Tuesday, September 01, 2015

Warfield on metaphysics and religious truths

It is entirely fatuous to suppose that the spheres of religion and thought, of religion and history, can be kept apart: what is true in metaphysics is true in religion, and what is true in religion is true in history, or, in one word, we shall profess ourselves willing to confess a false religion. [B.B. Warfield, "The Right of Systematic Theology," in Selected Shorter Writings, 2:252-3]

As it can be seen, Warfield expressively denies that one can have many "truths," or that something true in religion does not have to be true in real history or in real science or philosophy.

3 comments:

  1. Dear Daniel,

    I have been reading your posting with regards to B.B. Warfield and his schoarly though polemical aspects of his writings. How do you intend to translate them into understandable, pastoral counsel and advice for lay people who may be mentally challenged (or with little education) in terms of comprehending these writings?

    Hope to seek your views on this.

    Regards,
    Guo Xiong

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi David,

    my motive in posting those was not to "translate them into understandable, pastoral counsel." Not everything here is meant for pastoral care, but some of it is for the minister/ theologian to strengthen his faith so that he can minister with confidence.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is not to suggest that there is nothing for those who are less theologically knowledgeable, just that these posts from Warfield are not intended for that, and I do not currently intend to break down the issues for those who do not have the background to understand what the issues are.

    ReplyDelete

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