Scriptorium Daily
Some people might hesitate to join this intellectual project. The investment of time and energy to read books of classical philosophy and to study nature seems daunting. “I know that Jesus loves me so why do I have to worry?” There is truth to this impulse. Jesus Christ is a real person, the Second Person of the Trinity. Because He is real, knowing Him is most important thing a man can do. However, knowing Him is an intellectual activity. It is not only an intellectual activity, but there is thought and history involved. Jesus Christ connects to history. He was a wise teacher. His teachings contain propositions which either cohere or do not cohere with other alternative teachings. If we say that we love Jesus, but do not desire to examine his place in history or his teachings, then we lie.
Christians must love a real God passionately enough to crave knowledge of him. The must love His Word enough to find that the Bible itself does, as a whole, connect to the visible world. Christians must have faith, but this faith should be consistent with reason which is not a mere religious rationalization. The Heaven’s Gate cult is alleged to have bought a telescope to look at the comet Hale-Bopp. When their view through the telescope did not confirm their beliefs, they returned the telescope on the assumption it was defective. This is the path of madness that leads to death. (more)
