. I have met lifelong atheists who never got high on Jesus in their youth like you or I did. I want to be like you. Tweets at @peteenns. Maybe more so than that of our sense perception of sight? . 75-76]. Which then opens up the question of what reality it what knowing we are engaged in. . Or Osama bin Ladin or Warren Jeffs for that matter. Acts of Interpretation features essays by biblical scholars and theologians offering broad reflections on key interpretive issues, rich readings of challenging biblical texts, and interaction with the Christian exegetical tradition from Melito of Sardis to Dietrich Bonhoeffer.The contributors to this volume are leading figures in the theological interpretation of Scripture. Read Dr. Enns onAcademia.edu I think if Christianity, as a whole, doesnt soon reconcile itself among its adherents and with its founders teachings, it will soon (if not already there) be down an irreversible trajectory of being part of the problem rather than part of the solution in the inevitable redemption of the cosmos. Adam's name appears first in Genesis 1 with a collective sense, as "mankind"; subsequently in Genesis 2-3 it carries the definite article ha, equivalent to English "the", indicating that this is "the man". Professor. Many miss it here because they want to be in control of any such relationship. And we do this not by relying on our experiences at the subjective level as some private matter , but we take what can be shared about that subjective experience and put it on the table for all to look at and compare. Youve concisely and clearly explained the way I understand my faith and conviction in the existence of God. In opposition to this you may place the fruits of others and their understanding of God. Abram S. Clemens Professor of Biblical Studies, Back to Undergraduate Theology Department, Graduate & Online Undergraduate Admissions, Palmer Theological Seminary and Palmer College. How we study and understand these relationships, and their separate parts, and the enjoyment of the results of that understanding, are very important, fulfilling, stretching etc. We struggle with and within the limits of what we can come to know. Peter Enns (Ph.D., Harvard University) is Abram S. Clemens professor of biblical studies at Eastern University in St. Davids, Pennsylvania. Open your eyes to what there is to see, or let Jesus open them for you (Mark 8, by daubing mud) and I theres not that much problem. Pete Enns is the Abram S. Clemens Professor of Biblical Studies at Eastern University. Download Free PDF View PDF. attestations that Lincoln composed the Gettysburg Address. http://edward-t-babinski.blogspot.com/2015/03/on-recovering-from-alcoholism-drug.html, See also my paper the critiques the claim that the Christian experience is unique Instead of humbly stating this belief as an opinion, Joker3857 blatantly says "then dont be one". Culturally, we tend to have a project-based approach toward church life. pages we were years from learning longing But I also think youre using the language of evidence in a very stale, limited manner. Try an approach that says were really not sure but most likely in my opinion this is the one I think it is. Thanks for this post. So true. Too much struggle is maladaptive. Dr. Peter Enns (PhD, Harvard University) is Abram S. Clemens professor of Biblical Studies at Eastern University, St. Davids, PA. Or the mega church movement, to try and get and sustain even a greater Jesus high. If yes, then how are we to treat the writings from the same period by men such as Josephus or Pliny. Intelligence, understanding and attainment cannot attain the depth of knowledge to study or scrutinise the Godhead. Thankfully it is much less today. To me there is a sacred goodness in characteristics of the way and Christianitys wins over the centuries are attributable to this. The list of aspects offered doesnt quite get us to a means by which to assess exclusivity. Then once that person starts walking with God God (should) will reveal the truth to them. God or not God? Not sure what the phrase, proper locus of religious conviction means, because based on my own interactions with a wide variety of folks I have noticed that people dont have the same attraction to mystical or spiritual thinking. better bring your own redemption when you come The human mind cannot think alone. He has written or edited over a dozen books and many articles and essays. All this is to say, I am not ready to leave the hope and realism of modernity behind yet, but if I do it wont be atheism. God means many different things to people. Thatjust doesnt work for me. Which faith offers the greatest fulfillment of the cosmos longings? Origen and universalism, in general, were condemned as unorthodox at the Fifth Ecumenical Council of Constantinople (A.D. 553) . In other words, I dont believe in God because I see no evidence for God or I believe in God because the evidence proves it are both nonsensical claims for me. Some people live with more uncertainty than you do. As is knowledge of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva. God is just another word for magic. Youre still rooting your argument in the same notion of the proper locus of religious conviction. And there seems to be a bit of a one-way mirror phenomenon going on. He likes to tell stories about the messy Bible and is the author of The Bible Tells Me So, The Sin of Certainty, and How the Bible Actually Works. It is based on direct and personal encounter. Matthew 13:52. http://www.al-islam.org/tradition-myrobalan-fruit-hadith-al-halila-imam-jafar-al-sadiq/hadith. Faced with the incoherence of a fundamentalist/evangelical reaction to modernity, I have no problem accepting Pascals Wager and embracing your mystical/existential explanation. There are surely myriad of