lauantai 20. joulukuuta 2008

On Calvinism and the Wrath of God

This article deals with one particular argument that some Calvinists use as a rational justification for their position with regard to the issue of election and reprobation. I intend to show that the argument is flawed on several points. While this does not demonstrate that Calvinism is false, it does undermine one argument that is sometimes advanced in favor of Calvinism.

Calvinism and the Wrath of God -- Does God's Attribute of Wrath Imply Calvinism?

(Article hosted at Bukisa.com)

keskiviikko 17. joulukuuta 2008

Quick Note on Technical Difficulties

There seem to be some temporary technical difficulties that prevent the viewing of many of my articles from Bukisa.com. At least it SEEMS that way. I say this because a few of my friends have had no problem at all in viewing, which leads me to wonder if the problem is local with my computer only. In order to find this out, please leave a comment here if you can access the links on my articles below. (I mean, parts 2, 3 etc that are linked to Bukisa directory).

tiistai 16. joulukuuta 2008

The Metaphysics of the Incarnation -- Logically Coherent Model

In this article, I will try to solve one particular aspect of the problem of the coherence of the Christian doctrine of Incarnation. I think that the attitude that just refuses to analyze the issue rationally and simply declares it a mystery is way too common. While I don't disagree that the Incarnation is mysterious in a profound sense, it does not follow that one cannot make any rational sense of it. Here's my attempt. To do so. I'm relying on certain ideas that I got from reading Thomas V. Morris, William Lane Craig, J. P. Moreland and Richard Swinburne on the subject, but I don't think that any of those authors present the exact same model that I do. As I focus on a particular aspect of the problem, I will take Morris' thorough argumentation on certain foundational issues in his book The Logic of the God Incarnate as more or less a given (thus I only summarize him on that point). But my contribution is perhaps a bit more original in the way that I build on this foundation, as well as the way that I use visual illustrations. (Though actually, on my first reading of Morris' book Our Idea of God, I thought that Morris intended to present the exact same model.)

Here's a link to the article:

The Relation of Christ’s Divine Mind to His Humanity: A Logically Coherent Model of the Incarnation

(Article hosted at Bukisa.com)

perjantai 12. joulukuuta 2008

Perfect Being Theology and the Value of Freedom -- A Solution to an Apparent Problem

This article discusses an apparent problem that arises from the conjunction of the Anselmian definition of God as the greatest conceivable being, and the view concerning the value of freedom that is implied by the free will defense against the problem of evil. Quentin Smith has pointed out this problem in his writings, and thus I use some of his ideas as the starting point from which I begin to analyze the problem. It seems to me that clear definitions of the key concepts involved in the problem will provide the ingredients needed for a a solution. While the problem is intriguing, it ultimately fails to point out a problem in a fully developed theistic view of reality.

Link to the article: Freedom, Goodness, and Metaphysical Value
(Article hosted at Bukisa.com)

What Would Happen If Greg Bahnsen and William Lane Craig Tag-teamed Against Mormonism?

This article applies certain principles form both classical and presuppositional apologetics to the criticism of the Mormon worldview. In particular, the cosmology that results from the Mormon doctrine of eternal progression is the source of many severe philosophical difficulties. Not only will W. L. Craig and Greg Bahnsen make a visit here, but the cause of Christian countercult apologetics finds an unexpected ally in form of certain Oxford biologist whose last name begins with D. ;-)

Constructing a Christian Philosophical Apologetic Against the Mormon Worldview

(Article hosted at Bukisa.com)

Epistemology and Christian Apologetics

Here I will focus on the epistemological aspects of Christian apologetics. I will compare and contrast Evidentialism and Presuppositionalism, and point out certain strenghts and weaknesses in them. I conclude that the best method is one that takes the main points of Presuppositionalism seriously, while avoiding the weaknesses that result from maximizing the required presuppositions to include a full set of Christian belief. The evidentialist approach seems to be better suited for the task of arguing for Christian theism rather than more generic theism. The weaknesses of evidentialism can be avoided when a certain more minimal presuppositionalist foundation is established.

Here's the article: Epistemological Issues in Christian Apologetics

(Article hosted at Bukisa.com)