Progress v. Regeneration (PhD Edit)

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PhD, University of Wales, Trinity Saint David, Lampeter, 2010: Research thesis degree.

Theodicy and Practical Theology

Science has made discoveries that have assisted humanity,[1] and has helped persons understand many realities.[2] My Reformed perspective deduces that human corruption cannot be entirely corrected scientifically,[3] but human beings are changed permanently to avoid evil only by the completed regeneration work of God.[4] I reason that scientific progress has helped humanity tremendously to live better quality lives,[5] but human beings are capable of committing as grotesque and intense evils as ever in the twenty-first century.[6] This is so, in my view, because scientific knowledge has not as of yet, been able to change the essential nature of human beings. 

Even if science could perfect the physical nature of persons to avoid evil actions, assuming for the sake of argument human beings have a spirit,[7] it needs to be considered if materially based science could perfect the human spirit as well to avoid all wrong actions.  This would appear doubtful.  Philosophy and theology have assisted human beings throughout history to better understand life,[8] but neither of these disciplines can provide a remedy to the problem of evil;[9] however, they can help to explain evil and suffering through effective theodicy.[10] 

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BLOCHER, HENRI. (1994) Evil and the Cross, Translated by David G. Preston, Leicester, InterVarsity Press.

ELLISON, H.L. (1986) ‘Genesis’, in F.F. Bruce (ed.), The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.

ERICKSON, MILLARD (1994) Christian Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.

ERICKSON, MILLARD (2003) What Does God Know and When Does He Know It?  Grand Rapids, Zondervan. 

HENRY, CARL (1983) God, Revelation and Authority: Volume 6: God Who Stands and Stays, Waco, Word Books.

HENRY, CARL (1996) ‘Image of God’, in Walter A. Elwell (ed.), Evangelical

Dictionary of Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Books.

KRIKORIAN, K. (1944)(2007) (ed.), ‘Naturalism and the Human Spirit’, New York,  Columbia University Press, in Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Stanford University.

http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/naturalism/

MOUNCE, ROBERT H. (1990) The Book of Revelation, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

MOUNCE, ROBERT H. (1995) The New American Commentary: Romans, Nashville, Broadman & Holman Publishers.

MURRAY, JOHN (1937-1966)(1977) Collected Writings of John Murray, Vol. 2:  Select Lectures in Systematic Theology, Edinburgh, The Banner of Truth Trust.

MURRAY, RUSSELL NORMAN (2003) The Problem of Evil: Anglican and Baptist Perspectives, Bangor, The University of Bangor, Wales.

PACKER, J.I. (1973) Knowing God, Downers Grove, Illinois, InterVarsity Press. 

PACKER, J.I. (1996) ‘Regeneration’ in Walter A. Elwell (ed.), Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Books.

SCUDDER, DELTON, LEWIS (1940) Tennant’s Philosophical Theology, London, Oxford University Press. 

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[1] Krikorian (1944)(2007: 1).

[2] Krikorian (1944)(2007: 1).

[3] Divine supernatural assistance is required to overcome evil.

[4] Murray (1937-1966)(1977: 172).  Erickson (1994: 1228).  Packer (1996: 924).  Mounce (1990: 394).

[5] Krikorian (1944)(2007: 1).

[6] For example, nuclear technology has made nuclear weapons possible since the 1940s and there are nuclear weapons in the world which can do tremendous damage to humanity on a large scale within a few hours.

[7] Genesis 2:7. H.L. Ellison (1986) explains that in the Old Testament breath or spirit came from God and provided life and individuality. This is a complex issue outside the depths of this thesis. 

[8] Scudder (1940: 247).

[9] Henry (1983: 282).  Blocher (1994: 84).

[10] Scudder (1940: 247).