Faith Seeking Understanding...: epistemology

Showing posts with label epistemology. Show all posts

Friday, 27 March 2009

Why do you believe what you believe?

Wherever you're at in terms of belief, whatever your worldview, whatever ideas you adhere to - why do you do so?
I am VERY interested in why people believe the stuff they do (and indeed why they disbelieve...) and I'd welcome your contributions.
I am NOT seeking to belittle anyone or get into any arguments or attempts to 'convert' people. Instead, I would just LOVE to hear your perspectives and why you have them...

Thank you...

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First things first...

Over recent months I've found a number of very helpful blogs that have given me some real insight into some theological issues that I am interested in...As I am just now starting out on my own doctoral research in theology I felt that it might be a good idea for me to set up some kind of forum where I could 'speculate aloud', ask questions and engage with other thinking-faith-folk...So, watch this space and thank you in advance for being willing to help me climb the very slippery and potentially dangerous pole of advanced theological study. Your support and indulgence are greatly appreciated...Thank you.

The Focus of my Studies...

At the moment my doctoral supervisor has asked me to stop researching and spend some time thinking. Its a LOT harder than it sounds...
Presently, I am using the following as a working model to help focus my ideas:

Evangelical soteriology reconsidered in the light of the Christus Victor atonement motif.

I absolutely acknowledge that this is way too broad for a PhD, what it DOES do is give me something to hang my thoughts on. It also represents the main issues of my interest.

For those unfamiliar with theological terminology it boils down to looking at what evangelical Christians think (ahem...) about salvation and whether there might be a more culturally/theologically appropriate model of atonement than the Penal Substitution Theory (i.e. Christ, by his own sacrificial choice, was punished [penalised] in the place of sinners [substitution], thus satisfying the demands of justice so God can justly forgive the sins). The Chistus Victor part is about another atonement idea, this time a very, very ancient one that is primarily concerned with Christ's death as a means of God defeating Satan and his hordes in order to free humans from the Devil's slavery.

I have put this in very simplistic forms, which are thereby open to misunderstanding. If, however, there is anything about this general premise you don't get or indeed disagree with PLEASE feel free to contact me and we can talk. That's kinda part of the main reason that I set up this Blog...

Faith Seeking Understanding...

Friday, 27 March 2009

Why do you believe what you believe?

First things first...

The Focus of my Studies...

Followers

Generally speaking, would you describe evangelical Christians as:

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