti$+ism be4ins b9 $''eptin4 the &o++o"in4 pres,ppositions o& theism :"or+(vie" ?,estions !0/-
H- . C;3 od is infinite and personal !triune", transcendent and immanent, omniscient, sovereign and good. od
created the cosmos ex nihilo to operate with a uniformity of cause and effect in an open system. $uman beings are
created in the image of od, can know something of od and the cosmos and can act significantly. od can and
does communicate with us. -e were created good but now are fallen and need to be restored by od through
Christ. For human beings death is either the gate to life with od and $is people or life forever separated from
od. *thics is transcendent and based on od,s character. Io"ever- theisti' existenti$+ism h$s spe'i$+ v$ri$tions
$n( emph$ses#
! 7 /' $uman beings are personal beings who, when they come to full consciousness, find themselves in an alien
universe& whether or not od exists is a tough +uestion to be solved not by reason but by faith.
The most import$nt v$ri$tion &rom theism is th$t theisti' existenti$+ism (oes not st$rt "ith Go(# With theism
Go( is $ss,me( to be there $n( o& $ 4iven 'h$r$'ter# Theisti' existenti$+ism emph$si>es the p+$'e in "hi'h h,m$ns
&in( themse+ves "hen the9 &irst 'ome to se+&0$"$reness# We &in( o,r se+ves 'ons'io,s b,t the ob@e'tive "or+(
impervio,s- "itho,t $ns"ers- $n( $ not imme(i$te per'eption o& Go(# The h,m$n sit,$tion is $mbiv$+ent sin'e "e
h$ve evi(en'e &or 'osmi' or(er- +ove $n( there&ore $ benevo+ent (eit9 b,t $+so evi(en'e to the 'ontr$r9# R$ther th$n
$''o,ntin4 &or the $bs,r(it9 o& the ,niverse on the b$sis o& the =$++- $s theism (oes- theisti' existenti$+ism $ss,mes
Go( is imme(i$te+9 responsib+e $n( there&ore th$t he m,st be+ieve in Go( in spite o& the $bs,r(it9# The point is th$t
"hi+e re$son m$9 +e$( ,s to $theism- "e '$n $+"$9s t$%e $ +e$p o& &$ith $n( re&,se to $''ept re$sonFs 'on'+,sions#
To be s,re- i& the 1,(eo0Christi$n Go( exists- "e h$( better $'%no"+e(4e it be'$,se in th$t '$se o,r etern$+
(estin9 (epen(s on it# B,t- s$9 the existenti$+ists- the ($t$ is not $++ in $n( never "i++ be- $n( so ever9 person "ho
"o,+( be $ theist m,st step &orth $n( 'hoose to be+ieve# Go( "i++ never reve$+ himse+& ,n$mbi4,o,s+9# Conse?,ent+9
e$'h person- in the +one+iness o& his or her o"n s,b@e'tivit9- s,rro,n(e( b9 $ 4re$t (e$+ more ($r%ness th$n +i4ht-
m,st 'hoose# An( th$t 'hoi'e m,st be $ r$(i'$+ $'t o& &$ith# When $ person (oes 'hoose to be+ieve- $ "ho+e
p$nor$m$ opens to the tr$(ition$+ propositions o& theism# Qet the s,b@e'tive- 'hoi'e0'entere( b$sis &or this
"or+(vie" 'o+o,rs the st9+e o& e$'h Christi$n existenti$+istFs st$n'e "ithin theism#
! 7 0' /he personal is the valuable.
Both &orms o& existenti$+ism emph$si>e the (is@,n'tion bet"een the ob@e'tive $n( s,b@e'tive "or+(s# Theisti'
existenti$+ism emph$si>es person$+ re+$tionships $s o& prim$r9 v$+,e# The imperson$+ is thereA it is import$ntA b,t it
is to be +i&te( ,p to Go(# To (o so serves to er$(i'$te the $+ien$tion so stron4+9 &e+t b9 peop+e "hen the9 'on'entr$te
on ob@e'tive re+$tionships "ith n$t,re $n(- s$(+9- "ith other peop+e $s "e++# The &o++o"in4 b$si' e+ements o&
Christi$nit9 $re (es'ribe( b9 $ (e$( ortho(ox9 on the +e&t 'ontr$ste( "ith $ +ive theiti' existenti$+ism on the ri4ht3
Deersonali8ed (ersonali8ed
)in Bre$%in4 $ r,+e Betr$9in4 $ re+$tionship
7epentance A(mittin4 4,i+t Sorro"in4 over person$+ betr$9$+
Forgiveness C$n'e+in4 $ pen$+t9 Rene"in4 &e++o"ship
Faith Be+ievin4 $ set o& propositions Committin4 onese+& to $ person
Christian +i&e Obe9in4 r,+es B+e$sin4 the Lor(- $ Berson
When p,t this "$9 the existenti$+ist version is obvio,s+9 more $ttr$'tive# O& 'o,rse- tr$(ition$+ theists respon(
b9 s$9in4 the se'on( 'o+,mn (em$n(s or imp+ies the existen'e o& the &irst 'o+,mn $n(- theism h$s $+"$9s in'+,(e(
the se'on( 'o+,mn in its s9stem#
/' .nowledge is sub'ective& the whole truth is often paradoxical.
Jno"+e(4e $bo,t ob@e'ts is ne'ess$r9 b,t not s,&&i'ient# =,++ %no"+e(4e is intim$te interre+$te(ness $n is +in%e(
&irm+9 to the $,thenti' +i&e o& the %no"er# Some existenti$+ists h$ve so (is@oine( the ob@e'tive $n( s,b@e'tive "or+(-
th$t one h$s no re+$tion to the other- $n( h$ve thereb9 $b$n(one( the 'on'ept o& ob@e'tive tr,th# It is not th$t &$'ts
$re ,nimport$nt b,t th$t the9 m,st be &$'ts &or someone $n( th$t 'h$n4es their 'h$r$'ter m$%in4 %no"+e(4e be'ome
the %no"er#
1' $istory as a record of events is uncertain and unimportant, but history as a model or type or myth to be made
present and lived is of supreme importance.
Theisti' existenti$+ism (istr,sts the $'',r$'9 o& re'or(e( histor9 $n( +oses interest in its &$'ti'it9 $n( to
emph$si>e its re+i4io,s imp+i'$tion or me$nin4# The &ormer is $sso'i$te( "ith the hi4h 'riti'ism o& the mi( !6
th
'ent,r9# R$ther th$n t$%in4 the bib+i'$+ $''o,nts $t &$'e v$+,e the hi4her 'riti's- s,'h $s D#=# Str$,ss- Ernest Ren$n-
$n( 1,+i,s We++h$,sen (enie( $ Los$i' $,thorship o& the Bent$te,'h m$(e the n$t,r$+isti' $ss,mption th$t mir$'+es
'$nnot h$ppen# These $''o,nts m,st there&ore be &$+se- not ne'ess$ri+9 &$bri'$te( b9 "riters "ho "ishe( to (e'ieve
b,t propo,n(e( b9 're(,+o,s peop+e o& primitive min(set# R$ther th$n 'h$n4e their $ss,mptions the9 'on'+,(e( th$t
the Bib+e "$s histori'$++9 ,ntr,st"orth9# B,t inste$( o& $n $b$n(onment o& the Christi$n &$ith entire+9- $ r$(i'$+ shi&t
in emph$sis too% p+$'e# The &$'ts o& the Bib+e "ere not import$ntA "h$t "$s "ere its ex$mp+es o& the 4oo( +i&e $n(
its time+ess mor$+ tr,ths# The =$++ "$s not $n event b,t is existenti$+ $s $ m9tho+o4i'$+ (es'ription o& the ,nivers$+
experien'e o& m$n rebe++in4 $4$inst Go(# Other s,pern$t,r$+ events $re simi+$r+9 (em9tho+o4i>e(# Either the9 $re
not t$%en +iter$+9- or i& the9 $re- their me$nin4 is not in their &$'ti'it9 b,t in "h$t the9 in(i'$te $bo,t h,m$n n$t,re
$n( o,r re+$tionship to Go(# Io"ever- theists 'h$r4e- their m,st be $n event &or there is to be me$nin4# Le$nin4 is
're$te( in the s,b@e'tive "or+(- b,t it h$s no ob@e'tive re&erent# S,'h $b$n(onment sho,+( +e$( to (o,bt $n( $ +oss o&
&$ith# Inste$( it h$s +e( to $ +e$p o& &$ith#
9. Isla#ic %heis#: %he :evelations of Another (rohet
D,rin4 the mi((+e $4es- Is+$mi' s'ho+$rs h$( 'ontrib,te( to "estern tho,4ht b9 preservin4- 'ommentin4 on $n(
$(v$n'in4 the phi+osoph9 o& the $n'ient Gree%s# B,t the inte++e't,$+ in&+,en'e on E,rope $n( s,bse?,ent+9 the Ne"
Wor+( +$r4e+9 (is$ppe$re( b9 the !7
th
'ent,r9# Bo+iti'$++9- the mi((+e e$st h$s pose( $ 'ontin,e( 'h$++en4e to the
"est- even i& in the b$'%4ro,n( o& the 'o+( "$r- &rom the Ottom$n Empire- to the !676 Ir$n emb$ss9 bombin4- to
6)!! $n( the ens,in4 'on&+i'ts#
The "or( Allah is the Ar$bi' "or( &or Go(- or $ 'ontr$'tion o& al%ilah, the Go(# It is not $ proper n$me b,t ,se(
$s DGo(E is En4+ish# This 'h$pter "i++ +imit itse+& to the te$'hin4s o& the V,rF$n $n( the I$(ith# Where there $re
(i&&eren'es $mon4 v$rio,s Is+$mi' 4ro,ps- the most "i(e+9 he+( interpret$tion "i++ be ,se(# An( i& th$tFs not
possib+e- priorit9 "i++ be 4iven to the more +iter$+ re$(in4 o& the V,rF$n#
9.1 Basic Isla#ic %heis#
1' /he fundamental reality of Islam is od !Allah", described as monotheistic, infinite, personal, transcendent,
immanent, omniscient, sovereign, and good. 0f these attributes Islam emphasi8es his oneness, transcendence and
sovereignty. /here has been debate as to what extent the 9ur,an should be included in the category of fundamental
reality.
Is+$m $rose in the 'ontext o& riv$+r9 $n( $ 4re$t $mo,nt o& 'ontent in the V,rF$n 'onsists o& (emonstr$tin4 th$t
Is+$m is better th$n $n9 other re+i4ion- $n( th$t Go(- $s portr$9e( in Is+$m- is better th$n $n9 other (eit9#
L,h$mm$( pro'+$ime( monotheism- $s he ,n(erstoo( it- $4$inst the po+9theism th$t (omin$te( Le''$ o& his ($9-
the monotheism o& 1,($ism- "hi'h he 'onsi(ere( h9po'riti'$+- $n( the trinit$ri$n monotheism o& Christi$nit9- "hi'h
he 'ens,re( $s both i(o+$tro,s $n( $bs,r(# Is+$m (i( not so m,'h (e&ine itse+& intern$++9 $s extern$++9 $4$inst the
other existin4 options#
The 'onst$nt+9 pro'+$ime( ,ne?,$+e( 4re$tness o& A++$h is the &o,n(in4 'onvin'tion ,pon "hi'h hin4es $++
other $ttrib,tes# An9thin4 th$t 'o,+( 'on'eiv$b+9 be 'onstr,e( $s (etr$'tin4 &rom his 4re$tness m,st be 'onsi(ere(
to be &$+se- or even o&&ensive# The "orst sin in Is+$m is shirk- "hi'h is 'ommon+9 tr$ns+$te( $s Di(o+$tr9-E b,t
+iter$++9 me$ns D$sso'i$tion#E Shir% me$ns to 'on@oin A++$h "ith $n9 o& his 're$t,res- to $s'ribe $ p$rtner to him- or
to ,n(erst$n( him to possess +imit$tions th$t $re 'h$r$'teristi' o& his 're$t,res b,t not him#
Not on+9 (oes this prohibition r,+e o,t s,'h notions $s $n in'$rn$tion or (ire't reve+$tion in $n9 h,m$n+9
$pprehensib+e &orm- b,t it $+so me$ns th$t "h$tever $ttrib,tes Go( h$s reve$+e( $bo,t himse+& '$nnot be me$s,re(
b9 h,m$n st$n($r(s# A++$h is not ,n%no"$b+e- b,t it "o,+( be pres,mpt,o,s &or ,s to in&er &rom his $ttrib,tes
spe'i&i'$++9 ho" he "o,+( m$ni&est them in $n9 p$rti',+$r '$ses# An inte4r$+ p$rt o& $n9 theism is th$t Go( is both
tr$ns'en(ent $n( imm$nent b,t in Is+$m A++$hFs tr$ns'en(en'e &$r o,t"ei4hs his imm$nen'e# An9 notion o& $
possib+e re+$tionship "ith A++$h m,st respe't this bo,n($r9# In Is+$m- "e '$n %no" th$t A++$h is mer'i&,+- b,t "e
sho,+( in no "$9 preten( th$t "e 'omprehen( "h$t this me$ns s,&&i'ient+9 to (r$" imp+i'$tions &rom it#
Whi+e Christi$n theism $++o"s &or $ person$+ re+$tionship "ith Go(- $n( notions o& Go(Fs in'$rn$tion in the
"or+( $n( the in("e++in4 o& his spirit "ithin ,s- Is+$mi' theism ho+(s th$t this "o,+( brin4 Go( too &$r (o"n to the
+eve+ o& his 're$t,res# When the V,rF$n notes o& A++$hFs presen'e- his 4,i($n'e- $n( $v$i+$bi+it9 o& his %in(ness- it
(oes so in the 'ontext o& exhort$tion to obe(ien'e $n( even thre$ts# Some verses :83!H0!C; seem to imp+9 $
person$+ re+$tionship b,t A++$hFs presen'e is not $pp$rent $n( is $'t,$++9 me(i$te( b9 $n4e+s#
S,&ism- the m9sti'$+ si(e o& Is+$m- te$'hes th$t $&ter m$n9 9e$rs o& +$bo,rs be9on( the norm$+ r,+es o& Is+$m-
one m,st re$'h $ st$te o& $bso+,te p,rit9 be&ore $tt$inin4 $ moment o& bein4 in the (ire't presen'e o& Go(# S,&ism
(oes not s,pp+9 $n ex'eption to the emph$sis on Go(Fs tr$ns'en(en'e be'$,se its 4o$+ is not &or Go( to move
(o"n"$r( in or(er to be '+oser to the h,m$n bein4- b,t &or the S,&i mon% to rise ,p in his spirit,$+ st$te ,nti+ he
&in$++9 $tt$ins the hei4ht s,&&i'ient to experien'e Go(#
Gener$+ reve+$tion b9 Go( in the ,niverse is ,n(erstoo( b9 those "ho $re "ise- in other "or(s those "ho
$+re$(9 be+ieve in A++$h# It is 4ener$++9 $''epte( th$t the V,rF$n is etern$+# In its tr,e &orm it exists in he$ven $s the
Lother o& the Boo% :Umm0$+0%it$b;# When G$brie+ &irst 'ommissione( L,h$mm$(- the $n4e+ presente( him "ith
ex'erpts o,t o& the Umm0$+0%it$b $n( 'omm$n(e( him to re$( $n( s,bse?,ent+9 re'ite these portions :s,r$ 6H;# This
or(er serio,s+9 perp+exe( L,h$mm$( $t &irst be'$,se he "$s i++iter$te# The $n4e+ re$ss,re( him th$t the s$me Go(
"ho 're$tes peop+e o,t $ mere '+ot o& b+oo( :ie the &erti+i>e( ov,m;- "o,+( $+so 4ive him the $bi+it9 to re$( the boo%
$n( to repe$t its 'ontent "ith 'omp+ete pre'ision# This is one o& the re$sons "h9 L,s+ims re&er to the V,rF$n $s $
mir$'+e :the other bein4 its per'eive( per&e'tion in &orm $n( 'ontent;# The n$t,re o& the boo%0behin(0the0boo%- the
tr,e V,rF$n- h$s '$,se( $ +ot o& (is',ssion $mon4 L,s+ims#
The (eb$te 'on'erns the &$'t th$t i& the V,rF$n is etern$+ then there "o,+( be t"o &,n($ment$+ re$+ities- A++$h
$n( the V,rF$n- "hi'h "o,+( (etr$'t &rom A++$hFs 4re$tness# To (e$+ "ith this some s$9 th$t the V,rF$n is tempor$+
b,t this re(,'es the $,thorit9 o& the boo% "hi'h is so en4r$ine( "ithin most L,s+ims# There&ore- $ 'ommon
$+tern$tive is to in(ee( ho+( th$t the V,rF$n is etern$+- tho,4h not $s $n in(epen(ent re$+it9- b,t $s the tho,4hts o&
A++$h# Conse?,ent+9- one h$s to thin% o& the V,rF$n on t"o +eve+s- (istin4,ishin4 it $s the 'ontent o& the min( o&
Go( :"hi'h is never $''essib+e to ,s; $n( $s (ivine reve+$tion :"hi'h is the on+9 "$9 to h$ve $'',r$te %no"+e(4e
$bo,t Go(;#
2' Allah created the universe ex nihilo, and all creatures are resposnsible to him. $owever, the world is a closed
system insofar as nothing happens in the world outside his divine decrees.
