Christian Epistemology, simply put, is an investigation of ‘how we know we know’.
epis·te·mol·o·gy
the study or a theory of the nature and grounds of knowledge especially with reference to its limits and validity
God in Christ – as the eternal Logos (word/mind) – is the ground of all human rationality and knowing. Humankind, made in God’s image, is thus, unlike the brute beast, a rational being with whom God communicates in propositional form. Hence his primary self-revelation is through his enscripturated Word, the Bible, providing true knowledge concerning himself and his purpose for the cosmos, and thus, for humankind. This divine revelation is theonomic in character; theonomy being a compound word (theo – God, nomos – law), meaning God’s law.
By contrast, humanism claims that autonomous reason is the source of all true knowledge; autonomy also being a compound word (auto – self, nomos – law), meaning self-law. Therefore, “Man becomes the measure of all things” (Protagoras, 490-420 BC). He is his own law. By default Man becomes a god, with reality thus determined through his own arbitrary fiat (decree). Something is true simply because he says it is true. For example, naturalistic scientism – as a closed system – rules out, a priori, the supernatural, and thus, unilaterally rules out the existence of the infinite personal creator-God and his clear revelation to humankind.
Nonetheless, God is not silent and speaks to us through:
- The Creation & Conscience (his Cosmos)
- The Bible (his Word)
- The Incarnation (his Son)
- The Charismata (his Spirit)
