Quick Statements From Academic History

Rio De Janeiro

Preface

I may have in some shape or form in the main body or comments, mentioned some of these statements previously. But of course repetition is needed in teaching and learning.

I did, however, perform a search on both of my theology/philosophy blogs and did not find a nearly identical post. I attempt to not re-present a post unless with significant changes.

As these statements were not recorded in any format, I can only attempt paraphrase for the sake of accuracy.

Therefore to be fair to the source and not risk a misquote, I will not provide a source name but I will provide the academic institution.

I have updated my photos on the right lower side of my blogs again today.

It is good to thin out a bit, but scary that in a tight black t-shirt, clothing I rarely wear, usually dressing more on the casual/dress side, I actually remind myself a little of the legendary Bobby Buff.

A significantly larger version...

The bodybuilding world of course, still mourning his retirement from competition and training.

1999-2000: Manchester University, Dean and Professor

When discussing with Professor (David) Pailin, one must be careful as even a term like 'necessary' has a specific technical meaning.

I did not admittedly, have the background with Philosophy of Religion in 1999-2000 that I do now with completed MPhil/PhD degrees and ten years of related blogging, but at that point I did realize that the statement was correct.

Necessary, a primary definition is requiring to be done, achieved...requisite, essential. Oxford (1995: 910).

This would be the common and primary definition from British English and Oxford.

In philosophy, a necessary truth is one that could not have been otherwise. It would have been true under all circumstances. Something contingent as in contingent truth is one that is true but could have been false. Blackburn (1996: 257).

In philosophy, 'first cause' will often be considered, and I agree, as necessary.

Second causes such as human beings and angelic beings would be contingent.

Theologically from a Biblical, Christian perspective the first cause and God would be viewed as necessary, existing by necessity. Second or secondary causes such as creation, contingent.

2000: The University of Wales, Professor

I met your Professor (David) Pailin. He is quite the dinosaur.

Professor Pailin and another professor and their 'academic board' helped exit me out of Manchester University because I held to Reformed views on the problem of evil.

I supposedly was not educated and knew I could not do the work with my Christian BA and MTS degrees.

If Professor Pailin is a dinosaur, perhaps there is hope for persons such as myself that require reasonable academic freedom even while following institutional requirements.

After all, dinosaurs are fossils now...

1999: The University of Wales, Professor

The liberals have been hammering on the conservatives and not allowing academic freedom in the UK for forty years.

This was a professor's response to my plight at Manchester. And for those of you that are my consistent readers; as if I have been in my academic career a right wing fundamentalist or anything like. I am quite measured and moderate in my views although Biblical, in context.

To find me offensive and/or non-academic is to demonstrate, whether from the left or right, one's own form of fundamentalism.

1991-1995: Columbia Bible College, Professor

One does not see life accurately while looking through both tears of sadness and while looking through tears of joy.

A philosophy I have reflected on throughout my problem of evil and theodicy studies.

Whether one is in a state of sadness or joy, perhaps happiness, it is the same reality in which God incarnate intervened with the atoning and resurrection work. The same reality that will be recapitulated to perfection as it is now in a fallen state. (Revelation 21-22, Genesis 1-3).

1996-1999: Trinity Western University, Professor

Human moral perfection in Christ is not the same as God's moral perfection.

I agreed and agree as God is infinite and therefore infinitely perfect, whereas even a morally perfect human being is finitely perfect.

This is a major reason why Adam and Eve and the fallen angels although presumed to be morally perfect at creation did actually fall in to sin.

This is a reason that God will use compatibilistic freedom to cause/will, without force or coercion, within limited human free will/freedom that resurrected Christians will never sin and fall in the restored creation.

This is not libertarian free will that is supposedly neutral as if persons will have the choice to keep following God or not, to do good or evil. No, the nature and will shall be good, perfect and holy, and God maintains.

This is freedom from sin and the problem of evil for creatures. Freedom to flourish in God's Kingdom.

BLACKBURN, SIMON (1996) Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy, Oxford, Oxford University Press.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary, Ninth Edition 1995, Oxford.

Bonus

1995/1997: United Kingdom Military Chaplain

Wherever the Holy Spirit is, the Devil is not too far behind.

Profound and this can be observed while examining the creation story, the fall and the crucifixion of Christ in Scripture, as key examples.

Satanic forces as opposition to God's plans also work to forward God's plans, as God uses all things for the good.