(Originally written February 28, 2006)
Matthew 18:19-20: "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in Heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them"
Ethics in America: Do unto others
Two methodological principles:
1) Degrees (or levels of ethical responsibility)
2) Severity of Human need
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Friday, February 24, 2006
Recovery in England & Germany
(Originally written February 24, 2006 in Book 24)
Class Notes
Recovery and Revival
Western Europe AD 1000 - 1200
Early Middle Ages (AD 500 - 1000)
-Decentralized Government
-Spain: Visigoths
-Gaul: Franks: The highpoint of Frankish kings is Charlemagne; A.D. 800
-Feudalistic government
-Feudalism is threatened by the Scandinavian tribes at the end of the reign of Charlemagne
-Scandinavian tribes convert similarly to the Germanic tribes
-Germanic kings worked hard to consolidate large "kingdoms" through feudalism. After generations of consolidating the Scandinavian invasion causes everyone to break ties to their lords and defend their lords and defend their own land. This causes further political instability and more decentralized of government.
-The Danes (Scandinavian) caused serious problems in Anglo-Saxon Britain. The Norsemen set up a strong kingdom in Normandy (Northern France). Britain suffers constant invasion from the Danes and Normans.
-The Scandinavians completely destroy the stability that Charlemagne created.
Political Recovery of England
End to invasion
-Norse/Viking
Alfred the Great of Wessex
- consolidating rule and fighting vikings 879-896
- brings scholars from the Carolingians
Edgar (959-975)
-Unified Anglo-Saxon monarchy
- Centralization of government, reestablishes stability by conquering the Vikings
Harold Bluetooth
Swein Forkbeard conquered England in 1014, son Cnut followed him in 1016
Last Anglo-Saxon king: Edward the Confessor
-William the Conquerer, a Norman conquered Britain in 1066
Political Recovery of Germany
Political recovery stems from an economic revival (which coincides with the miniature ice age lifting and important technological advancement)
End of Invasions
-Magnus (Hungarian)
Otto I
- Battle of Zechfeld, 955
- Supported missions to Scandinavia and Slavs
- Anskar, bishop of Bremen and Hamburg
- Strong alliance with bishops and abbots
- New bishoprics (diocese) along eastern border: gave bishops authority to collect revenues and call men to arms.
- Bishops in this area answered to the German king.
In 962 the Pope crowns Otto I as the first Holy Roman Emperor since Charlemagne.
Charlemagne's Empire Post-Death
Divided between Charles (France), Lothar, and Louis (Germany)
France expands westward, Germany eastward and squeeze out the Lothar Kingdom.
Class Notes
Recovery and Revival
Western Europe AD 1000 - 1200
Early Middle Ages (AD 500 - 1000)
-Decentralized Government
-Spain: Visigoths
-Gaul: Franks: The highpoint of Frankish kings is Charlemagne; A.D. 800
-Feudalistic government
-Feudalism is threatened by the Scandinavian tribes at the end of the reign of Charlemagne
-Scandinavian tribes convert similarly to the Germanic tribes
-Germanic kings worked hard to consolidate large "kingdoms" through feudalism. After generations of consolidating the Scandinavian invasion causes everyone to break ties to their lords and defend their lords and defend their own land. This causes further political instability and more decentralized of government.
-The Danes (Scandinavian) caused serious problems in Anglo-Saxon Britain. The Norsemen set up a strong kingdom in Normandy (Northern France). Britain suffers constant invasion from the Danes and Normans.
-The Scandinavians completely destroy the stability that Charlemagne created.
Political Recovery of England
End to invasion
-Norse/Viking
Alfred the Great of Wessex
- consolidating rule and fighting vikings 879-896
- brings scholars from the Carolingians
Edgar (959-975)
-Unified Anglo-Saxon monarchy
- Centralization of government, reestablishes stability by conquering the Vikings
Harold Bluetooth
Swein Forkbeard conquered England in 1014, son Cnut followed him in 1016
Last Anglo-Saxon king: Edward the Confessor
-William the Conquerer, a Norman conquered Britain in 1066
Political Recovery of Germany
Political recovery stems from an economic revival (which coincides with the miniature ice age lifting and important technological advancement)
End of Invasions
-Magnus (Hungarian)
Otto I
- Battle of Zechfeld, 955
- Supported missions to Scandinavia and Slavs
- Anskar, bishop of Bremen and Hamburg
- Strong alliance with bishops and abbots
- New bishoprics (diocese) along eastern border: gave bishops authority to collect revenues and call men to arms.
