Athens or Jerusalem or Neither
Episode Description:
Shawn conveys that within Christian ministry, a balance is necessary between Greek philosophical reasoning (Athens) and Bible-centered ethics (Jerusalem), cautioning against an overreliance on either extreme. Drawing from Soren Kierkegaard's critique of Hegelian synthesis, he argues for a nuanced approach that integrates reason and ethical devotion while recognizing that faith involves both reason and spiritual insight without being strictly governed by either.
Kierkegaard challenges the integration of reason and faith, advocating for a clear choice between the naturalistic, pleasure-driven aesthetic life and the ethical life oriented towards moral righteousness and adherence to God's law. He critiques the blending of humanistic reason with biblical faith, urging individuals to deconstruct presuppositions and critically evaluate the merits of both paths.
Kierkegaard posits that humans face a fundamental choice between an aesthetic life focused on pleasure and distractions, and an ethical life devoted to higher purpose—this decision must be made without reliance on reason or fixed criteria, leading to concepts central to existentialism like dread and meaninglessness. He insists on the necessity of making this choice, unshakably declaring that failing to choose is, itself, a choice, thus influencing the notion of "leap of faith" in existential philosophy.
Shawn critiques Kierkegaard's dichotomy of faith and reason, asserting that a genuine relationship with God combines faith with reason, rather than viewing them as separate entities. He suggests that after making a Kierkegaardian leap of faith, individuals should embrace a "Both/And" approach, integrating logical reasoning and faith in their spiritual journey.