Existentialism & Nietzsche

[Can Do (Phil 4:13)]

I belong to another secular forum where there is a lady who calls herself a 'closet' Christian In this forum Nietzsche is being promoted by another poster as someone worth getting to know and that Existentialism is a valid form of religion.

I REALLY need help here to argue logically through this in a way that doesn't alienate those who DO follow this philosophy. I need to show them that Jesus IS the WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. Solid arguements against the above would be helpful

HELP PLEASE!!!

Faithie

[Sgtazur]

I REALLY need help here to argue logically through this in a way that doesn't alienate those who DO follow this philosophy. I need to show them that Jesus IS the WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. Solid arguements against the above would be helpful

Edited August 29, 2005 by Sgtazur

[Can Do (Phil 4:13)]

I REALLY need help here to argue logically through this in a way that doesn't alienate those who DO follow this philosophy. I need to show them that Jesus IS the WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. Solid arguements against the above would be helpful

[Fiosh]

I belong to another secular forum where there is a lady who calls herself a 'closet' Christian In this forum Nietzsche is being promoted by another poster as someone worth getting to know and that Existentialism is a valid form of religion.

I REALLY need help here to argue logically through this in a way that doesn't alienate those who DO follow this philosophy. I need to show them that Jesus IS the WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. Solid arguements against the above would be helpful  

HELP PLEASE!!!

Faithie

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi Faithie,

I'm no expert but Existentialism is a philosophy that can be used to support Christian truths. Ask them if they ever read Soren Kierkegaard. He was a 19th century Danish Christian philospher.

Ever heard the term "a leap of faith" ? That's Kierkegaard.

He makes a case for the belief that reason can only take you so far in the knowledge of God. At some point you must abandon reason and, as if you stood at the edge of a dark, bottomless carvern, "leap" into the arms of God.

Only faith can bring you to an acceptance of the "absurdity" of Christianity.

1st point: Existentialism is not a religion, it's a philosophy

2nd point: Existentialism is not necessarily opposed to Christianity

The belief that the All-Powerful, All-Knowing, All-Wise, Creator God; King of the Universe, Lord of all............should be born as a human baby........to a poor couple......in a food trough; that His birth was announced by angels to shepherds on a hillside; that God chose to use 12 ignorant fisherman and such to begin the spread of His Gospel; that this God/man, Jesus, then suffered and died on a cross in horrible agony, by choice.............for men who hated Him.

That IS ABSURD!

And yet, that is what we believe.

Existentialism actually supports the view that there is more to reality than what meets the eye.

Two of my favorite S.K. quotes:

"Persistent striving is the ethical life view of the existing subject"

"Paganism never gets nearer the truth than Pilate: 'What is truth?' and with that crucifies it."

Go fight the good fight! Oh, first pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance and wisdom.

In His Love,

Fiosh

[Sgtazur]

Since I don't want to derail my own thread, I'll keep this brief. MANY religions encourage their followers to die in the name of whatever diety or prophet they claim as the messenger of their God. In that sense, helpful as you have tried to have been, that arguement doesn't hold water, sorry.

Faith

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

True of course, but none of the followers of these religions actually saw (for example) the bright lights come down onto Mohammed and the angel Gabriel giving him the Koran, or Joseph Smith with the book of Mormon. Today, followers wouldn't know if the religion was true or not but the Apostles did (which could only be done one way - Christ walking on earth after death [the jews wouldn't go follow someone if they weren't the Messiah lest YHVH comes and destroys them like the Baal worshippers])

Edited August 30, 2005 by Sgtazur

[Leonard]

Since Kant all secularist systems are just moot. Kant proved that no secularist system of thinking can possibly relate the particulars to the whole, or vice versa. It IS true Kierkegaard was a Christian, however I find his blind 'leap of faith' as described in THE SACRIFICE OF ISAAC to give a sub-Christian view of faith.

Faith IS a leap, but it is a leap for which there is GREAT evidence. Abraham made no blind leap of faith, as Kierkegaard would aver; but rather Abraham had met with God and beheld His miracles on several occasions PRIOR to the sacrifice of Isaac.

Neitzche IS worth reading, however I would point out that Neitzche boldly faced the reality of his philosophical system....and it drove him mad. Just read the tortured meanderings of THUS SPAKE ZARATHUSTRA.

[Fiosh]

Since Kant all secularist systems are just moot.