I think this is true and most unfortunate. But we all know that in the
often hostile environment of the academy, we can be strongly tempted to
embrace any theist as a brother or sister.
> Thus even if an independent natural theology can be defended in
>theory, it is very risky. Instead of doing apologetics that way, & try
>to get People to believe in the "Supreme Being" before they believe in
>Christ, why not ask them to consider the possibility that ultimate
>reality is seen in the one willing to be crucified to save the world?
>
In practice, they go hand in hand. To employ Paul's agricultural metaphor,
I think of theistic arguments (natural theology) as plowing the ground, and
presentation of the claims of Christ as sowing the seed. Sometimes the
practical emphasis falls on one activity, sometimes on the other, and
sometimes on watering seeds already sown.
Garry DeWeese