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PhD, University of Wales, Trinity Saint David, Lampeter, 2010: Theodicy and Practical Theology
MPhil, Bangor University, 2003: The Problem of Evil: Anglican and Baptist Perspectives
Wheaton professor, Henry Clarence Thiessen (1956) explains that since naturalism holds that nature is the whole of reality, everything that occurs is due to the laws of nature. Thiessen (1956: 186).
He comments Scripture recognizes the existence of the laws of nature, but it is reasoned they do not operate independently of God. Thiessen (1956: 186).
God concurs with the laws he has established, and Thiessen reasons that miracles and revelation can occur when God operates outside of laws he established. Thiessen (1956: 186).
William W. Klein, Craig L. Blomberg and Robert L. Hubbard, Jr. (1993) suggest miracle stories in the Gospels serve to demonstrate who Jesus Christ was and that God was breaking into human history. Klein, Blomberg, and Hubbard (1993: 340). Miracles are not typical, but were primarily used in the New Testament to highlight the ministry of Christ. Klein, Blomberg, and Hubbard (1993: 340).
Naturalists and moderate Christians would not necessarily disagree on scientific facts, but many Christians would accept a revealed supernatural source behind nature, the naturalist would deny. Dubray (1911)(2007: 1). Krikorian (1944)(2007: 1).
It can be reasoned therefore that Christians can embrace the similarities that science has with empirical theology, Peters (1992: 297-325); this without a necessary abandonment of the belief that God revealed himself and his plan of salvation within history. Weber (1955)(1981: 381-382). Franke (2005: 65).
DUBRAY, C.A. (1911)(2007) ‘Naturalism’, in New Advent: Catholic Encyclopedia, New York, Robert Appleton Company. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10713a.htm
FRANKE, JOHN R. (2005) The Character of Theology, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids.
KLEIN, WILLIAM W., CRAIG, C. BLOMBERG, AND ROBERT L. HUBBARD, JR. (1993) Introduction to Biblical Interpretation, London, Word Publishing.
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/
PETERS, KARL, E. (1992) ‘Empirical Theology in the Light of Science’, in The Journal of Religion and Science, Volume 27 Issue 3 pp. 297-325. September, Oxford, Zygon, Blackwell Publishing. http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1467-9744.1992.tb01068.x
THIESSEN, HENRY C. (1956) Introductory Lectures in Systematic Theology, Grand Rapids, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
WEBER, OTTO (1955)(1981) Foundations of Dogmatics, Volumes 1 and 2, Translated and annotated by Darrell L. Guder, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
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