Christianity as Form of Supernaturalism Critical Essay
1. Introduction 2.1. Background
The way in which ethics and faith should stand in relation to each other has been a notoriously disputed issue among Christian thinkers. That it is necessary for them to stand in relation, however, is blatantly obvious in regard to even the simplest biblical knowledge, since it clearly states a monotheistic conception of God as Creator, Ruler and Judge (Stevenson & Haberman, 1998:69). Although there are many uncertainties regarding the interpretation of certain aspects of Christianity, the position is majorly held among Christians that a combination these aspects give a guide to how life should be lived with regards to morality (Stevenson & Haberman, 1998:85).
A Christian perspective on ethics thus seems, on the face of it, to be a form of supernaturalism, since it is concerned with a belief in an otherworldly realm (Du Toit, J., Heyns, M. & Loubser, 2013:25)- and not only the totality of the natural world- in supplying answers with reference to aspects of ontology, epistemology and ethics. There has, however, been some strong criticism of Christianity as supernaturalism and some such as Gentsler have even continued to state that Christianity cannot be described in terms of supernaturalism at all. Shortly, those for Christianity as supernaturalism have tended to form a religious argument and those opposed mainly form their criticisms on the rational interpretation of the theory- stating its various uncertainties and supposed contradictions. 2.2. Problem statement
Since there is such a strong criticism against supernaturalism as Christian ethical theory, the question must be begged if supernaturalism is a valid theory for the necessary relationship between Christianity and ethics? 2.3. Hypothesis Supernaturalism is the correct (and probably only) theory for indicating the relationship between Christianity and ethics since it has the accurate view regarding God as He has revealed Himself to us.
The way in which ethics and faith should stand in relation to each other has been a notoriously disputed issue among Christian thinkers. That it is necessary for them to stand in relation, however, is blatantly obvious in regard to even the simplest biblical knowledge, since it clearly states a monotheistic conception of God as Creator, Ruler and Judge (Stevenson & Haberman, 1998:69). Although there are many uncertainties regarding the interpretation of certain aspects of Christianity, the position is majorly held among Christians that a combination these aspects give a guide to how life should be lived with regards to morality (Stevenson & Haberman, 1998:85).
A Christian perspective on ethics thus seems, on the face of it, to be a form of supernaturalism, since it is concerned with a belief in an otherworldly realm (Du Toit, J., Heyns, M. & Loubser, 2013:25)- and not only the totality of the natural world- in supplying answers with reference to aspects of ontology, epistemology and ethics. There has, however, been some strong criticism of Christianity as supernaturalism and some such as Gentsler have even continued to state that Christianity cannot be described in terms of supernaturalism at all. Shortly, those for Christianity as supernaturalism have tended to form a religious argument and those opposed mainly form their criticisms on the rational interpretation of the theory- stating its various uncertainties and supposed contradictions. 2.2. Problem statement
Since there is such a strong criticism against supernaturalism as Christian ethical theory, the question must be begged if supernaturalism is a valid theory for the necessary relationship between Christianity and ethics? 2.3. Hypothesis Supernaturalism is the correct (and probably only) theory for indicating the relationship between Christianity and ethics since it has the accurate view regarding God as He has revealed Himself to us.