Pavel Hanes Evangelical Theology and Philosophy: Improving a Difficult Relationship 1 Evangelical Theology and Philosophy: Improving a Difficult Relationship Pavel Hanes Vol. 4: Monograph THEOLOGICA Wratislaviensia Translation: Peter Málik 2 Pavel Hanes Evangelical Theology and Philosophy: Improving a Difficult Relationship Wrocław 2020 3 Evangelical Theology and Philosophy: Improving a Difficult Relationship Copyright © by Prof. ThDr. Pavel Hanes, Ph.D., 2020 © Ewangelikalna Wyższa Szkoła Teologiczna, Wrocław 2020 ISBN: 978-83-60567-17-3 ISSN: 1734-4182 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. EditorEditorialial board: Editor-in-Chief: Wojciech Szczerba Assistant Editor: Piotr Lorek Managing Editor: Sebastian Smolarz Editor of the volume: Prof. dr. hab. Wojciech Szczerba, Ph.D. RevieReviewwwwers:ers:ers:ers: Prof. dr. hab. Jerzy Kochanowicz, Ph.D. Prof. dr. hab. Maciej Manikowski, Ph.D. Prof. ThDr. Pavel Procházka, Ph.D. Doc. ThDr. Albín Masarik, Ph.D. Translation: Peter Málik, M.Phil., Ph.D. Language editing: David Leeder, M.A., B.Phil. Cover design: Prof. PaedDr. Jaroslav Uhel, ArtD. Ewangelikalna Wyższa Szkoła Teologiczna ul. Świętej Jadwigi 12 50-266 Wrocław Poland www.ewst.edu.pl www.theologica.ewst.pl e-mail: [email protected] 4 Contents A WORD FROM EDITOR .................................................................................................................. 999 FOREWORD .................................................................................................................................................................................. 131313 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................................ 151515 I. A THEOLOGICAL STUSTUDYDY OF PHILOSOPHY .......................... 171717 1.1 Theology and Philosophy – the Problem ................................ 17 1.1.1 A Strained Relationship .................................................... 18 1.1.2 Philosophy and Theology – Separation or Integration? ... 26 1.1.2.1 Integrating Theology and Philosophy .......................... 27 1.1.2.2 Separating Theology from Philosophy ......................... 35 1.1.3 Difficulties on Both Sides .................................................. 46 1.1.3.1 Deficiencies of the Integration ..................................... 47 1.1.3.2 Deficiencies of the Separation ..................................... 54 1.2 Evangelicalism and Philosophy .............................................. 63 1.2.1 Philosophy in Puritanism and Pietism .............................. 64 1.2.1.1 Philosophy in Puritanism .............................................. 65 1.2.1.2 Philosophy in Pietism ................................................... 67 1.2.2 John Wesley ...................................................................... 69 1.2.3 Jonathan Edwards ............................................................ 73 1.2.4 C. G. Finney ....................................................................... 75 1.2.5 Oswald Chambers ............................................................. 77 1.2.6 Francis Schaeffer .............................................................. 79 1.2.7 Carl F. H. Henry ................................................................. 82 5 1.3 Philosophy and Theological Studies ....................................... 86 1.3.1 A Student of Theology Engaging Philosophy .................... 86 1.3.1.1 A Call for Caution ......................................................... 86 1.3.1.2 Reason and Scripture ................................................... 88 1.3.1.3 Reason and the Spirit of God ....................................... 89 1.3.1.4 Engaging Philosophy in the Spirit ................................. 94 1.3.2 From the Negative Attitude to a Positive Use .................. 95 1.3.2.1 Philosophy’s Search for Truth ...................................... 95 1.3.2.2 Philosophy for Understanding Theology ...................... 98 1.3.2.3 The Use of Philosophy in Apologetics .......................... 99 II. TWELVE “GATEWAYS“GATEWAYS”” TO PHILOSOPHY ......................... 101 2.1 Your Mind Matters .............................................................. 101 2.2 The Power of Ideas .............................................................. 103 2.3 Ideas “Really Philosophical” ................................................. 105 2.4 Why Do People Philosophize? .............................................. 107 2.5 The Problems of Philosophy ................................................. 109 2.6 The Methods of Philosophy ................................................. 111 2.7 The History of Philosophy .................................................... 115 2.8 Philosophers Are Human Beings Too ................................... 118 2.9 Employing Philosophy in Theology ....................................... 120 2.10 Philosophy and Contemporary Society ................................ 123 2.11 Philosophy Almost Contemporary ....................................... 125 2.12 Philosophy and Lifelong Learning ......................................... 127 6 CONCLUSION .......................................................................................................................................................................... 129 BIBLIOGRAPHY ............................................................................................................................................................................ 130 INDEX OF NAMES ............................................................................................................................ 139 7 8 A WORD FROM EDITOR Dear Reader, It is our pleasure of present you with Volume 4 of the series Monographs of Theologica Wratislaviensia. The book Evangelical Theology and Philosophy. Improving a Difficult Relationship plays a special role in our collection. The author, professor Pavel Hanes, a renowned Slovak theologian of Baptist provenience and lecturer at the Department of Evangelical Theology and Mission of Matej Bel University in Banska Bystrica, aims in the book to defend the role of philosophy in theological studies. In the form of a textbook he seeks to reconcile – as he says – “two enemies” and to show the usefulness of philosophy for theological studies, especially in the context of Evangelical theology. Hanes avoids extreme positions of rejecting or adoring philosophy and shows how a critically constructive approach can be adopted by students of theology towards the philosophical sphere of knowledge. In a very clear way, with numerous references to the source texts and secondary literature, the author presents mutual relationships between philosophy and theology over the centuries. He refers to selected leading thinkers in the history of Christian theology from various traditions, and examines their attitudes towards philosophy. He effectively shows how influential philosophy was, even in the case of theologians who programmatically separated themselves from philosophical thought. Their methodology, hermeneutics or even theological concepts were frequently influenced by philosophy; they studied it, understood it and 9 often – even if reluctantly – used it. In this manner Hanes demonstrates that the great theologians were also in a way philosophers. On the other hand, he indicates how important theological reflection has been for the development of philosophy, and the degree to which religious issues have inspired and influenced great European philosophers. In his analysis, the author of the book is aware of dangers and challenges, but also of opportunities and benefits when theology is used in the area of philosophical studies and philosophy is known to students of theology. Having this in mind, Hanes proposes “twelve gateways” to philosophy, which may lead reluctant theological students to appreciating philosophical thinking and philosophical tradition. By asking fundamental questions, discussing problems and offering additional literature, he offers a very practical introduction to philosophy and shows that at times everybody is a philosopher. It is impossible to avoid philosophical questions, philosophical tools and philosophical solutions even in Evangelical theology. It is important to understand in the context of the book what is meant by Evangelicalism and Evangelical theological tradition. It suffices to indicate in this introduction that Evangelicalism, which derives its name from the Greek word euangelion (good news, gospel), usually refers to a trans-denominational, conservative movement, which grew out of Protestant Christianity in the 18th century, yet today is present in various theological and ecclesiastical traditions. Evangelicalism particularly stresses the importance of the spiritual conversion of a person, adherence to the divinely inspired Bible, Christ-centered piety and missionary activism. John Wesley, George Whitefield, Jonathan Edwards, Bill Bright, John Stott or Billy Graham are considered the major figures of Evangelical Protestantism. 10 The Protestant tradition is commonly divided into mainline or historical Protestantism (Ger. Evangelische) and Evangelical Protestantism (Ger. Evangelikalismus, Evangelikal).