Notes from Ravi's appearance (Part 3 of 3)
Ravi was the speaker, talking on the subject "The Loss of Truth and a Proposal For Its Recovery." He started with a brief history of modern thought.
He started with the Renaissance, when man, not God, became the measure of all things. Art held sway as man was thought of as an artistic being. A major problem that started to arise was that it is very difficult to deal with absolutes in art.
After this came Rationalism, which saw man as a thinking being.
Next came The Enlightenment, in which man became an empirical being. Proponents said "If it isn't mathmatical or experimental, it is illusion." This statement failed its own test.
After the Enlightment came Kant, and man became a skeptical being. The 20th century saw Existentialism, in which man became a desparate being.
The final step was Postmodernism, which said you can't even make sense out of language. Ravi saw this as a continuation of Satan's original lie "Has God really said?"
Ravi's history lesson was followed by a description of the gulf separating the East and the West.
In the West Christianity has been marginalized, even ridiculed. In the East it is acceptable to criticize Western religeons but Eastern religeons are protected.
In the West religion has been evicted from academia. In the East there is a resurgence of pride in ancient wisdom.
In the West theology (which starts with God) was replaced by religion (which starts with humanity). In the East religion was always seen as a process and pursuit.
In the West truth was displaced and nothing replaced it. In the East displacement of truth was not felt because culture was the driving force.
Ravi also pointed out that Christianity is the only religion that claims a supernatural rebirth. This means that if we don't show an increase in the fruits of the Spirit in our lives we deny the supernatural. Ravi pointed out that it is only after we have helped and touched others that we can begin the work of apologetics. Apologetics that is not lived out is merely "cerebral flexing" that won't convince anyone.
He started with the Renaissance, when man, not God, became the measure of all things. Art held sway as man was thought of as an artistic being. A major problem that started to arise was that it is very difficult to deal with absolutes in art.
After this came Rationalism, which saw man as a thinking being.
Next came The Enlightenment, in which man became an empirical being. Proponents said "If it isn't mathmatical or experimental, it is illusion." This statement failed its own test.
After the Enlightment came Kant, and man became a skeptical being. The 20th century saw Existentialism, in which man became a desparate being.
The final step was Postmodernism, which said you can't even make sense out of language. Ravi saw this as a continuation of Satan's original lie "Has God really said?"
Ravi's history lesson was followed by a description of the gulf separating the East and the West.
In the West Christianity has been marginalized, even ridiculed. In the East it is acceptable to criticize Western religeons but Eastern religeons are protected.
In the West religion has been evicted from academia. In the East there is a resurgence of pride in ancient wisdom.
In the West theology (which starts with God) was replaced by religion (which starts with humanity). In the East religion was always seen as a process and pursuit.
In the West truth was displaced and nothing replaced it. In the East displacement of truth was not felt because culture was the driving force.
Ravi also pointed out that Christianity is the only religion that claims a supernatural rebirth. This means that if we don't show an increase in the fruits of the Spirit in our lives we deny the supernatural. Ravi pointed out that it is only after we have helped and touched others that we can begin the work of apologetics. Apologetics that is not lived out is merely "cerebral flexing" that won't convince anyone.
posted by Mike at 1:20 PM
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