ways of knowing God In the provIsIons that are avaIlable to each one of us, As one is riding the Starlight Express propelled through time experiencing mAturity, old Age And deAth. If you ask your typical Tibettan Buddhist monk, deeply committed to this same type of contemplative knowing, to describe their experience they will articulate something akin to everything you describe. Peter K. Enns Professor, Department of Government and Brooks School of Public Policy and Robert S. Harrison Director of the Cornell Center for Social Sciences Summary Peter K. Enns is a Professor in the Department of Government and the Brooks School of Public Policy and Robert S. Harrison Director of the Cornell Center for Social Sciences. One big reason is that I am convinced I would already be dead many times over without Gods guidance. It certainly seems that way as we compare the experiences of people across faiths. Biblical scholar and author Dr. Peter Enns will be in Lynchburg for a series of "Evolution Weekend" events February 15-16, joining with many other such efforts nationwide under the umbrella of the Clergy Letter Project.. Perhaps less than that, I would be more arrogant, less loving, poorer, and have no progeny. He has written numerous books, including The Bible Tells Me So, The Sin of Certainty, and How the Bible Actually Works. apprehension uncluttered by thought We would then be wise to doubt the veracity of our own sight. One atheist and evolutionist, Dr. Jerry Coyne, believes very strongly that evolution and Christianity are not at all compatible. To dig down a little deeper theologically, I can deeply understand the paradox of the Incarnation of not only a God-as-man, but in the form of a baby in a manager in Galilee in first-century Palestine. I use the words intelligent and basis. The question presumes that belief in God is something to be settled on the basis of intelligence, education, knowledge of facts, etc. Incarceration Nation Let God alone if need be. But in essence our Christian hope is a trust that God will in fact be good to his word (which is trust now verifying the identity of God through science observation seems impossible but there are many things, and I say many things we cannot fully grasp by using human studies, judgments, experimentation, etc). I think the proper locus of religious conviction can help one find meaning in a religion better than help one find a religion. I think the wrong way of knowing Peter refers to as rational analysis possibly could be better worded as non-paradoxical., In some ways (at least today), I cant help but think the answer to the does God exist? riddle is the Zens .. Knowledge of God is described by terms like participation, longing, , immediacy.. Folks could believe, and demonstrate how what they believe causes them to live, and treat their fellow men and women. We dont have the tools to give up what makes sense to us without putting up ideological fences and safety nets around everything. Id suggest if participation, longing, , and immediacy are ways of knowing God, that they would more need to be means of recursively traversing an infinite regress of fractal complexity than means of simply and linearly knowing a static being. I believe that, if there is a Creator, this Higher Power is not a being that we can know exclusively or primarily through this western way of knowing. You just need to go a little further, Peter. Peter Enns $ 9.89 - $ 15.31 The Sin of Certainty: Why God Desires Our Trust More Than Our "Correct" Beliefs Peter Enns $ 16.04 Inspiration and Incarnation: Evangelicals and the Problem of the Old Testament Peter Enns $ 5.09 - $ 20.21 Telling God's Story: A Parents' Guide to Teaching the Bible Peter Enns $ 8.89 - $ 11.40 Across religions, the evidences are the grapes and figs. Having beliefs was like always clinging tightly to something in the water to keep one afloat, always being afraid of letting go and learning to swim in the sea of faith. You are presuming that I am naive about other religions. I think the Mystics have something important to say. Some people really like what I say. Im familiar with various concepts of God. I presume you are referring to Islam in your final sentence? And I echo your sentiments on the value of a more contemplative way of life. I dont think God would. Whoever accepts His Attributes to be other than His Person then actually forsakes the idea of Unity of God and believes in duality ( He and His Attributes). This way of knowing, too, is a pluralistic way of knowing and can be reflected upon both with and without special pleading. Now to consider these values a bit, we can exercise some examples. The Christian scriptures are clear that we can indeed experience God if we respond to Him when He calls us. Previously he was a Senior Fellow of . However, there are many Christians in our country who also want to enforce solely biblical beliefs here too. His research and teaching focus on public opinion and political representation, mass incarceration and the legal system, and data science. As long as the genes replicate, its worked. With the exact same merit. The social architecture of the church, from leadership to prayer groups, all functions along protocols and vetting systems based on doctrinal beliefs, trust-building with leaders, participation in activities, meetings and conferences, etc. I agree that post-enlightenment empiricism is never going to lead to genuine interaction with the creator, but what about prayer? In Roman Catholicism, Peter is seen as the first vicar of the church and so on. You will know whom I mean, Atheism may be comparatively popular with God himself, When a pious visitor inquired sweetly, Henry, have you made your peace with God? he replied, We have never quarreled., Henry David Thoreau as quoted in Henry David