It was a trick question. Here the deal: God by nature, by his character is all the attributes that he is. There are no non-essential properties of God! When you try to get into theology by way of philosophy, you end up with a big mess. You should never allow a philosophical thought pattern to drive what you think about the Bible or theology. You should always allow theology drive what you think about everything else. Part of having a Christian worldview is allowing your Christianity to be the lens through which you see everything. And that is the whole point of the question. Our professor wanted us to think about the error of imposing a philosophical lens on the Bible instead of looking at philosophy through a Biblical lens
That's good stuff. I understand it - now that you explained it. It does make sense that all God's properties are essential. He is, after all, the definer of those attributes, having them all perfectly.
Thanks. Eating a bit of humble pie once in a while is a good thing.
6 comments:
Here's an idea: This is from my philosophy class. What are essential and non-essential properties of God? (Yes this question is meant to be tricky)
Micah,
That's a good question - and it makes my head hurt thinking about it.
Why don't you respond back with some properties that are essential and some that are non-essential? That would help me out. Thanks.
Eric,
It was a trick question. Here the deal:
God by nature, by his character is all the attributes that he is. There are no non-essential properties of God! When you try to get into theology by way of philosophy, you end up with a big mess. You should never allow a philosophical thought pattern to drive what you think about the Bible or theology. You should always allow theology drive what you think about everything else. Part of having a Christian worldview is allowing your Christianity to be the lens through which you see everything. And that is the whole point of the question. Our professor wanted us to think about the error of imposing a philosophical lens on the Bible instead of looking at philosophy through a Biblical lens
Micah,
That's good stuff. I understand it - now that you explained it. It does make sense that all God's properties are essential. He is, after all, the definer of those attributes, having them all perfectly.
Thanks. Eating a bit of humble pie once in a while is a good thing.
I am praying God will provide you a job soon.
Tim,
Thank you so much.
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