Search Results for: "theological anthropology"

The Trinity of Human Ontology: Relationships, Identity, and Meaning

Posted on March 31, 2021 by -

To be human requires relationships, identity, and meaning; a trinity that is exemplified by God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Within our postmodern post-Christian, and individualistic culture, relational connectivity is unequivocally lacking. Such lack has resulted in the loss identity, initiating a loss of meaning, therein leading to the loss of ourselves.

Utilizing the insights of sociology, psychology, and Christian theology, I will discuss an integrative understanding of humanity’s ontology, regarding relationships, identity, and meaning.

The full-text of this paper is available for FREE by clicking here. The paper is part of an ongoing EPS web project focused on a Philosophy of Theological Anthropology.

On Bodily Immortality in the Eastern Church Fathers

Posted on March 31, 2021 by -

This essay examines what the Eastern Church fathers have to say about bodily immortality by discussing (1) Adamic immortality and the Fall and (2) Eastern patristic understanding of resurrection as immortality.

The soul is that part of human nature that bears God’s image, and this image is what makes it possible for man to partake of the divine nature and become immortal. Had Adam’s higher nature (his soul) done so, this would have raised up his lower nature (his body) to also partake of immortality. But the Fall buries and distorts the image of God, crippling the soul’s capacity to participate in divine life and attain immortality.

This bodily immortality is the true hope of immortality, according to the Eastern fathers. And it is this immortality, not the indissolubility of the soul, which humanity has been created to attain, and which the work of Christ restored.

The full-text of this paper is available for free by clicking here. The paper is part of an ongoing EPS web project focused on a Philosophy of Theological Anthropology.

Descartes and the Secularization of Modern Philosophy

Posted on December 21, 2020 by -

This paper discusses two matters that are of enduring theological importance, especially today: (a) the cogito and (b) mind-body interaction.

The former poses a problem for naturalism and the second gives us reason to reject the naturalist case against theism on the grounds that it involves non-physical causal power(s).

The paper concludes with a note for Christian philosophers: We should be wary of Christian physicalists who charge that ‘dualism’ involves a radical bifurcation of person and body.

The full-text of the paper is available for FREE by clicking here. The paper is part of an ongoing EPS web project focused on a Philosophy of Theological Anthropology.

John Gilhooly Remembers Ben Arbour

Posted on November 18, 2020 by - ben arbour, john gilhooly, remembering ben arbour

With the recent and very tragic death of EPS member, Ben Arbour, and his dear wife, Meg, EPS President, Mike Austin, has invited friends and colleagues of Ben to offer their reflections on Ben’s life, his care for philosophy, and his ministry to others.

Ben’s friend and colleague, John Gilhooly (Director of Honors Program, Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Theology, at Cedarville University), offers this reflection:

Ben was a wonderful, relentless, indefatigable advocate for clarity in our speech about God, purity in our devotion to Christ, and charity in our conduct by the Spirit. He was a loyal friend: equal measures bold and honest. He knew no strangers because he showed no partiality. He argued fiercely because he cared deeply. He took his work seriously but he could laugh at himself. His friends knew that even a causal joke directed his way would provoke a serious response – even as he chuckled at the absurdity. 

I realized when I met Ben that I did not love analytic philosophy. I wouldn’t do it for free or as a hobby. But, Ben’s professional accomplishments were something he happened to do when the more pressing business of his work or family or church was complete. He had a passion in his pursuits that was contagious, even if his grit and tenacity for argument were so surpassing that few could imitate the frenzied pace of his joyous life. Ben was a hurricane that could argue.

I will miss him until the Day, and the academic community is poorer for the vacuum of personality and insight that Ben leaves behind.

For the EPS web project on The Philosophy of Theological Anthropology, Ben and John wrote on “Transgenderism, Human Ontology, and the Metaphysics of Properties.”

The Economics of Anthropology: Imago Dei as a Source for Economic Principles

Posted on December 23, 2019 by -

Economics is one of the most contentious issues in modern societal and academic thought.

This paper argues that human anthropology, specifically the theological doctrine of the imago Dei, serves as a source for basic economic principles which provides an understanding of how economics should be exemplified in creation.

First, the paper outlines the doctrine of the imago Dei. Second, the doctrine of the imago Dei is tied to the philosophical theory of universals, particularly as it is understood in a Christian context. Third, the paper connects these two positions with the concept of natural law. Finally, the paper notes areas where the biblical conception of natural law implies certain economic principles that guide the existence and flourishing of human beings.

The full-text of this paper is available for FREE by clicking here. The paper is part of an ongoing EPS web project focused on a Philosophy of Theological Anthropology.

Psychic Immortality in The Eastern Church Fathers

Posted on December 16, 2019 by -

Is the soul immortal?

