Final - Liberalism

Question 1

Immanuel Kant (1724 - 1804)

Answer 1

Immanuel Kant (1724 - 1804), a Modern philosopher focused on joining Hume’s and Locke’s philosophies. Famously created a philosophy of epistemology dealing with the phenomenal and noumenal world. One can gain knowledge by the use of moral categorical imperatives that yielded knowledge. The enlightenment ends with Kant in 1804.

Question 2

Rene Descartes (1596 - 1650)

Answer 2

French Philosopher whose famous dictum was “I think therefore I am”. Was famously known for his philosophy of the mind with the matter as an extension for the gain of knowledge. Stated that all knowledge was “a priori”.

Question 3

David Hume (1711 - 1776)

Answer 3

Hume reduced all knowledge through sense perception. and skepticism. How do we know what we think is true? How can we trust our senses? Hume turns the philosophical world upside down.

Question 4

Kant’s major works.

Answer 4

1. Critique of pure reason - How do we know what we know?
   Kant replaces epistemology with reason and not revelation. Kant formulates the “middle way”. He takes the best of rationalism and the best of empiricism.
2. Critique of practical reason (1788) - What is duty? Universal ethics, morality, and categorical imperatives.
3. To Kant, religion is Morals. Act like Christ rather than belive in Christ.

Question 5

Rise of Liberalism.

Answer 5

It was by a man named Friedrich Schleiermacher (1768 - 1834). He romanticizes Christianity. Says sin is “Absence of God’s consciousness”. Doctrine is not important to him. He puts emphasis on individual “experience” and romanticism.

Question 6

George Wilhelm Hagel (1770 - 1831)

Answer 6

Hagel rejects empiricism and rationalism. Develops a philosophy of mind through the experience of history. History is knowledge. This led to a new dialectic that created a new synthesis.

Question 7

David Strauss (1808 - 1874)

Answer 7

He was a German liberal protestant. Introduced biblical criticism. He supported a historical view of Jesus and denied His deity.

Question 8

Adolf Van Harnack (1851 - 1930)

Answer 8

He thought Christianity was about life and ethics and not about doctrine.

Question 9

Karl Barth (1886 - 1968)

Answer 9

He was the father of dialectical theology or “neo-orthodoxy”. is the idea that God is unknowable to human beings outside of His grace and direct revelation. According to dialectical theology, all attempts to know God through human reason are frustrated by insurmountable contradictions; thus, reason must give way to faith. Dialectical theologians focus upon God’s transcendence rather than attempt to explain God in human terms. The word dialectic refers to the logical discussion of ideas through opposing forces, such as using paradox to describe an abstract thought.

Question 10

Karl Barth, other works.

Answer 10

1. Barmen Decleration (1934) - Result of the anti-natzi movement.
2. The humanity of God (1960) - Christ harmonizes both God and Man. A version of universalism.
3. Church Dogmatics (1932 - 1968) - This was Karl’s “magnum opus” which comprised of over 10,000 pages.

Question 11

What were the four parts of Church Dogmatics?

Answer 11

1. Revelation.
2. God.
3. Person and work of Christ.
4. Reconciliation.

Karl attacked natural theology. He said there is no way we can know God through nature, only through His grace. Revelation is an “event” or encounter. Could not shake Scheirlmacher.

Question 12

Kral Barth - Threefold definition of the Word.

Answer 12

1. Jesus - external Word.
2. Scripture - “witness” of God’s revelation.
3. Proclaimed or preached Word.