Supernatural vs Natural Theology

Supernatural theology entails Almighty God invading His creative order to save humanity. Natural theology insists that humanity can ascend to Almighty God through reason and self-determinism, apart from Scriptural and Spiritual influence.

...The Los Angeles Times quoted Pope John Paul II, "All who live a just life will be saved, even if they do not believe in Jesus Christ or the Roman Catholic Church." This statement is blatant heresy. Jesus Himself stated unapologetically that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and that none could come to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). It is disappointing that someone as beloved as John Paul II would succumb to false teaching; and it is disgraceful that someone widely regarded as the Vicar of Christ on earth would teach such heresy, thus revealing a devastating ignorance of the Personified and Written Word.

...I say with confidence that the former Pope's statement was borne of excessive boasting of orthodoxy that resulted in a disregard of Christ's precepts. How often have we as spiritual leaders and mentors fallen victim to spiritual pride and/or self-sufficiency?

...Intentionally downplaying the demands of Christ and the true cost of discipleship is misleading to others, risks blasphemy, and ultimately undermines one's own Christian virtue. It is well to remember that being a disciple of Christ will render one a source of blessing, and a source of conflict. Often the conflicts will outweigh the blessings, but take heart! So it was with Christ.

...Those who adhere to natural theology view the Father and Son as nothing more than subjects to study, amassing knowledge for its own sake while leaning on their own understanding and catering to their own kind, eventually reaching intimacy with their own intellect, not Christ. These are of the schools of thought that seek to tell God what He means, rather than listen to what He has said through His Word, or is saying through His Spirit. The school of thought I attend clearly states: What God has simply said, in His Word is simply read; What first appears not good, through His Spirit is understood.

...True theology can only be described as supernatural. The fullest comprehension of Almighty God's Character, Purpose, and Activity can only be attained supernaturally; thus a realistic and effective relationship with Him requires supernatural connection. From this we discern that nothing either possible or actual can have meaning without reference to God (Creation, physical/spiritual reality, miracles, relational tangibility, etc). And without God as the universal ground for meaning, there is no meaning in the universe.

...Nothing can have objective meaning unless there is a realm that is objectively meaningful. Thus, the only way to oppose the ontological argument (i.e. the existence of God) is to make an absolute disjunction between thought and reality. According to Charles Hartshorne*, this is impossible. Meaning and reality must meet at some point; this point is "God," the Source for reality both possible and actual. Therefore, the possibility of a supernatural connection with our Creator (through prayer/fellowship) invites humanity to experience the transitory wonder of that possibility actually becoming a meaningful reality.

...It is only when the supernatural becomes "natural," or real, to a Christian that their newfound perspective becomes useful and meaningful enough to prove to others less inclined that a supernatural relationship with Jesus Christ is the only reality with true meaning and lasting worth. To lack the supernatural aspect of a relationship with Christ is to lack Christ in the relationship.

[*Hartshorne restated the ontological arguments of Anselm, Thomas Aquinas, and Rene Descartes, to name a few. In so doing, he effectively revived the argument for theism, circa 1950-70.]