- Bishops in this area answered to the German king.
In 962 the Pope crowns Otto I as the first Holy Roman Emperor since Charlemagne.
Charlemagne's Empire Post-Death
Divided between Charles (France), Lothar, and Louis (Germany)
France expands westward, Germany eastward and squeeze out the Lothar Kingdom.
Providence and Trinity
(Originally written February 24, 2006)
Quiz
1) What does Rabbi Harold Kushner deny?
- God is all powerful
2) Who said, 'whatever is, is right'?
- Alexander Pope
3) The story of Oedipus Rex reflects what worldview?
- Fatalism
4) According to William of Ockham since the creation God acts according to his ordained power.
5) True/False: According to Aquinas God's omnipotence makes him free to do anything:
-False
Special Providence
God sustains everything/everyone
1. Nothing happens by chance in "decrees, not bare permission" (Calvin)
2. Providence is not fate (Oedipus Rex)
a. Fate is impersonal; providence is personal
b. Fate deals solely with destiny; providence deals with the journey as well
Alternatives to Providence
Deism - natural law; dualistic
Pantheism - all is God's will, monistic
"Spiritual" Providence (Harold Kushner) "God can't do everything"
Augustine laid the groundwork for the social Trinity: "God is love, since love requires multiple people God must be more than a single person"
Richard of St. Victor (died 1173) defined God as three person bound together by love
This view as viewed by some as a form of tritheism, which is the view of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirt as three different (but equal) gods.
Aquinas corrected and expounded on Richard's doctrine and stated God was one substance (essence) but that each person of the Trinity was "relationally" distinct.
Quiz
1) What does Rabbi Harold Kushner deny?
- God is all powerful
2) Who said, 'whatever is, is right'?
- Alexander Pope
3) The story of Oedipus Rex reflects what worldview?
- Fatalism
4) According to William of Ockham since the creation God acts according to his ordained power.
5) True/False: According to Aquinas God's omnipotence makes him free to do anything:
-False
Special Providence
God sustains everything/everyone
1. Nothing happens by chance in "decrees, not bare permission" (Calvin)
2. Providence is not fate (Oedipus Rex)
a. Fate is impersonal; providence is personal
b. Fate deals solely with destiny; providence deals with the journey as well
Alternatives to Providence
Deism - natural law; dualistic
Pantheism - all is God's will, monistic
"Spiritual" Providence (Harold Kushner) "God can't do everything"
Augustine laid the groundwork for the social Trinity: "God is love, since love requires multiple people God must be more than a single person"
Richard of St. Victor (died 1173) defined God as three person bound together by love
This view as viewed by some as a form of tritheism, which is the view of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirt as three different (but equal) gods.
Aquinas corrected and expounded on Richard's doctrine and stated God was one substance (essence) but that each person of the Trinity was "relationally" distinct.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Morality and the Law
(Originally written February 23, 2006)
Topic 5: Morality and the Law
Conclusion: Who is correct, and on what basis?
On the basis of both principle (duty) and Utility
A. Liberty - valuable, but not absolute
B. Wisdom - a little inconvenience for a lot of good
C. Conscience - the need to intervene
D. Community - the domino effect.
Topic 5: Morality and the Law
Conclusion: Who is correct, and on what basis?
