Near Death Experiences

Poze Islanda, Iceland (photo from trekearth.com)

Greetings,

The link below is from a discussion I commented in from a blog of someone well studied in the Reformed philosophy and free will. I am not sure I was completely understood and blog comments cannot be revised like blog articles as they are done with less preparation. Yes, I reserve the right to revise these blog articles!

http://reformedapologist.blogspot.com/2007/02/oliphint-on-free-will.html

For the sake of clarity the following is a portion of what I wrote concerning my free will theory in my Edwards article on this blog:

http://thekingpin68.blogspot.com/2006/08/jonathan-edwards-and-libertarian-free.html

Human nature and consciousness does not choose to be as it is, but was created by God, and has been corrupt since the fall of humanity. From consciousness and self-awareness, human beings would develop motives and desires, and eventually make limited free will choices. The primary cause of human acts is determined by God who creates the human nature, and influences human choices. The secondary cause of human acts is the individuals that act according to nature, consciousness, motives, desires, and a limited free will influenced by God.

It may be correctly pointed out that what God determines and causes must necessarily (logically must occur) take place. However, I do not think that God coerces or forces individuals to commit actions. Some Calvinists suggest that human beings are not free in any respect, but have liberty to follow their motives and desires. A problem with the use of the term liberty, although I am in agreement with the basic theological concept, is that it is often academically defined as autonomy and/or freedom of choice, therefore confusing the issue for some not familiar with Reformed theology. With my use of the terms compatibilistic free will or limited free will I hope to provide a concept of human freedom that is clearly understood to be different than libertarian free will.

Also concerning the above link it was mentioned by someone else that all schools of thought affirm the ability of one to choose within their human nature. That appears to be generally but not absolutely correct, and as noted I do affirm that persons make choices within their nature as a secondary cause while God is the primary cause. God does not coerce or force persons within the process, but uses all choices for the greater good. Simon Blackburn notes concerning libertarianism that some that hold to the concept are derided for desiring to protect the fantasy of an agent situated outside of the realm of nature altogether. Blackburn (1996: 218).

BLACKBURN, SIMON (1996) ‘Libertarianism', in Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy, p. 218. Oxford, Oxford University Press.

The links below feature a radio debate on Near Death Experiences between resurrection scholar Dr. Garry Habermas and Keith Augustine, Executive Director, Internet Infidels. I have not studied Near Death Experiences so I provide these links for information purposes and do not endorse a position on the issue. However, the topic is interesting for those interested in spiritual matters and the hosts mention a bizarre case of a former atheist who claims to have become a Christian through a Near Death Experience.

http://www.garyhabermas.com/audio/ttmm_nde_pt1.mp3

http://www.garyhabermas.com/audio/ttmm_nde_pt2.mp3

http://www.garyhabermas.com/audio/ttmm_nde_pt3.mp3

Additional: An article on pacifism from a well known Christian blog and my comment.

http://trinitariandon.blogspot.com/2007/03/selfishness-of-pacifism.html

My comment, although it would be better for context to read his short article as well.

Hello Donald,

I scanned your article and think it is helpful. For my BA I attended a Mennonite institution which taught non-resistance. I am not opposed to the use of force by the state to maintain law and order against internal or external forces. One Mennonite professor stated that to be non-resistant meant avoiding war but also included the willingness to give one's life to save another if necessary. This is admirable but a reason that the state needs to at times use force to maintain law and order is to prohibit the death of persons. This sometimes requires the use of force and not just the sacrifice of one holding to non-resistance for another, since the sacrifice may only cause an additional death.

Russ:)