Systematic Theology

Catholics and Atheists: A Comparative study of the modes of adherence or assent by faith to their respective theistic positions

by Matthew Charlesworth SJ

Unpublished. Written for BTh 1st Year T11: Introduction to Theology: Revelation and Faith, Hekima College, 3 December 2011. (4207 words)

It would be fair to say that in recent times there has been a growth in the acceptance of the so-called New Atheism as... more It would be fair to say that in recent times there has been a growth in the acceptance of the so-called New Atheism as professed by such eminent scientists as Richard Dawkins and others. What is different about New Atheism, as compared to (Old) Atheism, is that not only do its followers profess a disbelief in a theistic reality, but they actively encourage an opposition to theism, most often accompanied by a “pugnacity towards religion”, using their own understanding of what theism – and faith – is and is not. Dawkins observes that “one of the truly bad effects of religion is that it teaches us that it is a virtue to be satisfied with not understanding.” This is what, for Dawkins and others of his persuasion, faith entails – a suspension of understanding (this despite Theology’s oft acknowledged task of being fides quaerens intellectum). This essay will attempt to define what the inconsistencies and similarities are between Religion, specifically the Catholic Christian religion, and New Atheism. It will specifically try to demonstrate the similarities to being a ‘believing atheist’ with that of a ‘believing Christian’ so as to highlight the inconsistency within the New Atheist’s position.

From Transumanar to Transcendental Anthropology: Rahner and Dante

by George Archer

CHURCH NEWS: NEW UNITY MOVEMENT STEPS PROPOSED

by Daniel Keeran MSW

by Daniel Keeran, MSW (distrbute freely without charge)

Against the unity prayer of Jesus in the gospel of John chapter 17, divisions within Christianity have been common... more Against the unity prayer of Jesus in the gospel of John chapter 17, divisions within Christianity have been common from the beginning. New steps for unity are outlined that provide grass-roots opportunities in local churches and communities.

Fundamental to the new unity movement are principles and a change in paradigm that give a fresh approach to the ancient problem of divisions among people who identify themselves as followers of Jesus.

The “Christian” Assumptions of Secular Hermeneutics

by Karl Hand

Crucible 4:1 (April 2012)

The relationship between Christian theology and secular hermeneutics is complex, and it is questionable whether many... more The relationship between Christian theology and secular hermeneutics is complex, and it is questionable whether many of the discourses that draw on hermeneutic theory are consistent with the presuppositions hidden beneath the surface. This article demystifies the highly theologised debate between monism and pluralism within the discipline of hermeneutics, and criticises the way that this theology has been done. From a Christian perspective that is free from cumbersome theological categories, a simple, authentic interpersonal ethic is the most appropriate way to approach texts. The implications for scholarly praxis are explored with specific reference to John C. Mellon’s ‘recovery hermeneutic’ reading of Mark’s gospel.

The Nature of the Mosaic Covenant: Works or Grace?

by Michael Seal

The Common Word: Reflections on Muslim-Christian Dialogue

by Khalil Andani

Originally published by KeepingitHalal.com

This article proposes a method of theological Muslim-Christian dialogue – which is in fact a da`wah based on knowledge... more This article proposes a method of theological Muslim-Christian dialogue – which is in fact a da`wah based on knowledge as opposed to adversarial debate or polemic – that seeks to fulfill the spirit of the Qur’anic emphasis on beautiful discourse:

“O mankind! We created you from male and female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (lita‘arafoo).” (Holy Qur’an 49:13)

This “recognition” (ma‘rifah) can only occur if all participants in the dialogue (as opposed to an adversarial debate) are permitted to clearly present the principles of their faith tradition whereby all parties are able to truly understand each others’ positions. The paper evokes one the most contentious issues which separate Christianity and Islam – the Christian doctrine of the Divine Sonship of Christ – which Muslims reject. However, the application of the above method to this specific Christian belief can actually allow a Christian to come to a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Qur’an being the Word of God for Muslims and likewise, clear up Muslim misconceptions of Christian theology.

The Spirit of Life: pp. x-77

by Lucas Wright

A presentation given in the seminar "The Theology of Jurgen Moltmann " at Fuller Theological Seminary under Dr. Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen

Abstract, Dedication, and Acknowledgments for the Hobbs (2011) dissertation published by SAS.

by Robert Dean Hobbs

The Hobbs (2011) doctoral study is published in the ProQuest Dissertations and These database, UMI No. 3484309

The purpose of the qualitative research was to assess models of education developed for the study to investigate how... more The purpose of the qualitative research was to assess models of education developed for the study to investigate how and when to incorporate second and third languages into the curriculum to improve language acquisition. Research indicates that L3 enhances and reinforces L2 and L1. The stratified systematic grounded theory study explored the perspectives of neurolinguists, psycholinguists, sociolinguists, and interdisciplinary education researchers to derive variables for constructing a new model of education. The outcome of the Internet survey revealed that 100% of the participants agreed that education must change and that teacher training must improve. Variables from the cross-disciplinary data contributed to the construction of an integrated model of multilingual education consisting of four primary models and other models to serve as tools for designing curriculum, instruction, and assessment as well as determining demographics and student meta-analysis of language abilities and storage in the brain. The first model emerged from the data to offer multilingual principles of education. The other primary models are macro, meso, and micro models. The macro model represents schools, instruction, assessment, and the curriculum cycle. The meso model depicts the developmental domains of the individual learner and includes a cyclical equation. The micro model delineates multilingual processing in the brain based on neurolinguistic research, variables from the current study, and Kees de Bot's bilingual adaptation of Levelt's language processing model. Recommendations include the incorporation of notional-functional pragmatic-aesthetic concepts as depicted in the models developed for the study and enhanced by input from published researchers with unique language and research repertoires who were located on four continents.

