Ever wonder how God answers prayer? If our prayers move God to action? Or if everything was simply determined from eternity? And if so, why does prayer matter at all?
Petitionary prayer is an essential and life-giving spiritual discipline for all Christians, but it raises many philosophical questions.
These questions and more are all on the agenda in Philosophical Theology (PHIL/THEO 311) taught by Prof. Stephen Lake this coming spring, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2 o'clock.
Among other things, we will be reading Terry Tiessen's Providence & Prayer : How Does God Work in the World?
He will serve as our guide as we study the relationship between our prayers and God's providential care for us and for the world. There are other topics, too, which I have described further here.
I am also currently deciding on what additional issue to focus on but am leaning heavily towards the incarnation. The dual-nature of Jesus Christ is a fascinating, yet perplexing metaphysical issue at the heart of Christian faith.
Some, like Kierkegaard, regard it an insoluble paradox--or even contradiction--a mystery to which we by faith assent but about which reason has no hope of understanding.
Others--like Thomas Aquinas, Thomas Morris and me!--all think that philosophy has more to say about it than that.
I do not deny there is a deep element of mystery about the incarnation, but philosophical theology can go a long ways to showing it is logically and metaphysically possible that God would become a human being, live among us for a while, full of grace and truth. Upon that claim is built our faith, not to mention our hope. And we of all would be fools indeed, if it turned out to be false, a mere "delusion," as Richard Dawkins and so many other contemporary atheists believe.
Philosophical theology helps you understand and defend your faith better. I love exploring these questions and teaching this course, so please seriously consider joining us this spring.
Are there any prerequisites?
Answer: If you have completed PHIL 101 and 102, you are eligible to enroll.
If you are planning on seminary or graduate school in theology or philosophy, this course will be indispensable preparation.
Cross-listed in both Philosophy and Theology, it counts towards major, minor or elective credit in either department.
Any other questions? Please see me, Prof. Lake.
1 comment :
As much as I understand you want to leave some mystery to your class, I would love to see more of your understanding of the dual nature of Christ. I am more in the Kierkegaard camp in that I believe it is a mystery that cannot be understood by man much like the "atemporality" of God, or the concept of infinity. It's something that our fallen finite minds cannot grasp. But you seem to believe different and I wonder what that is.
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