Reece-Wolfe Dialogue 1.4 Epistemology Study Guide

Summary

The discussion presents a dialogue between Stephen Wolfe and David Reece, focusing on epistemology, the nature of knowledge, and the implications of Christian thought in various domains, including civil power and ethics. The discussion begins with a short introduction to Reece’s business endeavors aimed at fostering a Christian economic culture. The conversation then quickly shifts to foundational philosophical questions about how knowledge is acquired, the role of Scripture in understanding reality, and the moral implications of human actions. Reece emphasizes that true knowledge is rooted in divine revelation and logical coherence, while Wolfe challenges this view by exploring the internal moral principles that guide human behavior. Throughout the dialogue, both speakers navigate complex theological and philosophical concepts, ultimately advocating for a worldview that aligns with Christian doctrine.

Questions Asked in this Discussion

1.How do you know anything?
2.Do you think man apart from revelation is just a jumble of sentiments and emotions?
3.Does man lack an inherent principle by which they can discern good from bad?.

Study Guide

The discussion is 2 hours long. I created a summary, an outline, 9 multiple-choice questions, and 15 study questions to help process what we hear. I will break this study up into 5 parts coving 5 days. Much of this material will be repeated with the focus on 3 new study questions each day according to this schedule. Repetition is the mother of all learning.

DueQuestions

01/01/25

How do Stephen Wolf and David Reece define the role of Scripture in understanding human behavior and morality?

01/01/25

In what ways do they believe Scripture is limited in its ability to predict specific geopolitical events?

01/01/25

What is the significance of empirical analysis in the context of political science, according to the dialogue?

01/02/25

In light of this dialogue, do we find the Biblical writers apply the same technique of balancing the Word of God with a systematic examination of historical and contemporary events, including the study of various political systems, ideologies, and historical contexts?

01/02/25

How do the concepts of sin and human motivation relate to the discussion of warfare in the discussion?

01/02/25

What philosophical questions arise from the conversation about human nature and the ability to discern right from wrong?

01/03/25

What are the main differences between Reece’s and Wolfe’s views on epistemology?

01/03/25

How would Reece and Wolfe answer these question? How would you account for Adam’s decision to eat from the forbidden tree? Did he lack knowledge? Did he know what he was doing or was he deceived? Was he exercising a will shaped much like God’s in that he was willing to sacrifice his own life in hopes of saving Eve and thus, committed sin, but not a flagrant sin?

01/03/25

If God were in Adam’s shoes, right after Eve ate but before Adam ate, what would God do and why?

01/03/25

In light of God’s commitment to divine law as described here, how would you then account for God not killing Cain after he murdered his brother?

01/04/25

How does Reece define knowledge, and what role does Scripture play in his understanding?

01/04/25

In what ways do both speakers address the concept of civil power within a Christian framework?

01/06/25

What might they say God’s reasons would be for choosing a pagan Roman Empire rather than the nation of Israel as the time and place for revealing His greatest message to man in Christianity?

01/06/25

What was wrong with Israel that these conditions could not be met for the spread of Christianity?

01/06/25

How does the Fall affect human rationality according to Reece’s perspective?

01/06/25

What implications do their discussions have for contemporary Christian thought in business and ethics?

Outline

I.Introduction
A.Overview of the dialogue’s purpose
B.Introduction of Stephen Wolf and David Reece
II.Epistemology and Human Understanding
A.Definition of epistemology
B.The role of Scripture in understanding knowledge
III.Scripture and Warfare
A.General principles of sin and motivation for war
B.Limitations of Scripture in predicting specific wars
IV.Empirical Analysis in Politics
A.Importance of empirical data in understanding geopolitical events
B.Historical context and its relevance to modern conflicts
V.Philosophical Implications
A.Discussion on human nature and morality
B.The role of logic and reasoning in understanding Scripture
VI.Conclusion
A.Summary of key points
B.Final thoughts on the relationship between Scripture and empirical analysis

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Outline 2

I.Introduction
A.Overview of Stephen Wolfe and David Reece
B.Purpose of the dialogue
II.Reece’s Business Ventures
A.Description of Rees Fund
B.Goals of creating Christian businesses
III.Epistemology
A.Definition and importance of epistemology
B.Different systems of thought regarding knowledge acquisition
IV.The Role of Scripture
A.Scripture as the basis for knowledge and morality
B.The relationship between knowledge and civil power
V.Human Nature and Morality
A.Discussion on man’s inherent ability to discern right from wrong
B.The impact of the Fall on human rationality and morality
VI.Conclusion
A.Summary of key points discussed
B.Reflection on the implications for a Christian worldview

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Test Your Knowledge

After listening to this discussion you should be able to answer these questions.

