Pioneering an integral Christian philosophy : the approach and methodological contributions of H.G. Stoker (1899-1993)

Abstract

The purpose of this project is to critically reflect on the approach H.G. Stoker espoused as a pioneer of an integral Christian philosophy and to evaluate the contributions he made to reformational methodology. Reservations as to whether, or to what extent, Stoker’s philosophy can be truly characterised as integrally Christian cast a shadow over his achievements and promising contributions. Disappointingly, the dialogues and debates about these issues have thus far been insufficient, and sometimes unsatisfactory. This makes it difficult to undertake an accurate evaluation of his methodological and other contributions. In the hope of bringing more clarity to the character of his philosophical project, it will be argued in the first article that Stoker employed a modified theology‐based approach. By showing that this approach served to reconcile his dual commitment to reformed scholasticism and reformational philosophy, certain problems with Stoker’s philosophy will be highlighted. Some of these problems include an insufficient anti‐synthetic attitude, the consequences of which appear not only in his encyclopaedia of the sciences and his ontology, but also in his theory of methods (see the second article). In his methodology, the problem manifests as an inability to fully cast off a rationalist heritage that misconstrued method as more than merely a means to an end. Construing method in such a way is diametrically opposed to the deeper intentions behind Stoker’s own methodological perspective. Moreover, his perspective can be appreciated precisely for underscoring the limited role of method as merely a means. The perspective he proposed also gives full recognition to the plurality and complementarity of methods, and attempts to disclose the normative dimension in which they function. Key