The m$4ni&i'en'e o& Go(Fs 4re$tness is bro,4ht o,t '+e$r+9 in the mir$'+e o& his 're$tion# Go(Fs 're$tion is not
+imite( to m$teri$+ thin4s b,t in'+,(es the re$+ms o& $n4e+s $n( @inn :m$+i'io,s spirits; th$t "ere bro,4ht into
existen'e prior to h,m$ns#A++$hFs metho( o& 're$tion is to spe$% $ thin4 into existen'e# Th,s "e re$( 'on'ernin4 the
're$tion o& A($m- DIe 're$te( him &rom (,st- then s$i( to him3 KBe#F An( he "$s#E :5386;#
Sin'e A++$h 're$te( the ,niverse- he h$s $bso+,te (is'retion over it# Inso&$r $s he (oes '$re &or it- it is p,re+9 $
m$tter o& his 4oo( n$t,re- "hi'h he is not ob+i4$te( to m$int$in# Nothin4 h$ppens o,tsi(e o& A++$hFs p+$n#
Jno"+e(4e &or A++$h is never @,st his t$%in4 'o4ni>$n'e o& 'ert$in st$tes o& $&&$irs or ho+(in4 $++ 'orre't propositions
to be tr,e# With him- to %no" $ thin4 or $n event is to 'ontro+ it# Wh$tever 're$tivit9 're$t,res m$9 possess- the9 '$n
exer'ise it n+9 inso&$r $s A++$h permits it $''or(in4 to his ins'r,t$b+e "i++#
!' $uman beings are the pinnacle of od,s creation. /hey have been given abilities of which other creatures, such
as angels and 'inn, are not capable. $owever, their high standing also brings with it the responsibility to live up to
od,s standards.
A''or(in4 to the V,rF$n- "hen A++$h set o,t to 're$te A($m- he '$++e( $ 4ener$+ meetin4 o& $++ o& the spirit,$+
bein4s he h$( 're$te( hereto&ore $n( $nno,n'e( "h$t he "$s $bo,t to (o#When the $n4e+s +e$rne( o& his intention-
the9 "ere o&&en(e( $n( $'t,$++9 ?,estione( A++$hFs "is(om# A&ter $++- the9 '+$ime(- the9 h$( been pr$isin4 Go(
&$ith&,++9 $++ $+on4# Wh9 "o,+( he no" p,t $nother 're$t,re $bove them- p$rti',+$r+9 one "ho "o,+( be prone to
mis'hie&G :235;#
A++$h person$++9 e(,'$te( A($m in ho" to i(enti&9 the m$n9 're$t,res on e$rth# Ie then '$++e( $nother meetin4
in "hi'h he 'h$++en4e( the $n4e+s to 4ive the proper +$be+s to v$rio,s items in 're$tion- b,t the9 &$i+e( miser$b+9 $t
this t$s%# Then Go( bro,4ht o,t A($m- $n( to their $m$>ement- he "$s $b+e to (o the ver9 thin4 th$t the9 'o,+( not#
The $n4e+s too% b$'% their 'riti'ism $n( $'%no"+e(4e( th$t A++$h h$( not m$(e $ mist$%e in 're$tin4 s,'h $
"on(er&,+ bein4# A++$h then 'omm$n(e( $++ o& the $n4e+s to bo" (o"n be&ore A($m :535/;# Ib+is re&,se( to (o so
$n( be'$me S$t$n or Sh$9t$n#
Go( then p+$'e( A($m $n( his "i&e in $ 4$r(en $n( 4$ve the 'omm$n( not to e$t o& $ 'ert$in tree# In $ m$nner
th$t is not spe'i&ie(- S$t$n "$s $b+e to pers,$(e them into (isobe(ien'e- $n( the9 "ere expe++e( &rom the 4$r(en $n(
(eprive( o& their h$ppiness# Even "hi+e A($m "$s o,t o& &$vo,r "ith Go(- he re'eive( instr,'tions &rom A++$h- $n(
,pon proper peniten'e- Go( restore( him to &e++o"ship# Th,s there "$s no perm$nent ',rse- A($m (i( not rem$in $
&$++en 're$t,re- $n( h,m$nit9 "$s not beset "ith herit$b+e ori4in$+ sin#
We h$ve then the &o++o"in4 pre+imin$r9 (es'ription o& "h$t Is+$m te$'hes re4$r(in4 m$n%in(3 "e $re Go(Fs
represent$tives on e$rth- hi4her th$n $n9 other +ivin4 're$t,re :in 'ontr$st to Christi$n te$'hin4; "ith $ n$t,re th$t
"$s not 'orr,pte( b9 A($mFs &$++# Conse?,ent+9- "e $re born in $ st$te o& p,rit9 $n( inno'en'e- $ &$'t th$t imp+ies
th$t $n9 ne"born th$t 'omes into the "or+( $s $ L,s+im# We h$ve no" $n ob+i4$tion to +ive ,p to o,r st$n(in4 $s
bein4 born p,re is no 4,$r$ntee th$t "e "i++ rem$in p,re# Brivi+e4e re?,ires responsibi+it9- $n( the st$%es $re
imme$s,r$b+9 hi4h# It is one thin4 to $'%no"+e(4e Go( $s the 4re$test "ith mere "or(s- even i& the9 $re me$nt
sin'ere+9- it is ?,ite $nother to +ive oneFs entire +i&e in s,bmission to him- $n( the +$tter re?,irement is the test &or
"hether $ person "i++ ?,$+i&9 &or s$+v$tion#
,' 5eath is a time of transition between this life and our eternal state, which will consist of either paradise or hell,.
Broper observ$n'e o& b,ri$+ ',stoms 'ontrib,tes to the &$te o& the so,+ $&ter (e$th# Some time in the &,t,re- the
(e'e$se( "i++ &$'e $n interro4$tion b9 the t"o $n4e+s L,n%$r $n( N$%ir- $n( $n9thin4 th$t the s,rvivors '$n (o in
or(er to he+p the (e'e$se( 4ive the proper $ns"ers "i++ in're$se their 'h$n'es o& enterin4 p$r$(ise# There&ore it is $
4oo( thin4 to en'o,r$4e $ person ri4ht be&ore he (ies to s$9 the 'on&ession one +$st time3 DThere is no Go( b,t Go(-
$n( L,h$mm$( is the prophet o& Go(#E I& this is no +on4er possib+e- those "ho $re 4$there( $t the &,ner$+ "i++
repe$t it on beh$+& o& the (e'e$se(# The 'orpse m,st be "$she( $n( tr$ns&orme( into $ st$te o& rit,$+ p,rit9# =in$++9-
he or she m,st be b,rie( +9in4 on the ri4ht si(e- &$'in4 in the (ire'tion o& Le''$#
These o,t"$r( ph9si'$+ me$s,res h$ve their p,rpose in 4,i(in4 the so,+ into bein4 &,++9 prep$re( &or the
,p'omin4 @,(4ment $t the en( o& time# Ever9one $4rees th$t event,$++9 there "i++ be the +$st ($9 on "hi'h $++ the
(e$( "i++ be r$ise( in or(er to &$'e @,(4ment# In the me$ntime- "h$t h$ppens in the interv$+ imme(i$te+9 $&ter (e$th
$n( be&ore the res,rre'tion $n( the @,(4ment is $ m$tter o& (eb$te# Some L,s+ims ho+( th$t the so,+ "i++ s+eep
pe$'e&,++9 ,nti+ th$t timeA others be+ieve th$t bet"een (e$th $n( res,rre'tion there "i++ be $ perio( o& spirit,$+
p,r4$tion in "hi'h postmortem s,&&erin4 "i++ p,ri&9 the so,+ so $s to be'ome &it &or he$ven#
Re4$r(+ess o& these spe',+$tions- there is no ?,estion o& "h$t "i++ h$ppen "hen the res,rre'tion t$%es p+$'e# A++
h,m$n bein4s "i++ be '$++e( to st$n( be&ore the (ivine trib,n$+- $n( $++ o& their be+ie&s $n( $ttit,(es $s "e++ $s the
re'or( o& ever9 +$st +itt+e $'tion th$t the9 h$ve per&orme( (,rin4 their +i&etime "i++ be'ome $ b$sis &or @,(4ment#
Ever9 h,m$n bein4 "i++ h$ve $'',m,+$te( $ boo% o& their (ee(s- both 4oo( $n( evi+- (,rin4 their mort$+ +ives# +o
one can $e fully sure that they have enough good to outweigh any $ad; and so $e assured of going to aradise
:m9 emph$sis;# The three not$b+e ex'eptions to this $re m$rt9rs- 'hi+(ren be&ore p,bert9 $n( those "ho $re ment$++9
imp$ire(- the +$ter t"o be'$,se the9 $re not &,++9 $''o,nt$b+e &or their $'tions# To '+$im $ss,r$n'e &or s$+v$tion
imp+ies th$t one '$n (i't$te to A++$h "h$t he m,st (o#
The V,rF$ni' (es'ription o& he++ is &irst o& $++ $ p+$'e o& hot- o(i&ero,s- poisono,s "$ter in "hi'h the ,nbe+iever
"i++ h$ve to en(,re n,mero,s tort,res# Ie$ven is (epi'te( $s $ be$,ti&,+ o$sis "ith &resh "$ter- +,s'io,s 4reen
p+$nts- h$n(some bo9s servin4 $++ the best to e$t $n( (rin%- $n( the be$,ti&,+ h,ri- the enti'in4- ($r%0e9e( vir4ins-
"hose servi'es $re perenni$++9 $v$i+$b+e# No"- there is no ?,estion th$t the (es'ription o& he$ven is ,tter+9 4e$re(
to"$r( men# Nonethe+ess- one sho,+( not in&er th$t "omen "i++ not be e+i4ib+e &or he$ven#
/' Allah has endowed human beings with the capacity of knowledge by means of reason and the senses. /hereby,
they can also know od,s revelation. $owever, od,s sovereign decrees limit human knowledge.
A++$h h$s 're$te( h,m$ns in $ "$9 th$t their senses "i++ be $ re+i$b+e so,r'es o& in&orm$tion $n( their re$sonin4
s%i++s $re tr,st"orth9# I,m$n re$son is s,&&i'ient to (etermine tr,th &rom &$+sehoo(# O& 'o,rse- o,r re$sonin4
$bi+it9- no m$tter ho" sh$rp- "o,+( be ,se+ess i& "e (i( not h$ve the ne'ess$r9 in&orm$tion to $pp+9 it- b,t this is
"here (ivine reve+$tion he+ps ,s o,t# Aro,n( the 4+obe- ever9 4ro,p o& peop+e h$s h$( one or more messen4ers &rom
Go( "ho t$,4ht them the s$me pre'epts $s L,h$mm$(# Th,s "h$tever sho,+( be %no"n 'o,+( be %no"n e$si+9 b9
simp+9 +istenin4 to the prophets# The prophets "ere $ '+e$r so,r'e o& %no"+e(4e $n( the &$'t th$t the peop+e (i( not
s,bmit to A++$h is (,e to their evi+- not to $ +$'% o& s,&&i'ient in&orm$tion#
=,rthermore- $mon4 the prophets "ere $ &e" "ho "ere even more (istin4,ishe(# These "ere the Dmessen4ers-E
"ho $+so +e&t boo%s o& their te$'hin4s &or posterit3 Loses bro,4ht the L$"- D$vi( bro,4ht the Bs$+ms- $n( 1es,s
bro,4ht the Gospe+# B,t the s$me ,nbe+ievin4 peop+e "ho (i( not $''ept them in person 'orr,pte( their "ritin4s in
or(er to s,it their i(o+$tro,s pre&eren'es# As $ res,+t- the '+e$r mess$4es &rom Go(- "hi'h mi4ht h$ve s,rvive( in
"ritin4 even i& their ori4in$+ be$rers h$( been re@e'te(- be'$me (istorte( in their "ritten &orms $s "e++#
A++ o& th$t sho,+( h$ve 'h$n4e( "ith the 'omin4 o& L,h$mm$(# Ie "$s 'onsi(ere( to be the Dse$+ o& the
prophets-E $n( "h$t (istin4,ishes him is the be+ie& th$t his mess$4e- $s re'or(e( in the V,rF$n- "$s per'eive( &ree
&rom error or h,m$n inter&eren'e# There is th,s no nee( &or $n9 &,rther prophets- $n( ho"ever m,'h the mess$4e
m$9 h$ve been obs',re( previo,s+9- it sho,+( no" be '+e$r $n( $''essib+e to ever9one#
Neverthe+ess- '+e$r reve+$tion (oes not imp+9 $,tom$ti' $''ept$n'e o& the reve+$tion# Those "ho $re 'ommitte(
to ,nbe+ie& "i++ not 'h$n4e their min(s- no m$tter ho" stron4 the evi(en'e m$9 be# Those "ho (o not re'o4ni>e the
tr,th "i++ be %ept &rom (oin4 so b9 Go(# A+tho,4h h,m$ns h$ve $ 'hoi'e "hether to obe9 A++$h or not- the 'hoi'e is
not open0en(e(# It $ppe$rs th$t Go( '+$ssi&ies e$'h person into one o& t"o 4ro,ps3 those "ho $re be+ievers $n( those
"ho $re his enemies# A++$h re&,ses $i( to his enemies $n( "i++ m$%e s,re the9 rem$in (e+,(e( in their ,nbe+ie&# It is
import$nt to (r$" $ (istin'tion "ith Christi$nit9 on this point- $n( th$t "hi+e "e "ere enemies "e "ere re'on'i+e(
to Go( thro,4h Christ :Rom# 83!;#
0' 7ight and wrong are based on the teachings of the 9ur,an, as amplified by the $adith and interpreted by the
schools of law, the shari,a.