On the basis of both principle (duty) and Utility
A. Liberty - valuable, but not absolute
B. Wisdom - a little inconvenience for a lot of good
C. Conscience - the need to intervene
D. Community - the domino effect.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Class notes on Providence
(Originally written on February 22, 2006 in Book 23)
Class Notes
Providence - pro vidre ('foresight'; 'provide')
God not only created, but also sustains the world
Doctrine of Providence
- Contrary to Enlightenment Deism (Paley's clock)
- Carnal mind - often stops at Creation, less apt to call God sustainer (Calvin)
General providence
- God upholds the universe as a whole
1. Laws of nature (impersonal)
2. Moral laws programmed into creation
Special Providence
God sustains everything/everyone
1. Nothing happens by chance
"decrees, not bare permission" (Calvin)
2. Providence is not fate
Class Notes
Providence - pro vidre ('foresight'; 'provide')
God not only created, but also sustains the world
Doctrine of Providence
- Contrary to Enlightenment Deism (Paley's clock)
- Carnal mind - often stops at Creation, less apt to call God sustainer (Calvin)
General providence
- God upholds the universe as a whole
1. Laws of nature (impersonal)
2. Moral laws programmed into creation
Special Providence
God sustains everything/everyone
1. Nothing happens by chance
"decrees, not bare permission" (Calvin)
2. Providence is not fate
Monday, February 20, 2006
More views on Creation
(Originally written on February 20, 2006)
Quiz
1) The notion that God created the world in six twenty-four hour days is connected with?
- Direct Creationism
2) In Genesis 1:27 how many times does the Hebrew word "barah" meaning "create" appear?
- Three
3) In the heavenly realm Satan's alter ego is?
- Michael
4) Who wrote the book Darwin's Black Box?
- Michael Behe
The cosmos is result of either impersonal + time + chance or Divine Creation
Divine Creation
- evidences in microsphere:
- "anthropic principle" - universe made in such a way that it is made to be conducive to human life
- evidences in microsphere:
"irreducible complexity" - the complexity of certain aspects of humanity makes it impossible for a gradual evolutionary process
Genesis & Evolution
Bible - Special creation of humanity as humanity
Theistic evolution?
Genesis 1-3 is not allegory or parable
3 Differentiations
Genesis 1:1 (ex nihilo) nothing becomes something
- Barah #1
Genesis 1:21 unconsciousness becomes conscious life
- Barah #2
Genesis 1:27 Conscious life becomes imago dei
- Barah #3
barah is used three times in verse 27, signifying that humanity is the pinnacle or apex of creation
Caveat: scientific theory is not equal to fact
The Bible states that:
1) God created, thus there is a time, a specific starting point for creation
2) The universe is not necessary, it is contingent upon something or someone. It is not independent, it is dependent on something
3) God of creation and God of redemption are the same (contrary to Marcion's heresy)
Angels
-Created beings, and self-existent spirits
-Spirits, not bodily (Matthew 22:30, Genesis 18:1)
Hierarchy of Angels
- Michael (Daniel 12:1, Jude 9, Revelation 12:7)
- Gabriel (Daniel 8:16, 9:21, Luke 1:19, 31-33)
Monad agents with the capacity to rebel
-Satan is a fallen angel (Revelation 12:7). Satan is not a self-existent spirit
A Faith for all Season Ch. 4
The starting point for answering these questions is comprehending the Bible. It is a foundational point, but experience and science should be used in addition to form a Christian worldview.
God the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth
God created the world out of nothing (ex nihilo) simply by calling them into being
The universe is not eternal; only God is eternal.
A modern school of thought (process theology) believes that both God and the universe are eternally in developmental mode. This view ignores "in the beginning" and blurs the line between the creator and the created order.
The God of creation is the God of redemption. This is a belief that has been held by even the earliest Christians. The Nicene Creed and the Apostolic creed focus on the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, but begin by affirming that God created all things. These creeds affirmed that the God of creation is the God of redemption and combated the gnostic view of a lesser god (usually the god of the Old Testament) creating the world, but a supreme God redeeming us.
Why God Created the World
This question is really two separate questions. The first is for what purpose did God create the world? The second is what caused God to create the world as it is? To answer the first question, creation has been called a theatrum gloriae dei (theater of the glory of God). Humanity is the centerpiece of this theater. We were created for the purpose of demonstration of the glory of God and for enjoying God forever. Man's highest purpose, according to John Piper, is to "glorify God by enjoying him forever" (Dorman, 67).
All creation glorifies God, but only man can enjoy God because man is the only creation capable of worshipping God.
The second question is considered improper to ask by some. They state simply that God created the world because he wanted to. During the Reformation Martin Luther said that before God created the world he was "cutting the switches to punish those who ask such impertinent questions" (Dorman, 68). Calvin said that before God created the world he was "building a hell for the curious" (Institutes 1.14.1)
Jonathan Edwards believed that God was delighting in himself before creating the world and was therefore motivated to create something glorious. He contended that God has both necessary work and free work. It is necessary for God to fully delight in Himself, but creation isn't essential to God's happiness. Creation is a free act that is done through motivation of God's glory.
