Methodology: Pattison and Woodward: 7-8 (PhD Edit) & Video Update

Atrani, Italy+Travel+Leisure, Facebook

Seven, practical theology is sociopolitically committed.[1]  Persons from ‘below’ are a focus of practical theology, these being people who experience institutionalized injustice and oppression.[2]  The Church should not simply attempt to raise itself to heaven in a sense,[3] but needs to focus on working within the world.[4]  Robert McAfee Brown (1984) comments that in the Bible, in places such as Exodus, God takes a position against those who promote oppression and injustice.[5]  God at times does take sides in human struggles,[6] and God does side with the oppressed.[7]  Christians are sometimes in the delicate and tricky position of staying true to Biblical standards and yet standing with those who are oppressed and within the world system,[8] even if they are not believers and live outside of Christian morality.[9]  Those in power who call themselves Christians need to be respectfully challenged if they are perceived with a significant deal of evidence, to be involved in abusive practice.[10]  Western Christians need to examine the side they are on in many of the world’s social struggles, particularly in regard to the third world.[11]  In my mind there is a danger that Christianity, whether conservative or liberal, becomes overly influenced by cultures where it exists.  Christian thought must stay true to Biblical and theological principles at the expense of being led astray by societal movements that later in history may be deemed to have been corrupt.  Any historical corruption of the Christian Church is, in the end, a poor witness of Christ and the gospel and weakens the credibility of Christian ministry in the minds of many critics.[12]

Eight, practical theology is experimental, and personal experience of people’s religious life.[13]  There is room for discussion in how doctrines should be practically implemented.[14]  As people’s religious reflection needs to be taken seriously,[15] and this has my total support, I reason this can be done within traditional Christian perspectives, including Reformed ones, without overthrowing doctrines that are considered Biblical and essential.[16]  Again, this is not to indicate, in any way, that I wish to avoid intellectual challenges to Reformed theology as concepts from both conservative and liberal perspectives shall be reviewed and examined within this work.[17]   J.I. Packer (1973) states those that know God have great thoughts concerning him.[18]  These types of thoughts require personal experiences beyond Biblical and theological knowledge alone.  The God of academic and devotional theology needs to be personally experienced to seriously impacts lives.[19]

ANDERSON, RAY S. (2001) The Shape of Practical Theology, Downers Grove, Illinois, InterVarsity Press.

BROWN, ROBERT MCAFEE (1984) Unexpected News, Philadelphia, The Westminster Press.

CARTLEDGE, MARK J. (2002) Charismatic Glossolalia, Hants, England,

Ashgate Publishing Company.

CARTLEDGE, MARK J. (2003) Practical Theology, Carlisle, Cumbria, England, Paternoster Press.

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.

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.

WHALE, J.S. (1958) Christian Doctrine, Glasgow, Fontana Books.

WOODWARD, JAMES AND STEPHEN PATTISON (2000)(2007)(eds.), The Blackwell Reader in Pastoral and Practical Theology, Oxford, Blackwell Publishing. 

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[1] Pattison and Woodward (2000)(2007: 14-15).

[2] Pattison and Woodward (2000)(2007: 15).

[3] Anderson (2001:181).

[4] Anderson (2001:181).  The Church must work within the world without being worldly at the expense of being true to the Holy Spirit.  This is no easy task for a large institution such as the Church.

[5] Brown (1984: 34).

[6] Brown (1984: 34).

[7] Brown (1984: 41).

[8] Anderson (2001:181). 

[9] A good Christian witness will treat non-believers with love, care and respect.

[10] Brown (1984: 160-161).

[11] Brown (1984: 160-161).  Anderson (2001: 181).  The third world is also known as the developing world.

[12] Anderson reasons the Church needs to repent for wrong doing in its existence.  Anderson (2001: 180-181).

[13] Pattison and Woodward (2000)(2007: 15).  Cartledge (2003: 248-249). 

[14] Pattison and Woodward (2000)(2007: 15).

[15] Pattison and Woodward (2000)(2007: 15).  Cartledge (2003: 248-249). 

[16] Whale (1958: 15).  Erickson (1994: 37).

[17] Notably in the surveys.

[18] Packer (1973: 24).

[19] Packer (1973: 24).  Cartledge (2003: 248-249).  

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.

Methodology: Pattison and Woodward: 5-6 (PhD Edit) & Sentimental Theology Revisited

Cambridge-trekearth

Methodology: Pattison and Woodward: 5-6 (PhD Edit) 

Five, practical theology is truthful and committed to changing the world through its intellectual findings.[1]  Awkward findings concerning theological perspectives should not be glossed over.[2] Criticisms that are leveled at certain doctrines or the way these doctrines are presented[3] within the context of theodicy does not necessarily mean that a doctrine is incorrect or needs revision.  It may be the case that the particular doctrine needs to be better explained by the Christian Church, and in particular within the tradition(s) for which it originates and is associated.  