There is nothin4 +e&t &or ,s to (o th$n to tr9 o,r best to &o++o" $++ o& Go(Fs 'omm$n(ments# There is no point in
spe',+$tin4 on Go(Fs "i++# R$ther th$n se$r'h &or Go(Fs p,rposes- "e sho,+( $''ept "h$tever he sen(s o,r "$9 bila
kayf, "hi'h me$ns D"itho,t $s%in4 "h9#E An9 st$tement o& intent on o,r p$rt sho,+( be $''omp$nie( b9 the phr$se
Dinshallah4 Di& Go( "i++s#E
In '$se there is $mbi4,it9 'on'ernin4 ho" $ p$rti',+$r V,rF$ni' 'omm$n( is interprete(- one '$n 'ons,+t the
h$(iths- "hi'h $re sever$+ 'o++e'tions o& s$9in4s $n( $'tions b9 L,h$mm$(- $s $++e4e(+9 remembere( b9 those "ho
%ne" him "e++# Even tho,4h it is $''epte( pr$'ti'e the ,se the expression $adith in the sin4,+$r- there is no sin4+e
$,thorit$tive 'o++e'tion- $n( the v$rio,s 'omponents $re o& ,neven $,thorit9# Conse?,ent+9- there (eve+ope( $mon4
S,nni L,s+ims &o,r s'hoo+s o& Is+$mi' L$" th$t $(vo'$te( (i&&erent (e4rees o& stri'tness in $pp+9in4 the r,+es o& the
V,rF$n $n( their re+$tionship to the I$(ith#
The ob+i4$tions o& $ L,s+im be4in "ith the &ive pi++$rs3 to re'ite the 'on&ession- to pr$9 &ive times $ ($9- to &$st
(,rin4 the month o& R$m$($n- to 4ive the $nn,$+ 'ontrib,tion &or the poor- $n( to m$%e the pi+4rim$4e to Le''$ $t
+e$$st on'e in $ +i&etime# B,t this is on+9 the be4innin4 $s L,s+im +i&e is stri't+9 re4,+$te(# There $re three
&,n($ment$+ '$te4ories o& $'tions3 those th$t $re (ire't+9 'omm$n(e( :farad;- those th$t $re permitte( :halal;- $n(
those th$t $re prohibite( :haram;# It is import$nt to note th$t $n9 vio+$tion o& halal is haram $n( not to '$rr9 o,t the
ob+i4$tions o& farad is $+so haram. When ever9thin4 is ri(in4 on oneFs $'tions- $n( "hen there is no $ss,r$n'e o&
Go(Fs in(,+4en'e- +et $+one $n9 4r$'e- $voi(in4 the potenti$++9 ne4$tive 'onse?,en'es o& $n9 sin is bo,n( to be'ome
the prim$r9 in'entive &or oneFs $'tions r$ther th$n the positive motiv$tion o& %eepin4 the r,+es o,t o& 4r$tit,(e#
1' $istory has significance in demonstrating the absolute sovereignty of od but, even more so, as the opportunity
for people to demonstrate their submission to him.
I,m$n histor9 is the "or+(Fs +on4est &in$+ ex$m- $n( the test st$rts ri4ht $+on4 "ith the +e't,res# On $ +ess
,+tim$te +eve+- the 4o$+ o& histor9 is to s,bs,me the entire "or+( ,n(er the umma, the Is+$mi' 'omm,nit9- "hi'h is
$s m,'h $ po+iti'$+ entit9 $s $ 'on4re4$tion o& be+ievers# Is+$m 'omm$n(s to set ,p Is+$mi' 4overnments- $n( it is
never &,++9 imp+emente( ,n+ess there is $n Is+$mi' st$te# In this st$te no i(o+$tr9 "i++ be $++o"e( b,t 1e"s $n(
Christi$ns "i++ be to+er$te( so +on4 $s the9 p$9 the 'i8ya- $ 'ompens$tion &or +ivin4 in $ L,s+im 'omm,nit9 "itho,t
'ontrib,tin4 to it#
L$n9 L,s+ims be+ieve th$t prior to the +$st @,(4ment- the L$h(i "i++ $ppe$r# Some ho+( this person to be
Christ- others (o not# Io" histor9 en(s is not $++ th$t 'r,'i$+ 'onsi(erin4 th$t the $++0import$nt +$st @,(4ment &o++o"s
imme(i$te+9#
2' A devout (uslim is grateful to Allah for providing the opportunity to serve him and will strive to follow the
divine instructions in even the smallest part of life.
S,'h $ (evo,t be+iever "i++ &re?,ent+9 express 4r$tit,(e th$t A++$h h$s provi(e( the 'h$n'e to enter B$r$(ise#
L,s+ims ten( to &in( the i(e$ o& s$+v$tion b9 4r$'e irresponsib+e- $n( even "itho,t $ notion o& ori4in$+ sin- the9 $re
s,&&i'ient+9 'onvin'e( o& h,m$n sin&,++ness th$t the9 'onsi(er $n9 'h$n'e $t s$+v$tion $t $++ to be $ tr,e $'t o& mer'9
on Go(Fs p$rt#
Sti++- Is+$m (em$n(s o& the person nothin4 +ess th$n ever9thin4# The st$r($r(s &or $ tr,+9 $''ept$b+e +i&e $re hi4h
$n( be'ome extreme+9 (et$i+e( the more one see%s to imp+ement them $''or(in4 to the I$(ith# Neverthe+ess-
4r$tit,(e $n( hope $re not the s$me thin4s $s @o9 $n( 4r$'e# The "ei4ht o& ob+i4$tions $n( their 'onse?,en'es $re
too pro&o,n( to in(,'e $,tom$ti' re@oi'in4# B,t "h$t re$++9 m$%es the pi't,re so poi4n$nt is th$t- $++ the 'omp+i$n'e
b9 $ h,m$n not"ithst$n(in4- the "i++ o& A++$h '$n $+"$9s overri(e $++ the 4oo( "or%s $ person m$9 h$ve
$'',m,+$te(# It is e$s9 to be+ieve th$t Go( h$s it in his po"er to &or4ive $ personFs sins "itho,t the nee( &or $n9
$tonement# This ,n(erst$n(in4 o& &or4iveness- ho"ever- +e$ves open $ &ri4htenin4 ,n'ert$int9- sin'e "e '$n never
h$ve $n9 $ss,r$n'e $bo,t Go(Fs ver(i't &or e$'h in(ivi(,$+ on the ($9 o& @,(4ment# =or ex$mp+e- the &irst t"o
'$+iphs :"ho $re 'onsi(ere( exemp+$r9 in their +ives; expresse( &ee+in4s o& terror on their (e$thbe(s#
9.2 4ol3 Isla#
=or virt,$++9 $n9 re+i4ion- in $((ition to its v$rio,s s'hoo+s- (enomin$tions- $n( se'ts- it is possib+e to en'o,nter
$ "i(e 4,+& bet"een the Dst$n($r(E version o& the re+i4ion- "hi'h is the "$9 it is bein4 t$,4ht in the boo%s $n( b9 its
+e$(ers- $n( the &o+% version o& the re+i4ion- "hi'h is the "$9 the re+i4ion is $'t,$++9 +ive( o,t on $ ($90to0($9 b$sis
b9 the 'ommon peop+e# Sin'e Is+$m so he$vi+9 stresses the tr$ns'en(en'e o& Go( it st$n(s o,t $s $ re+i4ion in "hi'h
the 4,+& bet"een the st$n($r( &orm $n( the &o+% version h$s be'ome p$rti',+$r+9 "i(e#
I& $ L,s+im pop,+$tion is +ivin4 in $n $re$ "ith $nother (omin$nt re+i4ion- $n( it $ppe$rs th$t this other re+i4ion
meets nee(s the Is+$m (oes not- the res,+t is o&ten $ s9n'retism in "hi'h the e+ements o& the other re+i4ion $re
in'orpor$te( into Is+$mi' pr$'ti'e# S,&ism (eve+ope( $s $ "$9 o& $((ressin4 the Dh,n4er &or the he$rtE &or those "ho
D+on4e( &or $ &$ith th$t h$s re$+it9 &or the in(ivi(,$+#E W$hh$bite Is+$m- the version pr$'ti'e( b9 the T$+ib$n- "$s
&o,n(e( pre'ise+9 to e+imin$te the pr$'ti'es o& &o+% Is+$m#
=o+% L,+sims '$rr9 o,t the b$si' (,ties o& the &ive pi++$rs $n( observe other Is+$mi' ob+i4$tions- b,t their 4o$+ is
not the "orship o& A++$h &or its o"n s$%e b,t r$ther to t$p into the so,r'es o& po"er $n( b+essin4 th$t Is+$m provi(es#
Li&e is too +$r4e $n( 'omp+i'$te( &or in(ivi(,$+ h,m$ns to m$n$4e b9 themse+ves- $n( peop+e $+"$9s +oo% &or
so+,tions th$t "i++ provi(e imme(i$te $i(# =or ex$mp+e- $ 'ommon phenomenon is th$t peop+e "ho h$ve m$ni&este(
$ 4re$t $mo,nt o& (evotion (,rin4 their +ives m$9 be vener$te( $s s$ints- $n( those "ho $(mire them visit their
tombs in or(er to s$9 pr$9s $n( re'eive spe'i$+ b+essin4s# A((ition$++9- pr$'ti'es o& &o+% Is+$m $re &re?,ent+9 4e$re(
to"$r( spirit,$+ prote'tion &rom the m$+i'io,s spirits :@inn;- ',rses- or the Devi+ e9e#E In &$'t- in some $re$s- this
se'on( $spe't is so over"he+min4 th$t one 'o,+( 'on'+,(e th$t &o+% Is+$m is more $nimism th$n theism#
1<. (antheistic =onis#: A >ourney to the 4ar *ast
We h$ve (is'overe( th$t o,r re$son +e$(s ,s &rom n$t,r$+ism to nihi+ism- "hi'h is h$r( to tr$ns'en(# Is it
possib+e th$t "e nee( not $b$n(on n$t,r$+ism b,t s$9 th$t o,r re$son '$nnot be tr,ste(G Existenti$+ism "ent p$rt
"$9 (o"n this ro,te# A+so- sin'e the West h$s $ histor9 o& ?,$rre++in4 over D(o'trinesE then +et ,s '$++ $ mor$tori,m
on ?,$re++in4 $n( even (istin4,ishin4 inte++e't,$++9 $t $++# Berh$ps $n9 ,se&,++ (o'trine "i++ (o# Thir(- i& $++ o,r
$'tivism to pro(,'e positive 'h$n4e $n( so'i$+ betterment 4o ,nre"$r(e(- or $re even (etriment$+ then +ets stop
(oin4 $n( r$ise o,r ?,$+it9 o& +i&e b9 simp+9 bein4#
The be4innin4 o& the mo(ern "estern "or+(Fs interest in E$stern phi+osoph9 is the !C65 B$r+i$ment o& Wor+(
Re+i4ions $n( the re@e'tion o& mi((+e '+$ss +i&e $n( v$+,es in the !6Hs# With its $ntir$tion$+ism- s9n'retism-
?,etism- +$'% o& te'hno+o49 simp+e +ivin4- $n( its r$(i'$++9 (i&&erent re+i4io,s &r$me"or%- the E$st is $ttr$'tive to
some# B$ntheisti' monism ,n(er+ies the Iin(, A(v$it$ Ve($nt$ s9stem o& Sh$n%$r$- the Tr$ns'en(ent$+ Le(it$tion
o& L$h$rishi L$hesh Qo4i- m,'h o& the Up$nish$(s- $n( Ierm$nn IesseFs Si((h$rth$- "hi'h is $ pop,+$r !67s
nove+# B,((hism sh$res m$n9 %e9 points b,t (i&&ers on ,+tim$te re$+it9# The (es'ription o& Wen is th$t p$rt o&
B,((hism most pop,+$r in the West# I$re Jnishn$ $+so (i&&ers in the respe't th$t it ho+(s re$+it9 not to be monisti'
:th$t on+9 one imperson$+ e+ement 'onstit,tes re$+it9; b,t r$ther ,+tim$te+9 person$+#
1<.1 Basic *astern (antheistic =onis#
1; 2; !a' Atman is :rahman& that is, the soul of each and every human being is the soul of the cosmos.
Atm$n :the essen'e- the so,+- o& $n9 person; is Br$hm$n :the essen'e- the So,+ o& the "ho+e 'osmos;#
E&&e'tive+9- e$'h person is Go(# B,t Go( m,st be (e&ine( in p$ntheisti' terms3 Go( is the one- in&inite0imperson$+-
,+tim$te re$+it9# Th$t is- Go( is the 'osmos# Go( is $++ th$t existsA nothin4 exists th$t is not Go(# I& $n9thin4 th$t is
not Go( $ppe$rs to exist- it is maya, i++,sion- $n( (oes not tr,+9 exist# It is not o,r sep$r$teness th$t 4ives ,s re$+it9-
it is o,r oneness- the &$'t th$t "e $re Br$hm$n $n( Br$hm$n is :the; One#
U+tim$te re$+it9 is be9on( (es'riptionA it @,st is# In &$'t- "e '$nnot express in +$n4,$4e the n$t,re o& this
oneness# We '$n on+9 Dre$+i>eE it b9 be'omin4 it- b9 sei>in4 o,r ,nit9- o,r D4o(he$(-E $n( restin4 there be9on( $n9
(istin'tion "h$tsoever# B,t the West is not ,se( to this $s the +$"s o& tho,4ht (em$n (istin'tion3 A is A- b,t A is not
non0A# To %no" re$+it9 is to (istin4,ish one thin4 &rom $nother- +$be+ it- '$t$+o4 it- re'o4ni>e its s,bt+e re+$tion to
other ob@e'ts in the 'osmos# In the E$st to D%no"E re$+it9 is to p$ss be9on( (isti'tion- to Dre$+i>eE the oneness o& $++
b9 bein4 one "ith $++# Not re$+i>in4 o,r oneness +e$(s to the se'on( proposition#
1; 2; !$' )ome things are more one than others.
This proposition is $ "$9 o& s$9in4 th$t re$+it9 is $ hier$r'h9 o& $ppe$r$n'es# Some Dthin4sE $re '+oser th$n
others to bein4 one "ith the One# The +$((er is 'ommon3 inor4$ni' $n( or4$ni' m$tter- $nim$+s- $n( h,m$ns "ho
$re $+so hier$r'hi'$+ "ith the Ber&e't L$ster- the En+i4htene( One- the 4,r, ne$rest to p,re bein4# DRe$+i>in4E
oneness imp+ies 'ons'io,sness b,t "hen one is one "ith the One- 'ons'io,sness 'omp+ete+9 (is$ppe$rs $s it is
(is'$re( $s ,se+ess thro,4h me(it$tive te'hni?,es $+on4 "ith ever9thin4 e+se#
1; 2; !c' (any !if not all" roads lead to the 0ne.
