Christ and Culture Kraig Martin Exam 1

Ancient Worldview

"It's in its nature."

Medieval Worldview

"It's in its nature, but God and reason also dictate it."

Modern Worldview

"It's not in its nature, that's just the way natural laws operate. Cause and effect, particles and laws."

Postmodern Worldview

"Who says smoke even goes up? This is a construct of reality. Everyone has their own truth."

What figure is associated with the Ancient Worldview?

Aristotle

What figure is associated with the Medieval Worldview?

Thomas Aquinas

What figure is associated with the Modern Worldview?

Rene Descartes ("I think, therefore I am.") and Isaac Newton

What are some features of Postmodernism?

- truth is a construct

- logic is a man made construct

- words don't have objective meaning

What are the four characteristics of Postmodernism?

1. Pluralism

2. Radical Relativism

3. Radical Individualism

4. Focus on Image

Telos

the end, purpose, and final ordering of an action

What is the telos of a human?

Eudaimonia or human flourishing

The four cardinal virtues

1. Courage

2. Self-control/Temperance

3. Justice

4. Prudence

What do spiritual disciplines have to do with forming virtues in us?

They're tools through which God's grace will change us from the inside out.

We work outwards from three circles. What are they (smallest to biggest)?

Worldview, values, behaviors.

What are the six world views that we discussed?

1. Theism

2. Deism

3. Naturalism

4. Nihilism

5. Existentialism

6. Postmodernism

Theism

- God created the universe

- What is broken will be fixed. There is inherent goodness in this world.

- God is a person who is involved in the universe.

Deism

- God created the universe but He isn't involved.

- Influenced by the Newtonian Universe

Naturalism

- There is no supernatural entity or cause.

- All causes are natural causes.

Nihilism

- There is no meaning. All that exists is particles and progress.

Existentialism

- Although meaning is not objective in this world, you can find meaning through your own subjective experiences.

Postmodernism

- At the least radical: modernism has failed us.

- At the most radical: there is NO objective truth.

Christ Against Culture

Christians should withdraw from society to avoid being tainted by it.

Christ of Culture

Christians should adapt the church to the culture in which they live.

Christ Above Culture

God is neutral on culture. Christians should embrace diversity and use neutral reason when engaging the non-Christian culture.

Christ and Culture in Paradox

Christians must reject the ethics of Jesus in order to bring justice into the world. How can this be so? It's a paradox.

Christ Transforming Culture

Christians don't need to choose between embracing or rejecting the culture, they can transform it.

What is the most important thing about you?

Your mind.

What you fix your mind upon matters. What do we often think about instead of God?

Ourselves.

Where have God's power and personality been revealed?

In history and in nature.

What is our job as human beings?

To take care of the earth. To devote ourselves to the good of others and creation. To give all glory to God.

What is the primary area of human failure?

Intimate personal relationships.

What are the three kinds of sin?

1. Desire of the flesh

2. Desire of the eyes

3. The pride of life

What does Augustine say about sin?

"Sin is disordered love of good."

What are the primary means Satan uses to keep the world in evil and torment?

Ideas.

What is the central truth of this book?

"The complete sufficiency of the life without lack is based upon the presence of God."

How do we live a life without lack?

We have faith (trust), we die to ourselves, and then we learn to love.

What does living in the flesh equal?

Living to self.

What is desire?

The impulse to possess or experience something.

What is love?

The will-to-good of its object.

What sets us apart as human beings?

Our God breathed spirit.

What were the three faiths Job went through?

Faith of propriety, desperation, and sufficiency.

What is faith made up of?

Will and vision.