Metaphysical Christianity???

What do you think? Ever heard of it? Know anyone who is a Metaphysical Christian?

All comments welcome...

nightowl

[theophilus]

Here is Wikipedia's definition of metaphysics:

Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy concerned with explaining the fundamental nature of being and the world, although the term is not easily defined. Traditionally, metaphysics attempts to answer two basic questions in the broadest possible terms:

1. "What is there?"
2. "What is it ... like?

By this definition all of Christianity is metaphysical. It is a revelation from God of what exists beyond the part of creation that we can observe with our senses.

theophilus,

Yes with this definition I would agree,almost any religion would say they seek to answer those two questions.

But what of the techniques and practices of Christianity, would they be considered metaphysical in nature?

I believe the metaphysical Christians I have come across do not limit their belief to just Christian theology and denominational techniques in worship and prayer. So what would be acceptable if one believes in Jesus and the Christian Bible and teachings but also embraces other practices and rituals to seek the metaphysical of God? Couldn't they be called metaphysical Christians?

nightowl

Depends entirely upon what you mean by embrace.

If one were to truly believe in Jesus and the Bible (positioned as the truth) why would there be a need to embrace (by this I assume practice) other practices and rituals ?
I'd be more inclined to refer to that particular group not as metaphysical Christians but as confused/undecided metaphysical researchers/seekers.

[Miss Hepburn]

Respectfully, you'd have to define your terms for me.

I consider myself Christian, but other Christians wouldn't.
Is it if you believe only in the Nicene or Apostle's Creed?
See what I mean?

Then what exactly is metaphysical - I'm not entirely sure.
I'm probably that, too.

Miss Hepburn

Miss Hepburn,

YOU, are (I believe) an example of one that fits into the same category of those Christians I have come across...

sprinter,

Of course those traditional Christians who embrace the Bible as the literal word of God, and the one truth, would have a hard time believing that any Christian would embrace methods, practices and rituals not sanctioned by the church or scripture. So it would seem by what you are saying that one cannot believe and accept the teaching of Jesus, thus making them a Christian, and then say go to a psychic, or use crystals and so on...?

nightowl

I haven't said that one cannot,,

I'm asking, why would they need to? The behaviour would embarasingly contradict the stated belief.

Originally Posted by sprinter

I haven't said that one cannot,,

I'm asking, why would they need to? The behaviour would embarasingly contradict the stated belief.

I see what you are saying Maybe the God of the belief as explained in their teachings have expanded their understanding, God is much bigger then can be contained with 66 books??? I do think that whether they do or do not would probably have much to do with their view of the scriptures in question.

nightowl

Metaphysics is ‘the branch of philosophy that deals with the first principles of things, including abstract concepts such as being, knowing, substance, cause, identity, time, and space.’ (computer dictionary)

There are likely many of all faiths that are curious about these issues.

Originally Posted by nightowl

I do think that whether they do or do not would probably have much to do with their view of the scriptures in question.

nightowl

Agree Nightowl, but I suspect within the whole (their view) concept there is a natural tendency toward open ended confusion.

All the emphasis of the modern reader/researcher is focused on 'what this means to me',, hence the continual subjectivity.
Long gone are the days when the focuss of understanding a work was placed upon 'what is the author actually saying' .