Sin'e i(e$s $re not &orm$++9 import$nt- orient$tion to oneness is not so m,'h $ m$tter o& (o'trine b,t te'hni?,e#
Some s,44est 'h$ntin4 $ m$ntr$- $ seemin4+9 me$nin4+ess S$ns%rit "or( sometimes se+e'te( b9 $ 4,r, $n( 4iven in
se'ret to $n initi$te# Others re'ommen( me(it$tion on $ m$n($+$- $ hi4h+9 str,'t,re(- o&ten &$s'in$tin4+9 orn$te $n(
be$,ti&,+ 'ir',+$r im$4e- s9mbo+ o& the tot$+it9 o& re$+it9# Others re?,ire en(+ess repetition o& pr$9ers or $'ts o&
obeis$n'e# A++ o& these inte++e't,$++9 'ontent+ess metho(s o& me(i$tion re?,ire ?,ietness $n( so+it,(e# One $ttempts
to 4et on the vibe +eve+ "ith re$+it9- to t,rn oneFs so,+ to the h$rmon9 o& the 'osmos $n( ,+tim$te+9 to the one so+i(-
nonh$rmoni'- non(,$+- U+tim$te vibr$tion < Br$hm$n- the One# To $'hieve this is the E$stern monisti' "$9 o&
$'hievin4 s$+v$tion#
1; 2; !d' /o reali8e one,s oneness with the cosmos is to pass beyond personality.
Sin'e Atm$n is Br$hm$n $n( Br$hm$n is imperson$+ then h,m$n bein4s in their essen'e $re imperson$+# This is
(i$metri'$++9 oppose( to theism be'$,se the 'hie& 'h$r$'teristi' o& Go( $n( peop+e is Iis $n( o,r person$+it9#
Berson$+it9 me$ns $n in(ivi(,$+ h$s 'omp+exit9 $t the 'ore o& his or her bein4# Berson$+it9 (em$n(s se+&0
'ons'io,sness $n( se+&0(etermin$n'9# In p$ntheism the 'hie& 'h$r$'teristi' $bo,t Go( is Oneness- $ sheer $bstr$'t-
,n(i&&erenti$te(- non(,$+ ,nit9# =or $n9 o& ,s to Dre$+i>eE o,r bein4 is &or ,s to $b$n(on o,r 'omp+ex personhoo(
$n( enter the ,n(i&&erenti$te( One#
A''or(in4 to the L$n(,%9$ Up$nish$(- Atrm$n h$s D&o,r 'on(itionsE3 "$%in4 +i&e- (re$min4 +i&e- (eep s+eep-
$n( Dthe $"$%ene( +i&e o& p,re 'ons'io,sness#E Noti'e th$t the hi4hest st$te is the st$te most $ppro$'hin4 tot$+
ob+ivion- &or one 4oes &rom the $'tivit9 o& or(in$r9 +i&e in the extern$+ "or+( to the $'tivit9 o& (re$min4 to the
non$'tivit9- non'ons'io,sness- o& (eep s+eep $n( en(s in $ revers$+ o& the &irst three- Dp,re 'ons'io,sness#E
DB,re 'ons'io,snessE h$s nothin4 to (o "ith the 'ons'io,sness the "estern so'iet9 is &$mi+i$r "ith# DB,re
'ons'io,snessE is sheer ,nion "ith the One- p,re bein4- $n( not D'ons'io,snessE $t $++- &or th$t (em$n(s (,$+it9 < $
s,b@e't to be 'ons'io,s $n( $n ob@e't to be 'ons'io,s o&# Even se+&0'ons'io,sness (em$n(s (,$+it9 in the se+&# This
exp+$ins "h9 E$stern tho,4ht o&ten +e$(s to in$'tion $n( ?,ietism#
,' 5eath is the end of individual, personal existence, but it changes nothing essential in an individual,s nature.
I,m$n (e$th si4n$+s the en( o& $n in(ivi(,$+ embo(iment o& Atm$nA it si4n$+s $s "e++ the en( o& $ person# B,t
the so,+- Atm$n- is in(estr,'tib+e# No h,m$n bein4 in the sense o& in(ivi(,$+ person s,rvives (e$th# Atm$n s,rvives
b,t Atm$n is imperson$+# When Atm$n is rein'$rn$te( it be'omes $nother person# E$stern tho,4ht te$'hes the
immort$+it9 o& the so,+ b,t not the person$+ $n( in(ivi(,$+ immort$+it9# B,t the person$+ is i++,sor9 so nothin4 o&
v$+,e perishesA ever9thin4 o& v$+,e is etern$+# This exp+$ins "h9 +i&e is 'he$p in the E$st# In(ivi(,$+ embo(iements
o& +i&e $re o& no v$+,e# B,t in essen'e the9 $re o& in&inite v$+,eA &or in essen'e the9 $re in&inite#
/' /o reali8e one,s oneness with the cosmos is to pass beyond knowledge. /he principle of non%contradiction does
not apply where the ultimate reality is concerned.
=rom the st$tement Atm$n is Br$hm$n- it $+so &o++o"s th$t h,m$n bein4s in their essen'e $re be9on(
%no"+e(4e# Jno"+e(4e $n( +$n4,$4e- +i%e person$+it9- (em$n(s (,$+it9 < $ %no"er $n( $ %no"n- spe$%er $n(
+istener- s,b@e't $n( pre(i'$te# Er4o- +$n4,$4e '$nnot 'onve9 the tr,th $bo,t re$+it9# This is "h9 E$stern tho,4ht is
non(o'trin$+ sin'e no (o'trine '$n be tr,e in the sense th$t it 'o,+( 4ive the &,++ $n( 'omp+ete (es'ription o& re$+it9#
Berh$ps some '$n be more ,se&,+ $t brin4in4 $ s,b@e't to ,nit9 "ith the One- b,t then even $ +ie or $ m9th 'o,+( be
,se&,+# B,t i& there '$n be not tr,e st$tement there '$n $+so be no +ie#
0' /o reali8e one,s oneness with the cosmos is to pass beyond good and evil& the cosmos is perfect at every moment.
J$rm$ is the notion th$t oneFs present &$te is the res,+t o& p$st $'tion- espe'i$++9 in $ &ormer existen'e# This ties
it to rein'$rn$tion- "hi'h &o++o"s &rom the 4ener$+ prin'ip+e th$t nothin4 th$t is re$+ :th$t is- no so,+; ever p$sses o,t
o& existen'e# On its "$9 b$'% to the One- ho"ever- it 4oes thro,4h "h$tever series o& i++,sor9 &orms its p$st $'tion
re?,ires# J$rm$ is the E$stern version o& re$pin4 "h$t 9o, so" b,t there is no Go( to 4ive &or4iveness $n( so
'on&ession is o& no $v$i+# A person '$n 'hoose his &,t,re $'tsA th,s %$rm$ (oes not imp+9 (eterminism or &$t$+ism#
This s,44ests $ mor$+ ,niverse in "hi'h peop+e sho,+( (o the 4oo(# Io"ever- the b$sis &or (oin4 4oo( is not so
th$t it "i++ be (one or &or the bene&it o& others# J$rm$ (em$n(s th$t ever9 so,+ s,&&ers &or its p$st DsinsE- so there is
no v$+,e in $++evi$tin4 s,&&erin4# The so,+ so he+pe( "i++ h$ve to s,&&er +$ter# So there is no $4$pe +ove- 4ivin4 +ove-
nor "o,+( $n9 +ove bene&it the re'ipent# One (oes 4oo( (ee(s in or(er to $tt$in ,nit9 "ith the One $n( there&ore
(oin4 4oo( is &irst $n( &oremost $ se+&0he+pin4 "$9 o& +i&e#
Se'on(- $++ $'tions $re mere+9 p$rt o& the "ho+e "or+( o& i++,sion# The on+9 Dre$+E re$+it9 is ,+tim$te re$+it9- $n(
th$t is be9on( (i&&erenti$tion- be9on( 4oo( $n( evi+# Li%e tr,e $n( &$+se- the (istin'tion bet"een 4oo( $n( evi+ &$(es
$"$9# Ever9thin4 is 4oo( is i(enti'$+ to nothin4 is 4oo( or ever9thin4 is evi+#
1' /o reali8e one,s oneness with the 0ne is to pass beyond time. /ime is unreal. $istory is cyclical.
Iistor9 h$s no me$nin4 "here re$+it9 is 'on'erne(#In &$'t- o,r t$s% $s peop+e "ho "o,+( re$+i>e their 4o(he$(
is to tr$ns'en( histor9# This he+ps to exp+$in "h9 Christi$ns- "ho p+$'e 4re$t emph$sis on histor9- &in( their
present$tion o& the histori'$+ b$sis o& Christi$nit9 $+most entire+9 i4nore( in the E$st# In the E$st- 9ester($9Fs &$'ts
$re not me$nin4&,+ in themse+ves# The9 (o not be$r on ,s to($9 ,n+ess the9 h$ve $ here0$n(0no" me$nin4A $n( i&
the9 h$ve $ here0$n(0no" me$nin4- then their &$'ti'it9 $s histor9 is o& no 'on'ern# The E$stern s'ript,res $re &i++e(
"ith epi4r$ms- p$r$b+es- &$b+es- stories- m9ths- son4s- h$i%,- h9mns- epi's- b,t $+most no histor9 in the sense o&
events re'or(e( be'$,se the9 too% p+$'e in $n ,nrepe$t$b+e sp$'e0time 'ontext#
To be 'on'erne( "ith histor9 "o,+( be to invert the "ho+e hier$r'h9# The ,ni?,e is not the re$+A on+9 the
$bso+,te $n( $++0en'omp$ssin4 is re$+# I& histor9 is v$+,$b+e- it "i++ be so $s m9th $n( m9th on+9- &or m9th t$%es ,s
o,t o& p$rti',+$rit9 $n( +i&ts ,s to essen'e# Despite not$b+e $ttempts o& some- +i%e D#T# S,>,%i- to insist th$t
B,((hism is not nihi+isti'- it "i++ ,s,$++9 seem so to Western re$(ers#
2' Core commitments among individual *astern pantheistic monists may vary widely, but one consistent
commitment is, by the elimination of desire, to achieve salvation, that is, to reali8e one,s union with pure
consciousness, the 0ne !$induism" or the ;oid !:uddhism".
Iin(,ism $n( B,((hism both +o'$te the prob+em "ith h,m$n bein4s in their sep$r$teness &rom the re$++9 re$+-
the One or the Voi(# I,m$n bein4s +ive $n i++,sor9 m$teri$+ existen'e in $n i++,sor9 m$teri$+ "or+(- (esirin4 i++,sor9
4o$+s# The res,+t is s,&&erin4# To $voi( s,&&erin4- one sho,+( e+imin$te this (esire# Iin(,ism &o',ses on $ v$riet9 o&
me(it$tion pr$'ti'es# B,((hism presents $n ei4ht&o+( p$th3 ri4ht vie"- ri4ht intention- ri4ht spee'h- ri4ht $'tion-
ri4ht +ive+ihoo(- ri4ht e&&ort- ri4ht min(&,+ness- $n( ri4ht 'ons'io,sness#
1<.2 %he Buddhist Difference
Both Iin(,ism $n( B,((hism emph$si>e the sin4,+$rit9 o& prime re$+it9 b,t there is $ %e9 (i&&eren'e# A(v$it$
ve($nt$ :non(,$+ist Iin(,ism; ho+(s th$t &in$+ re$+it9 is Br$hm$n- the One# The One h$s- or better- is Bein4 itse+&#
=rom Br$hm$n :the One; em$n$tes the 'osmos :the m$n9;# B,((hist monism ho+(s th$t &in$+ re$+it9 is the Voi(#
=in$+ re$+it9 is nothin4 th$t '$n be n$me( or 4r$spe(# To s$9 th$t it is nothin4 is in'orre't- b,t to s$9 th$t it is
somethin4 is e?,$++9 in'orre't# Th$t "o,+( (e4r$(e its essen'e b9 re(,'in4 it to $ thin4 $mon4 thin4s# The Iin(,
One is sti++ $ thin4 $mon4 thin4s- tho,4h it is the 'hie& $mon4 thin4s# The Voi( is not $ thin4 $t $++# It is inste$( the
ori4in o& ever9 thin4#
This +e$(s to $ (i&&erent ,n(erst$n(in4 o& h,m$n bein4s $s "e++# =or $ Iin(,- $n in(ivi(,$+ person is $ so,+
:Atm$n; $n( th,s h$s s,bst$nti$+ :spirit,$+- not m$teri$+; re$+it9 be'$,se it is $n em$n$tion o& Br$hm$n :re$+it9
itse+&;# In (e$th $n in(ivi(,$+ so,+ +oses its bo(i+9 resi(en'e b,t is rein'$rn$te( in $nother in(ivi(,$+ < $ sort o&
tr$nsmi4r$tion o& the so,+#
=or $ B,((hist- $n in(ivi(,$+ person is $ not0so,+# There is no n$m$b+e n$t,re $t the 'ore o& e$'h person# In &$'t-
e$'h person is $n $44re4$te o& previo,s persons# There is not so m,'h the tr$nsmi4r$tion o& the so,+ $s the
(is$ppe$r$n'e o& $ person $t (e$th $n( the re'onstit,tion o& $nother person &rom the &ive $44re4$tes or Dexisten'e
&$'torsE3 bo(9- &ee+in4- per'eption- ment$+ &orm$tions- $n( 'ons'io,sness#
Re+i4io,s pr$'ti'e- te'hni?,es o& me(it$tion- (i&&er too# Iin(,s "i++ 'ommon+9 repe$t $ m$ntr$- +i%e Om- $n(
th,s in(,'e $ tr$n'e or tr$n'e0+i%e st$te th$t is t$%en to be $n $s'ent to"$r( 4o(hoo(# B,((hists m$9 +i%e"ise repe$t
$ m$ntr$- b,t their 4o$+ is to re$'h $ st$te o& re$+i>in4 their root in nonbein4 < the nonentit9 o& their D&$'e be&ore the9
"ere born#E In $n9 '$se- the $ttempt is m$(e to empt9 the min( o& $++ $n$+9ti'$+ tho,4ht- &or ,+tim$te re$+it9 is not
on+9 nonbein4- it is $+so Dno0min(-E th$t is- $ min( th$t (oes not $n$+9>e (oes not $n$+9se "h$t it is 4r$spin4 b,t
4r$sps "h$t is on+9 $s "h$t it is#
1<.! *ast and West: A (ro$le# in Co##unication
C9'+i'$+ histor9- p$ths th$t 'ross- (o'trines th$t (is$4ree- evi+ th$t is 4oo(- %no"+e(4e th$t is i4nor$n'e- time
th$t is etern$+- re$+it9 th$t is ,nre$+3 $++ these $re the shi&tin4- p$r$(oxi'$+- even 'ontr$(i'tor9 m$s%s th$t vei+ the
One# I& "e point to its irr$tion$+it9- E$sterners re@e't re$son $s $ '$te4or9# I& "e point to the (is$ppe$r$n'e o&
mor$+it9- the E$sterner s'orns the (,$+it9 th$t is re?,ire( &or the (istin'tion# An ,n(erst$n(in4 th$t the E$st $n(
West oper$te on t"o ver9 (i&&erent sets o& $ss,mptions seems to be the st$rtin4 point &or $n9 (i$+o4,e#
11. (ost#odernis#: %he ?anished Hori8on
Over $ h,n(re( 9e$rs $&ter Niet>s'he- the $'%no"+e(4ement o& the (e$th o& Go( &in$++9 re$'he( the e$rs o& m$n-
th,s be4innin4 the er$ o& postmo(ernism# Bostmo(ernism is $'t,$++9 not DpostE $n9thin4A it is the +$st move o& the
mo(ern- the res,+t o& the mo(ern t$%in4 its o"n 'ommitments serio,s+9# T"o m$@or inte++e't,$+ shi&ts h$ve o'',rre(
over the p$st 'ent,ries# =rom $ Kpremo(ernF 'on'ern &or $ @,st so'iet9 b$se( on reve+$tion &rom $ @,st Go( to $
Kmo(ernF $ttempt to ,se ,nivers$+ re$son $s the 4,i(e to @,sti'e to $ Kpostmo(ernF (esp$ir o& $n9 ,nivers$+ st$n($r(
&or @,sti'e# O,r so'iet9 no" &in(s itse+& in $n $4e $&+o$t in $ p+,r$+ism o& perspe'tives- $ p+ethor$ o& phi+osophi'$+
possibi+ities- b,t "ith no (omin$nt notion o& "here to 4o or ho" to 4et there# A ne$r &,t,re o& ',+t,r$+ $n$r'h9
seems inevit$b+e#
Io" (oes one (e&ine the in(e&initeG Top s'ho+$rs h$ve +on4 (eb$te( $n( (is$4ree( on the 'ore o& the theor9
"itho,t $ 'entre# Io"ever- some 'ommon e+ements '$n be note(- n$me+9 D&r$4ments- h9bri(it9- re+$tivism- p+$9-
p$ro(9- $n( '$mp#E A'$(emi' postmo(ernism is more $ +oose+9 str,'t,re( 'onste++$tion o& ephemer$+ (is'ip+ines
+i%e ',+t,r$+ st,(ies- 4$9 $n( +esbi$n st,(ies- s'ien'e st,(ies $n( post0'o+oni$+ theor9 m$%in4 it +on4 on $ttit,(e $n(
short on $r4,ment# The term is ,s,$++9 tho,4ht to h$ve &irst $risen in $r'hite'ht,re- $s $r'hite'ts move( &rom
,n$(orne(- imperson$+ boxes o& 'on'rete- 4+$ss- $n( stee+ to 'omp+ex sh$pes $n( &orms (r$"in4 moti&s &rom the p$st
"itho,t re4$r( to their ori4in$+ p,rpose or &,n'tion# B,t the term be'$me $ %e9 "or( in ',+t,r$+ $n$+9sis "hen
=ren'h so'io+o4ist 1e$n0=r$n'ois L9ot$r( (e&ine( postmo(ernism $s Din're(,+it9 to"$r(s n$rr$tivesE $n( ,se( the
term to si4n$+ $ shi&t in ',+t,r$+ +e4itim$tion# No +on4er is there $ sin4+e stor9- $ mett$n$r$tive- or "or+(vie" th$t ties
the Western "or+( to4ether# It is not @,st th$t there h$ve +on4 been m$n9 stories- e$'h o& "hi'h 4ives its bin(in4
po"er to the so'i$+ 4ro,p th$t t$%es it $s its o"n# B,t "ith postmo(ernism no sin4+e stor9 '$n h$ve more 're(ibi+it9
th$n $n9 other#
11.1 4ro# Being to @nowing
1' /he first +uestion postmodernism addresses is not what is there or how we know what is there but how language
functions to construct meaning itself. In other words, there has been a shift in 3first things4 from being to knowing
to constructing meaning.
