DISGUSTING Things From My Theology Degree

Summary

In this video, the speaker, an atheist studying philosophy and theology at Oxford, shares his experiences and critiques of the theological concepts he's encountered, focusing on the ideas of Athanasius of Alexandria and Anselm of Canterbury. He delves into the controversial notions of original sin, the necessity of Christ's crucifixion, and the moral implications of punishing an innocent for the sins of the guilty, all while expressing his appreciation for the secular approach of his degree program.

Takeaways

• 📚 The speaker has completed their first year studying philosophy and theology at Oxford University, focusing on a secular approach to the subject.
• 🤔 They explore the experience of studying theology as an atheist, appreciating the academic environment and tutors but critically examining the subject matter.
• 🎓 The modern theology degree is broad, allowing students to tailor their studies to personal interests, such as delving into Dostoevsky's novels instead of traditional religious texts.
• 📜 The speaker discusses compulsory papers like 'The Figure of Jesus through the Centuries,' which delves into the works of early Christian church fathers.
• 😳 The script highlights the 'disgusting' ideas found in classic theological texts, which are often euphemized in modern religious discussions but were plainly discussed in ancient writings.
• 👴 Athanasius of Alexandria is identified as a key figure in forming Christian doctrine, with his ideas on original sin and the necessity of Christ's sacrifice being foundational to the faith.
• 🍂 The concept of inheritable sin and moral responsibility is critiqued as a basis for racism and an unjust view of human nature, with all humans born in a state of corruption.
• 🔄 Anselm of Canterbury's ontological argument for God's existence and his work 'Cur Deus Homo' are mentioned, focusing on the necessity of Christ's incarnation to resolve humanity's sinful state.
• 💔 Anselm's views on sin as a theft of God's honor and the logical necessity of repayment are presented, leading to the conclusion that humans cannot escape eternal punishment without divine intervention.
• 🤝 The script contrasts the idea that Jesus willingly died with the notion that he had no choice but to follow God's will, which is seen as morally problematic.
• 📖 The speaker offers resources for those interested in their experiences and studies, including articles and university reading lists, and hints at potential future content on the topic.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video script?

The main topic of the video script is the discussion of some 'disgusting' ideas the speaker encountered while studying theology at Oxford University, focusing on the works of Athanasius of Alexandria and Anselm of Canterbury.

What is the speaker's educational background mentioned in the script?

The speaker has completed their first year studying philosophy and theology at Oxford University.

How does the speaker describe their experience studying theology as an atheist?

The speaker describes their experience as 'wonderful', appreciating the secular nature of the degree and the quality of their tutors.

What is the 'figure of Jesus through the centuries' paper mentioned in the script?

The 'figure of Jesus through the centuries' is a compulsory paper studied by all theology undergraduates at the speaker's university, which involves reading the works of Christian church fathers and other high-profile thinkers.

What concept does Athanasius of Alexandria ground the necessity of Christ in, according to the script?

Athanasius grounds the necessity of Christ in the concept of original sin, which he believes is inherited by all humans from Adam and Eve.

What is the 'divine dilemma' as described by Athanasius?

The 'divine dilemma' is the conflict between God's intention to create humans for eternal life and happiness and His rule that the price of sin must be death, which must be paid to maintain justice.

What does the speaker find 'revolting' about the doctrines discussed in the script?

The speaker finds the doctrines of inheritable sin, the necessity of eternal punishment for sins, and the idea of punishing an innocent man (Christ) for the crimes of the guilty to be 'revolting'.

Who is Anselm of Canterbury and what is his significance in the script?

Anselm of Canterbury is an 11th-century monk, saint, and doctor of the church, known for his ontological argument for the existence of God and his work 'Cur Deus Homo', which discusses the necessity of God becoming man to save humanity from sin.

What is the central argument of Anselm's 'Cur Deus Homo'?

Anselm's central argument in 'Cur Deus Homo' is that since all humans sin and sin incurs a debt to God that cannot be repaid by humans themselves, a Savior (Jesus) is necessary to pay this debt on humanity's behalf.

What does the speaker suggest about the morality of punishing an innocent man for the crimes of the guilty?

The speaker suggests that the morality of punishing an innocent man (Christ) for the crimes of the guilty is questionable and should make anyone 'squirm', highlighting the problematic nature of this doctrine.

What additional resources does the speaker offer for those interested in their experiences studying theology?

The speaker offers links to an article they wrote on studying theology as an atheist for a Christian magazine, their university reading list on their website, and mentions the availability of their podcast on iTunes and Spotify.