Is Christianity A Religion Or Philosophy?
Christianity has been studied for millennia with no definitive answer emerging as to whether it is truly a religion or a philosophy as it contains elements of both. From a general perspective, Christianity is predominantly a religion as it is based upon the idea of faith, holding to the teachings of Jesus Christ and relying upon scripture as its main source of authority and guidance. These attributes define a religious institution.
However, Christianity is certainly more than a religion as it contains numerous philosophical tenants. There is a great deal of debate among scholars as to where Christianity sits along the continuum of religion and philosophy. Some argue that it is a religion blended with philosophy, as Christianity has roots across both subjects, containing aspects of faith, prayer, adherence to moral teaching, as well as deep philosophical discussions regarding the essence of what being a Christian means and how to live a Christ-like life.
The conversation is further complicated by the notion that Christianity is an organized group of people with different traditions and practices, which has evolved over thousands of years and the philosophical nature of these traditions and practices reflect the dynamism of the religion. In line with this, religious scholar Robert A. Gourlay states that “Christianity should be seen as an example of human inquiry and thought about ultimate questions. It is largely an exercise in discourse about the nature of God, faith and moral conduct. Hence, it maintains its links to both religion and philosophy.”
Moreover, philosopher Larry A. Hickman believes that the “…integrative way of thinking and action associated with Christianity expresses a philosophical fusion of theism, love, and ethics”. The idea here being that Christianity focuses on the middle ground between faith and reason by marrying a belief in God with a human search for truth and knowledge. This notion implies that Christianity encourages a holistic approach to life that allows individuals to both learn and grow in a manner that supports their physical and spiritual well-being.
Christ as the Human Face of God
Christianity’s fundamental concept of ‘Christ as the human face of God’ (the idea within Christianity that Jesus is the embodiment of absolute truth) suggests a more philosophical interpretation of religion. Christianity’s more profound teachings offer a thoughtful and meaningful understanding of life, the nature of ultimate reality, and the means of embodying God’s will in one’s life. This type of rational inquiry is, at its heart, philosophical in nature and it gives greater philosophical depth to the Christian faith.
Traditionally, Christian philosophers have delved into the inner workings and subtleties of Christian doctrine and teachings, attempting to bring a sense of clarity and understanding to complex philosophical issues, controversies and moral issues. This type of rational inquiry has also been used to expand and clarify religious concepts, help spiritual seekers in their life choices, and ultimately aim to bring people closer to an understanding of God and how religion fits into the human experience.
The core teachings of Christianity, such as those regarding redemption, forgiveness, grace, and love, contain philosophical elements but they are ultimately religious. It is the way these teachings are interpreted, explored, and discussed that turns philosophical inquiry into religious dialogue. The understanding of something as mystical and intangible as faith needs to be grounded in a sense of the metaphysical, and this is something that philosophy attempts to do.
At its heart, the threads of faith, reason and empiricism comprise the religious experience, and provide the philosophical underpinnings of Christianity. Hence, it is fair to say that Christianity is a religion and a philosophy, not just one or the other.
The Bible and Christian Doctrine
The Bible is the main source of Christian doctrine and Christian philosophy relies upon it. It is seen as a sacred text and is primarily used to gain insight into the divine will and how it intersects with human experience. The Bible is considered to be divinely inspired, and the Christian interpretation of scripture gives form and substance to faith and the practice of religion.
A core principle in Christian philosophy is the idea of the Trinity, with three persons sharing one divine nature in a unified Godhead. This is why Christianity is necessarily religious, and not just a philosophical inquiry. Christian doctrine is made up of spiritual writings and interpretations, and this is where the philosophical nature truly lies.
The writings of philosophers such as St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, and Martin Luther discuss texts from the Bible and present them in a rational framework. These sorts of philosophical interpretations make Christian philosophies more accessible, intellectually engaging and relevant, and allow believers to understand the teachings and stories of their faith on deeper, more thought-provoking levels.
The Meaning of Life and Human Existence
Christianity largely revolves around the inquiry into the meaning of life, the nature of human existence, and seeking to understand how this relates to a divine being. This type of philosophical inquiry is not necessarily found in other religions, however it is present in Christianity.
Jean-Paul Sartre states that faith “…requires the study of the past and its history, the exploration of the myths and the theological tradition, and particularly philosophical reasoning implicated in belief systems”. Sartre is implying that faith is inseparable from philosophical analysis, and that these two different facets of understanding can and should be studied together.
Christian philosophy looks at the purpose of life, the role of the divine, and how these ideas intersect with things such as free will, moral responsibility and the structure of the cosmos. This exploration allows us to gain a deeper understanding of the divine and our place in it and is a large part of what makes Christianity a mixture of both religion and philosophy.
