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Moralistic Therapeutic Deism: A Classical Critique, Michael W. Cunningham
Moralistic Therapeutic Deism: A Classical Critique, Michael W. Cunningham
Eleutheria: John W. Rawlings School of Divinity Academic Journal
In 2005, American sociologist Christian Smith coined the term “Moralistic Therapeutic Deism” in his book, Soul Searching, The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers. At the time, this phenomenon was heralded as a new “religion” for emerging generations, yet it ascribes to no formal text, deity, or doctrine. It serves as a self-focused compilation of secular philosophy, politics, culture, and spirituality flavored with fragments from popular religions. While there is no formal MTD doctrine, there are five affirmations: (1) A God exists who created and ordered the world and watches over human life on Earth, (2) God wants …
From Modernity To Post-Modernity: The Apologetic Legacy Of Paul Tillich, Michael W. Cunningham
From Modernity To Post-Modernity: The Apologetic Legacy Of Paul Tillich, Michael W. Cunningham
Eleutheria: John W. Rawlings School of Divinity Academic Journal
Paul Tillich, dubbed an “apostle to the intellectuals,” was one of the twentieth-century’s influential and infamous theologians. Tillich’s apologetic of doubt, method of correlation, and non-traditional lifestyle challenged the cultural and religious norms of his day. The study of Paul Tillich’s theology provides perspective on the origins of subjective apologetics and process theology. His focus on ontology made his works accessible and famous. It put the human at the center of the process as they reasoned up to God instead of accepting unquestioned authoritative doctrines. By embracing existential doubt, he connected to the masses by appealing to the “being” and …
In The Wake Of Euthyphro's False Dilemma, Gregory S. Mckenzie
In The Wake Of Euthyphro's False Dilemma, Gregory S. Mckenzie
Eleutheria: John W. Rawlings School of Divinity Academic Journal
All moral apologists, at one time or another, engage with the Euthyphro dilemma and all theologians engage, at one point or another, the issue of continuity or discontinuity of the Mosaic Covenant and Torah in general. The general view among apologists is that correct theology can be determined by its logical consistency and explanatory power considering philosophical, existential, and scientific principles. This study examines how answering the Euthyphro dilemma as a false dilemma, which is a common position among apologists actually produces theological contradictions primarily in the realm of theology proper and specifically immutability, issues in hamartiology and an improper …
Bonhoeffer On The Interaction Of Theology And Philosophy: Christological Redescription, Joseph D. Carson
Bonhoeffer On The Interaction Of Theology And Philosophy: Christological Redescription, Joseph D. Carson
Montview Journal of Research & Scholarship
Setting an example of philosophical theology in his own writings, Bonhoeffer can help contemporary theologians navigate the interaction between theology and philosophy. Predominantly discussing Sanctorum Communio and Ethics, this essay outlines how Bonhoeffer offers a paradigm of Christian engagement with philosophy. Bonhoeffer utilized the insights of philosophy by (1) critiquing its idolatrous nature and (2) Christologically redescribing its creative concepts in service to theology. Giving an account of Bonhoeffer’s critique and positive use of philosophy, this essay argues that Bonhoeffer’s paradigmatic view of theology and philosophy is a helpful resource for contemporary Christians. Specifically, a dialectic of antithesis and …
Augustine's Diverse Epistemology: Love, Reason, And Presupposition, Joseph Carson
Augustine's Diverse Epistemology: Love, Reason, And Presupposition, Joseph Carson
Quaerens Deum: The Liberty Undergraduate Journal for Philosophy of Religion
In Saint Augustine’s works, especially in The City of God, The Confessions, and On Free Choice of the Will, he offers three features integral to his epistemology: love, reason, and presupposition. By love, Augustine argues that virtuous lovers of God will know the Truth more than those with disordered loves. By reason, Augustine held that reason must guide the journey to Truth. By presupposition, Augustine claimed that the search for Truth only starts from Christian doctrine. While modern philosophers might see a tension when simultaneously holding these three principles in his epistemology, Augustine claimed they were mutually …
Designating The Greatest Possible Being, Corey M. Walton