According to Edwards, benevolence motivated God to create. He defined benevolence as a joy that is found in meeting the needs of others, rather than having one's own needs met. This motivating benevolence can also be described as a love that condescends to meet the needs of unworthy beings (mercy). God is so secure in Himself that He can condescend to us and love what is unloveable. Mercy is God's greatest act of glory because mercy is a free act. Free acts of will are much more glorious than necessary acts.
Alternatives to the Biblical View of Creation
Greek Philosophy
Biblical view - ex nihilo
Plato's view - ex nihilo nihil fit
- Two self evident things: God and matter
- God formed matter to reflect his eternal ideas in creation
Aristotle
- Believed the same thing other than the universe had a beginning: when God formed the matter to like it
Ancient greek philosophy had a tendency to view this self-existent matter as intrinsically evil.
Quiz
1) The notion that God created the world in six twenty-four hour days is connected with?
- Direct Creationism
2) In Genesis 1:27 how many times does the Hebrew word "barah" meaning "create" appear?
- Three
3) In the heavenly realm Satan's alter ego is?
- Michael
4) Who wrote the book Darwin's Black Box?
- Michael Behe
The cosmos is result of either impersonal + time + chance or Divine Creation
Divine Creation
- evidences in microsphere:
- "anthropic principle" - universe made in such a way that it is made to be conducive to human life
- evidences in microsphere:
"irreducible complexity" - the complexity of certain aspects of humanity makes it impossible for a gradual evolutionary process
Genesis & Evolution
Bible - Special creation of humanity as humanity
Theistic evolution?
Genesis 1-3 is not allegory or parable
3 Differentiations
Genesis 1:1 (ex nihilo) nothing becomes something
- Barah #1
Genesis 1:21 unconsciousness becomes conscious life
- Barah #2
Genesis 1:27 Conscious life becomes imago dei
- Barah #3
barah is used three times in verse 27, signifying that humanity is the pinnacle or apex of creation
Caveat: scientific theory is not equal to fact
The Bible states that:
1) God created, thus there is a time, a specific starting point for creation
2) The universe is not necessary, it is contingent upon something or someone. It is not independent, it is dependent on something
3) God of creation and God of redemption are the same (contrary to Marcion's heresy)
Angels
-Created beings, and self-existent spirits
-Spirits, not bodily (Matthew 22:30, Genesis 18:1)
Hierarchy of Angels
- Michael (Daniel 12:1, Jude 9, Revelation 12:7)
- Gabriel (Daniel 8:16, 9:21, Luke 1:19, 31-33)
Monad agents with the capacity to rebel
-Satan is a fallen angel (Revelation 12:7). Satan is not a self-existent spirit
A Faith for all Season Ch. 4
The starting point for answering these questions is comprehending the Bible. It is a foundational point, but experience and science should be used in addition to form a Christian worldview.
God the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth
God created the world out of nothing (ex nihilo) simply by calling them into being
The universe is not eternal; only God is eternal.
A modern school of thought (process theology) believes that both God and the universe are eternally in developmental mode. This view ignores "in the beginning" and blurs the line between the creator and the created order.
The God of creation is the God of redemption. This is a belief that has been held by even the earliest Christians. The Nicene Creed and the Apostolic creed focus on the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, but begin by affirming that God created all things. These creeds affirmed that the God of creation is the God of redemption and combated the gnostic view of a lesser god (usually the god of the Old Testament) creating the world, but a supreme God redeeming us.
Why God Created the World
This question is really two separate questions. The first is for what purpose did God create the world? The second is what caused God to create the world as it is? To answer the first question, creation has been called a theatrum gloriae dei (theater of the glory of God). Humanity is the centerpiece of this theater. We were created for the purpose of demonstration of the glory of God and for enjoying God forever. Man's highest purpose, according to John Piper, is to "glorify God by enjoying him forever" (Dorman, 67).
All creation glorifies God, but only man can enjoy God because man is the only creation capable of worshipping God.
