(Originally written April 21, 2006 in 3 Subject)
Historic Christian Belief
Theosis - the way of the East
The Eastern Orthodox makes a distinction between the image of God and in the likeness of God.
The image of God - the capacity to relate to God
The likeness of God - an unbroken union with God
The Fall resulted in the damage of the image of God in humanity, but is still retained. The Fall however resulted in a complete loss of the likeness of God. The likeness of God can be restored to those in Christ to a significant degree however.
Three Categories of Divine Election
1. General Election
2. Corporate Election
3. Particular Election
General Election
-Election in History
-God chooses nations and individuals to play a particular role in history: to glorify God
Romans 9:6-13 (Isaac, Ishmael, Jacob over Esau in the blessing), Romans 9:16 (Pharaoh)
Corporate Election
-God foresees who will believe in Christ
-Ephesians 1:3 - chosen in Him from before the creation of the world
-Those chosen = a corporate entity, the believers in Christ
-Christ is God's 'chosen [elect] one, all others are chosen in Christ (John 3:16, 1 Timothy 2:5, Romans 8:29, 1 Peter 3:9)
Particular Election
-Augustine, Calvin
-Monergism - salvation brought about through spiritual regeneration without willingness from the saved (irresistible grace)
-God has chosen individuals out of the whole of fallen humanity
-Election is one aspect of predestination, Election (salvation & glory), Reprobation (judgment)
-Predestination: Election & Reprobation (John 6:44, Acts 13:48, Ephesians 1:5 and Romans 8:29)
-Romans 8:29 is actually used by Calvinism & Arminianism
Friday, April 21, 2006
Unfinished notes on Ephesians & James
(Originally written April 21, 2006 in 3 Subject)
Lesson plan assignment due May 1
Ephesians 6:10-18
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people."
HBLT
Example: Richards Pg. 162
James 3:18
"Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness".
Lesson plan assignment due May 1
Ephesians 6:10-18
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people."
HBLT
Example: Richards Pg. 162
James 3:18
"Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness".
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Kantian Ethics
(Originally Written April 19, 2006 in 3 Subject)
Kant made an impact, a lasting impact in Aesthetics, Epistemology and Ethics especially.
Criticism of Kant's Epistemology:
-Kant gave too much to Hume
-If Kant is right, then there is no way that we can know he is right because a priori concepts of the mind are beyond what we can access. If everything is simply an appearance of the real thing, how can I be sure that my mind that I know isn't merely my interpretation of the actual mind (or a representation or appearance of my mind)?
Kant's Ethics
-Aimed to put Ethics on a rational level
-backlash at consequentialist ethical theories like Utilitarianism (teleological)
-Deontological in nature (duty-based)
-Kant asks, what is our duty? How are we obligated?
-The only unqualified good is The Good Will. It can't be gifts of nature (talents, humor, etc.) can and are used for evil. It can't be acquired things (wealth, honor, prestige, etc.) because these can and are used for evil. But the Good Will cannot be and is not used for evil.
-What does a good will do? It respects the moral law.
-The Moral Law comes from Scripture, but it is so imbedded in us that even if there were no Scriptures we would still be able to know it.
The Law of Non-Contradiction: Our guide for theoretical/hypothetical reason
The Categorical Imperative: Practical reason guide,
The categorical imperative is the moral law.
The first version of the categorical imperative is to act on only that maxim that at the same time you could will it to become universal law. The second version is to always respect humans as ends in and of themselves and never as a means only.
Kant made an impact, a lasting impact in Aesthetics, Epistemology and Ethics especially.
Criticism of Kant's Epistemology:
-Kant gave too much to Hume
-If Kant is right, then there is no way that we can know he is right because a priori concepts of the mind are beyond what we can access. If everything is simply an appearance of the real thing, how can I be sure that my mind that I know isn't merely my interpretation of the actual mind (or a representation or appearance of my mind)?
Kant's Ethics
-Aimed to put Ethics on a rational level
-backlash at consequentialist ethical theories like Utilitarianism (teleological)
-Deontological in nature (duty-based)
-Kant asks, what is our duty? How are we obligated?
-The only unqualified good is The Good Will. It can't be gifts of nature (talents, humor, etc.) can and are used for evil. It can't be acquired things (wealth, honor, prestige, etc.) because these can and are used for evil. But the Good Will cannot be and is not used for evil.
-What does a good will do? It respects the moral law.
-The Moral Law comes from Scripture, but it is so imbedded in us that even if there were no Scriptures we would still be able to know it.
The Law of Non-Contradiction: Our guide for theoretical/hypothetical reason
The Categorical Imperative: Practical reason guide,
The categorical imperative is the moral law.
