God-Is-Dead Theology
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Load more
Recommended publications
-
A Contextual Examination of Three Historical Stages of Atheism and the Legality of an American Freedom from Religion
ABSTRACT Rejecting the Definitive: A Contextual Examination of Three Historical Stages of Atheism and the Legality of an American Freedom from Religion Ethan Gjerset Quillen, B.A., M.A., M.A. Mentor: T. Michael Parrish, Ph.D. The trouble with “definitions” is they leave no room for evolution. When a word is concretely defined, it is done so in a particular time and place. Contextual interpretations permit a better understanding of certain heavy words; Atheism as a prime example. In the post-modern world Atheism has become more accepted and popular, especially as a reaction to global terrorism. However, the current definition of Atheism is terribly inaccurate. It cannot be stated properly that pagan Atheism is the same as New Atheism. By interpreting the Atheisms from four stages in the term‟s history a clearer picture of its meaning will come out, hopefully alleviating the stereotypical biases weighed upon it. In the interpretation of the Atheisms from Pagan Antiquity, the Enlightenment, the New Atheist Movement, and the American Judicial and Civil Religious system, a defense of the theory of elastic contextual interpretations, rather than concrete definitions, shall be made. Rejecting the Definitive: A Contextual Examination of Three Historical Stages of Atheism and the Legality of an American Freedom from Religion by Ethan Gjerset Quillen, B.A., M.A. A Thesis Approved by the J.M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies ___________________________________ Robyn L. Driskell, Ph.D., Interim Chairperson Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Baylor University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts Approved by the Thesis Committee ___________________________________ T. -
Religion of Science-Fantasy Cults Martin Gardner
Summer 1987 Vol. 7, No. 3 .40,11 Was the Universe Created? Victor Stenger The New Religion of Science-Fantasy Cults Martin Gardner The Relativity of Biblical Ethics Joe Edward Barnhart Plus "Pearlygate" Morality • New Directions for Humanism • Personal Paths to Humanism with Joseph Fletcher, Anne Gaylor, Rita Mae Brown, Ashley Montagu, and Mario Bunge • Tyranny of the Creed by John Allegro _- FreeC SUMMER 1987, VOL. 7, NO. 3 ISSN 0272-0701 Contents 3 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 9 PERSPECTIVE 10 ON THE BARRICADES 61 IN THE NAME OF GOD 62 CLASSIFIED 6 EDITORIALS "Pearlygate" Morality Paul Kurtz / New Directions for Humanism / Catholic Consistency at Any Cost Tom Flynn 12 The Tyranny of the Creed John Allegro BELIEF AND UNBELIEF AROUND THE WORLD 14 Japan and Biblical Religion Richard L. Rubenstein 21 Letter to a Missionary Ronn Nadeau ARTICLES 22 The Relativity of Biblical Ethics Joe Edward Barnhart 25 Xenoglossy and Glossolalia Don Laycock 26 Was the Universe Created? Victor Stenger 31 Science-Fantasy Religious Cults Martin Gardner PERSONAL PATHS TO HUMANISM 36 A Secular Humanist Confession Joseph Fletcher 37 Free from Religion Anne Nicol Gay!or 38 Surrender to Life Rita Mae Brown 40 As if Living and Loving Were One Ashley Montagu 42 Growing Up Agnostic in Argentina Mario Bunge 46 The Case Against Reincarnation (Part 4) Paul Edwards BOOKS 54 The Cult of Objectivism Nathaniel Branden 55 Propaganda Before Education Gordon Stein 56 Critiquing the Old Unities Robert Basil Rita Mae Brown's and Ashler Montagu's articles are adapted by permission from The Courage of Conviction, edited by Philip Berman, published in hardcover by Dodd, Mead, and Company and in paperback by Ballantine Books. -
Aug 2020 Vol 44 No 3
Evangelical Review of Theology A Global Forum Volume 44 • Number 3 • August 2020 Published by Printed by To order hard copies, contact [email protected] ISSN: 0144-8153 Volume 44 No. 3 August 2020 Copyright © 2020 World Evangelical Alliance Department of Theological Concerns (Theological Commission) The free pdf of this journal is distributed under the following conditions: The pdf may not be sold or used for profit except with written consent. The pdf may be printed only for private use, not for profit. The only printed copies that may be used in public are those obtained from the publisher, Wipf & Stock. General Editor: Thomas Schirrmacher Executive Editor: Bruce Barron Assistant Editor: Thomas K. Johnson Book Review Editor: Peirong Lin Committee Executive Committee of the WEA Theological Commission Dr Rosalee V. Ewell, Brazil, Executive Director Dr Thomas Schirrmacher, Germany, Executive Chair Dr James O. Nkansah, Kenya, Vice-Chair Editorial Policy The articles in the Evangelical Review of Theology (ERT) reflect the opinions of the authors and reviewers and do not necessarily represent those of the Editors or the Publisher. The Editors welcome both unsolicited submissions and recommendations of original or previously published articles or book reviews for inclusion in ERT. Manuscripts, reviews, queries and other communications may be addressed to the Executive Editor at [email protected]. Printed by Wipf and Stock Publishers 199 West 8th Avenue, Eugene, OR 97401 wipfandstock.com ERT (2020) 44:3, 195 Table of Contents Welcome to the New ERT . .196 How to Advance the Kingdom of God without Travelling WEA Secretary General Efraim Tendero . -
