Philosophy and Religion

 This past weekend I went to hang out and jam music with some old friends from my hometown. I’ve known some of these guys for close to 20 years and generally they’re what you call ”good ol’ boys”. Virtually every time we get together, the topic of God, The Bible and general religion comes up (usually after a few drinks) and we have some lively discussions about all things supposed and unknown. This time around was no exception but there was something said that really struck a chord with me. I had just started re-reading God in Search of Man by Abraham Joshua Heschel last week and the timing couldn’t have been better for our conversation. Although, in an ironic twist, the timing couldn’t have been much worse either since I had lost my voice the day before and couldn’t really carry on a conversation since it was a bit difficult to even vocalize a sentence. So here’s what was said that really stuck out to me……”All religion basically comes from philosophy, that is where it was born”. I was able to get out that I disagreed with the statement and all agreed we would pick up this topic when we got together next but since that may be a few weeks, months or even a year from now, I decided to write this blog in the meantime.

In Chapter 1 of God in Search of Man, Heschel lays the groundwork for the rest of the book which is a philosophy of Judaism. Heschel covers in this chapter what the differences between philosophy and religion are and how they should work together for the benefit of both. Heschel also shows inconsistencies and offers warning when either philosophy or religion pose as something they’re not. Here a few excerpts that lay the basics and should be some good starting points for conversation on this oft-repeated but misunderstood from both perspectives theme.

Philosophy and Theology

Heschel states that philosophy could be defined as the art of asking the right questions. Philosophy begins with a problem and see’s that first where as theology starts with a dogma and has the answer in advance. With philosophy the awareness of the problem out lives all solutions and it’s answers are questions in disguise with every new answer giving rise to new questions. With religion on the other hand, the mystery of the answer hovers over all the questions.

Philosophy of Religion

Heschel states that philosophy of religion as criticism of religion will not fulfill its function and that philosophy should not be seen as the perpetual rival of religion. Philosophy of religion should remain a method of clarification, examination and validation rather than a source of ultimate insights. The task of philosophy should be to examine the claim of religion while also refuting the claim of philosophy when it tries to become a substitute for religion.

Philosophy as a Perspective

Heschel states that philosophy without a qualifying adjective is somewhat of a misnomer, since there are many different philosophies based on many various subjects and factors. Philosophy is a human attempt to see a synoptic view of things and the task of philosophy of religion is to place religious understanding in relation to the entire range of human knowledge. Meaning that philosophy helps religion to become relevant to aspects of reality outside of its stated dogma or ritual.

Religion of Philosophy

Heschel states that religion must be approached as religion and not some rudimentary form of philosophy and that the object of the inquirer must be guarded against becoming adjusted to the pattern of the inquirer and religious categories treated as abstract philosophies. Philosophy of Religion must not become a Religion of Philosophy.

A Challenge to Philosophy

Heschel states that religion is a unique source of insight and what is meaningful in religion is not necessarily meaningful in philosophy. The role of religion is to be a challenge to philosophy and not merely an object for examination. Both philosophy and religion are in constant need of examination and purification. One of the goals of philosophy of religion is to stimulate a critical reassessment of philosophy from the perspective of religion.

My prayer and hope is that God would bless all of our conversations and lead all of us to a place of faith and truth by the power of His Spirit.

May grace and shalom be multiplied upon you in the name of Yeshua the Messiah!