We have been discussing presuppositions in the previous two posts; I argued that all people use presuppositions, and that presuppositions determine what we conclude about other issues. Today I would like to discuss how we can use or misuse presuppositions.
We cannot really do away with presuppositions altogether, nor would it necessarily be ideal to do so. Given the limitations of the human mind, we cannot consider every possible reality about every issue at once—we come to conclusions about some things and then we use those conclusions as the foundations for later conclusions. Because of presuppositions we are able to focus our mental efforts on a single issue or a smaller set of issues, allowing us to focus on key points while other facts are assumed. This also shows one of the inherent (yet inescapable) dangers of presuppositions: they may not describe the world as it really is.
The example of a math problem will help us see both the useful and dangerous aspects of presuppositions. Instructions like these are often added to math problems: “Calculate the distance that a perfect cube with a mass of 1 kg will move across a surface when a force of 25N is applied. Assume air resistance is negligible.” Ignoring air resistance is helpful for the student because it allows him to focus on the role of friction in causing the cube to stop moving. On the other hand, this type of problem does not reflect the real world, so if the student tries to apply the same parameters a real life engineering problem, his conclusions will be flawed. The presupposition is helpful because it limits the area of concern—the student focuses on friction since air resistance will not be an issue—but the presupposition must be understood for what it is, namely, a false conclusion that does not reflect the real world.
That example helps us see the limitations of presuppositions, but there is one vital difference: the false presupposition is known. As we think about theology or the real world, we do not have the same luxury as the student above because we are not working in an imaginary milieu. Rather, we must operate like the student above would operate once he works in a real engineering job—all the presuppositions must be true, or false conclusions will be reached. Nevertheless, we do have the same ability to use presuppositions helpfully, just as the engineer would presuppose the equations he learned as a student were true. The engineer would not need to begin each project by determining the force of gravity on the surface of earth, but would rather use the known constant (a presupposition that is true).
We do the same thing as students of theology. If a theologian is convinced of the orthodox position regarding the Trinity, he can use that as a foundational assumption for other theological conclusions. Every time another theological question arises, he does not need to start all over with trying to determine the nature of the Godhead but he can assume the orthodox position and focus on the issue at hand. This is very helpful because otherwise considering each new theological question would require a person to consider all of theology at once—an impossible proposition.
In light of that, presuppositions are helpful instruments in the toolbox of a thinker or theologian. There are some issues that need to be addressed, though.
First, you need to be aware that you have presuppositions and that others do, too. It is not wrong or dishonorable to have presuppositions, it is just a fact of the way that we think as human beings. Though it is not wrong to have presuppositions, it is wrong to misuse presuppositions. We must be careful that we do not quickly assault the intellectual capability of others who, when confronted with the same facts, reach different conclusions. Rather, we should be patient and reasonable, talking through all the issues (which may include unrecognized presuppositions) and realizing that many things are at play when we debate others. To be a good theologian and thinker, it is necessary to be aware of how presuppositions function in noetic processes. Everyone uses presuppositions—not everyone is aware of how they use them.
Second, you must be aware of what your presuppositions are—what have you concluded about God, the Bible, and the world around us? Another way of asking this question is to ask, “What is your worldview?” Your presuppositions function as a lens through which you interpret other facts. Knowing what you believe about foundational issues helps you understand what you believe about less important issues and why you believe those things. Foundational conclusions answer questions like these: Who is God, that is, what is God’s character like? Where did the world come from? What is the common nature of human beings? Indubitably, what you believe about these things determines what you do or do not believe about other issues as well. If you believe that there is no god and that life arose from evolution, it will determine what you believe about Jesus. Presuppositions influence the conclusions we make at every level of our thinking. I do not believe that is an overstatement.
Finally, you need to examine your presuppositions. You have presuppositions and they are foundational to your processes as a thinker, but that does not mean that they are all truthful. Just because we come to conclusions about certain things does not mean that we always come to conclusions that reflect reality. Our mental processes are not infallible—in fact, they are far from it. It is easy to be deceived, or to misinterpret data, or to simply fall short of a true understanding of a matter. This means that our presuppositions are also not infallible and will sometimes need to be corrected. This is not an easy process, since we have arrived at many of our presuppositions informally and without recognizing it. We need to examine ourselves, then, and constantly ask if we believe what the Bible teaches at every level. It is easy to come to false conclusions and relatively difficult to understand the truth. Examine your presuppositions, then, and measure them against the perfect standards of truth, which is the Word of God.
May God grant that we are delivered from false presuppositions, so that we may serve Him in truth and faithfulness all our days!
--Dean of Admissions
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