Enlightenment - Root and Branch Attack on Reformers: Handout Church History with John Gerstner

Summary

This lecture delves into the Enlightenment's roots and its critique of Reformation orthodoxy. It discusses the subtle yet formidable influence of evil, often personified as the devil, on Christianity. The Enlightenment's spread from Germany to America is traced, highlighting its impact on theological scholarship. The lecture critiques the Enlightenment's naturalistic approach, which rejected supernatural intervention, and discusses its paradoxical role in both advancing knowledge and challenging religious truths. It concludes by encouraging Christians to discerningly engage with Enlightenment contributions, recognizing the potential for both common and saving grace amidst its influences.

Takeaways

• 🤝 The struggle against evil is a significant theme, with the devil's subtle and formidable nature being a key point of discussion.
• 📖 Liberals often do not believe in the devil, but some, like Paul Tillich, acknowledge the existence of evil that cannot be solely attributed to human actions.
• 👹 The belief in the reality of devils and their present influence in the world is a concept rooted in biblical teachings and is accepted by many who adhere to traditional Christian beliefs.
• 🏛️ The Enlightenment, particularly in the 18th century, is highlighted as a period when liberal thinking directly challenged the church and its teachings.
• 📚 The origins of the Enlightenment are traced back to England, with Germany later becoming a leading force in its development and spread.
• 🎓 The German educational system is noted for its rigorous academic training, which has contributed to the country's leadership in scholarly pursuits, including theology.
• 🧐 The Enlightenment's approach to scholarship often involved assumptions of naturalism and a disregard for supernatural occurrences, such as miracles.
• 🌟 The term 'Enlightenment' is critiqued, with a suggestion to call it 'Endarkenment' due to its denial of God and divine revelation.
• 💭 The natural image of God in humans, which includes the faculties of mind and will, survived the fall, allowing for intellectual capabilities to exist alongside spiritual depravity.
• 🌱 The concept of common grace is discussed, which explains how even those who reject God can still contribute to society through their intellectual capacities, despite their spiritual state.
• 🙏 Christians are encouraged to receive the cultural benefits provided by God, even when they come through individuals or movements that may have ill intentions.

Q & A

What is the main theme discussed in the lecture on 'Enlightenment Root and Branch'?

The main theme discussed is the Enlightenment's impact on Christian orthodoxy, particularly its challenge to traditional religious beliefs and the role of reason and science in understanding the world and faith.

Why do liberals often not believe in the existence of the devil according to the lecture?

Liberals often do not believe in the existence of the devil because they tend to reject supernatural explanations for the presence of evil in the world, preferring naturalistic explanations.

How does the lecture characterize the Enlightenment's approach to the Bible and miracles?

The lecture characterizes the Enlightenment's approach as one that is skeptical of miracles and supernatural elements in the Bible, often dismissing them as unhistorical or not credible.

What is the significance of the Enlightenment's origins in England and its spread to Germany and France as mentioned in the lecture?

The significance lies in the fact that the Enlightenment's origins and spread reflect the intellectual and cultural exchange across Europe, with each region contributing to the development and dissemination of Enlightenment ideas.

What does the lecture suggest about the German educational system's contribution to the Enlightenment?

The lecture suggests that the German educational system was particularly effective in producing scholars who were well-versed in languages, sciences, and research techniques, which contributed to the advancement of Enlightenment thought.

Why does the lecture argue that the Enlightenment should be called 'the endowment'?

The lecture argues that the Enlightenment should be called 'the endowment' because, despite its contributions to culture and science, it was fundamentally about promoting naturalism and denying the supernatural, which is seen as an endowment of knowledge that comes at the cost of spiritual truth.

What is the lecture's stance on the value of the Enlightenment's contributions to society?

The lecture acknowledges the Enlightenment's valuable contributions to society but also warns against its underlying naturalistic and potentially soul-damaging philosophies, suggesting a nuanced view that recognizes both the positive and negative aspects.

How does the lecture discuss the concept of common grace in relation to the Enlightenment?

The lecture discusses common grace as the intellectual and cultural benefits that God allows even to the unregenerate, which can be found within the works of Enlightenment thinkers, despite their intentions and motivations.

What advice does the lecture give to Christians regarding the cultural benefits derived from Enlightenment thinkers?

The lecture advises Christians to receive the cultural benefits from Enlightenment thinkers with gratitude, while being vigilant against the potential spiritual dangers these thinkers may pose.

How does the lecture view the relationship between the natural image of God in man and the Enlightenment's intellectual pursuits?

The lecture views the relationship as complex, suggesting that while the natural image of God allows for intellectual pursuits, the Enlightenment's pursuit of knowledge was often in opposition to the moral image of God and divine truth.