In re&+e'tin4 on this reportFs o"n set o& pres,ppositions- some h$ve 'h$++en4e( the or(er o& the seven ?,estions#
In p$rti',+$r- premo(ernit9 $n( espe'i$++9 theism p,ts bein4 be&ore %no"in4 "here$s n$t,r$+ism p,ts %no"in4
be&ore bein4# This shi&t '$me "ith Des'$rtes "ho tho,4ht he 'o,+( (o,bt ever9thin4 ex'ept his o"n tho,4hts# =rom
this he $r4,es th$t Go( ne'ess$ri+9 exists $n( th$t re$+it9 is (,$+ < m$tter $n( min(# Des'$rtes 'h$mpione( the
$,tonom9 o& h,m$n re$son- &reein4 so'iet9 &rom the $n'ients $n( 4ivin4 "$9 to inte++e't,$+ pro4ress on the b$sis
th$t the h,m$n min( itse+& '$n 'ome to %no" the tr,th#
Niet>s'he 'omp+ete( "h$t Des'$rtes st$rte(- $s Niet>s'he too% (o,bt be9on( Des'$rtes- re@e'tin4 his 'ertit,(e
$bo,t the existen'e o& the se+&# In other "or(s- "h$t i& it is the thin%in4 th$t 're$tes the KIF inste$( o& the KIF th$t
're$tes the tho,4htsG Wh$t i& the $'tivit9 o& thin%in4 (oes not re?,ire $n $4ent b,t pro(,'es on+9 the i++,sion o& oneG
Wh$t i& there is on+9 thin%in4 < $ &+,i( &+o" o& +$n4,$4e "itho,t (is'ernib+e ori4in- (etermin$te me$nin4 or
(ire'tion# A&ter Niet>s'he no tho,4ht&,+ person 'o,+( se',re e$s9 'on&i(en'e in the ob@e'tivit9 o& h,m$n re$son# B,t
$s Niet>s'he pointe( o,t in the p$r$b+e o& the m$(m$n- it t$%es $ +on4 time &or i(e$s to sin% into ',+t,re#
11.2 %he Death of %ruth and the (ower of Aanguage
2' /he truth about the reality itself is forever hidden from us. All we can do is tell stories.
I& "e be4in "ith the seemin4+9 %no"in4 se+& $n( &o++o" the imp+i'$tions - "e $re +e&t "ith $ so+it$r9 se+&
:so+ipism; $n( then not even th$t# Bostmo(ernism ho+(s th$t those "ho h$n4 onto their o"n stories $s i& the9 "ere
the m$ster stor9- en'omp$ssin4 or exp+$inin4 $++ other stories- $re ,n(er $n i++,sion# We '$n h$ve me$nin4- &or $++
these stories $re more or +ess me$nin4&,+- b,t "e '$nnot h$ve tr,th# Nothin4 "e '$n %no" '$n be 'he'%e( $4$inst
re$+it9# L$n4,$4e is $ h,m$n 'onstr,'t th$t "e '$nnot (etermine the Ktr,th&,++nessF o&- on+9 its ,se&,+ness# Tr,th is
"h$tever "e '$n 4et others to $4ree to# I& "e '$n 4et them to ,se o,r +$n4,$4e- then < +i%e the ston4 poets < Loses-
1es,s- B+$to- =re,( < o,r stor9 is $s tr,e $s $n9 stor9 "i++ ever 4et# In short- there is on+9 pr$4m$ti' tr,th- not tr,th o&
'orrespon(en''e# So in postmo(ernism there is $ movement &rom the Christi$n Kpremo(ernF notion o& $ reve$+e(
(etermin$te met$n$rr$tive to the mo(ern notion o& the $,tonom9 o& h,m$n re$son "ith $''ess to tr,th o&
'orrespon(en'e to the postmo(ern notion th$t "e 're$te tr,th $s "e 'onstr,'t +$n4,$4es th$t serve o,r p,rposes-
tho,4h these ver9 +$n4,$4es (e'onstr,'t ,pon $n$+9sis#
!' All narratives mask a play for power. Any one narrative used as a meta%narrative is oppressive.
I& there is no tr,th o& 'orrespon(en'e then there $re on+9 stories- th$t "hen be+ieve(- 4ive the stor9te++er po"er
over others# Sever$+ m$@or postmo(ern theorists h$ve t$%en ,p this $n4+e- not$b+9 Li'he+ =o,'$,+t# An9 stor9 b,t
oneFs o"n is oppressive# Sin'e there is no "$9 o& %no"in4 "hoFs stor9 re$++9 is then $++ "e h$ve is o,r (e&initions
"hi'h bene&it some $n( not others# To re@e't oppression is to re@e't the stories th$t so'iet9 te++s ,s# Ien'e "e '$n
tr$'e the tr$nsition &rom the premo(ern $''ept$n'e o& the inspire( met$n$rr$tive "ritten b9 ho+9 men o& Go( to the
Kmo(ernF ,nivers$+ be+ie& in re$son 9ei+(in4 tr,th to $ Kpostmo(ernF re(,'tion o& $++ met$n$rr$tives $s po"er p+$9s#
11.! %he Death of the "u$stantial "elf and Being .ood without .od
,' $uman :eings make themselves who they are by the languages they construct about themselves.
We m$%e o,rse+ves b9 "h$t "e 'hoose to (o# =or Niet>s'he the on+9 se+& "orth +ivin4 is the <bermensch, the
one "ho h$s risen $bove the 'onvention$+ her( $n( h$s &$shione( himse+& $s $ Km$n be9on( m$nF# Io"ever &e" '$n
(o this $s most o& ,s h$ve o,rse+ves 'onstr,'te( b9 the 'onvention$+ +$n4,$4e o& o,r $4e $n( so'iet9# So $4$in there
is $ shi&t &rom the Kpremo(ernF theisti' notion th$t h,m$n bein4s $re (i4ni&ie( b9 bein4 're$te( in the im$4e o& Go(
to the Kmo(ernF notion th$t h,m$n bein4s $re the pro(,'t o& their DNA temp+$te "hi'h is the res,+t o& ,np+$nne(
evo+,tion to the Kpostmo(ernF notion o& $n ins,bst$nti$+ se+& 'onstr,'te( b9 the +$n4,$4e it ,ses to (es'ribe itse+&#
/' *thics, like knowledge, is a linguistic construct. )ocial good is whatever society takes it to be.
This is $ postmo(ern version o& $n o+(er ',+t,r$+ re+$tivism th$t t$%es tr,th to be "h$t "e (e'i(e it is# In(ivi(,$+
&ree(om rem$ins i& the person $4rees "ith ho" so'iet9 (r$"s its ethi'$+ +ines# Bostmo(ernism '$n m$%e no
norm$tive @,(4ementA it '$n on+9 observe $n( 'omment# So m,'h the "orse b9 those "ho &in( themse+ves
oppresse( b9 the m$@orit9#
11., %he (anora#ic "wee of (ost#odernis#
The v$+,e in +iter$t,re resi(es not stri't+9 "ithin $ text- b,t in $ 'omp+ex inter$'tion bet"een "h$t $ text s$9s
$n( "h$t the re$(er "$nts $n( nee(s# This vie" t$%es +iter$t,re not $s K+iter$t,reF b,t $s +in4,isti's- po+iti's- or $n
instr,ment o& so'i$+ 'h$n4e# In histor9 there is $ tren( $"$9 &rom mo(ern histori'ism : th$t the me$nin4 o& events is
to be &o,n( in their histori'$+ 'ontext; to $ (eni$+ o& the &ixit9 o& the p$st- o& the re$+it9 o& the p$st $p$rt &rom "h$t
the histori$n 'hooses to m$%e o& it- $n( th,s $n9 ob@e'tive tr,th $bo,t the p$st# Bostmo(ern histor9 (oes not ,se
im$4in$tion to re0're$te &or re$(ers $ sense o& the p$st itse+& b,t 're$tes $ p$st in the im$4e o& the present $n( in
$''or( "ith the @,(4ment o& the histori$n# The move $"$9 &rom $'$(emi' &ootnotes on+9 ex$'erb$tes this sit,$tion#
The 'ontent $n( 'ontext o& histor9 sho,+( be $ 4enero,s series o& metho(o+o4i'$++9 re&+exisive st,(ies o& the
m$%in4s o& the histories o& postmo(ernit9 itse+&# =,rthermore- s'ho+$rs "i++ be'ome re+,'t$nt to $ttempt $n9
thoro,4h4oin4 'riti?,e o& the existin4 so'i$+ or(er# In other "or(s- histor9 be'omes re&+e'tion on histories o&
re&+e'tion#
11./ (ost#odernis#: A CritiBue
Some $spe'ts o& postmo(ernism seem ,se&,+- i& not tr,e :$s per theism;# =irst- postmo(ernismFs 'riti?,e o& the
optimism o& n$t,r$+ism is o&ten on t$r4et# Se'on(- the postmo(ern re'o4nition th$t +$n4,$4e is '+ose+9 $sso'i$te(
"ith po"er is $+so $pt# Io"ever- i& "e $''ept the r$(i'i$+ &orm this s,spi'ion t$%es then "e en( ,p in $ 'ontr$(i'tion
or $t +e$st $n $nom$+9# I& $++ +in4,isti' ,tter$n'es $re po"er p+$9s- then th$t ,tter$n'e itse+& is $ po"er p+$9 $n( no
more +i%e+9 to be proper th$n $n9 other# Thir(- $ttention to the so'i$+ 'on(itions ,n(er "hi'h "e ,n(erst$n( the
"or+( '$n $+ert ,s to o,r +imite( perspe'tive $s &inite h,m$n bein4s# B,t $ r$(i'$+ so'io+o49 o& %no"+e(4e is $+so
se+&0re&,tin4# I& "e $re on+9 the pro(,'t o& n$t,re $n( so'iet9 then so is o,r vie" th$t "e $re on+9 the pro(,'t o&
n$t,re $n( so'iet9#
Lore 'riti'$++9- postmo(ernismFs re@e'tion o& $++ met$n$rr$tives is itse+& $ met$n$rr$tive# Se'on(- the i(e$ th$t
"e h$ve no $''ess to re$+it9 $n( th$t "e '$n on+9 te++ stories $bo,t it is se+&0re&erenti$++9 in'oherent# B,t 'r,(e+9- this
i(e$ '$nFt $''o,nt &or itse+&- &or it te++s ,s somethin4 th$t- on its o"n $''o,nt- "e '$nFt %no"# Thir(- (e'onstr,'tive
postmo(ernismFs vie" o& the in(etermin$'9 o& +$n4,$4e r$ises the ?,estion $bo,t ho" to ,n(erst$n(
(e'onstr,'tionFs o"n propositions# There is $n ,nreso+v$b+e p$r$(ox in ,sin4 +$n4,$4e to '+$im th$t +$n4,$4e
'$nnot m$%e ,n$mbi4,o,s '+$ims# =o,rth- postmo(ernismFs 'riti?,e o& the $,tonom9 $n( s,&&i'ien'9 o& h,m$n
re$son rests on the $,tonom9 $n( s,&&i'ien'9 o& h,m$n re$son# In short- the postmo(ernist is boxe( into s,b@e'tive
$"$reness 'onsistin4 o& $n on4oin4 set o& mere +$n4,$4e 4$mes#
12. %he +ew Age: A "earate -niverse
E$stern m9sti'ism provi(es $ "$9 o,t &or those '$,4ht in the WestFs nihi+isti' bin(# Io"ever- it is &orei4n $n(
even "$tere( (o"n versions re?,ire $ r$(i'$+ reorient$tion &rom the WestFs norm$+ mo(e o& 4r$spin4 re$+it9#
N,mero,s "riters h$ve so,4ht to prop$4$te Ne" A4e i(e$+s $n( inte4r$te them into m$instre$m North Ameri'$n
',+t,rein'+,(in4- L$ri+9n =er4,son- Shire+9 L$'L$ine- C$r+os C$st$ne($- 1e$n Io,ston- =rit@o& C$pr$- Deep$%
Chopr$- E'%h$rt To++e- Jen Wi+ber- $n( @o,rn$+s Bo(9 . So,+ $n( Qo4$ 1o,rn$+#
L$n9 Ne" A4e thin%ers $re expe'tin4 $ K?,$nt,m +e$p &or"$r(F $n( the intro(,'tion o& $ ne" m$n $n( $ ne"
$4e# B$sin4 their hope on $ non0theisti' ori4ins theor9 :i#e#- evo+,tion;- the9 see h,m$n%in( $s evo+vin4 in st$4es
to"$r(s hi4her st$tes o& 'ons'io,sness $n( so'ieties evo+vin4 in st$4es to"$r(s 4re$ter 'omprehensiveness $n(
sophisti'$tion# Ne" A4ers re$( $n'ient re+i4io,s texts or bio4r$phi'$+ $''o,nts o& those "ho '+$im to h$ve m$(e $
bre$%thro,4h $n( "$it &or it to be'ome more "i(espre$(# The ,se o& ps9'he(e+i' min( $+terin4 (r,4 in the !67s
h$s 4iven "$9 to hope in $ Kte'hno0sh$m$nismF or Ktr$ns0h,m$nismF "hi'h is h,m$nit9 tr$ns'en(in4 bio0ph9si'$+
b$rriers b9 es'$pin4 into the (i4it$+ "or+(# Some h$ve t,rne( to $ v$riet9 o& Kho+isti'F $n( $+tern$tive me(i'ine to
$'hieve optim,m ph9si'$+ $n( spirit,$+ he$+th# Criti's o& this hope "$nt $ss,r$n'e th$t the prophesise( e,phori'
b+iss is more th$n $n opi,m pipe (re$m#
11.2 %he Basic %enets of the +ew Consciousness
1' -hatever the nature of being !idea or matter& energy or particle", the self is the kingpin the prime reality. As
human beings grow in their awareness and grasp this fact, the human race is on the verge of a radical change in
human nature& even now we see harbingers of transformed humanity and prototypes of the 6ew Age.
