Exam 2 Flashcards
(27 cards)
If naturalism is true, then we are not persons with real meaning, purpose, and significance to our lives. We are just accidental products of blind evolution, present on the earth for a brief number of years; just blip’s on the universe’s screen of billions of years of existence.
anthropological crisis
the absence of free choice. it seems reasonable to say that there are many times in our lives when we may not be free in our decisions. we are never able to exercise this
determinism
if all matter is determines, they everything we’ve said and thought are also determined by physical forces beginning years ago with the big bang. We have no freedom to be who we want to be because it is determined by our genetics
epistemological crisis
human beings are entirely described by matter. the human mind, therefore, is merely a by product of brain activity
materialism
philosophy that reduces the complex thing about human nature to the simple animal or biological level.
reductionism
means spirit of times. another world for worldview– the mental spirit of what people believe and under which they operate
zeitgeist
pertaining to human beings. stands for the good and potential in human individuals and society
humanism
anything that is, or exists in reasonable numbers down through time, ought to be considered morally okay
is=ought
opposite of sacred. think of this as defining something for which there is no religious connection. many times it is just a nice word for atheism
secular
the human condition in a world without God: great thoughts but no one to share them with; deep love desires, but sex and reproductive efforts out there; moral feelings in an immoral world
absurdity
the universe is fundamentally paradoxical, and that its greatest paradox is the transcendent union of God and humans in the person of Jesus Christ.
christian existentialism
human beings are essentially biological creatures, not souls in bodies, but with bodies that through choice “turn on” temporary souls
existence precedes essence
a hindu word meaning the stuff of all reality, the spirit underlying all reality. think of the force that star wars uses
brahman
the oneness exp during successful meditation exercises. those who exp this say they are more in tune with the spiritual vibrations of the universe and feel a oneness with things around them
cosmic consciousness
technique to help a person screen out sensory input in order to lower one’s perception of self and reality.
meditation
a favorit mantra on which to meditate in pantheism. has no meaning and nothing to create thought or emotion. thus the mind is emptied, and then oneness and absence of personal reflection can occur
om
everything is god.
pantheism
makes no apologies for its beliefs. means arguments or evidences, esp. for the truth of the Christian worldview
apologetics
to act like you are 100% about something when the evidence is not that strong
dogmatic
to refuse to go in the direction the evidence takes you.
doubt
having less than 100% certainty on a given subject. Christians ought to have some humility regarding their knowledge and certainty on many subjects in their faith
uncertainty
An explanation of why God allows suffering. God created free human beings who could love and “act like God” in the world. But those human beings could also choose to glorify themselves instead of God and thus increase suffering in the world
Creation in harm’s way
Many connected parts making a whole, meaningful picture. All things fit into a larger scheme of things. Meaningful things fit into a larger plan.
Meaning
It is real and not an illusion. Believe that every human being will go through this physically and emotionally.
Suffering
