A Weblog Dedicated to the Discussion of the Christian Faith and 21st Century Life

A Weblog Dedicated to the Discussion of the Christian Faith and 21st Century Life
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I do not seek to understand that I may believe, but I believe in order to understand. For this also I believe, –that unless I believed, I should not understand.-- St. Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109)

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Worship and Theological Necessity

Christians must care deeply about theology. If the true God is renewing our lives and calling us to worship him "in spirit and truth" (Jn 4:23), then such worship includes our thoughts, words, affections, and actions. Do we want to worship Yahweh or waste time and effort on a deity we have constructed in our own image? Ludwig Feuerbach (1804-1872), a nineteenth century atheist philosopher, argued that talk about God is no more than amplified talk about ourselves: "God" is merely the projection of human thoughts and desires. Surprising as it may seem, Christians share a fundamental concern with Feuerbach, for we recognize the temptation to create our own gods-- gods that belong to us-- rather than to respond faithfully to the One who is.
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From Kelly M. Kapic, A Little Book for New Theologians: Why and How to Study Theology (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2012), pp. 16-17.

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