Critical Remarks on the Theoretical Significance of Vahanian’S Death of God Theology (Brief Review)
Andranik STEPANYAN UDC 2:13 Andranik STEPANYAN CRITICAL REMARKS ON THE THEORETICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF VAHANIAN’S DEATH OF GOD THEOLOGY (BRIEF REVIEW) Abstract The aim of this article is to briefly present and analyse in the context of radical theology the theoretical significance of Gabriel Vahanian’s death of God theology from the theological, philo- sophical and cultural viewpoints. Gabriel Vahanian was a French-Armenian distinguished theologi- an who played a significant role in the western religious, theological-philosophical thought. The main idea of Vahanian is that the death of God is a cultural phenomenon. God himself is not dead, but men’s religious and cultural perceptions about God are dead as modern man has lost the sense of transcendence and the presence of transcendent God. That is, the death of God means his absence in the modern world. The existence of God and his reality are not self-sufficient realities anymore but are irrelevant for modern people, hence dead. Keywords: radical theology, death of God theology, transcendent, immanent, religiosity, reli- gionism, religiousness, religious formalism, secularism, secularity. Introduction was widespread and all-inclusive which was manifested in various areas of political and In the world history, the XX century has conceptual, as well as spiritual life. An expres- been a period of unprecedented transfor- sion of this crisis was the radical thinking mations when humanity started facing myriads which found its reflection in philosophical, of serious problems. It is not accidental that the cultural, religious and theological thought. XX century was called “century of global German philosopher F. Nietzsche is the source problems”; issues the solution of which not of western radical thinking whose “God is only conditions the progress of humanity but dead” expression became the slogan of radical also the survival of human race in general. -
Key Bible Concepts Defining the Basic Terms of the Christian Faith
Gooding and Lennox are exemplary guides to the deepest questions of life. — Justin Brierley Key Bible Concepts Defining the basic terms of the Christian faith David Gooding John Lennox Key Bible Concepts Myrtlefield Encounters Myrtlefield Encountersare complementary studies of bib- lical literature, Christian teaching and apologetics. The books in this series engage the minds of believers and sceptics. They show how God has spoken in the Bible to address the realities of life and its questions, problems, beauty and potential. Books in this series: Key Bible Concepts: Defining the Basic Terms of the Christian Faith Christianity: Opium or Truth?: Answering Thoughtful Objections to the Christian Faith The Definition of Christianity: Exploring the Original Meaning of the Christian Faith The Bible and Ethics: Finding the Moral Foundations of the Christian Faith Key Bible Concepts Defining the Basic Terms of the Christian Faith David Gooding John Lennox Myrtlefield Encounters David Gooding and John Lennox have asserted their rights under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as Authors of this work. Copyright © The Myrtlefield Trust, 1997, 2013 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, elec- tronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher or a license permitting restricted copy- ing. In the UK such licenses are issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency Ltd., Barnard’s Inn, 86 Fetter Lane, London, EC4A 1EN. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. -
Copyrighted Material
1 Atheism, Agnosticism, and Theism Non - Religious Ethics is at a very early stage. We cannot yet predict whether, as in Mathematics, we will all reach agreement. Since we cannot know how Ethics will develop, it is not irrational to have high hopes. (Derek Parfi t, 1984) 1 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8) Let us start with what people most often associate with “ the secular outlook. ” If with anything at all, they associate it with atheism. But what is atheism? Sometimes atheism is presented as a coherent worldview, encompassing all the other traditions supposedly associated with the secular outlook. On this basis the Christian theologian and physicist Alister McGrath (1953 – ) writes: “ Atheism is the religion of the autonomous and rational human being, who believes that reason is able to uncover and express the deepest truths of the universe, from the mechanics of the rising sun to the nature and fi nal destiny of humanity. ” 2 The fi rst thing that strikes us is that atheism is presented here as a “ religion. ” A second point that is remarkable is that McGrath depicts as “ atheism ” beliefs that most people would associate with “ rationalism. ” In clarifying his defi nition the author even introduces other elements, such as optimism. Atheism, so McGrath writes, “ wasCOPYRIGHTED a powerful, self - confi dent, and aggressiveMATERIAL worldview. Possessed of a boundless confi dence, it proclaimed that the world could be fully 1 Parfi t , Derek , Reasons and Persons , Clarendon Press , Oxford 1984 , p. -
