On Dualism

On Dualism 

Dualism

Any system of thought which attempts to define the nature of something as composed of two distinct dualities, substances or principles. Pocket Dictionary (1999: 41).

Any view that postulates two kinds of thing (s) in common in some domain, is dualism. In contrast, where this is only one kind of thing (s), it is monistic. Blackburn (1996: 110).

PhD, University of Wales, Trinity Saint David, Lampeter, 2010: Theodicy and Practical Theology

Dualism was only mentioned once in my PhD:

Question 29: God desires that women’s sufferings be understood

Many respondents, 140 (65.7%) supported this idea while only 16 (7.5%) opposed it with a choice of ‘D/DS’. Fifty-seven (26.7%) were ‘NC’.

Gebara writes that Biblical Scripture, which emphasizes differences between male and female, has led to a ‘hierarchical dualism’ that is used to exclude women. Gebara (2002: 5). Gebara reasons evils experienced by women are often linked with the idea they are considered a second, less valuable sex. Gebara (2002: 85). Gebara’s comments demonstrate that her particular feminist views are not supported by the majority of my respondents. Gebara (2002: 2, 85). This is not to imply that many of my respondents do not support feminist theology in some regard.

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

From my Mphil:

C.S. Lewis tied in his free will concept with what he saw as the doctrine of the fall. He concluded that this concept was developed by the church fathers to counteract the heresy of Monism, that God produces effects being both good and evil, and Dualism, where two Gods existed, one good and one evil.

Statement six:

This statement stated: Absolute Dualism, a universe containing two co-eternal Gods, one good, the other evil, is Biblically permissible. Of Anglicans 2% were uncertain with this statement, while 98% disagreed with it. With Baptists 2% agreed with the statement, 2% were uncertain, and 96% disagreed with it. Scripture seems to strongly indicate that Satan and his fallen angel partners were created by God, and thus not infinite or equal to God. In Ephesians 3:9, Colossians 1:16, and Revelation 4:11, it is pointed out that God alone is the creator of all things, and as stated earlier, no being appeared to have existed with God prior to creation.

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.

BLACKBURN, SIMON (1996) Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy, Oxford, Oxford University Press. 

GRENZ, STANLEY J., DAVID GURETZKI AND CHERITH FEE NORDLING (1999) Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms, Downers Grove, Ill., InterVarsity Press.

LEWIS, C.S. (1961)(1983) A Grief Observed, London, Faber and Faber.

LEWIS, C.S. (1941)(1990) The Screwtape Letters, Uhrichsville, Ohio, Barbour and Company. 

LEWIS, C.S. (1940)(1996) The Problem of Pain, San Francisco, Harper-Collins.