Six, it must be contextual and situational related.[4]  Practical theology can use the Bible and other historical data, but its main concern is to explore and contribute to immediate contexts, situations, and practices.[5]  From traditional and Reformed Christian perspectives, the Bible serves as the key Scripture and reference in regard to matters of faith.[6] Cambridge theologian, J.S. Whale (1958) explains that within Protestant thought the Bible represents the whole counsel of God and nothing can be added whether by new revelation or tradition.[7]  Whale, however, correctly warns against the idea of the Bible becoming a law book,[8] and the Scripture needs to stay a historical living word as opposed to a narrow book of rules.[9]  This goes back to Erickson’s point that God’s word, although an unchanging message must be interpreted for each era.[10]   This in no way allows for an overhaul of major, traditional Christian doctrines from traditional and Reformed perspectives,[11] but with the use of practical and empirical approaches there would be opportunities to understand Christian theology in modern terms.[12]  In other words, the very same Biblical doctrines that were given in the contexts of ancient Israel, Europe, Asia, and Africa need to be explained in the contexts of twenty-first century Western civilization, and other societies in the world. Theological principles would remain the same, but theological application can vary within eras and locations.[13]

ANDERSON, RAY S. (2001) The Shape of Practical Theology, Downers Grove, Illinois, InterVarsity Press.

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.

WHALE, J.S. (1958) Christian Doctrine, Glasgow, Fontana Books.

WOODWARD, JAMES AND STEPHEN PATTISON (2000)(2007)(eds.), The Blackwell Reader in Pastoral and Practical Theology, Oxford, Blackwell Publishing.

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[1] Pattison and Woodward (2000)(2007: 14).  These include a ministry focus where Christ is seen as the means of reconciliation between the world and God.  Anderson (2001:62).

[2] Pattison and Woodward (2000)(2007: 14).

[3] Pattison and Woodward (2000)(2007: 14).

[4] Pattison and Woodward (2000)(2007: 14).

[5] Pattison and Woodward (2000)(2007: 14).

[6] Whale (1958: 15).

[7] Whale (1958: 15).

[8] Whale (1958: 15).

[9] Whale (1958: 15).

[10] Erickson (1994: 37).

[11] Whale (1958: 15).

[12] Pattison and Woodward (2000)(2007: 14-15).

[13] Whale (1958: 15).  Erickson (1994: 37).

End

Sentimental Theology Revisited

Sadly my Mother’s oldest sister from Alberta passed away.

It again makes me think of the value or not of theistic attempts at considering life after death.

Academically, the Christian religion, Christian faith and philosophy, is academically supported through thousands of manuscripts and fragments.

Religion Facts

Cited

‘The Earliest Extant Manuscripts Fortunately, textual critics and paleographers have a large number of ancient manuscripts at their disposal, many of which have been found within the last century. Nearly the entire New Testament exists in manuscripts dated to before 300 AD. Other important manuscripts date to the fourth and fifth centuries. The manuscripts dating from 100 to 300 AD are almost entirely papyrus fragments. These fragments are named with a "P" followed by a number. The vast majority of them were found in Egypt in the twentieth century, and are now kept in various museums and libraries throughout the world, including at Dublin, Ann Arbor, Cologny (Switzerland), the Vatican and Vienna.

The earliest manuscript of the New Testament was discovered about 50 years ago. P52 is a small papyrus fragment of the Gospel of John (18:31-33 on the front; 18:37-38 on the back), and it has been dated to about 125 AD. This makes it a very important little manuscript, because John has been almost unanimously held by scholars to be the latest of the four gospels. So if copies of John were in circulation by 125, the others must have been written considerably earlier. Moreover, the Gospel of John's greater theological development when compared with the other three gospels has led some scholars to conclude it was written as late as 120 or even 150 AD. The P52 fragment seems to make such late dates impossible. {4}'

This is a non-exhaustive post and presented is a short and limited textual support for Christianity as religious history. There is also the Hebrew Bible as religious history that with the New Testament forms the Bible.

There are also secular writings within the New Testament area which I have discussed on a previous post and as well there are writings from Church Fathers.

The New Testament provides information about the historical Jesus Christ, his atoning work and resurrection and his followers in historical setting and this gives much more credibility for theology concerning the concept of life after death in the presence of God, than does sentimental theology which denies or twists the concepts of Scripture in order to fit some type of speculative theistic hope for everlasting life which is devoid of the significant use of reason and revelation.

This is a dangerous way to approach God and life, as there is not convincing evidence for believing that God will provide a departed person with meaningful everlasting life, outside of revelation from God explaining by what means he would bring a person that has passed away into his presence forever, and/or place them in a better place.

Such theology is over-speculative and devoid of philosophical, theological and empirical/historical evidences for support. It is wishful. There are many spiritual dangers associated with sentimental theology which include false hopes, and false theology. The ultimate danger is being wrong about God, and not receiving his everlasting grace and mercy.

New Martial Arts Equipment: Edited Effects and Original Versions

I was shopping in New Westminster today-trekearth: Correction,
Spring action knife not switch blade apparently!

New Westminster-trekearth: The gentleman that sold me the tactical knife,
I presume the owner, also went out of the way to kindly tell me (showing my security ID incidentally
as I had my bank card out) that the knife was also good for throat strikes while blade not elongated and showed me where to strike. I suppose that would be tactically rescuing me or someone else. I cut through some of the grocery packaging when I got home. Wow... I should add that the man loosened the mechanism stating it had to be tighter (no switch blade) for transporting  to the USA. Uhh, I will never be transporting this to the USA or Europe on a trip...