Relative dualism

Pitt Meadows: I like the red car.

2003 The Problem of Evil: Anglican and Baptist Perspectives: MPhil thesis, Bangor University 

For my MPhil surveys, I received fifty each, completed of Anglicans and Baptists who have attended a post-secondary denominational college, University or seminary, or are members of one of those denominations who have studied religion at a post-secondary level. 

The previous question from my MPhil was in regard to Absolute dualism, as was the previous article on this website.

Statement seven: 

This statement stated:

Relative Dualism, a universe containing an eternal, infinite, good God, and a finite created Devil, is permissible within a Biblical world-view. The statement is, of course, related to the previous one, and I think this view is expressed in Scripture. Here 74% of Anglicans agreed, while 14% were not certain, with 12% disagreeing. With the Baptists, 86% agreed, 4% being not certain, and 10% being in disagreement.

Some observers of Christianity like to think of Satan and his fallen angels as a metaphor for evil and wish to deny that these beings exist. Professor David Pailin, who was my advisor for a short time, criticized me for believing in these beings as there was no proof of their existence. I think that Scripture is historical and it certainly accepts their existence.

As well, and this was a point that I made to Professor Pailin, if theists believe that God, who is spirit (John 4:24) created human beings who are of a physical nature, why is it more difficult to believe that God made angels who were of spiritual nature?

To me, it is a more difficult task for God to create matter and physical beings when he is spirit, as opposed to creating spiritual beings who are much like him except finite. I do not have a philosophical problem believing in angels and fallen angels, however, I do not base my belief in angelic beings primarily on my experience but in Scripture and reason.

September 5, 2019

A slight revision and explanation...

In 2003, by 'more difficult' I meant within my MPhil thesis for emphasis, and to previously make emphasis with my debate with Professor David Pailin, that it was more distinct and different from God's divine nature as infinite, eternal spirit, to create a physical being with a spirit (a human being and human beings) as opposed to creating a merely spiritual being, as in the angelic and fallen angelic beings, which includes the eventual demonic beings.

From a human perspective it appears to be more different and difficult in a sense. That was my point. I am not making any claims in regard to God's level of work.

PAILIN, DAVID A. (1999) ‘Deism’, in Alan Richardson and John Bowen (eds.), A New Dictionary of Christian Theology, Kent, SCM Press Ltd.

PAILIN, DAVID A. (1999) ‘Enlightenment’, in Alan Richardson and John Bowden (eds.), A New Dictionary of Christian Theology, Kent, SCM Press Ltd.

PAILIN, DAVID A. (1999) ‘Process Theology’, in Alan Richardson and John Bowden (eds.), A New Dictionary of Christian Theology, Kent, SCM Press Ltd.

On Dualism February 21 2018