Ne" A4e proponents (onFt $4ree on "h$t ex$'t+9 this se+& is- be it $n i(e$- spirit- Kps9'ho0m$4neti' &ie+(F- or the
,nit9 th$t bin(s the (iversit9 o& 'osmi' ener49# B,t the9 (o $4ree th$t the se+& 0 the 'ons'io,sness0'enter o& the
h,m$n 0 is in(ee( the 'entre o& the ,niverse# An( more th$n th$t- $s the se+& is s$i( to 're$te $n( re're$te the
,niverse- p,++in4 ener49 &rom the Kvoi(F $n( est$b+ishin4 re$+it9# I& one is $bso+,te s,preme- the DI AL-E then it is
obvio,s th$t se+&0(e'eption is the "e$%ness o& the ne" 'ons'io,sness#
2' /he cosmos, while unified in the self, is manifested in two more dimensions# the visible universe, accessible
through ordinary consciousness, and the invisible universe !or (ind at 1arge", accessible through altered states
of consciousness.
In the b$si' pi't,re o& the 'osmos- then- the se+& :in the 'enter; is s,rro,n(e( &irst b9 the visib+e ,niverse to
"hi'h it h$s (ire't $''ess thro,4h the &ive senses $n( "hi'h obe9s the D+$"s o& n$t,reE (is'overe( b9 n$t,r$+
s'ien'e# The se'on( re$+m is the invisib+e ,niverse to "hi'h the se+& h$s $''ess thro,4h s,'h K(oors o& per'eptionF
s,'h $s (r,4s- me(it$tion- tr$n'e- bio&ee(b$'%- $',p,n't,re- rit,$+i>e( ($n'e- 'ert$in %in(s o& m,si'- et'#
I,m$n 4ro,ps $re vie"e( Kso'ieties o& is+$n( ,niversesF $n( "hi+e (istin't e$'h ,niverse :i#e# e$'h se+&; is
simi+$r eno,4h to other ,niverses to be $b+e to 'omm,ni'$te# As e$'h se+& is the ,niverse- the se+& is not '$p$b+e o&
per'eivin4 or rememberin4 $++ th$t h$s h$ppene(# Th,s- 'omprehension o& the ,niverse is possib+e be'$,se the br$in
$'ts $s $ re(,'in4 v$+ve b9 &i+terin4 o,t "h$t is not import$nt#
Ne" A4ers ho+( to the ,ni&ormit9 o& '$,se $n( e&&e't b,t pre$'h th$t the ,niverse is open to reor(erin4 b9 the
se+&- espe'i$++9 i& one re$+i>es its oneness "ith the One# Io"ever- the invisib+e- Lin( $t L$r4e- 'osmi' Go(
'ons'io,sness (oes not obe9 the +$"s $s time be'omes e+$sti'- $n( ener49 $n( po"er be'ome $v$i+$b+e# It t$%es
time- "e $re to+(- &or the se+& to re$+i>e th$t it h$s m$(e ,p the r,+es o& re$+it9# B,t "hen one (oes- one '$n 4o on to
4ener$te "h$tever re$+it9 one (esires#
O& those "ho h$ve $+tere( their st$te o& 'ons'io,sness $n( 'onne'te( "ith the other re$+it9- $ 'h$n4e in
+,minosit9 is o&ten reporte(# =or some- Lin( $t L$r4e is not $ sep$r$te re$+it9 b,t or(in$r9 re$+it9 $s it re$++9 is# A
se'on( (istin'tive 'h$r$'teristi' is th$t this re$+m is pop,+$te( b9 m$n9 bein4s- be it persons in p$st +ives- or
Khe+perF- K4,$r(i$nF- spirits o& v$rio,s sorts#
!' /he core experience of the 6ew Age is cosmic consciousness, in which ordinary categories of space, time and
morality tend to disappear.
Un(er+9in4 this proposition is the notion th$t seein4 is be+ievin43 th$t is- $n9thin4 th$t the se+& sees- per'eives-
'on'eives- im$4ines- or be+ieves exists# The Ne" A4e o&&ers $ r$(i'$+ $n( simp+e reso+,tion to the prob+em o&
(istin4,ishin4 bet"een $ppe$r$n'e $n( re$+it93 b9 &+$t+9 (en9in4 the (istin'tion# Ber'eption t$%es t"o &orms- &irst
one &or the or(in$r9 ,niverse "hi'h is %no"n $s "$%in4 'ons'io,sness or Dstr$i4ht thin%in4#E The se'on( is $'t,$++9
'ompose( o& m,+tip+e st$tes o& 'ons'io,sness- some s$9 three- others six# Centr$+ to 'osmi' 'ons'io,sness is the
,nit$r9 experien'e3 &irst- the experien'e o& per'eivin4 the "ho+eness o& the 'osmosA se'on(- the experien'e o&
be'omin4 one "ith the "ho+e 'osmosA $n( &in$++9- the experien'e o& 4oin4 be9on( even th$t oneness "ith the
'osmos to re'o4ni>e th$t the se+& is the 4ener$tor o& $++ re$+it9 $n( in th$t sense is both the 'osmos $n( its m$%er#
It is import$nt to note th$t not ever9 $+tere( st$te o& 'ons'io,sness is $n e,phori' experien'e# Some report bo,ts
"ith (emons- &ee+in4s o& the overbe$rin4 "ei4ht o& the @,(4ment se$t- $n( visions o& the +o"s o& he++# When
tr$versin4 in $n ,n%no"n $re$- Ne" A4e proponents re'ommen( $ 4,i(e- $t +e$st (,rin4 the e$r+9 $ttempts# This
hi4h+i4hts $ 'ontr$(i'tion sin'e i& one is '$p$b+e o& 're$tin4 "h$t it "ishes then "h9 the ni4htm$rish visionsG An(
"h9 "o,+( Go( nee( $ 4,i(eG
Not $++ proponents o& the ne" 'ons'io,sness $4ree th$t the '$te4or9 o& mor$+it9 (is$ppe$rs b,t it m,st i& there
$re no met$ph9si'$+ (istin'tions# Neverthe+ess- the9 $4ree th$t it is better to K+oveF th$n to Kh$teF $n( better to he+p
,sher in the ne" $4e th$n to @,st "$t'h the o+( 'o++$pse#
,' 2hysical death is not the end of the self& under the experience of cosmic consciousness, the fear of death is
removed.
Ne" A4e proponents '+$im th$t h,m$ns $re $ ,nit9 be9on( the bo(9# The re$son &or this is th$t i& one K%no"sF
th$t one is the be $++ m$%er o& the ,niverse $n( th$t oneFs 'ons'io,sness is more th$n $ ph9si'$+ m$ni&est$tion- then
there is no nee( to &e$r (e$th# This is repe$te(+9 'on&irme( b9 $+tere( st$tes o& 'osmi' 'ons'io,sness s,'h $s
thro,4h ne$r (e$th or o,t o& bo(9 experien'es- p$st0+i&e re'$++- "hi'h '$n be tri44ere( b9 $',p,n't,re $n( spiritism-
or &rom LSD trips#
/' /hree distinct attitudes are taken to the metaphysical +uestion of the nature of reality under the general
framework of the 6ew Age# !=" the occult version, in which the beings and things perceived in states of altered
consciousness exist apart from the self that is conscious, !>" the psychedelic version, in which these things and
beings are pro'ections of the conscious self, and !?" the conceptual relativist version, in which the cosmic
consciousness is the conscious activity of a mind using one of many non%ordinary models of reality, none of which
is any 3truer4 than any other.
There is no ,se (en9in4 th$t some peop+e h$ve h$( str$n4e experien'es# I& $ person reports $ str$n4e experien'e-
he or she 'o,+( be +9in4- misrememberin4- or embe++ishin4 b,t "e 'o,+( not 'riti?,e the $''o,nt ex'ept on $ priori
b$sis- th$t is- i& it is se+&0'ontr$(i'tor9 or (oesnFt ho+( ,n(er 'ross ex$min$tion# E$'h person "ith $n $+tere( st$te h$s
,ni?,e experien'es b,t the9 $re $n$+o4o,s in some "$9s- &or ex$mp+e- "ith +i4ht- time+ess- bein4s- et'#
The &irst $ns"er- (erivin4 &rom p$4$nism- s,44ests th$t 'osmi' 'ons'io,sness +ets one see- re$'t to- re'eive
po"er &rom $n( perh$ps be4in to 'ontro+ the spirit,$+ bein4s th$t resi(e in the other (imension# On the one h$n( this
presents $ 'ontr$(i'tion be'$,se i& the se+& is the so+e m$%er o& the ,niverse then "ho $re these bein4sG On the other
h$n(- one m$9 be the m$%er i& one '$n "rest po"er &rom the bein4s &or oneFs o"n ,se# Either "$9- o'',+t bon($4e
is $ &re?,ent prob+em- even &or those "ho ($bb+e in this $re$ "ith $ +eve+ o& expertise#
The se'on( $ns"er points to the ori4in o& re$+it9 in the ps9'he o& the person "ho experien'es it# This vie" is
more 'onsistent "ith the &irst proposition $s one (oes not so m,'h open (oors o& per'eption b,t 're$tes $ ne" re$+it9
to per'eive# I& oneFs se+& is the 're$tor o& the vision- then he$ven $n( he++ $re mere+9 inner 'onstr,'ts#
The thir( $ns"er ho+(s to $ r$(i'$+ (istin'tion bet"een ob@e'tive re$+it9 $n( per'eive( re$+it9# It is $s i& o,r
m$nner o& per'eption is (eep+9 in&+,en'e( b9 o,r environment $n( s9mbo+ s9stems# Borin4 &rom postmo(ernism-
the Ben@$min Whor& h9pothesis st$tes th$t Dthe str,'t,re o& the +$n4,$4e one h$bit,$++9 ,ses in&+,en'es the m$nner
in "hi'h one ,n(erst$n(s his environment# The pi't,re o& the ,niverse shi&ts &rom ton4,e to ton4,e#E The
'on'ept,$+ re+$tivist version o& the ne" 'ons'io,sness "or+(vie" $++o"s peop+e to s,bstit,te one s9mbo+ s9stem &or
$nother- th$t is- one vision o& re$+it9 &or $nother# The on+9 '$te4or9 +e&t to (etermine bet"een s9mbo+ s9stems is b9
'onsi(erin4 "hi'h one $++o"s ,s "h$t "e "$nt#
0' $uman beings can understand reality because in a state of od%consciousness they directly perceive it.
6onetheless, when 6ew Age teachers present this view to others, they often cite the authority of ancient )criptures
and other religious teachers.
The Ne" A4e %no"+e(4e o& (ire't re$+it9 is not me(i$te( b9 r$tion$+ $r4,ment or $n9 extern$+ $,thorit9#
R$ther- the experien'e is the so,r'e $n( $,thorit9 &or the %no"+e(4e# Lost peop+e- ho"ever- (o not h$ve $ (ire't
%no"+e(4e o& their o"n (ivinit9 b,t nee( to be 'onvin'e( o& it thro,4h v$rio,s metho(s- s,'h $s me(it$tion# B,t to
thin% th$t one is Go( or '$n be'ome $ 4o( is the prim$+ sin o& pri(e#
1' $istory as a record of events that actually occurred in the past is of little interest, but cosmic history which ends
with the deification of humanity, especially the individual human self, is seen as a great vision and a great hope.
Ne" A4e proponents (o not hesit$te to 'onsi(er $''o,nts o& experien'e &rom thro,4ho,t h,m$n histor9# B,t
the9 $re more intereste( in the Kexperien'eF in(,'e( b9 these events th$n "ith the si4ni&i'$n'e o& these events
themse+ves# The over$++ p$ttern o& histor9 is o& 'onsi(er$b+e interest- $s this imp$'ts the h,m$n experien'e# =irst
there "$s the 4ener$+ evo+,tion$r9 (eve+opment o& the 'osmos- the &orm$tion o& the e$rth $n( &irst or4$ni' m$tter-
+e$(in4 to the (eve+opment o& hi4her +i&e &orms- in'+,(in4 h,m$nit9- "hi'h no" "$its on the e(4e o& $ tr$nsition
into $ T ne" $4e3 the $rriv$+ o& $ ne" m$n $n( $ ne" "omen#
2' 6ew Agers are committed to reali8ing their own individual unity with the cosmos, creating and recreating it in
their own image.