Thoreau: What Manner of Man? Yet since these experiences come across as transcendent many put a higher truth value on them than anything else in life. These are ideals that I subjectively value. One final question. Here are a couple ways: 1) Do they insist on making incorrect statements about the world as-is? None can fully understand or explain His Being however hard he my try. To me, simply, neither these two billion adherents nor their leaders really seem all that differentiated from their peer adherents of Allah, Brahma, and more in sacred task of transforming the world. As we come to the end of this year, we begin a new theme for the Daily Meditations. And if you dont fit into the system? How have we regressed so far in 56 years? Instead, he needs to go the edge of the realm and scratch against the edges. So we have an eyewitness account of a historical event in which God reveals His great pleasure in His Son, Jesus Christ. This is historically what the Church has always taught. Read Nondiscrimination Policy. There are multiple (a lot!) Professor; Executive Director, Roper Center for Public Opinion Research; Robert S. Harrison Director, Cornell Center for Social Sciences. I also would want to point out that the Christian religion has to do with a person named Jesus (as christians we believe this Jesus is still transforming lives and hes on the loose), in other words it is not just a simple have faith or belief The Christian faith is a living trust that Jesus Christ (messiah) will rescue (has will in the future) the world for a global renewal (earth and heaven). All, or none, of the above?). Bravo for that! James KA Smiths Desiring the Kingdom. Great Value. Peter Enns' new book, How the Bible Actually Works, at its best seeks to place us on the hard, but rewarding, path of wisdom. I suspect that leaving the Westminster cocoon could be unsettling, but you are still ensconced cozily in the moderate to liberal Christian cocoon. When a European team of scientists and an American team and a Chinese team run an experiment, the results are consistent. Im pretty sure it looks like what we are doing on here (if our intentions are purely to seek and accept). No matter how much you imagine or try. With this, I think wed not only find less conflict but more hope realized. Were two thousand years in. Peter Enns does it again!' Richard Rohr, author of Falling Upward For many Christians, the Bible is a how-to manual filled with literal truths about belief that must be strictly followed. And whether that link between what you perceive or experience and reality is as strong as you think. Some come by more rational means, others emotional, others mystical, Who am I, or you, to say any one way is the right way. But by putting these experiences on the table and sharing them, we can say some objective things about them. For, everything is under the one and the same law-the law of transformation and decline. Thanks for an honest perspective which does not offer more than can be proven. Peter Enns is Abram S. Clemens Professor of Biblical Studies at Eastern University, St. Davids, Pennsylvania. 'The board voted 18-9 to suspend Enns, an Old Testament professor whose book created controversy on how to interpret the . Peter is 61 years old. Edward, you assume that people cant hold doubt while maintaining a vibrant Christian faith that is simply not true. He is also co-founder and chief data scientist at Verasight. There is an even less certain, less dogmatic, less religious, kind of trust. 1. On another point, both in Johns writings and Peters writings there are statements of eye-witness testimonies. Again, while it takes a God-given faith to believe the substance of Peter and Johns testimonies, are we to take from your article that we should not put trust in the authenticity of their writings? Of course, it helps that I have absolutely no expectations of him whatsoever. If I have the experience of perceiving spiraling motion when looking upon a static optical illusion, you cannot deny that I have the experience of perceiving motion. He is the podcast host of The Bible for Normal People. Hey Ed; I can definitely understand what youre saying and thats why many people go thru many religions while on this path of truth. Ive spent a lot of time thinking about subjectivity, hermeneutics, revelation, and Jesus as mediator (in the sense that Jesus is the medium through which God is known does the Spirit now occupy that space? What are you reading good Sir, that I may know too? As I see it, knowledge ofGod accesses different ways of knowing. Probably a different version of God I would presume. I think there are many different kinds of trust in God, not just the Christian God of the Bible. But what we can do is employ language to describe those deep experiences in a way to see if we are alone in them or if there are other people who in the way they respond hint at having had the same shared experience as us. Namely the objective facts that these experiences are shared between many parents, that they have roughly the same qualia of experience, and that having a child of your own seems to bring them about. Presume? Im more so now in my life in the former group of people. Interesting title. This implies that Joker3857 believes that one cannot be a christian if they think the bible to have errors. Hi Pete, Living with uncertainty is a relative thing. Introduction to the Old Testament; Introduction to the New Testament; Biblical Hermeneutics; Israelite History and Historiography; Hebrew Prophets; Romans in Context; Genesis in Context; Research Methods in Biblical Studies; From Conquest to Exile; Wisdom and Psalms; Science and the Bible; Torah. Im all for that. Most people seem to have never seen or heard a literal voice of God like Abraham or Noah allegedly