In the Foreword of his book Jesus Rediscovered, Malcolm Muggeridge, referred to the French philosopher Simone Weil (1909– 1943) as "the most luminous intelligence of our time". Despite her brief life, much constrained by ill-health, she made important contributions to the field of philosophy and philosophical theology.One key concept of Weil's philosophy of God was "Absence". I quote from Wikipedia:Absence is the key image for her metaphysics, cosmology, cosmogeny, and theodicy. She believed that God created by an act of self-delimitation—in other...
Faith is the Cement
To walk by faith means to never react to doubts or conjectures: faith is the cement of all relationship; love, the foundati...
Sinful Nature and Eternal Security (Hamartiology Notes)
Lectures in HamartiologyThe Sinful Nature'Nature' here must not be understood as similar to that in 'human nature' or 'feline nature'. It is the principle of sin, which Romans 7 talks about, the law of sin. In essence, it is selfishness, covetousness, the end by which 'good' or 'evil' is defined. When Adam sinned, the choice broke him off from the Life of God and mankind became autonomous. Man could decide what was right or wrong by reference to himself. [Even philosophers have referred to happiness as the desired end]. That is the principle of...
Hamartiology: Comment on Human Body Indestructible
There is, however, no indication that the fruit of life could render the human body indestructible (as if even God could not destroy it).Hamartiology, p.11Indestructibility will be a quality of the spiritual body given to the believer on resurrection or glorification: the source, Christ (1 Cor.15:42-4...
Hamartiology (Philosophical Theology of Sin, 2006) - God Created Humans As Mortals
God created humans as mortals. Mortality was known to Adam, or else reference to it in the command would have meant nothing to him.......through Adam’s disobedience and choice of autonomy (physical well-being), mortality reached finality in Adam...." Hamartiology, p.10(1) If man were created immortal, death could not be predicted of him in any condition. For “immortality” implies inability to die (physically). (2) If man were created immortal, the Tree of Life would be a meaningless addition to the Garden. Perhaps, a safer proposition might be...
Guarding Intimacies - Kempis
SHUNNING OVER-FAMILIARITYDO NOT open your heart to every man, but discuss your affairs with one who is wise and who fears God. Do not keep company with young people and strangers. Do not fawn upon the rich, and do not be fond of mingling with the great. Associate with the humble and the simple, with the devout and virtuous, and with them speak of edifying things. Be not intimate with any woman, but generally commend all good women...
The Self-Evident Word of God - The Bible
Anyone reading the New Testament will immediately be able to observe a few distinctive things:1. Variety. There is a great variety of styles by different authors. It is not just the perspective of one person. We find here the united testimony of several authors from various backgrounds and perspectives, doctors, government officials, theologians, and fishermen. Yet, they all share the same faith.2. Sincerity. Not only the tone and the appeal is sincere, but the testimonies of life are also outstandingly genuine. Luke writes about the life of Paul...
Studies in Daniel - Outline
OUTLINEDaniel can be divided into two parts:PART I: DANIEL THE INTERPRETERA. The Test of Dainty (Ch.1)B. The Vision & Interpretation: The Great Image Broken (Ch.2):The Four Kingdoms:Babylon (Golden Head): 606-538 BCMedo-Persia (Silver Breast & Arms): 538-333 BCGreece (Brass Belly & Thigh): 333-63 BCRome (Iron & Clay Legs): BC 63-AD?C. The Test of Devotion: Shadrach, Meshech, & Abednego in Fire (Ch.3)D. The Vision & Interpretation: The Great Tree Cut Down (Ch.4)Nebuchadnezzar’s Pride brings him to the fields, perhaps zoanthrophy...
Daniel - Lecture 2
The next key verse is 2:44 which talks about the coming everlasting Kingdom of Jesus Christ.And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. (Daniel 2:44)Daniel, unlike his contemporary Ezekiel, is more concerned about the political future of the world and emphasizes...
Studies in Daniel: Key Verses - Lecture 1
The Book of Daniel was written sometime between 606-530 BC when Daniel prophesied through the times of Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, and Darius the son of Ahasurus in Babylon. The Book contains dreams, visions, and prophecies related to global politics revolving around the Jews whose nation Israel/Judah was snatched from them through conquests, first by Assyria and then by Babylon in 586 BC. The dreams, visions, and prophecies declare that though Israel was suspended as a nation from the realm of politics, God‘s sovereign rulership over world politics...
Charles Finney's 5 Rules of Biblical Interpretation
From Finney's Systematic Theology, Lecture 39(1) Different passages must be so interpreted, if they can be, as not to contradict each other.(2) Language is to be interpreted according to the subject matter of discourse.(3) Respect is always to be had, to the general scope and design of the speaker or writer.(4) Texts that are consistent with either theory, prove neither.(5) Language is to be so interpreted, if it can be, as not to conflict with sound philosophy, matters of fact, the nature of things, or immutable justi...
