This blog is designed for the purpose of engaging with Christians in the Clayton-Garner NC area and elsewhere who recognize and celebrate our Lord Jesus Christ's preeminence in all things (Col. 1:15-18).
The five Solas:
Sola Scriptura - Scripture Alone,
Solus Christus - Christ Alone,
Sola Gratia - Grace Alone,
Sola Fide - Faith Alone,
Soli Deo Gloria - The Glory of God Alone.
Are "Experiential" and "Experimental" faith the same? May either be perceived as "quasi-mystical"? http://www.challies.com/interviews/an-interview-with-paul-washer-part-2
"Experimental", as it relates to faith, would be simply trying different religions or spiritual practices in hopes of finding what is true or what works for me. Of course, if I have no absolute way to evaluate what is true outside of my own ideas, I could be very convinced I have found truth and yet be believing a lie.
When I use the term "experiential", especially in regard to spiritual things, I am referring to something that I experience and is open to my interpretation. For instance, I met a man this past week who described an experience he had where he saw a dark shadow and smelled a strong odor and believed it was the devil or a demon. I don't doubt his experience, something happened, but I am not as confident that his interpretation of the experience was correct. This experience, as well as the experimenting with religions and spiritual things, as described above, are both open to being "quasi-mystical" unless I have a way to evaluate or interpret them objectively.
God's word is the only sure lens by which we can interpret our experiences, evaluate truth, and understand what we were designed for, so as to know what works in achieving those purposes.
I have heard an example of four blind men who come upon an elephant and try to identify what they have found. One grabs the ear and says it is a tent, one grabs a leg and says it is a tree, one grabs the trunk and says it is a very large snake, and the last grabs the tail and declares it to be a rope. Of course some will use this as an example of why all religions are equally true, because we are all seeing or experiencing different parts of the same God. However, it is most important to note that they were all 100% wrong, and without someone telling them how to interpret the data, they would never come to the right conclusions.
Are "Experiential" and "Experimental" faith the same? May either be perceived as "quasi-mystical"? http://www.challies.com/interviews/an-interview-with-paul-washer-part-2
ReplyDeleteInteresting question Ruy.
ReplyDelete"Experimental", as it relates to faith, would be simply trying different religions or spiritual practices in hopes of finding what is true or what works for me. Of course, if I have no absolute way to evaluate what is true outside of my own ideas, I could be very convinced I have found truth and yet be believing a lie.
When I use the term "experiential", especially in regard to spiritual things, I am referring to something that I experience and is open to my interpretation. For instance, I met a man this past week who described an experience he had where he saw a dark shadow and smelled a strong odor and believed it was the devil or a demon. I don't doubt his experience, something happened, but I am not as confident that his interpretation of the experience was correct. This experience, as well as the experimenting with religions and spiritual things, as described above, are both open to being "quasi-mystical" unless I have a way to evaluate or interpret them objectively.
God's word is the only sure lens by which we can interpret our experiences, evaluate truth, and understand what we were designed for, so as to know what works in achieving those purposes.
I have heard an example of four blind men who come upon an elephant and try to identify what they have found. One grabs the ear and says it is a tent, one grabs a leg and says it is a tree, one grabs the trunk and says it is a very large snake, and the last grabs the tail and declares it to be a rope. Of course some will use this as an example of why all religions are equally true, because we are all seeing or experiencing different parts of the same God. However, it is most important to note that they were all 100% wrong, and without someone telling them how to interpret the data, they would never come to the right conclusions.
Blessings!