Designating The Greatest Possible Being, Corey M. Walton
Quaerens Deum: The Liberty Undergraduate Journal for Philosophy of Religion
Anselm’s famous ontological argument has not been found wanting for critics who question its soundness or validity. In spite of the sustained contestation, the argument has managed to continue to persist even after thinkers have declared it defunct. In the spirit of the pursuit of novel ways to analyze and reconsider the argument, I have attempted to develop a way to defend the argument from contemporary critiques. In this article, I have proposed an account of the argument with an alternative interpretation of Anselm’s concept of graded existence as well as his conceivability thesis. I have also reduced the scope …
Capitalism And Biblical Ethics, Sarah D. Stewart
Capitalism And Biblical Ethics, Sarah D. Stewart
Liberty University Journal of Statesmanship & Public Policy
There has been a growing trend in some expressions of Christianity to view Capitalism as fundamentally incompatible with the Christian faith. This article looked to a variety of sources to argue that Christianity and Capitalism are not fundamentally incompatible. Rather, Capitalism developed alongside developments in Christian theology during the Middle Ages. This traditional form of Capitalism is defined and argued for in this article. The article attempts to demonstrate that the elements that allow Capitalism to thrive are compatible with Christian ethics. The case is made by first examining the historical development of Capitalism and its relationship to Christianity. From …
The Hebraic Monarchy As God’S Redemptive Response To Israel’S Unfaithfulness, Caleb H A Brown
The Hebraic Monarchy As God’S Redemptive Response To Israel’S Unfaithfulness, Caleb H A Brown
The Kabod
The first portion of this paper will argue that the Old Testament portrays the monarchy neither as God’s chosen method of relating to his people, nor as an intrinsically evil institution, but as God’s redemptive response to Israel’s unfaithfulness. The second portion addresses a potential objection to this portrayal by arguing that Moses serves primarily as a type for Samuel, not the monarchy.
Covenant, Kingship, Grace, Sacrifice, And Prophetism In The Old Testament, Rickie S. Scott
Covenant, Kingship, Grace, Sacrifice, And Prophetism In The Old Testament, Rickie S. Scott
The Kabod
This essay examines the major themes of covenant, kingship, grace, sacrifice, and prophetism that reoccur throughout the Old Testament and contribute to a proper understanding of the ancient biblical text. Through covenant, God reveals his divine nature and relates to his people. Through kingship, God reveals his plan for Israel. Through grace, God loves his chosen people and shows them mercy, and through sacrifice, God cleanses and sanctifies the Israelites. Finally, through prophetism, God discloses his divine calling for the Israelites. Each of these themes exposes God’s self-revelation and contributes to an enhanced understanding of the Old Testament.
The Five Main Themes Of The Old Testament, Laura E. Mumme
The Five Main Themes Of The Old Testament, Laura E. Mumme
The Kabod
Definition and history of the Old Testament themes of covenant, kingship, grace, sacrifice, and prophetism.
Gustavo GutiéRrez – Liberation Theology & Marxism, Todd Cameron Swathwood Jr
Gustavo GutiéRrez – Liberation Theology & Marxism, Todd Cameron Swathwood Jr
The Kabod
Since 1968, liberation theology has emerged as a prominent feature of religion and politics, particularly in South America. Originally stemming from the writings of Peruvian priest Gustavo Gutiérrez, this at-once theological and overtly political ideology decries the institutionalized violence of the world’s capitalist society on the poor and oppressed, and argues that God is particularly concerned with the plight of the suffering masses. Christians should therefore make assistance of these poor souls their highest priority, and advocate for any and all methods of alleviating suffering, especially those that work from the premise that society must be toppled and rebuilt for …
Emotional Doubt And Divine Hiddenness, A. Chadwick Thornhill
Emotional Doubt And Divine Hiddenness, A. Chadwick Thornhill
Eruditio Ardescens
This essay will seek to develop a possible model for addressing the existential problem of divine hiddenness and the emotional doubt that it might cause in the life of a believer. In doing so, it will identify several potential "root causes" for the experience of the existential problem of divine hiddenness and attempt to guide a hurting individual through dealing with their doubt by applying misbelief therapy.