received. One of the things Ive yet to see in Dr Enns and other Evangelicals take up of evolution is a robust address of its implications to thinking. Thats not to say that understanding the world as-is doesnt matter; it does. Peter K. Enns' research and teaching focus on public opinion and political representation, mass incarceration and the legal system, and data science. The more one believes as many as true things as possible about reality and as few of false things as possible about reality enables one to better understand the nature of the challenge, the tools available, and realistic hopes about ground to be gained, next and within the scope of a lifetime. I said that when it comes to experiences, peoples experience of Allah or Yahweh or Jesus or Krishna or Buddha lay along a wide spectrum. [1] I suggest maybe you read your Bible again. They long to know Gods love andthereby to be filled with the very fullness of God[Ephesians 3:17-19]. Though I do see you headed in the general direction of Frank Schaeffer author of the recent book, Why I am an atheist who still believes in God. Indeed, it is a way of knowing that has been championed as part of the development of culture in the Western tradition, but to pigeon hole the method as somehow distinctively Western is to lose something about its universality in a universe that significantly appears to exhibit fundamental uniformity. 4 And there is none **like** unto Him. Peter K. Enns. You can although quite innadequately (as with so many other things in life), still put them on the table. This discovered aspect is something that has given us shared trust in the way of knowing and ability to converge on what is true. Here in this comment thread, we havent really talked about the latter. I think there are multiple reality tunnels and people make many different claims concerning their personal experiences. There is a type of love that can only be experience I think by a parent for their child. One of the things I wonder is how these two general groups not talk past each other. All of life is a response. ". ". Praying is not the same as imposing a religion on others. What do you think of people like George Mller? He has taught extensively at the seminary and doctoral levels (Westminster Theological Seminary, Princeton Theological Seminary, Harvard Divinity School, Fuller Theological Seminary, Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Biblical Theological Seminary) and on the undergraduate level (Temple University and Messiah College). And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit Posts about pete enns written by Jesse Winn. So I would never presume to tell someone like Pete or the Dali Lama that their experiences are not in their subjective sense real. Only that any confidence they glean from those experiences to then conclude what they believe they encountered they actually in fact have, well, that I would claim is highly suspect and demonstrably so. I'm an author and biblical scholar. As is our collaborative aspects of the scientific method. Instead only their book features inspired writingsthe truth and stories necessary to believe, and of course conservatives, moderates and liberals differ concerning what that book really means or what the most essential and necessary lessons are. wouldnt it be more appropriate to say that its possibly an I witness account..the sin of certainty. Maybe even online? . Human faculties of conception, perception and learning, and attributes of volition, intuition and apprehension cannot catch sight of His Person or fathom the extent of His Might and Glory. I would like you to rethink your own perspective a bit more, perhaps move a bit more toward universalism and religious pluralism like John Hick, but even that would not be nearly as far away from your present point of view as the distance you have already come from fundamentalism to your present point of view. Roman Catholics and conservative Protestants have much in common and face common enemies in terms of secular humanism and all of the other anti-Christian hate groups and religions of the world. If this is my basis, Im as comfortable (maybe more comfortable) with a Great Spirit of native Americans as I am with a YHWH of Israel. He has taught courses at several other institutions including Harvard University, Fuller Theological Seminary, and Princeton Theological Seminary. Bringing people together seems easier when their differences are not discussed. Joyfully I can say that as a conservative Presbyterian, some of my closest friends are devout Roman Catholics. All three books seek to better understand political representation, inequality, and social outcomes in the United States. And it is that faith that is pleasing to God, and further that faith is a gift from God in the first place. It is transrational. the way is the path of becoming a new person because one is allowing God to lead you in a sense. Im not discounting the importance of thinking through these deep questions. Way of knowing and ability to converge on what is true is pleasing to God, not pete enns universalism the scriptures! To go the edge of the Bible for Normal people teaching focus public. Origen and universalism, in general, were condemned as unorthodox at the Ecumenical. Understand political representation, mass incarceration and the legal system, and outcomes! Genuine interaction with the incoherence of a fundamentalist/evangelical reaction to modernity, I pete enns universalism lifelong. Them than anything else in life the importance of thinking through these deep.... Put a higher truth value on them than anything else in life and Social outcomes in the existence of.... Public opinion and political representation, inequality, and data science a.... 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