As the noted philosopher Homer Simpson once said, "I don't think anything I've ever done is wrong". We, the viewers, know better however. Homer is a buffoon, and it would be painful to live near him. That said, I don't think his above sentiment is inaccurate. When it comes down to it, nobody thinks they're wrong, for the simple reason that if they thought they were wrong, they would stop and change their ways to what they deemed to be 'right'.
Where Theology and Philosophy mesh is at this point; the search for truth. The theologian seeks out things that are true about God from a predetermined set of information - for the Christian theologian, this will usually be a blend of Scripture and personal experience. Conversely, the Philosopher surveys the world, or at least one or several parts of it, and tries to determine if there is any such thing as God, morality or truth, with varying results.
The theologian can conclude things about God, morality and truth; the philosopher may do so, but equally may not do so, perhaps choosing instead to remain neutral. The problem comes with the realization that even moral or theological 'neutrality' is, in itself, a position - not choosing is making a choice in itself. This leaves the philosopher with the problem of measurement - against what standard do we say that something is 'good', 'just' or 'evil'? The theologian has no such problem - the measuring line is God.
In essence, all Theology is Philosophy (literally, 'the love of wisdom'), but the theologian appeals to an absolute Wisdom, whereas the philosopher can only make best guesses - how can you say a line is crooked unless there is such a thing as a straight one? This causes problems for philosophers who search for truth or morality without factoring God into the equation. Just as all theology is, by nature philosophy, true philosophy must also be theology.
James 1:5 ESV
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."
Where Theology and Philosophy mesh is at this point; the search for truth. The theologian seeks out things that are true about God from a predetermined set of information - for the Christian theologian, this will usually be a blend of Scripture and personal experience. Conversely, the Philosopher surveys the world, or at least one or several parts of it, and tries to determine if there is any such thing as God, morality or truth, with varying results.
The theologian can conclude things about God, morality and truth; the philosopher may do so, but equally may not do so, perhaps choosing instead to remain neutral. The problem comes with the realization that even moral or theological 'neutrality' is, in itself, a position - not choosing is making a choice in itself. This leaves the philosopher with the problem of measurement - against what standard do we say that something is 'good', 'just' or 'evil'? The theologian has no such problem - the measuring line is God.
In essence, all Theology is Philosophy (literally, 'the love of wisdom'), but the theologian appeals to an absolute Wisdom, whereas the philosopher can only make best guesses - how can you say a line is crooked unless there is such a thing as a straight one? This causes problems for philosophers who search for truth or morality without factoring God into the equation. Just as all theology is, by nature philosophy, true philosophy must also be theology.
James 1:5 ESV
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."
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