Pagan Philosophy, Unbelief, and Irrationalism

Biblically speaking, holding philosophical beliefs that contain internally self-refuting contradictions is an expression of irrationalism. It can also be a case of inexcusable ignorance. Ultimately, all non-Christian philosophy starts with bold rationalistic assertions about reality and ends up in irrationalism. The philosophy of logical positivism is one example. The positivist philosophy can be described as empiricism (all knowledge comes through sensations) with a vengeance. This positivist philosophy is a vengeance against all metaphysical statements. A popular contemporary form of empiricism that derives from John Locke is known as the theory that the mind at birth is a blank tablet (tabula rasa) and then assimilates knowledge through sensations. This theory could be called the "blank mind theory" of knowledge.

The Positivist School boldly asserted as it's starting principle that they will only accept what can be verified empirically. The positivists would accept a statement like "some cars are red," because this could be verified empirically. A color-blind person would have to take this statement by faith. A statement like "God exists" would be rejected since God cannot be brought into a science laboratory and inspected. Once upon a time, someone asked, "How does the positivist school verify its own starting principle empirically?" With that question, the empirical, positivist school collapsed. There are still those who promote elements of this philosophically discredited theory, not realizing that in doing so they have become an irrationalist, or guilty of inexcusable ignorance. Positivism collapsed because, as in all non-Christian philosophy, it contains its own internally self-refuting contradiction. This positivist contradiction is in the same category as with those who assert "there is no truth." Supposedly, this assertion is true.

Many non-Christians hold to a materialistic atheistic world-view. Adherents of this pagan world-view proclaim their belief in the laws of science, morality, and logic. It should be noted that adherents of this world-view have never shown how the laws of science, morality, and logic can ever arise in a materialistic universe. Non-Christians who hold this world-view continue to proclaim their belief in such things without showing how their system can account for them. This is philosophically called "begging the question." In the area of morality for example, the non-Christian is unable to define the difference between right and wrong in terms of his world-view or belief system. Today, many see this ignorance as a virtue. If Biblical absolutes are rejected, it is meaningless to even talk about right and wrong.

In a materialistic atheistic world-view, laws against evil, such as murder, are merely arbitrary social formalities. For example, in pagan democracies the laws change when a mere fifty-one percent of the population is swayed in a different direction. When it comes to knowing the difference between right and wrong many non-Christians act as though they have a blank mind. Pagan attempts to define right from wrong are arbitrary, or they borrow definitions from the Christian world-view in order to escape the utter bankruptcy of their own world-view.

Matter is silent; it does not speak. It does not say what is right or what is wrong. The definition between good and evil is found in the Bible. God is not silent. For example, the definition of murder is found in the case laws of the Old Testament. The Bible even defines precisely the difference between pre-meditated murder and manslaughter. Only the Christian world-view can account for the laws of science, morality, and logic. This is because God is the creator of the world, and we understand all things as defined and interpreted by Him in Holy Scripture. Nothing exists apart from His definition.

Since God governs the universe, we can under normal providential conditions use scientific procedures to help us systematically understand how elements of the world function. God speaks to us in scripture with human language utilizing logically structured sentences in which He tells us the difference between right and wrong. Because God has spoken, the Christian has a Biblical basis for the laws of science, morality, and logic. Only in Christ Jesus can one find answers to the questions of life. In Christ Jesus alone can one find the basis for truth and absolutes. All pagan philosophy suppresses the truth in unrighteousness and ends in internally self-refuting irrationalistic contradictions.

Note:

Nothing in the above article should be understood as being original with me. I am indebted Biblically and philosophically for the above comments to Francis A. Schaeffer, Gordon H. Clark, Cornelius Van Til, and Greg Bahnsen.

2001 Jack Kettler

Mr. Kettler is an ordained Presbyterian Elder and the owner of Undergroundnotes.com where his theological, philosophical and political articles can be read. He has worked in corporate America for over 25 years and is now realizing his dreams as a successful home business entrepreneur. Mr. Kettler can be reached through his business site at: http://www.internationalhomebusinessonline.com . Permission is hereby granted to reprint this article as long as my web site is retained in the biographical information.

---

Let Her Be Covered Part Four

Again, let's call attention to our text: "Let her be... Read More

End of the World | Predictions Prophecies How and When

It's the End of the World as we know it...When... Read More

Mindset - Being Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind

The Bible tells us that one of the main goals... Read More

Living Without Blueprints

Some people look at the biblical book of Revelation as... Read More

A God I Can Live With

God, the Puzzle MakerWhile some rise before the sun to... Read More

Let Her Be Covered Part One

Several weeks ago, while shopping in a grocery store, my... Read More

Spring Into Gods Love

Spring is springing here in the Pacific Northwest the plants... Read More

Top Ten Religion Quotations

Review your religious beliefs with these revealing quotations all about... Read More

Armor-bearer Coach: Step Into the Ministry of Assisting

I am with you heart and mind..."Do all that you... Read More

Do We Really Need God?

The human being is endowed with ability. We have the... Read More

Purity

Is being purified only for the men of the cloth?... Read More

New Orleans is only the Beginning as Prophecy Unfolds

We are all very well aware of the tragedies occurring... Read More

How to Handle Negative Feelings When Wronged by Someone Else

How does a Christian really handle negative feelings and emotions... Read More

Living By the Truth, the Word of God

Let's be honest: Too many Christian books are nothing but... Read More

End Time Events and the 2nd Coming of Jesus

In part 1 of this series of end time articles,... Read More

Why Churches Die: Denying The Gift Of Healing The Sick

Recently a question was posted on a Christian forum asking... Read More

A Worship Leader is a Spiritual Leader

This article is for worship leaders. And as such, I... Read More

Biblical Hermeneutics ? Part 2

Should we be tempted to believe that our system of... Read More

Facing Our Fears

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.... Read More

Loyola the Luciferian

Ignatius Loyola ? Luciferian or Heliopolitan:I kid you not! Lucifer... Read More

An Open Letter to Pope Benedict

Dear Ratzy,I have a good solution to the clergy abuse... Read More

Does Society Need a St. Bernard?

You all know the big dogs that carry rum to... Read More

Pagan Philosophy, Unbelief, and Irrationalism

Biblically speaking, holding philosophical beliefs that contain internally self-refuting contradictions... Read More

Is Christianity Losing America?

2 Thessalonians 1:3-1:4Is Christianity Losing America? The apostasy of the... Read More

White Sun - Tao of Heaven. Showers of Wisdom ( Part 1 of 3 )

'Showers of Wisdom' is taught by JiGong, the Heavenly teacher... Read More

The Stilling of the Storm

Matt. 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25.General Pericope DistinctionsIn the gospel... Read More

Learn How to Be Delivered From Witchcraft, Drugs, Sexual Perversion, Pain and all Addictions.

Exposing Hidden SinFor nothing is secret that shall not be... Read More

Conserving Water at a Car Wash Fundraiser

If you use a pressure washer during your fundraiser you... Read More

How to Study the Bible 5 Keys

This article was inspired by a book by E. W.... Read More

What Is Faith?

1. Faith is a "spiritual substance" on the inside of... Read More

Judgement Day

For it is written in Matthew 12:36 But I tell... Read More

The Christmas Victory

As the Chritmas season approaches, I figured it's a good... Read More

Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death - But In Current Textbooks the Context of These Words is Deleted

Did you know that 52 of the 55 signers of... Read More