Here's something for you to check out while you are killing time playing on the web during the holidays-- Ted.com
I especially would like you to listen carefully to a particular "talk." Dan Dennett provides a secular, scientific response to Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life.
To go straight to the talk--> here
You might also check out Rick Warren's talk (here).
I find Dennett's talk significant because he drives at the sloppy manner in which Christians explain and defend their convictions. That is not to side with Dennett against Rick Warren. I admire Rick Warren and think his PDL materials are very positive. Nevertheless, I find Dennett's criticism valid and worthy of consideration.
Dennett points out how religions ward off serious criticism with concepts like, "true faith believes even when it doesn't make sense," or, "Don't argue with the devil, he is better at it than you."
I can't help but agree with Dennett's observation that such an avoidance of criticism isn't right. The difference is that I believe Jesus Christ can withstand the criticism. Much of Christendom and many, many follows might not, but Christ will stand. We will all be better in giving a serious ear to voices like Dennett's and allowing ourselves to be pushed toward and deeper and more credible walk of faith.
Check out the talk, let me know about your impressions.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Holiday computing ideas
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2 comments:
Jason, I started watching this video yesterday - will probably go back and watch the rest later. Some things must be taken on faith - just like Dennett assuming the cow developed over thousands of years. However, there are several things that I believe work against American Christianity that make a less-than-compelling case for the Faith. These are in no particular order.
- Our actions look too much like the world.
- Our goals are often more wordly than heavenly.
- There is a lack of unmistakeable power (interpret that however you wish)
- There is a lack of love. Jesus said that is how they will know we're his disciples.
Maybe we should take another look at the 7 churches in Revelation, find out which one is most similar to the American Christianity and take the appropriate action. There's so much darkness now and so few churches are doing anything to dispel it even among their own members.
Good points -- the greatest evidence of God is a community of believers truly walking out the Kingdom of God life. I believe that Apostle Paul makes that point in his opening of 1 Corinthians.
In viewing Dennett, what I intend to emphasize is his critique of Warren's references to the scientific realm. Dennett's critique reminds me of the need to always be diligently aware of my assumptions or presuppositions when I making statements about how God or man works. If I am to employ "facts" from the realms of genetics, psychology, sociology, anthropology, law, etc.; it is imperative that I do so appropriately. Knowledgeable folks are turned off by statements that betray a lack of true understanding of the given subject area.
Again, Warren is a good man. He has written a book that has sold many millions of copies. He has written in style easily accessible by ordinary readers. I suppose the last thing in his mind while writing was, "What would an atheist scientific philosopher say while reading this?"
I am also confident that Warren "heard" such criticism and embraced it, knowing that genuine critics are our best mentors.
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