The Intersection of Faith and Reason
The intersection of faith and reason is a major part of Christian philosophy. One example of this is the belief that a rational mind can comprehend and understand the will of God, due to the belief that God’s nature is logical and can be understood by man. This idea is explored in the writings of Thomas Aquinas and has been at the heart of Christian philosophy since the writings of Augustine and other early Christian philosophers.
The belief that faith and reason can coexist without one compromising the other is something that many contemporary Christian philosophers still cling to. This idea exists within many different faith traditions, not just Christianity. It is the belief in the idea that faith and reason can both be explored, that allows believers to establish a spiritual connection to God and gain understanding and insight into the divine.
The Relationship Between Faith and Experience
The way in which faith and experience intersect is another Christian philosophical topic. Many Christian philosophies consider the importance of experience in understanding the will of God and in growing spiritually. Believers gain understanding through experiences of personal reflections and religious services, the personal search for understanding, and through collective gatherings with other believers.
Christian philosophy emphasizes the relationship between faith and experience, stressing that the spiritual journey of each individual is unique to that particular person. It is not enough to just absorb spiritual knowledge or to simply adhere to scripture and doctrine without taking into consideration spiritual experience. This is why Christian philosophy considers the relationship between faith and experience as essential to understanding the divine.
Understanding the Divinity Within
Christian philosophy further states that the understanding of divine truth and the knowledge of God comes through one’s faith and one’s experience, as opposed to external sources. It is believed that due to our human nature, we can only truly know the divine through direct experience and through our spiritual journeys.
This philosophy permits us to recognize and sustain a close, personal relationship with the divine. The process of developing this relationship is taken seriously by believers and allows us to comprehend the deeper nuances of faith in God. This is one of the reasons why Christianity is considered to be a mixture of religion and philosophy.
The Power of Prayer
Christianity emphasizes the power of prayer and this is essential to understanding how religion and philosophy intersect. The belief is that prayer is one of the ways that believers can connect with the spiritual realm and further their understanding of the divine. The focus on prayer is related to the notion that God can be reached through a spiritual, contemplative journey and not simply through rational inquiry alone.
Prayer is an important part of the Christian experience and allows believers to develop a personal connection to the divine. When engaging in prayer, believers typically focus on hope and grace, asking for guidance and answers to life’s questions. The expectation is that these prayers will be answered, although the interpretation of this answer is left up to the individual to decipher.
The Role of Salvation
Christian philosophy also considers the role of salvation and its relationship to the divine. It is believed that God desires for each person to know and understand their purpose in life, and that faith and reason can help one find this. Salvation is the act of being saved from something, and in this instance, it is the seeking of one’s true spiritual path and guidance to allow them to fulfill their divine purpose.
Christian philosophy stresses the importance of salvation, suggesting that our spiritual journey should involve a focus on growing and understanding our faith, deepening our understanding of scripture, and furthering our exploration of the divine. This type of inquiry is both spiritual and philosophical, which is why this element of Christian thought is so complex.
The Necessity of Living a Christ-Like Life
Living a Christ-like life is seen as vital according to Christian philosophy. Jesus Christ is seen as the embodiment of absolute truth and a model of righteousness, so the reasoning goes that in order to truly understand God’s nature, one must embrace and embody the teachings of Christ.
Faith is a crucial component of the Christian experience and it is believed that faith and trust in God’s plan should be the foundation of one’s spiritual journey. In this regard, it is seen as necessary to live one’s life in a manner that is faithful and Christ-like in order to gain a deeper understanding of spiritual truth and to experience the true joy of living in a redeemed world.
The Nature of a Life of Faith
Christian philosophy considers a life of faith to be both a spiritual and physical journey. Spiritual growth, according to Christian philosophy, involves one’s understanding of the divine, mediation and contemplation, and seeking to live in accordance with divine will and moral teachings.
Physical growth involves choices such as how one interacts with others, how one treats others, and how one approaches life in general. Living a Christ-like life, as discussed in the previous section, involves living a life that seeks to bring God’s will and mercy into the world.
Christian philosophy considers a life of faith to be one where we seek to bring the teachings of Jesus into the world. It is the seeking of divine guidance and enlightenment, and the desire to embody the principles of grace and mercy in our daily lives. This type of faith is considered to be the essence of being a true Christian.
The Intersection of Religion and Philosophy
The intersection of religion and philosophy can be difficult to define, however many philosophers and religious scholars have seen and agreed upon how religion and philosophy are connected and often intersect in their exploration of the divine.
Both religion and philosophy aim to answer life’s questions and seek to provide guidance on the deeper aspects of faith and belief. Christianity, encompassing aspects of both religion and philosophy, seeks to offer guidance and understanding of the divine by blending faith with reason and experience.
Christian philosophy is used to provide clarity in difficult topics such as redemption, forgiveness, grace, love, and the nature of the divine. Christianity is an organized faith that is continually evolving, and its philosophical teachings provide insight into how