B9 no me$ns "o,+( $++ "ho re&er to themse+ves $s $ p$rt o& the Ne" A4e "o,+( imit$te Shir+e9 L$'L$ine $s
she r,ns ,p $ C$+i&orni$ be$'h sho,tin4- DI $m Go(# I $m Go(SE B,t behin( the spe'i&i' be+ie&s $n( pr$'ti'es o& &,++9
Ne" A4e in(ivi(,$+s is the hope he+( b9 e$'h o& them th$t e$'h one is in the 'enter o& re$+it9 even tho,4h the9 h$ve
not 9et $'hieve( $ &,++9 'osmi' 'ons'io,sness# Their 'ommitment is to re$'h this 4o$+#
12./ Crac3s in the +ew Consciousness
The &irst m$@or prob+em "ith the Ne" A4e "or+(vie" is sh$re( "ith n$t,r$+ism $n( p$ntheisti' monism- th$t is-
o& $ '+ose( ,niverse# The prob+ems "ith the $bsen'e o& $ tr$ns'en(ent Go( $re m$n9- in'+,(in4 the $bsen'e o&
ethi'$+ (istin'tions- $s (is',sse( previo,s+9# The se'on( prob+em is the host o& (emi4o(s &rom $nother re$+it9 or
pro@e'tions o& the ps9'he# Either "$9- the9 m,st be p+$'$te( "ith rit,$+ in'$nt$tions or me(it$tion or (r,4s# B,t $s
the Bib+e $ttests- "e h$ve no po"er over the o'',+t re$+m ex'ept thro,4h 1es,s Christ#
The thir( m$@or (i&&i',+t9 "ith the ne" 'ons'io,sness is its ,n(erst$n(in4 o& the n$t,re o& re$+it9 $n( o& tr,th#
The Ne" A4e is in're(ib+9 s9n'retisti' $s it $''eptin4 $s e?,$+ the +$n4,$4es $n( s9stems o& m$n9 (es'riptions o&
re$+it9# There&ore- there is no tr,th o& 'orrespon(en'e- on+9 $ p$ttern o& inner 'oheren'e# This is $'t,$++9
epistemo+o4i'$+ nihi+ism be'$,se it s$9s th$t one '$nnot %no" "h$t $'t,$++9 is b,t on+9 "h$t one experien'es# The
&+ip si(e is th$t the se+& is 4o(- m$%er o& his o"n re$+it9# B,t "h$t me$nin4 is there i& one is $++ th$t existsG
(ostscrit
=irst o& $++- I "o,+( +i%e to th$n% 1# Sire- $n( others- be'$,se I &in( thin%in4 in "or+(vie"s he+p&,+ sin'e b9
(oin4 so "e '$n 'ompress ever9 phi+osoph9 $+tern$tive to Christi$n theism into $ &inite n,mber o& '$te4ories th$t
more or +ess &it to4ether on $ sin4+e spe'tr,m# Io"ever- I $m be4innin4 to &orm m9 o"n i(e$s on ho" I "o,+(
(eve+op $ s9stem o& "or+(vie"s#
=irst- I s,spe't th$t 'ert$in ver9 &,n($ment$+ be+ie&s- +i%e o& $ tri,ne0're$tor0Go(- +o4i'$++9 (e(,'e to on+9 one
possib+e 'on'+,sion# I& "e "ere to &,++9 ,n(erst$n( @,st $ &e" b$si' S'ript,re verses then "e 'o,+( (eve+op the &,++
Gospe+- o& 'o,rse "ith its he+p# This i(e$ is (is',sse( be+o" $s ho" I "o,+( (es'ibe $++ "or+(vie"s $s $n $ns"er to
one ?,estion- inste$( o& ei4ht# A+so- this me$ns th$t those re+i4ions or "or+(vie"s th$t '+$im to ho+( to some
&,n($ment$+ $spe't b,t not its +o4i'$+ 'on'+,sion :ie s$+v$tion b9 &$ith; h$ve $n in'onsisten'9# I s,spe't th$t in s,'h
'$ses the &,n($ment$+ be+ie& is he+( to so th$t it '$n be t"iste( so+e+9 to pro(,'e $ (i&&erent 'on'+,sion# S,'h
"or+(vie"s "o,+( not be p$rti$++9 tr,e b,t entire+9 &$+se be'$,se some erroreo,s be+ie& is most pre&ere( $n( $++o"e(
to overri(e :reinterpret; $ 'orre't $n( more &,n($ment$+ be+ie&#
It seems th$t it is h,m$n n$t,re to (esire to %no" Go( be&ore "e (o %no" Iim# We &o++o"- or $ttempt to
&o++o"- Iis 'omm$n(s be&ore "e %no" them person$++9 be'$,se the9 $re "ritten on o,r he$rts $n( on o,r
'ons'ien'e# Io"ever- some peop+e (o not pre&er the "$9s o& the Lor(#### "h9###"h$t (oes this me$nG This is $n
import$nt $spe't o& the KChristi$n "or+(vie"#F There is somethin4 th$t "e intrinsi'$++9 pre&er- th$t "e 'hoose or
(en9- v$+,e $n( 4ive priorit9# It is possib+e th$t this &,n($ment$+ orient$tion o& the he$rt- min(set- 'ommittment-
b$si' pre&er$n'e- is "h$t "e $re (riven b9 to see% $n( $''ept the Lor( or re@e't Iis o&&erin4# It is more th$n $
mis,n(erst$n(in4 o& the Gospe+ $n( $ h$tre( &or Kre+i4ionF th$t %eeps peop+e &rom Christ# Either the Gospe+ is $
s"eet &r$4r$n'e &or those "ho see% Iim or it is &oo+ishness####"h9G Wh9 (o peop+e re$'t (i&&erent+9 to the Gospe+G
Is it th$t prior see(s h$ve been p+$nte( in them- or their ,pbrin4in4 $n( person$+ experien'es- or so'io0e'onomi'
environmentG No# I s,spe't it is be'$,se o& $ ver9 n$t,r$+ "i++in4ness to be positive $n( to pre&er 4oo( . tr,th over
evi+ $n( s,b@e'tiveness# It h$s to (o "ith the he$rt####the heart.
Sire st$tes :Universe- 8
th
e(#- p4# !; th$t N$,4+e h$s intro(,'e( $ +in% bet"een the 'on'ept o& "or+(vie" $n(
"h$t m$n9 boo%s o& the Bib+e re&er to $s Khe$rt#F B,t "h$t I $m s,44estin4 is th$t there is $n orient$tion o& the he$rt
th$t preceedes o,r $(option o& the Christi$n "or+(vie"- &or those "ho (o# No" I (onFt "$nt to be4in to (is',ss
pre(etermin$tion $n( &ree "i++ be&ore I $m '$p$b+e o& (oin4 so# Io"ever I "o,+( +i%e to point o,t th$t Rom$ns 6
(is',sses Go( 're$tin4 peop+e &or (i&&erent p,rposes# B,t even so these verses- I thin%- (o not re&er to their s$+v$tion
$n( so the ?,estion "h9 peop+e re$'t (i&&erent+9 to the Gospe+ m$9 sti++ rem$in#
1,
Wh$t sh$++ "e s$9 thenG Is there ,nri4hteo,sness "ith Go(G Go( &orbi(#
1/
=or he s$ith to
Loses- I "i++ h$ve mer'9 on "hom I "i++ h$ve mer'9- $n( I "i++ h$ve 'omp$ssion on "hom I "i++
h$ve 'omp$ssion#
10
So then it is not o& him th$t "i++eth- nor o& him th$t r,nneth- b,t o& Go( th$t
she"eth mer'9#
11
=or the s'ript,re s$ith ,nto Bh$r$oh- Even &or this s$me p,rpose h$ve I r$ise(
thee ,p- th$t I mi4ht she" m9 po"er in thee- $n( th$t m9 n$me mi4ht be (e'+$re( thro,4ho,t $++
the e$rth#
12
There&ore h$th he mer'9 on "hom he "i++ have mercy- $n( "hom he "i++ he
h$r(eneth#
19
Tho, "i+t s$9 then ,nto me- Wh9 (oth he 9et &in( &$,+tG =or "ho h$th resiste( his
"i++G
2<
N$9 b,t- O m$n- "ho $rt tho, th$t rep+iest $4$inst Go(G Sh$++ the thin4 &orme( s$9 to him
th$t &orme( it- Wh9 h$st tho, m$(e me th,sG
21
I$th not the potter po"er over the '+$9- o& the
s$me +,mp to m$%e one vesse+ ,nto hono,r- $n( $nother ,nto (ishono,rG
22
-hat i& Go(- "i++in4
to she" his "r$th- $n( to m$%e his po"er %no"n- en(,re( "ith m,'h +on4s,&&erin4 the vesse+s o&
"r$th &itte( to (estr,'tion3
2!
An( th$t he mi4ht m$%e %no"n the ri'hes o& his 4+or9 on the vesse+s
o& mer'9- "hi'h he h$( $&ore prep$re( ,nto 4+or9-
2,
Even ,s- "hom he h$th '$++e(- not o& the
1e"s on+9- b,t $+so o& the Genti+esG :Rom$ns 63!/02/ J1V;
There is $nother re+$te( iss,e IF( +i%e to (is',ss# Th$t is i& one (oes re@e't Christ $s his or her s$vio,r then the9
$re (oin4 so not b9 $''eptin4- or %eepin4 "ith $n9 o& the ei4ht m$in $+tern$tive "or+(vie"s- s$9- n$t,r$+ism or
p$4$nism- b,t r$ther the9 (o so b9 $'?,ies'in4 nothin4 +ess th$n "orship o& themse+& $n( S$t$n# No" m$n9 non0
Christi$ns (onFt 'onsi(er themse+ves to bein4 (oin4 this b,t ,+tim$te+9 it is so sin'e $t the en( o& +i&e there is on+9
he$ven or he++ $n( eternit9 "ith Go( or $ +one+9 eternit9 "ith the (evi+# Obvio,s+9 this is thoro,4h+9 Christi$n b,t I
$m m$%in4 t"o $4r,ments here3
!; th$t there is $n $((ition$+ "or+(vie" not mentione( in SireFs boo%s#
2; th$t there $re ,+tim$te+9 on+9 t"o "or+(vie"s#
C,rrent+9- I '$n i(enti&9 t"o v$rieties o& this $((ition$+ "or+(vie"- "hi'h is e&&e'tive+9 s$t$nism- th$t is
extreme be9on( the ne" $4e# =irst there is entr9 +eve+ s$t$nism- or +,'i&eri$nism- "hi'h 'onsi(ers the serpent to h$ve
been "ron4+9 ',rse( in the G$r(en $s- the9 be+ieve- the (evi+ "$s on+9 tr9in4 to &ree h,m$nit9 &rom the s,&&o'$tin4
4rip o& Q$h"eh# As $ res,+t s,'h peop+e h$ve $ ver9 t"iste(- over+9 pr$4m$ti'- $n( in(i&&erent ethi'$+ vie"s# The
other is h$r('ore b+$'% theisti' s$t$nism th$t re'o4ni>es the soverei4n $,thorit9 $n( person$+ 'h$r$'ter o& the
Cre$tor b,t "itho,t "orship o& Iim $n( inste$( "orship $n( s$'ri&i'e is (ire'te( to S$t$n $n( his $nti0'hrist# =i++e(
"ith (e+,sion $n( r$4e- s,'h peop+e re&,se to serve the Lor( $n( "o,+( r$ther t$%e ,p "$r $4$inst Iim $n( Iis
peop+e- possib+9 in spite o& %no"in4 the9 "i++ +oose#
It is $ 4oo( thin4 to be $b+e to t$%e $++ possib+e perspe'tives $n( 'on(ense them into $ ten "or+(vie"s# B,t '$n
"e 4o &,rther $n( '$te4ori>e these "or+(vie"s into @,st t"oG I propose th$t $++ "or+(vie"s sho,+( be +ine( ,p on the
?,estion $s%e( b9 1es,s to Beter D"ho (o 9o, s$9 I $mGE :L$tt !H3!8;# I& "e s$9 th$t 1es,s- the Son o& m$n- is Dthe
Christ- the Son o& the +ivin4 Go(E then "e essenti$++9 h$ve the Gospe+ $n( more e+ements &o++o" pro(,'in4
Christi$n theism# I& "e (o not s$9 th$t 1es,s Christ is the 2
n(
person o& the Go(0he$( $n( the promise( messi$h- the
on+9 me(i$tor bet"een Go( $n( m$n- then there $re n,mero,s "$9s to $ns"er this ?,estion# A++ o& this ?,estionsFs
ne4$tive $ns"ers '$n be (ivi(e( $n( (eve+ope( into "or+(vie"s- some bein4 '+ose $n( some &$r &rom "h$t is
tr$(ition$++9- bib+i'$++9- Christi$n# As s,'h- i& this 'o,+( be possib+e :$n( ($re I s$9 ,se&,+; then "e h$ve e&&e'tive+9
'+$ssi&ie( all thought $s either th$t "hi'h 'on&orms to the tr,th :1n# !/3H; $n( "hi'h is b,i+t ,pon the on+9 s,re
be(ro'% :L$tt# !H3!C; $n( th$t "hi'h (oes not- in $++ the m9ri$( "$9s o& m$nFs spe',+$tion th$t it 'o,+( possib+9 (o
so#
Loreover- $n( +in%in4 b$'% to the $bove $4r,ment- sin'e (en9in4 Christ "o,+( essenti$++9 be "orship o&
se+& $n( S$t$n- "e $re ,+tim$te+9 &$'e( "ith on+9 t"o $+tern$tives3 4oo( $n( evi+# B$se( $ro,n( this one ?,estion
"ith essenti$++9 on+9 t"o $ns"ers is ho" I "o,+( (eve+op $ s9stem o& "or+(vie"s# An( this is ho" I "o,+( interpret
Dseein4 the "or+( in $ 4r$in o& s$n(E :W# B+$%e- A,4,ries o& Inno'en'e- !C8;# This vie"- I thin%- is in 'on'or( "ith
$++ o& the Bib+e- b,t espe'i$++9 the 'e$tion $n( &$++# In Genesis 5 the Dver9 4oo(E "or% o& Go( "$s 'orr,pte(- not b9
$ p+,r$+it9 o& re+i4ions- b,t b9 $ s+i4ht i4nor$n'e o& Wor( o& Go( :$s Eve $((e( to "h$t Go( h$( s$i(; in&+,en'e( b9
S$t$n himse+& $n( thereb9 res,+tin4 in h,m$n sin $n( sep$r$tion &rom Go(#
It is possib+e th$t b9 bein4 're$te( in the im$4e o& Go( "e h$ve $n inn$te +on4in4 &or Iim- +i%e $n in&$nt "hoFs
&$'e bri4htens ,p "hen his mother $ppe$rs $n( s$((ens "hen she +e$ves moment$ri+9# As (is',sse( e$r+ier- there
seems to be $ &,n($ment$+ orient$tion o& the he$rt pre'ee(in4 o,r re'o4nition o& o,r "or+(vie"# An etern$+
'ommittment not to"$r(s $ p$rti',+$r re+i4ion or set o& be+ie&s b,t r$ther to"$r(s either Go( $n( 4oo(ness or evi+# I
"on(er $n( hope it is possib+e to ri4ht+9 (ivi(e $++ theo+o49- phi+osoph9- $n( 'omp$r$tive re+i4ion ,pon one
si4ni&i'$nt ?,estion- $s (es'ribe(- $n( thereb9 simp+&9 even &,rther o,r s9stems o& tho,4ht $n( m$%in4 even more
obvio,s the 4+or9 o& Go(#
Annotated Bi$liograhy
On Wor+(vie"s
Sire- 1#W#- /he <niverse 6ext 5oor# A :asic -orldview Catalog- 8
