Renewing Your Mind Podcast Summary

Title: God of the Bible vs. God of Philosophy
Host/Author: Ligonier Ministries
Episode Release Date: May 3, 2025
Speaker: R.C. Sproul
Transcript Duration: Approximately 24 minutes

Introduction

In this episode of Renewing Your Mind, R.C. Sproul delves into the intricate relationship between the concept of God as portrayed in the Bible and the abstract notions of God presented in classical philosophy. Titled "God of the Bible vs. God of Philosophy," Sproul initiates a short Saturday series derived from his course on classical apologetics, Defending Your Faith. The episode aims to equip Christians with a deeper understanding of God's nature, bridging the gap between faith and reason.

Exploring the Foundations: Philosophy and Faith

The Intersection of Philosophy and Theology

Sproul begins by acknowledging Immanuel Kant, one of history's foremost skeptics, noting his admission of purpose within the universe despite his philosophical skepticism.

“[00:00] A: Immanuel Kant was one of the greatest skeptics in history, and yet even he acknowledged there is purpose in the universe.”

He further explains Kant's recognition of both the vastness of the cosmos and the moral law within humanity, illustrating that Kant's insights transcend mere philosophical abstraction due to his scientific endeavors.

“[00:07] B: Kant himself said he cannot get past two the starry skies above and the moral law within...”

Secular Philosophers Acknowledge a Higher Being

Sproul points out that even secular thinkers conclude the necessity of a greater, intelligent force behind the universe's design, reinforcing the teleological argument for God's existence.

“[00:36] A: Even secular philosophers come to the conclusion that there must be something bigger and smarter than us.”

Classical Apologetics: Defending Your Faith

Series Introduction and Resource Offer

Sproul introduces the new series on classical apologetics, emphasizing its role in strengthening Christian faith through reasoned arguments. He mentions a resource offer accompanying the series, including study guides on false teachings and contemporary issues surrounding gender and sexuality, available to donors.

“[00:36] A: Today on Renewing your Mind, RC Sproul will begin a short Saturday series from his course on classical apologetics, Defending your Faith...”

The Nature of Reality and the Self-Existent Being

Recap of Previous Lessons

Sproul recaps prior discussions on the nature of reality, considering four possibilities: illusion, self-creation, self-existence, and creation from a self-existent source. He emphasizes that the latter two scenarios involve a self-existent, eternal entity.

“[01:30] B: In recent sessions, we've been looking for a sufficient reason to account for reality as we encounter it...”

Transcendence vs. Personal God

He clarifies the philosophical concept of transcendence as a higher order of being, not merely a spatial location. Sproul contrasts this with the personal God of Judeo-Christian tradition, raising two critical questions:

1. Relationship Between Philosophical and Biblical God
2. Transitioning from a Self-Existent Being to a Personal God

“...and that leaves us with two serious problems that we have to look at briefly.”

Historical Perspectives: Tertullian and the Intrusion of Greek Philosophy

Tertullian's Critique

Sproul references Tertullian, an early Church Father, who famously questioned the compatibility of Jewish and Greek philosophical concepts of God.

“[01:30] B: ... the Church, Father Tertullian, was the one who was famous for his credo...”

Tertullian argued that there is no meaningful connection between the personal God of Jerusalem and the abstract God of Athens, highlighting the distinctiveness of the biblical portrayal of God.

“...there is no real point of contact between the personal God of the Israelites and this vague abstract concept...”

19th Century Liberal Theology

He discusses how 19th-century liberal theologians like Adolph von Harnack and Ritual Alberto Ritual contended that Greek philosophy corrupted early Church theology, particularly during the Council of Nicaea.

“[...] the categories that were used therein to define the Trinity... were laden with Greek philosophical concepts...”

Sproul laments the modern evangelical rejection of systematic theology, attributing it to lingering anti-Greek philosophical sentiments.

Defending Systematic Theology

Misconceptions about Systematic Theology

Sproul defends systematic theology against claims that it imposes Greek philosophical frameworks onto Scripture. He asserts that true systematic theology seeks coherence within the biblical text itself.

“...systematic theology is never to impose a foreign system on the Scriptures and then force the Scriptures to fit it like a Procrustean bed...”

The Role of Language and Cultural Context

He acknowledges the influence of the Greek language on the New Testament while maintaining that the underlying concepts originate from Hebrew thought, which values rational and coherent understanding.

“...as long as the New Testament was written in Greek, the language of the Greeks is now with us forever in terms of our understanding of the Gospel...”

