Greetings
Brethren,
Will those that
sincerely know God obtain ultimate Truth? What of the other great thinkers? Are
they limited in knowledge and Truth?
Peace and Love,
Carl Patton writing
for the FreedomJournal November 4, 2002 in the year of our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ.
THE METHODOLOGY FOR OBTAINING TRUTH
PART 14: HOW
DOES THE DISBELIEF IN GOD IMPACT ON TRUTH?
In the name of Jehovah
God, Master of the universe, Ruler of the earth.
As we come with
a sincere desire to serve God, we realize that the world is troubled. The world
is troubled because many deny the existence of God. Some also claim that the
existence of God is not certain or impossible. Still others claim to know God
but try to fix God the way they want Him to be.
Meanwhile the
world and the multitudes are lost and deny the free gift of salvation. Also,
they deny answers to many of the world's problems. Let the record show that
during the early and initial existence of humankind there was a great belief in
the existence of a Supreme Being. Thus they noted God as the Creator and at the
center of all that existed and things that would come to exist and things that
would pass away.
However as God
blessed humankind with wisdom and knowledge many great thinkers began to think
that their knowledge and wisdom came from them and not God. Thus the
intellectual community, became puffed up, selfish, elitists and godless. Many became
atheists and denied the existence of God. Still others became agnostics and
declared that nothing is known or can be known about the existence of God or
about things outside human experience. The term agnostikos is Greek in origin
and means "not knowing." Most sources note that the British biologist
Thomas Henry Huxley introduced this term into English in the 19th century.
Meanwhile, the
basic belief system in contemporary agnosticism is revealed in the works of the
British philosopher David Hume and the German philosopher Immanuel Kant.
FreedomJournal
now begins to look amazed and concerned. Truth solicits his response, questions
etc.
"Well Truth
why have you used the work of Hume as a source to explain specific points about
our search for a methodology for obtaining Truth? Also do you plan to explore
Hume's writings further? What about the philosopher Immanuel Kant?"
"Thank you
so much FreedomJournal I know you would ask that question. David Hume was born
in 1711 he is an example of the later philosophers that established
agnosticism. However our review of his "Enquiry Concerning Human
Understanding" and our eventual look at his "Dialogues Concerning
Natural Religion" are useful tools toward gaining answers to many of our
questions. The arguments by Hume and Kant that point out that God does not
exist allows us to understand the lack of knowledge among those considered
great thinkers.
Immanuel Kant
was born in 1724 in Konisbourg, East Prussia. He was not in agreement with many
conclusions rendered by Hume. His major and most celebrated work is
"Prolegomena To Any future Metaphysics," and "Fundamental
Principles of the Metaphysics of Morals."
It is for
certain that these great thinkers stopped short of making a greater
contribution to human knowledge. Furthermore what kept them away from ultimate
Truth was their belief that one could not prove that God exists."
"Truth are
you arguing that Truth can only be obtained by knowing God?"
"Yes and no.
Ultimate Truth can only be obtained by knowing God. However Hume and Kant noted
much Truth, but the level of Truth they reached was shallow. Before I proceed
further allow me to elaborate on Knowing God.
Many people
profess to know God. Nevertheless, to know God one must be consistent in
thought, action and deed. You cannot be a "fair weather" believer.
Nor can you attempt to re-write the Bible. To know God also means that you will
make the ultimate sacrifice. Those that know God are not materialistic and will
never seek to use God or the church for financial gain.
Meanwhile the
knowledge possessed by those that know God is transformed into what is
described as the Spiritual Scientist. All can come to know God but all cannot
become Spiritual Scientists."
"Truth I
see that you are well on the way toward establishing the methodology for
obtaining Truth. Thus it is clear from your previous statements that one cannot
obtain ultimate Truth without God. But tell us this Truth. Why have so many
great philosophers received fame and fortune while denying God? Who have set
the greatest precedents for the disbelief in God?"
Cont. Part 15:
Are Atheists & Agnostics Smart?
carl@freedomjournalpress.comcastbiz.net