This paper looks at how the Eastern Church fathers answer this question. The answer depends on what one means by the words mortal and immortal. For the term thanatos, thnitos, and fthora have several meanings.

Some of the Eastern fathers negate when speaking about the soul, while others do not. The result is that the soul is immortal in certain senses, but not in others.

The full-text of this paper is available for FREE by clicking here. The paper is part of an ongoing EPS web project focused on a Philosophy of Theological Anthropology.

2019 EPS Annual Conference: How Christian Philosophers Can Serve Theologians and Biblical Scholars

Posted on November 15, 2019 by - 2019 EPS Conference, apologetics, jp moreland, scripture

At the

2019 Annual EPS Conference in San Diego, California,
J.P.
Moreland,
Talbot School
of Theology’s Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, will deliver this year’s
plenary address.

Title: “How Christian Philosophers can serve Systematic Theologians and Biblical
Scholars”

Synopsis: The paper will begin by laying out two reasons why much of contemporary
theology and scriptural studies are anemic in their impact for Christ: these disciplines
are often done in isolation from the broader cultural issues facing the church and
their results are not presented as knowledge of reality. The paper argues that an
important solution to this problem is for theological and scriptural scholars to
appropriate the findings of Christian philosophy and do integrative work with Christian
philosophers in their intellectual projects. The paper goes on to state and illustrate
four ways that Christian philosophy and philosophers can serve their colleagues
in theology and scriptural studies.

Time and Location: Thursday, November 21st, 2:00-2:50 pm; Seaport ABCDE,
Second Floor,

Manchester Grand Hyatt.

If you or a colleague wish to attend and have not yet registered,

onsite registration will be available.

J.P. will also be the final plenary speaker for the annual

EPS Apologetics conference (Saturday, November 23rd, at

Maranatha Chapel, San Diego). J.P. will be speaking on “Science and Secularism”
(see also his 2018 book,

Scientism and Secularism). For the last 18 years, the EPS has
helped bring apologetics and worldview training to local churches in a variety of
locations around the U.S., drawing upon seasoned expertise from EPS members working
in apologetics, philosophy, theology, and ethics.

In light of commemorating the 20th Anniversary of

Philosophia Christi, J.P. wrote the following paper in the

Summer 2019 issue of

Philosophia Christi (subscribe
now):

“My Retrospective and Prospective Musings on the Evangelical Philosophical Society”,
he writes:

This article reflects on three issues: (1) the past twenty years of the Evangelical
Philosophical Society (EPS), (2) ideas for EPS’s future, and (3) some words
of advice to my younger EPS colleagues. Regarding (1), I identify four values
that were central to the rebirth of the EPS and that have guided us for twenty
years. Regarding (2), I issue a warning and a challenge. Regarding (3), I provide
three words of advice for keeping us on course.

For other EPS content at the intersection of philosophy, theology and biblical studies,
see these free web contributions:



Support the EPS to expand its reach, support its members, and be a credible
presence of Christ-shaped philosophical interests in the academy and into the wider
culture!

Universals and their Implications on Sexuality, Gender, Race, and Species

Posted on August 2, 2019 by -

One of the greatest philosophical and theological debates in history has been over the existence of universals. These multiply instantiable entities are used to explain the structure of reality as well as undergird knowledge.

Many, even within Christian circles, reject the existence of such entities and embrace nominalism: that only particulars exist.

This paper contends that nominalism has implications on anthropology that are not consistent with a biblical understanding of the concept. Christians, therefore, should reject nominalism and embrace universals.

The full-text of this paper is available for FREE by clicking here. The paper is part of an ongoing EPS web project focused on a Philosophy of Theological Anthropology.

Please consider becoming a regular annual or monthly financial partner with the Evangelical Philosophical Society in order to expand its reach, support its members, and be a credible presence of Christ-shaped philosophical interests in the academy and into the wider culture!

Souls Without Thisnesses: A Rejoinder to Joshua Farris

Posted on June 10, 2019 by -

William Hasker responds to the latest response from Joshua Farris on issues related to metaphysics of souls. Farris states that Hasker has failed to account for the particularity, the individual existence, of human souls.  Now, in a rejoinder, Hasker shows how this feature can be accounted for by emergent dualists, without invoking thisnesses or haecceities.

Originally, in the pages of Philosophia Christi (20:1, 2018), Hasker responded to Farris’ “Souls, Emergent and Created: Why Mere Emergent Dualism is Insufficient,” in his “Emergent Dualism and Emergent Creationism: A Response to Joshua Farris.”

The full-text of this paper is available for free by clicking here. The paper is part of an ongoing EPS web project focused on a Philosophy of Theological Anthropology.

Please consider becoming a regular annual or monthly financial partner with the Evangelical Philosophical Society in order to expand its reach, support its members, and be a credible presence of Christ-shaped philosophical interests in the academy and into the wider culture!