Scroll down slowly to hide the answer until you pick your answer.

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1.What is the primary focus of the dialogue between Wolfe and Reece?

A) Business strategies

B) Epistemology

C) Political theory

D) Historical analysis

Answer: B)

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2.According to Reece, how is true knowledge obtained?

A) Through personal experiences

B) By following societal norms

C) Via divine revelation in Scripture

D) Through scientific experimentation

Answer: C)

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3.What does Wolfe argue about human nature apart from revelation?

A) Humans are inherently rational.

B) Humans lack moral principles.

C) Humans can achieve perfect knowledge.

D) Humans are purely emotional beings.

Answer: B)

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4.How do both speakers view the relationship between knowledge and civil power?

A) They see no connection.

B) Knowledge informs civil power.

C) Civil power is independent of knowledge.

D) Civil power undermines knowledge.

Answer: B)

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5.What area of study is primarily discussed in the dialogue?

A) Metaphysics

B) Epistemology

C) Ethics

D) Aesthetics

Answer: B)

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6.According to the dialogue, what does Scripture provide regarding the nature of war?

A) Specific predictions about future wars

B) General principles of sin and motivation

C) Detailed historical accounts of all wars

D) A comprehensive political theory

Answer: B)

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7.What do Wolf and Reece suggest is necessary for understanding the complexities of modern conflicts?

A) A strict adherence to Scripture

B) Empirical analysis

C) Philosophical reasoning alone

D) Historical narratives only

Answer: B)

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8.Which philosopher’s argument is referenced in the discussion about human sentiments and moral principles?

A) Immanuel Kant

B) Friedrich Nietzsche

C) David Hume

D) John Locke

Answer: C)

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9.What is one of the key limitations of Scripture mentioned in the dialogue?

A) It is too complex to understand

B) It does not provide a clear moral framework

C) It cannot predict specific future events

D) It is irrelevant to modern society

Answer: C)

Study Questions

How does Reece define knowledge, and what role does Scripture play in his understanding?

Reece defines knowledge as certainty that is fundamentally rooted in Scriptural revelation. He argues that to have knowledge of something means to possess a justified true belief, where certainty is a necessary condition for knowledge. This perspective aligns with his view that human understanding throughout history relies on God’s verbal propositional revelation, which provides the foundation for all knowledge claims. Reece emphasizes that knowledge must be coherent and free from contradictions, asserting that the Bible serves as the ultimate source of truth and logical coherence.

In Reece’s framework, Scripture plays a pivotal role in shaping knowledge and understanding. He contends that Scripture is not just a historical sermon but the Word of God, which informs all aspects of life, including doctrine, ethics, and governance. He posits that without the guidance of Scripture, individuals would struggle to discern right from wrong or to have a coherent understanding of reality. Thus, for Reece, Scripture is essential for establishing moral categories and providing the necessary foundation for rational thought and ethical behavior.

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In what ways do both speakers address the concept of civil power within a Christian framework?

Both Reece and Wolfe address the concept of civil power within a Christian framework by exploring its relationship to knowledge, morality, and governance, albeit from different perspectives.

Reece emphasizes that civil power should be informed by Scripture, asserting that knowledge of what is good and just in governance is rooted in Biblical principles. He argues that the sufficiency of Scripture provides the necessary guidance for understanding civil authority and moral order. According to Reece, civil power is not merely a human construct but should reflect God’s authority and moral law. He believes that Christians have a responsibility to establish businesses and institutions that embody these principles, creating “bastions of Christian power” that can influence society positively.

In contrast, Wolfe presents a more nuanced view of civil power, suggesting that while it is important, it should not be solely dependent on Scriptural authority. He argues that humans possess an inherent ability to discern moral truths and that civil power can emerge from natural human sociability and rationality. Wolfe posits that man is a political animal by nature, implying that civil structures can develop independently of direct Scriptural mandates. He acknowledges the importance of moral frameworks but suggests that these can also be derived from human reason and experience rather than exclusively from divine revelation.

In summary, Reece advocates for a direct Scriptural basis for civil power and governance, while Wolfe allows for a broader interpretation that includes human rationality and natural law as valid sources for understanding civil authority within a Christian context.


To see all of the posts in this series click on Reece-Wolfe Dialogue 1.