The first version of the categorical imperative is to act on only that maxim that at the same time you could will it to become universal law. The second version is to always respect humans as ends in and of themselves and never as a means only.
Notes on the Holy Spirit
(Originally written April 19, 2006 in 3 Subject)
Historic Christian Thought
The Holy Spirit
Who He is
1. He is personal
-"He" not "it", contra Jehovah's Witnesses
-Not the 'Star Wars' spirit or force
2. He does personal deeds
-John 14:26
-John 15:26
-John 16:13
3. He is God
-Spirit of God/Spirit of Christ/Holy Spirit
-He is the third person of the trinity, John 15:26
Montanus, a 3rd century teacher (contemporary of Tertullian) taught that there were three eras of God's workings:
1. God the Father (Abraham, Moses, up to Jesus)
2. God the Son (Jesus' lifetime)
3. God the Spirit (Pentecost era)
Montanus however, believed that he was himself the last great prophet
Montanism had a lot to do with 'filioque' (and the son). The controversy over 'filioque' is what caused the 1054 split between the eastern and the western Church.
Montanism is nearly dead but will occasionally pop up from time to time.
Montanism today:
Jim Jones (1970s) was a charismatic preacher from San Francisco who went to Ghana. One day he said is this the Word of God (referring to the Bible). He answered 'No, the words from my mouth is the Word of God.' Jones' mission ended in mass suicide.
What the Holy Spirit Does (part one)
-Testifies of Christ, John 14:26, 15:26
-Continues Jesus' ministry, John 14:16, 16:7, Acts 1:1
-The spirit glorifies Jesus, not Himself
-Baptizes believers into the body of Christ
-Christ's life through the spirit (Romans 8:2-27)
-Gives fullness of Christ at Conversion (John 1:16). No second work of grace for fullness. Assures perseverance of salvation
Historic Christian Thought
The Holy Spirit
Who He is
1. He is personal
-"He" not "it", contra Jehovah's Witnesses
-Not the 'Star Wars' spirit or force
2. He does personal deeds
-John 14:26
-John 15:26
-John 16:13
3. He is God
-Spirit of God/Spirit of Christ/Holy Spirit
-He is the third person of the trinity, John 15:26
Montanus, a 3rd century teacher (contemporary of Tertullian) taught that there were three eras of God's workings:
1. God the Father (Abraham, Moses, up to Jesus)
2. God the Son (Jesus' lifetime)
3. God the Spirit (Pentecost era)
Montanus however, believed that he was himself the last great prophet
Montanism had a lot to do with 'filioque' (and the son). The controversy over 'filioque' is what caused the 1054 split between the eastern and the western Church.
Montanism is nearly dead but will occasionally pop up from time to time.
Montanism today:
Jim Jones (1970s) was a charismatic preacher from San Francisco who went to Ghana. One day he said is this the Word of God (referring to the Bible). He answered 'No, the words from my mouth is the Word of God.' Jones' mission ended in mass suicide.
What the Holy Spirit Does (part one)
-Testifies of Christ, John 14:26, 15:26
-Continues Jesus' ministry, John 14:16, 16:7, Acts 1:1
-The spirit glorifies Jesus, not Himself
-Baptizes believers into the body of Christ
-Christ's life through the spirit (Romans 8:2-27)
-Gives fullness of Christ at Conversion (John 1:16). No second work of grace for fullness. Assures perseverance of salvation
Renaissance Popes & Martin Luther
(Originally Written April 19, 2006 in 3 Subject)
European Religious History
Problems in the Renaissance Church:
1. Simony
2. Clerical Marriage
-Priests with wives or concubines
-upper Church officials with concubines and children
-Popes known to have illegitimate children
3. Nepotism
-Nepotism leads to the building of Clerical Dynasties
4. Pluralism (having two positions simultaneously)
-An unfortunate, but sometime necessary evil in some cases on account of the black death
-Non-residency of bishops in their bishoprics
Renaissance Popes
-Council of Constance (1411-1414)
-Reformation
-Most Renaissance Popes are looked cross-eyed at by the people for various religious issues
Systux IV - Nepotism, but begins the building of the Sistine Chapel and commissions Michaelangelo
Innocent VIII - (worst example of the Renaissance Popes) - 16 illegitimate children, which is widely known. Continues the Papal trend of centralizing Papal authority by creating 52 new administration jobs
Alexander VI (1492-1503)
-Buys the Papacy
-Borgia, son of Alexander VI, is sent in military action to divide the Papal States into his own familial lands
Julius II (1503-1513) - Leads the Papal army against his own enemies, dubbed "The Warrior Pope"
-Erasmus of Roderdam wrote "Julius Exclusivis" as a satire of Julius II
-Julius II did however commission the building of St. Peter's Basilica
Leo X (1513-1521)
-1st Medici Family Pope
-Pope during Martin Luther's 95 thesis posting
-Leo X was made Archbishop at age 8 and a Cardinal at age 13 by the Medici family
Problems in the Holy Roman Empire
- Holy Roman Empire elects its emperor with the 7 princes (7 noble families)
-Because of elections, Germany cannot consolidate power like France and England. Emperors are also unable to ensure dynastic succession.