Sproul emphasizes that both Hebrew and Greek cultures value rationality and coherence, countering the notion that Hebrew thought is incoherent compared to Greek philosophy.

Aristotle vs. the Biblical God

Aristotle’s Concept of God

Sproul outlines Aristotle's definition of God as the "unmoved mover" or "first cause," a being that creates out of necessity and remains impersonal and detached from creation.

“...Aristotle defined God as thought, thinking himself...”

The Biblical Contrast

In stark contrast, the biblical God is portrayed as an active, personal creator who engages with creation purposefully and sustains it.

“...the God of the scriptures... acts to create all that is... he is intimately concerned with the affairs of history and with the activity in managing the universe...”

The Logos Distinction

He differentiates the philosophical concept of the Logos from the biblical Christ, emphasizing that in Christianity, the Logos is incarnate and personal, unlike the abstract philosophical Logos.

“...the Logos is the incarnate Word of God and the Logos is a person...”

Addressing Criticisms of Apologetics

The Incomprehensibility of God

Sproul introduces the theological principle of God's incomprehensibility, which posits that humans cannot achieve a complete understanding of God's nature due to His infinite excellence.

“...the doctrine of the incomprehensibility of God, which means that none of us will now or ever have a totally exhaustive, comprehensive knowledge or understanding of God.”

He counters the objection that arguing for a self-existent being only leads to Aristotle's impersonal God, asserting that partial truths about God remain valid and foundational.

“...we have what is a crucial portion of our knowledge of God.”

Agreeing with Philosophers on a Key Point

Sproul acknowledges that both Aristotle and Christian theology agree on the necessity of a self-existent, eternal being as the first cause of the universe.

“...that first cause has to be pure actuality and that first cause has to be pure being and that that first cause has to be eternal.”

The Teleological Argument Revisited

He delves into the teleological argument (argument from design), highlighting its significance even among skeptics like Kant and Hume, who recognized the compelling evidence of design in nature.

“[...] the teleological argument is sometimes called the argument from design...”

Sproul uses Anthony Flew's parable to illustrate the necessity of a designer behind the apparent order in the universe, countering the rise of deism and impersonal explanations.

“…the explorers... saw a beautifully manicured garden...”

Intelligence and Personality in God

Emphasizing Aristotle's views on intentionality and personality, Sproul argues that true design necessitates an intelligent, personal being rather than impersonal forces.

“...personality requires intention... Impersonal forces have no mind, have no will, and they cannot design anything.”

He concludes that the presence of design within the universe points unmistakably to a personal, intelligent, self-existent being—aligning with the biblical God.

“...if there is design in the universe, then this self existent, eternal something... must be a self existent, eternal, intelligent being. And if intelligent, then personal.”

Conclusion: Bridging Faith and Reason

Sproul reinforces that while philosophical arguments alone do not capture the entirety of the biblical God, they substantiate critical aspects of His nature. By demonstrating the necessity of a self-existent, eternal, and personal being, he establishes a solid foundation for the Christian understanding of God that transcends mere philosophical abstraction.

“...we are defending crucial aspects of the biblical doctrine of God at this point.”

He sets the stage for further exploration in subsequent episodes, promising to delve into Kant's moral argument for God's existence.

Notable Quotes

1. On God's Comprehensiveness:

   “[01:30] B: ... the doctrine of the incomprehensibility of God, which means that none of us will now or ever have a totally exhaustive, comprehensive knowledge or understanding of God.”

2. On Philosophical Agreement:

   “...that yes, we agree with Aristotle in the sense that there has to be a first cause and that that first cause has to be self existent and that that first cause has to be pure actuality and that first cause has to be pure being and that that first cause has to be eternal.”

3. On Intelligence and Design:

   “...personality requires intention... Impersonal forces have no mind, have no will, and they cannot design anything.”

4. On the Significance of Systematic Theology:

   “...what we try to do as systematicians is look at the whole scope of Scripture and try to have a coherent understanding, finding the system of thought that is in the Bible...”

Final Thoughts

R.C. Sproul's "God of the Bible vs. God of Philosophy" provides a robust defense of the biblical portrayal of God against philosophical abstractions. By meticulously dissecting historical and contemporary arguments, Sproul elucidates the distinctiveness of the Judeo-Christian God, fostering a harmonious relationship between faith and reason. This episode serves as an essential resource for Christians seeking to deepen their understanding of God's nature and to effectively defend their faith in intellectual arenas.

For those interested in continuing this journey, Sproul announces upcoming discussions on Kant's moral argument and offers valuable resources through donations, further supporting the evangelical community's engagement with complex theological and philosophical questions.