APOL 500 Self Selected Apologetics Argument Writing Assignment
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Self- Selected Apologetics Argument: Writing Assignment Jeffery D. Smith APOL 500: Introduction to Apologetics Dr. E. Abogunrin February 4, 2024
Introduction In modern times, it is common 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 key concepts of pantheism raise more questions than provide answers. Christianity also brings up many questions. But contrastingly, Christianity provides more spiritual answers than doubtful questions. Christianity provides a more coherent and satisfying worldview than pantheism, because it affirms the personal and relational nature of God, the objective reality and moral value of creation, and the historical and salvific significance of Jesus Christ. Aspects of Pantheism Pantheism is defined as a spiritual doctrine that upholds that God and powers and principles of the cosmos are equivalent or are the same. Through this belief purports that there is no God; but rather an all-encompassing entity made up 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 key doctrine is that 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. Though this belief, Pantheists are often supporters of environmental conservation. They feel as if loving the environment will lead to an environmentally-conscious lifestyle, causing people to cherish the earth and want to protect it.
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. God being an immortal being, 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 though scientific study, people are able to gain more knowledge about the universe, nature and how everything came into being and how everything operates. Naturalistic pantheism is a section of pantheism that believes that 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 from an objective point of view may be considered an interesting religion to the university student. But for the Christian scholar, the study of pantheism raises more questions
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than it answers. In-depth study of the belief brings up some fallacies that are difficult 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 give much explanation of how the creation can be the same as the created. Many scientists and theorists, like Stephen Hawking, believe that the universe created itself. However, Hawking and other pantheists do little to logically explain the belief. Connected with the concern of God being the same as the universe, is that God is in equal standing of the universe and nature. This concern is dealing with the concept of authority. Pantheism does not appear to have a 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 a great way of understanding things of the natural world. But pantheism, like science, falls short of explaining the supernatural aspects of existence. Science can propose, and even offer evidence that points towards the Big Bang Theory. But any student that has attended a middle school science class knows there is a vast difference between a theory
and a fact. Science answers many of life’s questions. Scientific exploration, however, for centuries has failed to completely explain ethereal events, occurrence, and even the spiritual aspects of humanity. 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 only grasp key aspects of all religions without adhering to any one specific religion is a major issue within itself. 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 two creations. Christianity also believes that God is not only the creator of the universe and everything in it, but is completely 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 one in the same. Children have innate biological characteristics of their parents, but are not the same entity as their parents. In the same manner, humanity and the cosmos have certain 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.” And 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 unanswered. What is the soul and how does it work? How did humanity gain a soul or a conscious, and when? Oftentimes, 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, and that is through 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 though the love and sacrifice of Christ. Pantheism is a modern religion that equates the central essence of all things is God and ought to be treated as special. Even though this religion calls for many important things, like
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nature and ecology, to be sacred, there are many questions left unanswered. Christianity offers not only answers for many of those unanswered questions, but also offers instructions on what is sacred and what is secular, and how each should be treated
Bibliography Gallo, L. (2023, June 2). In a perfect world we’d all be pantheists. Office of Religious and Spiritual Life. https://www.mcgill.ca/morsl/article/interfaith-dialogue/perfect-world-wed- all-be-pantheists Hewitt, S. (2018, July 6). God is not a person (an argument via pantheism) - International Journal for Philosophy of Religion. SpringerLink. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11153-018-9678-x Ortiz, P. (2018, May 11). What the “all” in pantheism really means. Pantheism.com. https://pantheism.com/what-the-all-in-pantheism-really-means/ Pantheism Community. (n.d.). Pantheism and Science. Pantheism.com. https://pantheism.com/about/pantheism-and-science/ Reese, W. L. (2023, December 22). Pantheism. Encyclopadia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/pantheism
Snodgrass, M. (1989, February 13). The Measure of a Man. Star Trek: The Next Generation. episode. Ulrich, B. (2012, May 9). The fallacy of Pantheism. Christian Science Sentinel. https://sentinel.christianscience.com/shared/view/pp7cb006ww
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