In the last several editorials we’ve been thinking about thinking, considering the things which shape our ideas and values. So far we’ve covered tradition, culture, philosophy, experience, and technology. A sixth influence is social media, the topic of this editorial. I’m sure not all of our readers use social media. But even if you aren’t … Continue reading Social Media Epistemology
Tag: Scripture
Smart Phone Epistemology
Since the invention of the iPhone in 2007, our world has been changing. It’s not that the iPhone changed the world by itself, but it provided a key ingredient in an experiment which potently combined several technological developments. The internet, which predated the smart phone, gave us a meta-database containing nearly everything that we know, … Continue reading Smart Phone Epistemology
Cypress Epistemology
The Monterey cypress grows in a few mottled groves along central California’s rocky coastline. It grows quickly, reaching heights of 40-70 feet. In its natural habitat, it is frequently buffeted by wind shear and the salty sea, which batters it into a “sculpted, windswept appearance.” As it grows, it yields to the forces of nature, … Continue reading Cypress Epistemology
Skyscraper Epistemology
The next sphere of epistemology I will consider is philosophy. The word philosophy comes from philein which means “love” and sophia which means “wisdom.” It refers to the love for wisdom and subsequent pursuit of it. It was originally embodied by Greek philosophers such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Socrates asked probing and provocative questions … Continue reading Skyscraper Epistemology
Wet Fish Epistemology
In our current group of editorials we are thinking about thinking, answering questions like: Why do we believe what we believe? What supports and shapes our presuppositions and our conscious convictions? What are we standing on? I’ve divided our survey of epistemology into seven spheres: tradition, culture, philosophy, experience, technological media, social media, and Scripture. … Continue reading Wet Fish Epistemology
Freightliner Epistemology
Previously, I outlined several “spheres of epistemology,” and I want to think with you about one of those in this editorial: tradition. Remember, epistemology feels like a complex term, but it really just refers to what we are standing on. That is, what are the things—such as culture, philosophy, and media—that shape our beliefs? When … Continue reading Freightliner Epistemology
Building on the Rock
We have been thinking together in a few editorials about the question, “What are we standing on?” We’re discussing the building blocks of belief, the basic influences which shape what we believe. The technical term is “epistemology,” which is derived from a Greek word which means “to stand upon.” If our beliefs are a building, … Continue reading Building on the Rock
Disintegration
Everyone wants to be happy. We all spend our time doing the things we believe will make us happy. The religious person believes he will be happier if he attends worship services and does what is right. The workaholic believes his life will be better if he has financial security. The socialite believes she will … Continue reading Disintegration
Podcast: Third Culture and the Loss of Biblical Authority
The authority of Scripture is unquestionably one of the fundamental issues of our time. Other presenting issues (such as the atonement, hell, sin, etc.) reveal the underlying issue. We don’t think of ourselves as operating under the authority of the Bible. Sure, we reference the Bible when it supports our view. We use it to validate our opinions, but we don’t allow it to shape them. Until Scripture is the absolute, unquestioned authority, we still have work to do. Listen Now
Third Culture and the Loss of Biblical Authority
Carl Trueman, in his book The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self, says that there are essentially three ways societies justify their morality, three authorities which are ultimately operative in the culture.[1] In the first, morality is based on myth or legend. These are pagan cultures; the example Trueman gives is of Sparta, whose … Continue reading Third Culture and the Loss of Biblical Authority