Bertrand Russell, the late, well-known, British philosopher wrote in 1950 that “The essence of the liberal outlook lies not in what opinions are held, but in how they are held: instead of being held dogmatically, they are held tentatively, and with a consciousness that new evidence may at any moment lead to their abandonment. This is the way opinions are held in science, as opposed to the way in which they are held in theology," (in “Philosophy and Politics,” in Unpopular Essays, [1950] p. 15). These days, I guess many are holding theological conclusions in such a "scientific" manner. But such hestitancy is not humility. The humility we want in our churches is to read the Bible and believe it--everything God has said, dogmatically, and humbly! It is not humble to be hesitant where God has been clear and plain.
Friday, February 10, 2006
Dogmaticism and Humility
Mark Dever writes a post reminding us that there's nothing really new under the sun:
