Self-Selected Apologetics Argument Introduction and Conclusion – Final Stage Assignment Smith
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Philosophy
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Feb 20, 2024
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Introduction
It is expected to hear people "praying to the universe" or "becoming one with the universe." These concepts stem from Pantheism, a religious belief that the natural world and the cosmos are the same as God. However, the critical concepts of Pantheism raise more questions than provide answers. Christianity also brings up many questions. In contrast, Christianity provides more spiritual answers than doubtful questions. Christianity provides a more coherent and satisfying worldview than Pantheism because it affirms God's personal and relational nature,
the objective reality and moral value of creation, and the historical and salvific significance of Jesus Christ.
Aspects of Pantheism
Pantheism is a spiritual doctrine that upholds that God, and the powers and principles of the cosmos are equivalent or the same. This belief purports that there is no God but rather an all-
encompassing entity of all energies within the universe. Pantheism also accepts the reverence of all deities of all faiths.
Pantheism does not worship an ethereal, supernatural deity. Pantheism's fundamental doctrine is that the conception of the universe itself is God. Pantheists believe that the universe, the world, and nature are God, so they should be revered. They uphold that there is a transcendent greatness within the Earth and that it should be worshipped. Through this belief, Pantheists are often supporters of environmental conservation. They feel that loving the environment will lead to an environmentally conscious lifestyle, causing people to cherish and want to protect the Earth.
Pantheism does not believe in the personhood of God. Pantheists believe that being a person involves experiencing life and having the characteristics of life. One main characteristic of life is mortality. Through this, Pantheists believe that interminable beings cannot be considered persons. Being an immortal being, God is tolerated by pantheists but not revered.
Because Pantheism focuses on the universe and nature, followers believe that scientific research can be seen as a method of understanding God. As aforementioned, Pantheism's core belief is that God is the universe and nature. So, through scientific study, people can learn more about the universe, nature, how everything came into being, and how everything operates. Naturalistic Pantheism is a section that believes the unconscious and unintelligent universe operates as a distinct, interconnected, and completely instinctive essence. Many famous scientists were considered pantheists, including Albert Einstein, who likened scientific research to a religious experience.
Pantheism does not believe in a singular deity. However, Pantheism is tolerant of all religions, believing that all pathways to God will somehow lead to a greater understanding of God. The belief makes every attempt to reconcile all religions. The general viewpoint of Pantheism's toleration of other religions is to glean what is suitable and pertinent to each individual. It is through this method that Pantheism seeks to focus on the parallels in all religions.
Analysis of the Aspects of Pantheism
Pantheism may be considered an exciting religion to the university student. However, for the Christian scholar, the study of Pantheism raises more questions than it answers. An in-depth study of the belief brings up some problematic fallacies to overlook.
The first concern with Pantheism is the belief that the universe and nature are, in fact, God. The focal point of the concern is the correlation between the creator and the created. Pantheism does not explain much how the creation can be the same as the creation. Many scientists and theorists, like Stephen Hawking, believe the universe created itself. However, Hawking and other pantheists need to do more to explain the belief logically.
Connected with the concern of God being the same as the universe is that God is in equal standing with the universe and nature. This concern is dealing with the concept of authority. Pantheism appears to have a different governing spiritual authority. Nature and the universe are revered; however, nature and the universe cannot operate in spiritual or mental authority over humanity.
Another concern is the pantheist's refute of God being a person. This belief stems from the argument of the characteristic of mortality versus immortality. However, mortality is not the only characteristic of personhood. Ironically, Star Trek: The Next Generation, a science-fiction show, gives a valid list of conditions of personhood: Intelligence, Self-awareness, and Consciousness. Mortality is not mentioned or attributed to being a person. It can be inferred, even scientifically, that a being is distinct from a human being.
Scientific research is an excellent way of understanding things in the natural world. However, like science, it needs to explain the supernatural aspects of existence. Science can propose and even offer evidence pointing to the Big Bang Theory. However, any student who has attended a middle school science class knows the vast difference between a theory and a fact.
Science answers many of life's questions. Scientific exploration, however, for centuries has yet to
thoroughly explain ethereal events, occurrences, and even the spiritual aspects of humanity.
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Pantheism does not believe in a monotheistic deity but believes that all different religions
can bring about a better understanding of God or the universe. However, different religions can offer vastly different views of God or gods and differing views of the universe. Pentheism's wish to grasp only critical aspects of all religions without adhering to one specific religion is a significant issue.
Defense of Christianity
Christianity upholds that God is the ultimate creator, and the universe, nature, and everything that inhabits the universe is God's creation. Christianity also teaches that the ultimate purpose of the creation is to glorify the creator. Humanity is interconnected with the Earth and other creatures. The book of Genesis mentions how God formed the first human out of the Earth.
Catholic monk Francis of Assisi mentions that Earth is our "sister" in the Canticle of Creatures, showing the relationship between the two creations.
Christianity also believes that God is not only the creator of the universe and everything in
it but is entirely separate from the creations. If the ultimate purpose of the creation is to glorify the creator, there would be no need for creation if the creator and the creation are the same. Children have innate biological characteristics of their parents but are not the same entity as their
parents. Similarly, humanity and the cosmos have specific characteristics of God. The universe has its immense expanse and dark mysteries. Humanity has consciousness and a soul. However, God is so much more than his creations.
Christianity upholds that God is a person. God is an omniscient and omnipotent being that
never changes. He is aware of himself and his creation. The first chapter of Genesis supports this
belief. In the chapter, God was there when there was nothing. When God began creating light,
the sky, Earth, water, land, plants, and creatures, he recognized what was good. He recognized that the plural form of himself was required to create authority over the Earth and creatures: "Let Us make man." Moreover, God knew what was good and not good when he realized that man needed a helper.
Science can answer many questions. However, it leaves many things needing to be answered. What is the soul, and how does it work? How did humanity gain a soul or a consciousness, and when? Often, science is at odds with religion. Science attempts to confine supernatural beings and events within natural facts and understandings.
Christianity upholds that there is one true religion and way of understanding God: following the instructions and teachings of Jesus Christ. Several religions are similar to Christianity. Christianity itself is founded in Judaism and carries many of the traditions of the Jewish culture. However, Just as Jesus stated he came to fulfill or expound on the Jewish foundation, Christianity is a religion that goes well beyond Judaism. Through learning Christ and
his teaching, Christians get to know God, the Creator. Conversely, God the creator sees his creation through the love and sacrifice of Christ.
Pantheism is a modern religion that equates the central essence of all things to God and should be treated as unique. Even though this religion calls for many essential things, like nature and ecology, to be sacred, many questions still need to be answered. Christianity not only answers many of those unanswered questions but also offers instructions on what is sacred and secular and how each should be treated.