Eckhart, Derrida, and the Gift of Love

by David Newheiser

Foubert, J.D. Watson, A., Brosi, M.W., & Fuqua, D.R. (in press). Explaining the wind: How self identified born again Christians define what born again means to them. Journal of Psychology and Christianity.

by John Foubert

Christian students on college campuses form a large proportion of the student body on many campuses, and consequently,... more Christian students on college campuses form a large proportion of the student body on many campuses, and consequently, they are an important influence, collectively, on the existential dialogue occurring on university campuses. However it is understood, regeneration is a fundamental and central element of the life and belief system of Christian students. Some college students who identify as Christian also define themselves as born again, yet a multiplicity of understandings of this concept appears to exist. The present study sought to investigate how self-identified, born again Christian students define the term “born again,” how they come to know that they are born again, and how they experience the presence of the Holy Spirit in their personal lives. Due to the exploratory, phenomenological nature of the research questions, we chose a qualitative, interview-based method. Specifically, 18 self-identified born again Christians were interviewed. Five types of responses regarding how they defined what it meant to be born again were uncovered and discussed.

The Discovery of god

by Ryan Patrick McLaughlin

Theological Journal. 39 (2007): 1-17.  (This PDF is a version of what was published, not the exact document). 

Using a narrative taking place within another narrative, this story presents a dilemma inherent in the view that God’s... more Using a narrative taking place within another narrative, this story presents a dilemma inherent in the view that God’s omnipotence denotes absolute control over everything.  The author tells of his own journey in creating a story and how that story unfolds.  While providing helpful metaphors for theology (i.e. creation, sin, the Incarnation, salvation, etc.), the story ultimately provides its strongest metaphor through an epiphany of the author, who recognizes that true power is not the ability to manipulate, but rather the ability to relinquish control.  In frustration, the author finally concludes: “I have no such power as to limit myself.”

Christological Method and Reality: On Theological Speech and the Phenomenon of Truth Presenting

by Lucas Wright

Term paper submitted for the seminar "Contemporary Christologies" at Fuller Theological Seminary

Participatory Ontology, Materialism and The Multiple Incarnation Question

by Lucas Wright

Presented by Lucas Wright in "Contemporary Christologies" seminar at Fuller Theological Seminary, under Dr. Oliver Crisp

Pannenberg on Divine Personhood

by Theodore James Whapham

“The Difference Nothing Makes: Creatio Ex Nihilo, Resurrection, and Divine Gratuity.” Theological Studies 72 (2011): 525-57.

by Brian Robinette

Bridging the Gap Between Social and Existential-Mystical Interpretations of Schleiermacher's ‘Feeling’

by Gorazd Andrejc

Appeared in 'Religious Studies', 2012 (Published & Copyrighted by Cambridge University Press).

The article engages with two contemporary understandings of Schleiermacher’s notion of feeling which are in important... more The article engages with two contemporary understandings of Schleiermacher’s notion of feeling which are in important aspects in conflict: a social understanding (Kevin W. Hector and Christine Helmer) and an existentialmystical understanding (Thandeka). Using the phenomenological category of ‘existential feelings’ drawn from the work of Matthew Ratcliffe, I argue that they can be brought into a coherent overall account that recognizes different aspects of feeling in Schleiermacher’s work. I also suggest that such an interpretation of Schleiermacher’s concept of religious feeling offers a different and better understanding of the role of feelings in religious experience and belief than the contemporary ‘perception-model’ of religious experience.

God in context: The symbolic construction of a religious universe in a base Christian community

by James R. Cochrane

Circles of Dignity: Community and Theological Reflection (Minneapolis

by James R. Cochrane

Penal Substitution in the Old Testament

by William Barrick

Published in The Master's Seminary Journal 20, no. 2 (Fall, 2009): 159-69

Penal substitution refers to God’s gift of His Son to undergo the penalty of death as a substitute for fallen... more Penal substitution refers to God’s gift of His Son to undergo the penalty of death as a substitute for fallen humanity. Some theologians treat this doctrine as non-existent in the Hebrew Bible. A careful examination of the levitical system of animal sacrifices, the Passover, the Day of Atonement, and Isaiah 52:13-53:12 indicate a clear anticipation of the Messiah’s substitutionary death as the penalty for His people’s sins.

Ezekiel 33:12-19 and Eternal Security

by William Barrick

Paper presented at Evangelical Theological Society Far West Region Annual Meeting, April 2007

How much does the Old Testament contribute to the discussion of eternal security or the doctrine of the perseverance... more How much does the Old Testament contribute to the discussion of eternal security or the doctrine of the perseverance of saints? Some commentators and theologians interpret Ezekiel 33:12-19 in such a way as to give support to the view that an Old Testament saint could lose his or her salvation. How does it relate to other passages in Ezekiel dealing with personal or individual accountability (e.g., 18:1-32)? Within such texts the Lord through His prophet deals with the matter of federal or natural consequences of sin. Does 33:12-19 speak of soteriological or only hamartiological matters?