You Tube Theology

St. Augustine famously depicted the Christian quest for truth among pagan thinkers in terms of the Israelites taking the Egyptians' gold and silver with them when they fled from captivity. Others of us have seen the quest for truth possessed by unbelievers as best characterized by a humble exercise in intellectual hospitality. Each approach acknowledges that truth is to be gained from those with whom we disagree in fundamental ways about the important "big" issues of life. But the two outlooks, rescuing what rightly belongs to us versus a hospitable willingness to learn from others, foster the cultivation of very different styles of intellectual engagement. This paper will acknowledge some insights in the rescue approach, while finally coming down on the side of hospitality.