APOL 500 Self Selected Apologetics Argument Writing Assignment

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Feb 20, 2024

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Self- Selected Apologetics Argument: Writing Assignment Jeffery D. Smith APOL 500: Introduction to Apologetics Dr. E. Abogunrin February 4, 2024
Introduction In modern times, it is common to hear people “praying to the universe,” or “becoming one with the universe.” These concepts stem from pantheism, a religious belief that the natural world and the cosmos are the same as God. However, the key concepts of pantheism raise more questions than provide answers. Christianity also brings up many questions. But contrastingly, Christianity provides more spiritual answers than doubtful questions. Christianity provides a more coherent and satisfying worldview than pantheism, because it affirms the personal and relational nature of God, the objective reality and moral value of creation, and the historical and salvific significance of Jesus Christ. Aspects of Pantheism Pantheism is defined as a spiritual doctrine that upholds that God and powers and principles of the cosmos are equivalent or are the same. Through this belief purports that there is no God; but rather an all-encompassing entity made up of all energies within the universe. Pantheism also accepts the reverence of all deities of all faiths. Pantheism does not worship an ethereal, supernatural deity. Pantheism’s key doctrine is that conception of the universe itself is God. Pantheists believe that the universe, the world, and nature are God, so they should be revered. They uphold that there is a transcendent greatness within the earth, and that it should be worshipped. Though this belief, Pantheists are often supporters of environmental conservation. They feel as if loving the environment will lead to an environmentally-conscious lifestyle, causing people to cherish the earth and want to protect it.
Pantheism does not believe in the personhood of God. Pantheists believe that being a person involves experiencing life and having the characteristics of life. One main characteristic of life is mortality. Through this, Pantheists believe that interminable beings cannot be considered persons. God being an immortal being, is tolerated by pantheists, but not revered. Because Pantheism focuses on the universe and nature, followers believe that scientific research can be seen as a method of understanding God. As aforementioned, Pantheism’s core belief is that God is the universe and nature. So though scientific study, people are able to gain more knowledge about the universe, nature and how everything came into being and how everything operates. Naturalistic pantheism is a section of pantheism that believes that the unconscious and unintelligent universe operates as a distinct, interconnected and completely instinctive essence. Many famous scientists were considered pantheists, including Albert Einstein, who likened scientific research to a religious experience. Pantheism does not believe in a singular deity. However, pantheism is tolerant of all religions, believing that all pathways to God will somehow lead to a greater understanding of God. The belief makes every attempt to reconcile all religions. The general viewpoint of pantheism’s toleration of other religions is to glean what is suitable and pertinent to each individual. It is through this method that pantheism seeks to focus on the parallels in all religions. Analysis of the Aspects of Pantheism Pantheism from an objective point of view may be considered an interesting religion to the university student. But for the Christian scholar, the study of pantheism raises more questions
than it answers. In-depth study of the belief brings up some fallacies that are difficult to overlook. The first concern with pantheism is the belief that the universe and nature are in fact God. The focal point of the concern is the correlation between the creator and the created. Pantheism does not give much explanation of how the creation can be the same as the created. Many scientists and theorists, like Stephen Hawking, believe that the universe created itself. However, Hawking and other pantheists do little to logically explain the belief. Connected with the concern of God being the same as the universe, is that God is in equal standing of the universe and nature. This concern is dealing with the concept of authority. Pantheism does not appear to have a governing spiritual authority. Nature and the universe are revered; however, nature and the universe cannot operate in spiritual or mental authority over humanity. Another concern is the pantheist’s refute of God being a person. This belief stems from the argument of the characteristic of mortality versus immortality. However, mortality is not the only characteristic of personhood. Ironically, Star Trek: The Next Generation, a science-fiction show, gives a valid list of conditions of personhood: Intelligence, Self-awareness, and Consciousness. Mortality is not mentioned or attributed to being a person. It can be inferred, even scientifically that a being is distinct from a human-being. Scientific research is a great way of understanding things of the natural world. But pantheism, like science, falls short of explaining the supernatural aspects of existence. Science can propose, and even offer evidence that points towards the Big Bang Theory. But any student that has attended a middle school science class knows there is a vast difference between a theory
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