I have often told the people around me in ministry, if I ever get to the point where my church would hire a new pastor, I would rather hire someone with a philosophy degree than a theology degree. The reasons are simple. Theology may teach you what to think about God but philosophy will teach you how to think about God. Further, most seminaries and Bible colleges have been compromised, not with explicitly bad theology (although there is that too), but bad philosophy, which has corrupted the theology. Today a new kind of Christianity is needed (or an old one), not one merely of loving God in the heart, but also with loving God in the mind.
The interesting thing about the conversion of Larry Sanger is that he came to faith by thinking about it. I'll save you all the details in this blog, but you can read about it here or listen to it here (and I encourage you to!). Sanger is a PhD in philosophy and has been quite prolific in explaining his methodological skepticism. But after decades of thinking and teaching, he became convinced of Christianity. Not only that, he has acted upon his new belief. I am overjoyed when someone comes into the Kingdom, of course, but even more so when a philosopher does. I want to share three unique features about his story in hopes that it will encourage some and perhaps open up a pathway for a new generation of young Christians.
First, Sanger is a philosopher, but not a pop philosopher. What I mean by that is, by his own admission, he has not followed in the popular philosophical toxins of the day. But he has been a true philosopher, one led by honest curiosity and genuine humility. When dealing with concepts of which he wasn't convinced, his approach has always been open to information he had not heard or considered before.
I was delighted to hear that he was an adherent of Objectivism, the school of philosophy founded by Ayn Rand. Although this philosophical school was also founded and maintained by atheists, it swam against the current of modern skepticism initiated by the likes of Hume and Kant. Instead of drowning in a sea of radical relativism and doubt, Objectivism has a way of retracing the methods of our thinking, grounding them back on the foundation of reality. And, while Rand was no Christian, she was more a follower of Jesus in her belief of human rights, the golden rule, and peacemaking than many pastors I know. (Pastors who have been influences by more worldly and popular philosophies.)
Rejecting the wide world of skepticism leads people into a better way of thinking. We need reasons to believe what we believe, but we equally need reasons to doubt. Doubt should not be the default when there is no reason to doubt. When you believe that you can find answers, you are more likely to seek answers. Without a doubt (pun intended) I believe Sanger's conversion was in part due to a better cognitive process and philosophical framework than what is commonly taught, passed down, and held.
There are Christians who think in a more "Objectivist" manner. I have a good group of friends who regularly discuss these ideas and challenge the norms with videos and blogs. These men and women have been a great benefit to me at a time when I was deeply disappointed in Christians who refused to think well. Visit their website at www.forthenewchristianintellectual.com .
Second, Sanger had only been a Christian for three years when he published the blog on his conversion. The article is a mix of his testimony, thinking method, and some apologetics. In the article he bluntly explains that he is a true Christian, not just a deist or theist even though he will surely face massive criticism. In the beginning of his blog, he explicitly cites Mark 16:15 for the reason he is sharing his story.
Here is an example of a relatively new convert (three years) eager to turn around and share the Gospel to those in his circle- out of love and obedience to Jesus. It reminds me of Paul, who, although he was immediately sharing the Gospel, came out swinging after three years in Arabia.
Evangelism is a sign of a true and vested faith. Sanger serves as an example to the rest of us who, perhaps, have been saved much longer and yet remain silent. What prevents us from writing a blog or publishing our testimony on youtube? Do our circles have access to our testimony and faith?
Finally, Sanger's story has important events. His family was Lutheran (the actual christian ones). His father was an elder in the church an his great grandfather was a church organist. I am a firm believer that those who love the Lord are blessed to the thousandth generation and that if you train up a child in the way they should go, in the end, they will not depart from it. So, be encouraged faithful Christian parents praying for your children.
But, also in Sanger's childhood, he was forever changed by a mere one semester, 11th grade introduction to philosophy class. This one class changed the entire trajectory of his life, Imagine if his teacher was a christian and had a solid philosophy. Would he have wandered for so many years? It's impossible to tell, but what is obvious to me is that there is a huge need for young, thinking people to learn how and why... how and why about everything.
Philosophy and theology are related. If you don't understand philosophy, you will not understand what Jesus means when He states He is the truth. If you don't teach your young people philosophy, they will be susceptible to having their faith hijacked when someone manipulates the word "justice." Without philosophy, our 11th graders will not understand how or why their faith connects to the world.
We have a lot to learn from this situation. Thinking is good. Thinking correctly leads to God. God gave us minds to think logically and expects us to think well. God bless Sanger and those who will consider Jesus through his testimony.