Through the Bible Study Job 25-31
THROUGH THE BIBLE STUDY JOB 25-31 Once, a journalist was assigned to the Jerusalem Bureau. She rented a flat that overlooked the Wailing Wall. Every day she noticed at the Wall the same old Jewish fellow, praying vigorously. The journalist could smell a story… One day she met him, and asked, “You come to the wall daily. How long have you been doing this, and what do you pray?” The man replied, “I’ve been to the Wailing Wall everyday for 25 years. In the morning I pray for world peace - go home, have a cup of tea - come back to pray for the eradication of disease.” The journalist was amazed. “How does it feel to come to this place every day for 2½ decades and pray?” The old man said sadly, “Like I’m praying to a wall.” That’s how Job felt about his prayers. Job was asking why he’ been struck by calamity, but God didn’t answer. Job felt like he was talking to a telephone pole. Job asked to know why – but God stayed silent. Job was demanding to know why – but God remained silent. Job was screaming to know why – but God remained silent. Job was pounding his fist and daring God to tell him why – but God was silent. It was like Job was praying to a wall… but God was watching, and listening, and preparing to respond… God will pay Job a visit, soon enough, but when God is ready - not when Job says jump. In the meantime, Job struggles in the silence. -
Mary As Intercessor Chapter Outline Introduction The
SECTION II CHAPTER 11 THE RETURN OF THE FEMININE: MARY AS INTERCESSOR CHAPTER OUTLINE INTRODUCTION THE FLAWED ABOVE DETHRONEMENT AND RETURN OF THE FEMININE MENDING MASCULINE CONSCIOUSNESS AND RAISING FEMININE CONSCIOUSNESS MARY’S ROLE AS INTERCESSOR CLOSING COMMENTS 1 INTRODUCTION. The curse laid on the feminine in Genesis solidified patriarchal order. Patriarchal rule on earth fell in step with the patriarchal system that existed in Heaven. There is an alchemical dictum "As Above, So Below." The Below refers to humanity’s earthly dwelling. The Above represents the place of the apprehended but unknowable God; it refers to the heavens, to the Theosphere. The Below operates in relations to the Above. Alchemists believed that humans were vessels wherein the spirit dwelled and that the objective of human existence was to re-establish the original harmony that once existed between the divine and humanity. The alchemist, Paracelsus, wrote that "everything that exists or takes place in the universe, exists or may take place in the constitution of man." But what if the Theosphere itself is dysfunctional or lacks harmony? What price does the Earth pay for such disharmony? At first glance, the obvious answer to the preceding questions is that the Below pays a heavy price. A dysfunctional order on earth raises an anxiety that, in the nuclear age, is too great to bear, namely, that humanity will destroy itself. But if disharmony abounds the Above it can be assumed that there exists a counter force which is trying to surmount what is dysfunctional. It is this discord in the Theosphere that calls for feminine nurturing and grace in order that the Above reflex a more mature and cohesive whole to the Below. -
Atheism in the Ancient World
Also by Tim Whitmarsh Beyond the Second Sophistic: Adventures in Greek Postclassicism Narrative and Identity in the Ancient Greek Novel: Returning Romance The Second Sophistic Ancient Greek Literature Greek Literature and the Roman Empire: The Politics of Imitation THIS IS A BORZOI BOOK PUBLISHED BY ALFRED A. KNOPF Copyright © 2015 by Timothy Whitmarsh All rights reserved. Published in the United States by Alfred A. Knopf, a division of Penguin Random House LLC, New York, and in Canada by Random House of Canada, a division of Penguin Random House Ltd., Toronto. www.aaknopf.com Knopf, Borzoi Books, and the colophon are registered trademarks of Penguin Random House LLC. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Whitmarsh, Tim. Battling the gods : the struggle against religion in ancient Greece / Tim Whitmarsh.—First Edition. pages cm Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-307-95832-7 (hardcover)—ISBN 978-0-307-95833-4 (eBook) 1. Atheism—Greece—History. 2. Greece—Religion. 3. Christianity and atheism. I. Title. BL2747.3.W45 2015 200.938—dc23 2015005799 eBook ISBN 9780307958334 Cover image: Marble bust of Apollo. Regent Antiques, London, UK Cover design by Oliver Munday v4.1 ep Contents Cover Also by Tim Whitmarsh Title Page Copyright Dedication Preface A Dialogue Part One: Archaic Greece Chapter 1: Polytheistic Greece Chapter 2: Good Books Chapter 3: Battling the Gods Chapter 4: The Material Cosmos Part Two: Classical Athens Chapter 5: Cause and Effect Chapter 6: “Concerning the Gods, I Cannot Know” Chapter 7: -