-This sets the tables for Martin Luther to shake up the world.
1)All of Europe has a looming presence in the east. The ottoman Empire is the most powerful empire in the region (Turkey & Greece). The Pope and the Holy Roman Empire have the most to worry about because the Holy Roman Empire is not consolidated and the Pope already has problems with the Ottomans, the Holy Roman Empire, The French King, the French Catholic Church and various others in Europe.
2)The Printing Press: Luther's crew is better with this new invention than the Pope's Catholic Brigade.
3)Literacy is on the rise because of the Renaissance ideal of education and emphasis on public schools.
4) Luther appeals to the German princes to overthrow the Catholic Church, who are politically estranged from the Papacy.
European Religious History
Problems in the Renaissance Church:
1. Simony
2. Clerical Marriage
-Priests with wives or concubines
-upper Church officials with concubines and children
-Popes known to have illegitimate children
3. Nepotism
-Nepotism leads to the building of Clerical Dynasties
4. Pluralism (having two positions simultaneously)
-An unfortunate, but sometime necessary evil in some cases on account of the black death
-Non-residency of bishops in their bishoprics
Renaissance Popes
-Council of Constance (1411-1414)
-Reformation
-Most Renaissance Popes are looked cross-eyed at by the people for various religious issues
Systux IV - Nepotism, but begins the building of the Sistine Chapel and commissions Michaelangelo
Innocent VIII - (worst example of the Renaissance Popes) - 16 illegitimate children, which is widely known. Continues the Papal trend of centralizing Papal authority by creating 52 new administration jobs
Alexander VI (1492-1503)
-Buys the Papacy
-Borgia, son of Alexander VI, is sent in military action to divide the Papal States into his own familial lands
Julius II (1503-1513) - Leads the Papal army against his own enemies, dubbed "The Warrior Pope"
-Erasmus of Roderdam wrote "Julius Exclusivis" as a satire of Julius II
-Julius II did however commission the building of St. Peter's Basilica
Leo X (1513-1521)
-1st Medici Family Pope
-Pope during Martin Luther's 95 thesis posting
-Leo X was made Archbishop at age 8 and a Cardinal at age 13 by the Medici family
Problems in the Holy Roman Empire
- Holy Roman Empire elects its emperor with the 7 princes (7 noble families)
-Because of elections, Germany cannot consolidate power like France and England. Emperors are also unable to ensure dynastic succession.
-This sets the tables for Martin Luther to shake up the world.
1)All of Europe has a looming presence in the east. The ottoman Empire is the most powerful empire in the region (Turkey & Greece). The Pope and the Holy Roman Empire have the most to worry about because the Holy Roman Empire is not consolidated and the Pope already has problems with the Ottomans, the Holy Roman Empire, The French King, the French Catholic Church and various others in Europe.
2)The Printing Press: Luther's crew is better with this new invention than the Pope's Catholic Brigade.
3)Literacy is on the rise because of the Renaissance ideal of education and emphasis on public schools.
4) Luther appeals to the German princes to overthrow the Catholic Church, who are politically estranged from the Papacy.
Saturday, April 15, 2006
A barely started essay on ghosts
(Originally written April 15, 2006 in 3 Subject)
If one is to believe in ghosts then one must believe in a number of things. The definition of what a ghost is requires (if one believes in such things) an afterlife. A ghost is...
If one is to believe in ghosts then one must believe in a number of things. The definition of what a ghost is requires (if one believes in such things) an afterlife. A ghost is...
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Proverbs 31 & Suicide
(Originally written April 11, 2006 in 3 Subject)
Let them drink
Contemporary Issues of Philosophy: Suicide
-Suicide
-Assisted Suicide
-Passive euthanasia (termination of life support)
-Active euthanasia
For the Christian, suicide seems to be a simple No-No, but assisted suicide and various forms of euthanasia are complicated by a section of Proverbs.
Proverbs 31:6-7
"Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish! Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more."
Contemporary Issues of Philosophy: Suicide
-Suicide
-Assisted Suicide
-Passive euthanasia (termination of life support)
-Active euthanasia
For the Christian, suicide seems to be a simple No-No, but assisted suicide and various forms of euthanasia are complicated by a section of Proverbs.
Proverbs 31:6-7
"Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish! Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more."
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