You see that the existential facts by themselves are insufficient for determining the value; and the best adepts of the higher criticism accordingly never confound the existential with the spiritual problem. With the same conclusions of fact before them, some take one view, and some another, of the Bible’s value as a revelation, according as their spiritual judgment as to the foundation of values differs.
The Varieties of Religious Experience, by William James
Some Thoughts
- Existentialism is a valid starting position from which to consider spiritual value.
- Existentialism is not equipped to address spiritual values in a coherent completed system in and of itself.
- Failure to separate existential data from spiritual value is an easy pitfall.
- Revelation applies to the knowledge of God.
- Revelation can pertain to spiritual value.
- Pure existential data can lead to contradictory belief structures.