Bavinck on the nature nurture debate and how we acquire or have the knowledge of God
Even before looking at Bavinck here, I know that in educational circles there are the ideas of nature and nurture. Does our natural abilities from our DNA make us brilliant or do we learn to excel as we learn?
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| We found this bird on the floor of the garage but he is now fine. |
A Wiki writer gives us some of the history of this:
“The view that humans acquire all or almost all their behavioral traits from "nurture" was termed tabula rasa ('blank tablet, slate') by John Locke in 1690. A blank slate view (sometimes termed blank-slatism) in human developmental psychology, which assumes that human behavioral traits develop almost exclusively from environmental influences, was widely held during much of the 20th century. The debate between "blank-slate" denial of the influence of heritability, and the view admitting both environmental and heritable traits, has often been cast in terms of nature versus nurture. These two conflicting approaches to human development were at the core of an ideological dispute over research agendas throughout the second half of the 20th century. As both "nature" and "nurture" factors were found to contribute substantially, often in an inextricable manner, such views were seen as naive or outdated by most scholars of human development by the 21st century” (From: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nature_versus_nurture)
Times have moved on and it seems to be the case that Bavinck was in some ways ahead of his time. He does not speak of nature and nurture but he does speak about innate dispositions.
He begins on page 70 that it is a fact that we obviously learn from our surroundings but what makes Bavinck brilliant is:
“Language is taught us by the people among whom we are born, but it presupposes in everyone a disposition to speak. This is how it is in all spheres of life: in religion, art, morality, jurisprudence, science, and so on. The “seeds of the sciences” are naturally inherent in humans. Every science is grounded in general, self-evident principles. All knowledge rests in faith. All proof, finally, presupposes “a principle of demonstration.” There are logic mathematical, philosophical, ethical, and, similarly, religious and theological principles that, though they are very general and abstract, are nevertheless accepted by all persons and in all ages and bear the stamp of naturalness and necessity. The laws of thought are the same for all; the theory of numbers is everywhere the same; the difference between good and evil is known by all. Similarly, there is no people without religion and knowledge of God. This is explicable only on the assumption of self-evident principles, ideas common to all, “eternal verities,” which have been instilled in the human mind by nature. In religion, whether we want to or not, we always have to go back to a “seed of religion,” a “sense of divinity,” a “divine instinct,” an “innate knowledge. Scripture itself sets an example in this. While it binds us as powerfully as possible to God’s objective revelation in nature and grace, it at the same time attests that humanity is God’s image and offspring, that humans possess in their minds a capacity to see God in his works and have the requirement of the law written in their heart (Gen. 1:26; Acts 17:27; Rom. 1:19; 2:15).
So, then the sciences are built on the predisposition that we can learn. If this was not the case the world would be void of the things needed to build a society such as the sciences arts and humanities.
He also says the following from the above quote:
“All knowledge rests in faith. All proof, finally, presupposes “a principle of demonstration.”
This is also important:
“There are logic mathematical, philosophical, ethical, and, similarly, religious and theological principles that, though they are very general and abstract, are nevertheless accepted by all persons and in all ages and bear the stamp of naturalness and necessity.”
Bavinck here has prized open a can of worms or gold. In our humanity we all share a disposition for Truth, Goodness and beauty (science, ethics and aesthetics). We start from basic principles. No matter where in the world we are, we understand Maths, language theology and all the other disciplines. This is why the verses he quotes from the Bible are so important:
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” Genesis 1:26
27 that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; Acts 17:27
19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. Romans 1:19
15 in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, Romans 2:15
Bavinck continues on page 71 stating that theologians don’t take such words as implanted’, ‘inborn’, ‘increated’ on a literal plane. Innate ideas don’t exist but “Yet, concealed in those children is the full-grown adult of the future. And this is true intellectually, ethically, and religiously as well.”
He finishes off the implanted section by saying:
“There is a revelation of God in all his works, not only outside of, but especially within humans. Humanity itself constitutes the primary part of the nature from which God is known. From that entire realm of nature, both that which is exterior and that which is interior to us humans, we receive impressions and gain perceptions which, prior to all reasoning and proof, foster in our mind the sense of a Supreme Being. It is God himself who does not leave any person without a witness” [cf. Acts 14:17].
17 and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” Acts 14:17
Reflection
Bavinck wrote his Dogmatics over a hundred years ago. It saddens me that the world has taken a utilitarian road towards issues to do with society. Since the 1960’s there has been movements to free people from the responsibility of having children through legalized murder (abortion). Every human life has the potential to be a productive member of society. Christianity teaches that we were created in the image of God so then why do our societies legalize terminating infants because they are down syndrome or other so-called diseases. Should not a caring society take the burden and practice empathy.
Utilitarianism may save money, but it certainly doesn’t save those who cannot defend themselves.
As human beings we have been endowed with intelligence to make smart decisions. Christian, agnostic or atheist; it does not matter. God is a part of our fabric and make up.
Reflections in the Lent period
It does not really matter how we learn but that we learn about the goodness of God to us. This is a gift from God. Whether we believe in Christ or not or even if we are complete atheists, it is a fact that the rains come in season, the sun shines, the crops grow, and we have enough to eat.
Yet, as Christians we are really blessed! Not only do we know that God created everything and that it was good he also disclosed his revelation by the Holy Spirit to us in history. From a scientific point of view the earth, sun, moon and all the other heavenly bodies are in perfect alignment. Everything works, gravity, the air we breathe, the right temperature for life. This is absolutely amazing. I do not know what scientists think but this is indeed a ‘miracle’.
This is no accident; God is good, and Genesis 1 is bang on target!
Yet what is amazing in this theatre in which God has his dealings with us, even after the Fall. He clothed Adam and Eve and began the road of redemption for the human race. Through many covenants such as Noah, Abraham, Moses and David he prepared the way. He prepared the way for God to become a man and die in place of our sins and wrong doings. We are even more blessed because Jesus rose from the dead and we believe and hope that one day we will meet him and be in God’s presence for all eternity.
At the moment there are so many things going on. There are too many wars too many people getting hurt and killed for stupid reasons. Believe me God understands the hurt and he also understand the pride in people’s hearts. With the threat to all of us of complete annihilation there is one who is watching! My little mind cannot comprehend all of this But in Christ justice and mercy are perfectly balanced.
Next time we are going to look at the acquired knowledge of God.
In my other blog I covered the beatitude on mercy feel free to visit:
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