th
e(# :InterV$rsit9 Bress- 26;#
This boo% he+pe( to 'onvin'e me o& Christi$nit9#
Sire- 1# W#- 6aming the *lephant# -orldview as a Concept :InterV$rsit9 Bress- 2/;#
This boo% ,np$'%s e$'h spe'i&i' 'h$r$'teristi' o& SireFs (e&inition o& the "or+(vie"#
Sire- 1#W#- -hy )hould Anyone :elieve Anything at All@ :InterV$rsit9 Bress- !66/;#
In this boo% Sire t$+%s $t +en4th $bo,t "h9 one sho,+( 'hoose one "or+(vie" over $nother#
N$,4+e- D#- -orldview# /he $istory of a Concept :Eer(m$ns- 22;#
N$,4+e 4ives $n exten(e( (es'ription o& the bib+i'$+ 'on'ept o& the he$rt $n( his i(enti&i'$tion o& it "ith the
"or+(vie" 'on'ept sp$"ne( the /
th
e(ition o& SireFs <niverse 6ext 5oor# It $+so s,rve9s the ori4in - (eve+opment-
$n( v$rio,s versions o& the 'on'ept &rom Imm$n,e+ J$nt to Arth,r Io+mes $n( be9on(- $n( presents his o"n
(e&inition o& the Christi$n "or+(vie"#
L$rsh$++- Gri&&ioen- $n( Lo," e(s#- )tained lass# -orldviews and )ocial )cience :Univ# Bress o& Ameri'$- !6C6;#
A he+p&,+ 'o++e'tion o& ess$9s- espe'i$++9 b9 1#I# O+th,is- DOn Wor+(vie"s#E Ever9 expression o& $ "or+(vie"-
it is '+$ime(- is (eep+9 imbe((e( in the &+o" o& histor9 $n( the v$r9in4 'h$r$'teristi's o& +$n4,$4e# E$'h
expression o& $n9 4ener$+ "or+(vie" be$rs the m$r%s o& the ',+t,re o,t o& "hi'h it 'omes $n( is there&ore not
$bso+,te or $histori'$+# There&ore- e$'h &orm,+$tion o& e$'h "or+(vie" m,st be 'onsi(ere( on its o"n merits- o&
'o,rse# B,t &or e$'h o& the "or+(vie"s Sire "ei4he( $n( &o,n( "$ntin4 he %no"s o& no &orm,+$tion th$t (oes not
'ont$in prob+ems o& in'onsisten'9 :p#2C2- 8
th
#;
Comp$r$tive Re+i4ion
Sm$rt- N#- -orldviews# Crosscultural *xplorations of $uman :eliefs- 5
r(
e(# :Brenti'e I$++- 2;#
=or $ phenomeno+o4i'$+ $n( 'omp$r$tive re+i4ion $ppro$'h#
B,rnett- D#- Clash of -orlds :Lon$r'h Boo%s- 22;#
I$s $ &o',s on re+i4io,s "or+(vie"s#
Cor(,$n- W#- 6eighboring Faiths# A Christian Introduction to -orld 7eligions :InterV$rsit9 Bress- !66C;#
Nei++- S#- Christian Faith and 0ther Faiths :InterV$rsit9 Bress- !6C/;#
The $bove t"o boo%s s,rve9 $n( ev$+,$te sever$+ "or+( re+i4ions#
Christi$nit9
The &o++o"in4 re'ent+9 p,b+ishe( boo%s o&&er (e'ent expositions o& the Christi$n "or+(vie"3
Io+mes- A#=#- Contours of a Christian -orldview :Eer(m$ns- !6C5;A /he (aking of a Christian (ind :InterV$rsit9
Bress- !6C8;#
Bhi++ips- G#W# . Bro"n- W#E#- (aking )ense of Aour -orld from a :iblical ;iewpoint :Loo(9 Bress- !66!;#
W$+sh- B# . Li((+eton- R#- /he /ransforming ;ision# )haping a Christian -orld ;iew :InterV$rsit9 Bress- !6C/;A
/he /ruth is )tranger /han It <sed to :e :InterV$rsit9 Bress- !668;#
Sire- 1#W#- 5iscipleship of the (ind :InterV$rsit9 Bress- !66;#
Be$r'e9- N#- /otal /ruth# 1iberating Christianity from Its Cultural Captivity :Cross"$9- 2/;#
Bertr$n(- L#1#- !7e"thinking -orldview# 1earning to /hink, 1ive and )peak in /his -orld :Cross"$9- 27;#
Jr$&t- C#I#- -orldview for Christian -itness :Wi++i$m C$re9 Libr$r9 B,b+ishers- 2C;#
Iiebert- B#G#- /ransforming -orldviews# An Anthropological <nderstanding of $ow 2eople Change :B$%er- 2C;#
The &o++o"in4 boo%s o&&er $ 'onsi(er$tion o& the theisti' 'on'ept o& Go( &rom the st$n(point o& $'$(emi'
phi+osoph93
Gi+son- E#- od and 2hilosophy :Q$+e Universit9 Bress- !6/!;#
L$s'$++- E#L#- $e -ho Is# A )tudy in /raditional /heism :Libr$- !6/5;#
O"en- I#B#- Concepts of 5eity :L$'mi++$n- !67!;#
The &o++o"in4 boo%s (is',ss $ v$riet9 o& met$ph9si'$+ $n( phi+osophi'$+ theo+o4i'$+ iss,es3
I$s%er- W#- (etaphysics :InterV$rsit9 Bress- !6C5;#
Ev$ns- S#C#- 2hilosophy of 7eligion :InterV$rsit9 Bress- !6C8;#
Lorris- T#V#- 0ur Idea of od :InterV$rsit9 Bress- !66!;#
Lore+$n(- 1#B# . Cr$i4- W#L#- 2hilosophical Foundations for a Christian -orldview :InterV$rsit9 Bress- 25;#
=or $ more exten(e( tre$tments o& epistemo+o49 &rom $ Christi$n perspe'tive- see3
Io+mes- A#=#- All /ruth is od,s /ruth :InterV$rsit9 Bress- !677;#
Woo(- W#1#- *pistemology# :ecoming Intellectually ;irtuous :InterV$rsit9 Bress- !66C;#
=or $n exten(e( $n$+9sis o& the prob+em o& evi+- see3
Jree&t- B#- (aking )ense out of )uffering :Serv$nt- !6CH;#
B+o'her- I#- *vil and the Cross :InterV$rsit9 Bress- !66/;#
Wenh$m- 1# /he *nigma of *vil :Won(erv$n- !6C8;#
S'h$e&&er- =#A#- enesis in )pace and /ime :InterV$rsit9 Bress- !672;#
Le"is- C#S#- (ere Christianity#
The openin4 $r4,ment o& Le"isFs boo% is on the ,nivers$+it9 o& the notion o& 4oo( $n( evi+#
Christi$nit9 $n( S'ien'e3
Le"is- C#S#- (iracles :=ont$n$- !6H;#
This boo% 'ont$ins $n ex'e++ent (es'ription o& "h$t $n open ,niverse invo+ves#
R$t>s'h- D#- )cience and Its 1imits :InterV$rsit9 Bress- 2;#
Be$r'e9- N#R# . Th$xton- C#- /he )oul of )cience# Christian Faith and 6atural 2hilosophy :Cross"$9- !66/;#
These boo%s $re he+p&,+ to ,n(erst$n( the Christi$n ,n(erst$n(in4 o& s'ien'e#
B,be- R#- 2utting It All /ogether# )even 2atterns for 7elating )cience and the Christian Faith :Universit9 Bress o&
Ameri'$- !668;#
1$%i- S#- Chance or 7eality and 0ther *ssays :Universit9 Bress o& Ameri'$- !6CH;#
B+$ntin4$- A#- W$rr$nt $n( Broper =,n'tion :Ox&or(- !665;#
This boo% re@e'ts D$r"inFs i(e$ th$t the min( (eve+ope( b9 'h$n'e $n( n$t,r$+ se+e'tion#
Deism
Ii++- 1#- Faith in the Age of 7eason :InterV$rsit9 Bress- 2/;#
T$9+or- C#- A )ecular Age :Be+%n$p- 27;#
These boo%s (et$i+ the tr$nsition &rom theism to (eism $n( be9on(#
B+oom- A#- The C+osin4 o& the Ameri'$n Lin( :Simon . S'h,ster- !6C7;#
This boo% $r4,es &or b$sin4 o,r v$+,es on more th$n 'ommitment $n( (e'ision#
Is+$m
B$vin'%- 1#I#- /he Church :etween /emple and (os+ue :Eer(m$ns- !6C!;#
=or $n $ppro$'h to "or+(vie" $n$+9sis "ith $n even more in(ivi(,$+ $n( person$+ &o',s#
Ch$pm$n- C#- /he Cross and the Crescent# 7esponding to the Challenge of Islam :InterV$rsit9 Bress- 25;#
I$nee&- S#- -hat *veryone )hould .now About Islam and (uslims :J$>i B,b+i'$tions- !676;#
Lo,'$rr9- C#- /he 2rophet and the (essiah# An Arab Christian,s 2erspective on Islam and Christianity
:InterV$rsit9 Bress- 2!;#
These boo%s t$%e ,p the 'h$++en4e o& (e$+in4 more intent+9 "ith the sp'i&i' (et$i+s o& e$'h "or+(vie" < "here
possib+e intern$+ in'onsisten'ies $re- the (i&&erin4 'on'eption o& the n$t,re $n( 'h$r$'ter o& A++$h $n( Go(- the
histori'$+ evi(en'e &or the n$t,re $n( 'h$r$'ter o& 1es,s $n( Loh$mm$(- $n( the re$sons &or the $,thorit9
$&&or(e( their t"o &o,n($tion$+ s'ript,res :the Bib+e $n( the V,rF$n;#
E$stern Re+i4ion
G,inness- O#- /he 5ust of 5eath :Cross"$9- !66/;#
In'+,(es $ Christi$n 'riti?,e o& the Western tren( to"$r(s the E$st#
Bostmo(ernism
The &o++o"in4 $re present$tions $n( 'riti?,es o& the postmo(ern "or+(vie"3
Best- S# . Je++ner- D#- 2ostmodern /heory :G,i+&or(- !66!;#
Connor- S#- 2ostmodernist Culture :B+$'%"e++- !6C6;#
B,rnh$m- =#B#- 2ostmodern /heology# Christian Faith in a 2luralist -orld :I$rper S$n =r$nsi'o- !6C6;#
Bor4m$nn- A#- Crossing the 2ostmodern 5ivide :Universit9 o& Chi'$4o Bress- !662;#
To,+min- S#- Cosmopolis# /he $idden Agenda of (odernity :=ree Bress- !66;#
The &o++o"in4 $re intro(,'tions to re'ent +iter$r9 theor93
L,n(in- R#- /he Culture of Interpretation :Eer(m$ns- !665;#
Stevens- B#J# . Ste"$rt- L#L#- A uide to 1iterary Criticism and 7esearch- 5
r(
e(# :I$r'o,rt Br$'e Co++e4e- !66H;#
W$+ho,t- C# . R9%en- L#- Contemporary 1iterary /heory# A Christian Appraisal :Eer(m$ns- !66!;#
Lit'he++- W#1#T#- Against /heory :Universit9 o& Chi'$4o Bress- !6C8;#
The @o,rn$+s /he Christian )cholar,s 7eview $n( Christianity and 1iterature#
Ne" A4e
Grooth,is- D#R#- <nmasking the 6ew Age :InterV$rsit9 Bress- !6CH;A Confronting the 6ew Age :InterV$rsit9 Bress-
!6CC;A Besus in an Age of Controversy :I$rvest Io,se- !66H;#
These boo%s 'ontrib,te to $ '+e$rer $n( more 'omphrensive (e&inition o& the Ne" A4e "or+(vie"# The +$ter
(e$+s "ith the Ne" A4e 'on'ept o& 1es,s#
Ierri'%- 1#A#- /he (aking of the 6ew )pirituality :InterV$rsit9 Bress- 25;#
R$s'h%e- C#A#- /he Interruption of *ternity# (odern nosticism and the 0rigins of the 6ew 7eligious
Consciousness :Ne+son0I$++- !6C;#
Ierri'%Fs boo% $r4,es th$t the roots o& the Ne" A4e movement ori4in$te in $n'ient Gnosti'ism $n( '$n be seen
in s,bse?,ent st$4es o& Western 'ivi+i>$tion $n( emer4in4 into $ Kne" re+i4io,s s9nthesis#F
Go( Loves Qo,
=or Go( so +ove( the "or+(- th$t Ie 4$ve Iis on+9 be4otten Son- th$t "hoever be+ieves in Iim
sh$++ not perish- b,t h$ve etern$+ +i&e :1ohn 53!H;#
All Are )inners
=or $++ h$ve sinne( $n( &$++ short o& the 4+or9 o& Go( :Rom$ns 5325;#
As it is "ritten- DThere is none ri4hteo,s- not even oneE :Rom$ns 53!;#
Besus Christ# od,s 7emedy for )in
=or the "$4es o& sin is (e$th- b,t the &ree 4i&t o& Go( is etern$+ +i&e in Christ 1es,s o,r Lor(
:Rom$ns H325;#
B,t $s m$n9 $s re'eive( Iim- to them Ie 4$ve the ri4ht to be'ome 'hi+(ren o& Go(- even to
those "ho be+ieve in Iis n$me :1ohn !3!2;#
=or I (e+ivere( to 9o, $s o& &irst import$n'e "h$t I $+so re'eive(- th$t Christ (ie( &or o,r sins
$''or(in4 to the S'ript,res- $n( th$t Ie "$s b,rie(- $n( th$t Ie "$s r$ise( on the thir( ($9
$''or(in4 to the S'ript,res :! Corinthi$ns !835/;#
0ur 7esponse
I& "e 'on&ess o,r sins- Ie is &$ith&,+ $n( ri4hteo,s to &or4ive ,s o,r sins $n( to '+e$nse ,s &rom
$++ ,nri4hteo,sness :! 1ohn !36;#
Whoever "i++ '$++ on the n$me o& the Lor( "i++ be s$ve( :Rom$ns !3!5;#
Assurance As a :eliever
Th$t i& 9o, 'on&ess "ith 9o,r mo,th 1es,s $s Lor(- $n( be+ieve in 9o,r he$rt th$t Go( r$ise(
Iim &rom the (e$(- 9o, "i++ be s$ve( :Rom$ns !36;#
Tr,+9- tr,+9- I s$9 to 9o,- he "ho he$rs L9 "or(- $n( be+ieves Iim "ho sent Le- h$s etern$+
+i&e- $n( (oes not 'ome into @,(4ment- b,t h$s p$sse( o,t o& (e$th $n( into +i&e :1ohn 832/;#
B,t these h$ve been "ritten so th$t 9o, m$9 be+ieve th$t 1es,s is the Christ- the Son o& Go(A $n(
th$t be+ievin4 9o, m$9 h$ve +i&e in Iis n$me :1ohn 235!;#
6ext )teps
Str$i4htenin4 ,p- 1es,s s$i( to her- DWom$n- "here $re the9G Di( no one 'on(emn 9o,GE She
s$i(- DNo one- Lor(#E An( 1es,s s$i(- I (o not 'on(emn 9o, either# Go- $n( sin no more :1ohn
C3!0!!;#
B,t 4ro" in the 4r$'e $n( %no"+e(4e o& o,r Lor( $n( S$vio,r 1es,s Christ :2 Bet# 53!C;#

The Universe Next Door A Basic Worldview Catalog

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A BASIC WORLDVIEW CATALOGUE

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