PHIL 201STUDY GUIDE: LESSON 3The Importance of Philosophy for ChristiansLesson OverviewIn our last lesson for this module/week, we examined why developing the philosophical mindset is important for people in general. In this lesson, we want to ask that question specifically for Christians. What value does philosophy have for Christians? We will begin by examining the biblical basis for developing a philosophical mindset. We will discuss the biblical mandate for philosophy and three elements in fulfilling that mandate. We will then survey a number of roles that philosophy functions for Christians. Finally, we will examine the role that the Bible plays in doing philosophy.TasksRead and take notes from Prelude to Philosophy, Chapter 3: “What Athens has to do with Jerusalem: The Importance of Philosophy for Christians.” As you read, make sure you understand the following points and questions:- Know the historical and literary background to Col. 2:8. See highlighted section on pg. 79(purple)- Be able to explain Col. 2:8 (know what it says, but you do not need to memorize it).- Identify the 3 elements in fulfilling the biblical mandate.o Appreciation of the role reasoning plays in evaluating philosophieso Construction of a Christian system of philosophyo Refutation of contrary philosophies- Why do some Christians devalue the use of reason?o Much of this is due to the post-Enlightenment view of the dichotomy between faith and reason- What does Jesus affirm about the use of reason?o Jesus says that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord, not just with our heart and soul, but withour mind, or more literally, “understanding.” - How does Acts 17 demonstrate the value of reason?o These Berean Jews did not accept with blind faith what Paul taught. They subjected his claims to critical scrutiny because Paul claimed that Jesus fulfilled the requirements of what the Scriptures said Messiah would do- Know what I Pet. 3:15 states (you do not need to memorize it).o Being prepared to defend our faith involves being able to reason with a certain degree of philosophical sophistication- What does II Tim. 2:15 have to say about constructing a Christian worldview?o We need to “handle accurately to word of truth.”- What are some elements of II Cor. 10:5 that inform us that Paul is referring to philosophyhere?o Thoughts, ideas, arguments, pretensions, knowledge, and thought are all key words in philosophy and are used often to having a philosophical mindsetPage 1 of 3PHIL 201- What are we all called to do?o To think critically!- List and explain the 5 functions of philosophy for the Christian.o It plays a large role on the task of hermeneutics, or interpreting Scriptureo In the task of doing theology; In helping Christians to draw out and express important theological comceptso Apologeticso Polemicso Evangelism- Explain how hermeneutics is a philosophical endeavor.o- How does philosophy help in systematic theology and developing theological concepts?o Because the Bible is not primarily a book of theology; the Bible is a collection of ficinely inspired literature involving all sorts of genres.- List 2 ways in which philosophy helps in the task of apologetics?o Offers arguments and evidence to support Christian truth claims- How does philosophy help in doing polemics?o Defending the doctrinal purity of prthodox Christianity- How is the philosophical mindset effective in doing evangelism?o It helps us to understand where others are coming from and to tailor our evangelistic message to meet their needs and questions- Explain the problems with the 2 extreme views of the role of the Bible in doing philosophy.o To ignore the Bible while doing philosophy. There are some who argue that individuals should abandon their convictions, presuppositions and worldviews and adopt a position of neutrality in doing philosophy. Only after examing all possible views from a neutral perspective and submitting one’s arguments to vigorous critical investigation should one then adopt the view that has the best evidence and arguments in favor for it.o That the Bible is all we need and that all of our moral and metphysical ideas must come from only that source, is a precalent and, I Believe, detrimental one among many Christians, especially those who aim to have a high regard for Scripture- What are some reasons why Christians adopt an “erroneous view of the use of the Bible?”o A false dichotomy between faith and reason nthat has permeated modern thinking and marginalized religious truth claims to little more than subjective feelingso A problematic theological view of human depravity that denies the possibility of knowledge to nonbelieverso A sincere but mistaken view that the Bible alone addresses every issue and need- Know the 6 guidelines for a critical use of Scripture in doing philosophy.o Do not feel obligated to appeal to a biblical passage in doing philosophy or to support a philosophical argumento Avoid prooftextingo Be prepared to explain how the passage applies to the philosophical issues in accordance with its literary and historical contextPage 2 of 3PHIL 201o Recognize the difference between the biblical text and your interpretation of the biblical text. Do not conflate the twoo Recognize the possibility of alternative reasonable interpretations of difficult passageso Be aware of and take seriously the orthodox interpretations of the text as developed throughout the history of the church- Explain what is meant by critical and strategic use of scripture.o By critical, it is meant that we use it in accordance to accepted standards of historical and literary interpretations and applicationo By strategic, it is meant that appeal to it wisely, when necessary, and when specifically addressing believers.View and take notes on the presentation, “The Bible and Philosophy.”TermsMake sure you fully understand the following terms and concepts:- Reasonable Faith- Ladder of Abstraction (footnote 13 on p. 86): the idea is to climb up the ladder and find a principle taught by the passage and then to climb back down to find a similar modern situation to which that princiole might apply- Hermeneutics: the branch of knowledge that deals with interpretation of the Bible- Theology: a branch of study in which we organize our beliefs about God- Systematic Theology: a traditional way to study our beliefs of God is to systematize our beliefs into different