Systematic Theology (Vol 1) - Hodge - XVII - Chapter 3 (Anti-theistic theories) commenced

Required reading
Systematic Theology Volume 1 by Charles Hodge (Available from Amazon or free here) - Commence Chapter 3 (Anti-theistic theories) by reading up to the heading 'D. Positivism'.

My summary
This week Hodge starts outlining anti-theistic theories.

Firstly Hodge teaches us about atheism: 'It is in itself purely negative.  It affirms nothing.  It simply denies what Theism asserts.'

Secondly Hodge discusses polytheism: 'Polytheism is the theory which assumes the existence of many gods.'

Thirdly Hodge explains Hylozoism: 'the doctrine that matter is endued with life.'

Fourthly Hodge begins a lengthy discussion on materialism: 'that system which ignores the distinction between matter and mind and refers all the phenomena of the world, whether physical, vital or mental, to the functions of matter.'  We hear about the history of materialism in relation to:
(i) Epicurus;
(ii) England during the eighteenth century (Locke, Hartley, Priestly);
(iii) France during the eighteenth century.

What grabbed me
I enjoyed Hodge's thoughts on atheism, particularly whether atheism is possible: 'The question has often been discussed. Whether Atheism is possible ? The answer to the question depends on the meaning of the term. If the question be. Whether a man can emancipate himself from the conviction that there is a personal Being to whom he is responsible for his character and conduct, and who will punish him for his sins ? it must be answered in the negative. For that would be to emancipate himself from the moral law, which is impossible. If, however, the question means, Whether a man may, by speculation or otherwise, bring himself into such a state as to lose the consciousness of the belief of God as written in his heart, and free himself, for a time, from its power ? it must be answered affirmatively. A man may, in this sense, deny his individuality or identity ; the real, objective existence of soul or body, mind or matter ; the distinction between right and wrong. But this is unnatural, and cannot last. It is like deflecting a spring by force. The moment the force is removed, the spring returns to its normal position. Men, therefore, often pass in a moment from a state of entire skepticism to a state of unquestioning faith ; not of course by a process of argument, but by a change in their inward state. This transition from unbelief to faith, though thus sudden, and although not produced by an intellectual process, is perfectly rational. The feelings which rise in the mind contain evidence of the truth which the understanding cannot resist. It is also a familiar psychological fact, that skepticism and faith may, in a certain sense, coexist in the mind. An idealist while abiding by his theory, has nevertheless an inward conviction of the reality of the external world. So the speculative atheist lives with the abiding conviction that there is a God to whom he must render an account. '

A consciousness of morality is hard to escape!

Next week's reading
Continue Chapter 3 (Anti-theistic theories) by reading up to the heading 'F. Refutation'.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.