The second question is considered improper to ask by some. They state simply that God created the world because he wanted to. During the Reformation Martin Luther said that before God created the world he was "cutting the switches to punish those who ask such impertinent questions" (Dorman, 68). Calvin said that before God created the world he was "building a hell for the curious" (Institutes 1.14.1)
Jonathan Edwards believed that God was delighting in himself before creating the world and was therefore motivated to create something glorious. He contended that God has both necessary work and free work. It is necessary for God to fully delight in Himself, but creation isn't essential to God's happiness. Creation is a free act that is done through motivation of God's glory.
According to Edwards, benevolence motivated God to create. He defined benevolence as a joy that is found in meeting the needs of others, rather than having one's own needs met. This motivating benevolence can also be described as a love that condescends to meet the needs of unworthy beings (mercy). God is so secure in Himself that He can condescend to us and love what is unloveable. Mercy is God's greatest act of glory because mercy is a free act. Free acts of will are much more glorious than necessary acts.
Alternatives to the Biblical View of Creation
Greek Philosophy
Biblical view - ex nihilo
Plato's view - ex nihilo nihil fit
- Two self evident things: God and matter
- God formed matter to reflect his eternal ideas in creation
Aristotle
- Believed the same thing other than the universe had a beginning: when God formed the matter to like it
Ancient greek philosophy had a tendency to view this self-existent matter as intrinsically evil.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Brief notes on Ethics
(Originally written February 16, 2006)
Ethics
Essence of modernism: scientific reasoning provides all truth
Thomas Hobbes
Egoism: enlightened self-interest is the ultimate moral absolute
Held all people are ethical egoists
How do I react with other human beings as an ethical egoist?
-Social contracts
David Hume
One of the few philosophers to promote ethical relativism; moral relativism is usually promoted by social scientists, not philosophers.
Empiricist
Immanuel Kant
Secular deontology (duty-based ethics)
Kant's ultimate moral principle is the categorical imperative
The categorical imperative is if you can do it and it is good or moral for everyone then it is a moral act
Kant stated that it is immoral to use a person for a means. Humanity must always be treated as an end.
John Stuart Mill
Utilitarian
Teleological systems: emphasis on consequences of actions
-Consequentialists
-Non-consequentialists
-Utilitarianism/Egoism
Deontological systems: duty and principles
All deontology begins with the value of human life. Protects our human integrity.
Moral Choices: Chapter 3 "Major Figures in the History of Ethics"
Ethics was dominated historically by Christian ethics: Augustine in the early dark ages, Aquinas in the Middle Ages. Christian ethics' influence declined as the influence of religion declined during the Renaissance and Enlightenment.
Secular ethics are not totally bad. Aquinas fused Aristotle and Augustine to develop Medieval Roman Catholic Morality. Jewish and Muslim contemporaries of Aquinas attempted to blend their religion with Aristotelian ethics as well.
Ethics
Essence of modernism: scientific reasoning provides all truth
Thomas Hobbes
Egoism: enlightened self-interest is the ultimate moral absolute
Held all people are ethical egoists
How do I react with other human beings as an ethical egoist?
-Social contracts
David Hume
One of the few philosophers to promote ethical relativism; moral relativism is usually promoted by social scientists, not philosophers.
Empiricist
Immanuel Kant
Secular deontology (duty-based ethics)
Kant's ultimate moral principle is the categorical imperative
The categorical imperative is if you can do it and it is good or moral for everyone then it is a moral act
Kant stated that it is immoral to use a person for a means. Humanity must always be treated as an end.
John Stuart Mill
Utilitarian
Teleological systems: emphasis on consequences of actions
-Consequentialists
-Non-consequentialists
-Utilitarianism/Egoism
Deontological systems: duty and principles
All deontology begins with the value of human life. Protects our human integrity.
Moral Choices: Chapter 3 "Major Figures in the History of Ethics"
Ethics was dominated historically by Christian ethics: Augustine in the early dark ages, Aquinas in the Middle Ages. Christian ethics' influence declined as the influence of religion declined during the Renaissance and Enlightenment.
Secular ethics are not totally bad. Aquinas fused Aristotle and Augustine to develop Medieval Roman Catholic Morality. Jewish and Muslim contemporaries of Aquinas attempted to blend their religion with Aristotelian ethics as well.
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