Copyrighted Material
The Secular Outlook: In Defense of Moral and Political Secularism Cliteur, P.B. Citation Cliteur, P. B. (2010). The Secular Outlook: In Defense of Moral and Political Secularism. Boston: Wiley-Blackwell. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/1887/16692 Version: Not Applicable (or Unknown) License: Leiden University Non-exclusive license Downloaded from: https://hdl.handle.net/1887/16692 Note: To cite this publication please use the final published version (if applicable). 1 Atheism, Agnosticism, and Theism Non - Religious Ethics is at a very early stage. We cannot yet predict whether, as in Mathematics, we will all reach agreement. Since we cannot know how Ethics will develop, it is not irrational to have high hopes. (Derek Parfi t, 1984) 1 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8) Let us start with what people most often associate with “ the secular outlook. ” If with anything at all, they associate it with atheism. But what is atheism? Sometimes atheism is presented as a coherent worldview, encompassing all the other traditions supposedly associated with the secular outlook. On this basis the Christian theologian and physicist Alister McGrath (1953 – ) writes: “ Atheism is the religion of the autonomous and rational human being, who believes that reason is able to uncover and express the deepest truths of the universe, from the mechanics of the rising sun to the nature and fi nal destiny of humanity. ” 2 The fi rst thing that strikes us is that atheism is presented here as a “ religion. -
Atheism, Agnosticism, and Nonbelief
ATHEISM, AGNOSTICISM, AND NONBELIEF: A QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE STUDY OF TYPE AND NARRATIVE By Christopher Frank Silver Ralph W Hood Jr Jim Tucker Professor Professor (Co-Chair) (Co-Chair) Valerie C. Rutledge David Rausch Professor Assistant Professor (Committee Member) (Committee Member) Anthony J. Lease A. Jerald Ainsworth Dean of the College of Health, Education Dean of the Graduate School and Professional Studies ATHEISM, AGNOSTICISM, AND NONBELIEF: A QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE STUDY OF TYPE AND NARRATIVE By Christopher Frank Silver A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Chattanooga, Tennessee August 2013 ii Copyright © 2013 By Christopher Frank Silver All Rights Reserved iii ABSTRACT Extensive research has been conducted in exploration of the American religious landscape, however recently has social science research started to explore Nonbelief in any detail. Research on Nonbelief has been limited as most research focuses on the popularity of the religious “nones” or the complexities of alternative faith expressions such as spirituality. Research has been limited in exploring the complexity of Nonbelief or how non-believers would identify themselves. Most research assumes nonbelievers are a monolithic group with no variation such as Atheism or Agnosticism. Through two studies, one qualitative and one quantitative, this study explored identity of Nonbelief. Study one (the qualitative study) discovered that individuals have shared definitional agreement but use different words to describe the different types of Nonbelief. Moreover, social tension and life narrative play a role in shaping one’s ontological worldview. -
Atheism, Agnosticism, and Nonbelief
ATHEISM, AGNOSTICISM, AND NONBELIEF: A QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE STUDY OF TYPE AND NARRATIVE By Christopher Frank Silver Ralph W Hood Jr Jim Tucker Professor Professor (Co-Chair) (Co-Chair) Valerie C. Rutledge David Rausch Professor Assistant Professor (Committee Member) (Committee Member) Anthony J. Lease A. Jerald Ainsworth Dean of the College of Health, Education Dean of the Graduate School and Professional Studies ATHEISM, AGNOSTICISM, AND NONBELIEF: A QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE STUDY OF TYPE AND NARRATIVE By Christopher Frank Silver A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Chattanooga, Tennessee August 2013 ii Copyright © 2013 By Christopher Frank Silver All Rights Reserved iii ABSTRACT Extensive research has been conducted in exploration of the American religious landscape, however recently has social science research started to explore Nonbelief in any detail. Research on Nonbelief has been limited as most research focuses on the popularity of the religious “nones” or the complexities of alternative faith expressions such as spirituality. Research has been limited in exploring the complexity of Nonbelief or how non-believers would identify themselves. Most research assumes nonbelievers are a monolithic group with no variation such as Atheism or Agnosticism. Through two studies, one qualitative and one quantitative, this study explored identity of Nonbelief. Study one (the qualitative study) discovered that individuals have shared definitional agreement but use different words to describe the different types of Nonbelief. Moreover, social tension and life narrative play a role in shaping one’s ontological worldview.