Future Rebellion?

Butchart Gardens, BC

Today, a pastor who had completed a problem of evil questionnaire mentioned to me through email, the theological issue of whether citizens of the Kingdom of God/heaven would be able to rebel against God. Here is my reply to the pastor with references added and slight changes for this blog article.

In my view, since the lake of fire (Revelation, Chapter 20) appears to exist everlastingly, rebellion against God will continue from fallen angels and those outside of Christ. I speculate that the lake of fire, like Hades (Revelation, Chapter 20) and Paradise (2 Corinthians, 12: 4) are outside of our present material reality and are not part of God's material creation that he will restore for humanity, and perhaps animals and other living creatures. The lake of fire is likely physical but is intended for punishment. Robert H. Mounce explains that it is the place for all that is sinful and wicked in the world. Mounce (1990: 350). God merely will restore the fallen material creation within our reality and eliminate the problem of evil within it.

In my view the elect in the restored creation shall not fall since God will determine with the use of compatibilism/soft determinism that they shall not. This means he will determine, influence and guide thoughts and actions, but not force or coerce them. Louis P. Pojman writes that compatibilism or soft determinism states that an act can be entirely determined and yet be free in the sense that it was committed voluntarily and without external force or coercion. Pojman (1996: 596). Compatibilism shall occur through God's will and by perfecting the nature of followers, but it can be deduced that Satan had a perfect nature prior to his fall, as a sinful being would not exist in heaven (Luke 10: 18). Satan and the fallen angels are Biblically not provided any type of atonement. Adam and Eve prior to the fall in Genesis 3 had a perfect nature, but in my opinion had a spiritual immaturity that persons will not possess in heaven as resurrected followers that have experienced the problem of evil, sin, death, the atoning work and resurrection of Christ and their own resurrection will not disobey God in the immature fashion that Adam and Eve did. A problem with holding too strong of a view on free will, and perhaps free will theodicy, as opposed to sovereignty theodicy, is that it denies compatibilism and soft determinism and therefore rebellion against God by perfect beings would always be a reasonable possibility. I agree that it would be possible in the culminated Kingdom to rebel if citizens were merely left with perfect natures, although less likely than originally because of maturity, but rebellion becomes impossible as God indwells and guides persons to freely with a limited compatibilistic but significant free will, to follow him forever. I suppose one could state that persons cannot sin in heaven because God determines that persons cannot, but he does not use force or coercion since this would eliminate significant freedom. I do not believe that God uses hard determinism in saving persons or damning others. Pojman defines hard determinism as the theory that every event is caused and no one is responsible for his or her actions. Pojman (1996: 596). This is in contrast with soft determinism that would state that God would be the primary cause of all actions, while significantly free beings would be the secondary cause of their own actions. One could also state that persons could hypothetically rebel because beings with finite perfect natures could always fall, as did Satan, but persons will not sin because God determines that they shall not. So I think, hypothetically, rebellion could always happen but will not because of God's constant influence upon saved human persons that have experienced the problem of evil and do not want to go back to it. If God took his influence from citizens they could sin once again, even in heaven. So, those in Christ shall not sin in heaven due to a purified nature and God's use of soft determinism and not force or coercion.

MOUNCE, ROBERT H. (1990) The Book of Revelation, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

POJMAN, LOUIS P. (1996) Philosophy: The Quest for Truth, New York, Wadsworth Publishing Company.

SPSS

Bali, Indonesia

 

I attempt to be more positive than negative on this blog, but occasionally a negative issue needs to be dealt with, and today is a day for it! I have 180 questionnaires completed and in my possession and I am receiving some pastoral assistance in getting to my goal of 200 plus questionnaires received. With my advisor’s approval I am compiling my statistics while still collecting surveys from respondents. My University has required that I use Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, also known as SPSS software in order to compile my questionnaire results and complete my statistics. Back in 2001 when I attended my previous University and was working on a MPhil dissertation, my advisor explained I needed SPSS and so I ordered a copy through the information technology department and received a discount since I was a student. I think I paid approximately 40 pounds. This seemed fair but the software never worked and would not load on my computer properly and I ended up having to use limited Microsoft Excel software to complete the statistics for my MPhil dissertation. 

For the PhD dissertation through my current University, I am expected to use SPSS once again and so in 2004 my advisor had me order the SPSS Student Version 11.0 for Windows which I believe cost me over $150.00 Canadian. I needed a letter from my academic department to prove that I was a student in order to purchase that version of SPSS. I loaded the software on to my computer and went through the tutorial a couple of times the last few years to familiarize myself with software, however, I was not ready to analyze the statistics at that time. Monday, I began compiling results and started with the very first questionnaire, and figured out the basics that day. However, once I arrived at line 51 depth wise, as in question 51 on the questionnaire, I was informed the following by the SPSS software: Maximum number of variables exceeded. A variable is an attribute on which cases vary. Cases can be for example, people and things. Bryman (2004: 29). I was simply attempting to place my other 16 questionnaire questions on the list and the software was prohibiting this from taking place. This was of course a negative event! I did some research in my related texts and on the net and could find no answers to my problem. I called SPSS in Chicago today and was informed that they offered no support for my old 2001 version and I would have to purchase a newer version. I then asked the person if someone could at least inform me on how I could get past line 50 and she stated that the Student Version would not go past line 50 and was not made for dissertation students! I was told that I needed to buy Graduate Version 14.00 that she thought would work for me, but could not verify this as fact and I eventually found Version 15.00 on the web from a retailer. The retail company representative I talked to on the phone could not verify with me that Graduate Version 15.00 would do the required job and treated me like I was an idiot for expecting someone from their company to know which product I should purchase from them. She suggested that I call SPSS to find out which version I should purchase. 

I ordered the product for over $300 Canadian this afternoon! What a wonderful discounted rate for a full-time PhD student without a full-time job, and my order is on hold for seven days until this retailer receives confirmation from my University that I am indeed a registered student. I am very unimpressed with the service from both SPSS and this retailer. I have twice previously purchased SPSS and both times the software has not done the job. The first time it would not even load properly on my computer and the second time it would not even allow a variable past 50. I think I have been ripped off here, and now I am faced with a large bill without technical verification from either the manufacturer or the retailer that the product will actually suffice for my work. This is very poor service! Russ 

BRYMAN, ALAN (2004) Social Research Methods, Oxford, Oxford University Press.

Additional: A link concerning Madeleine McCann, the English girl missing in Portugal.

http://sverdades.blogspot.com/2007/05/suspenso-temporria.html

The eschatology of evil

The eschatology of evil

Matin, Serein, France (photo from trekearth.com)

Preface

This is work from my PhD research, prior to completion in 2010, which I published as a website article on May 11, 2007. This is revised with addition December 9, 2023 

 .

ἔσχᾰτον

An important and related term for the study of the problem of evil and theodicy is eschatology.

Derived from the Greek word eschaton (ἔσχᾰτον)  meaning last, it refers to the ultimate culmination of history where Jesus Christ returns to earth and fully establishes his rule and Kingdom. Grenz, Guretzki, and Nordling (1999: 46). 

Bible Hub: ἔσχατον

Cited from Bible Hub

'ἔσχατον (eschaton) — 7 Occurrences' (The root word, my add)

'Concordance Entries 

Strong's Greek 2078 

53 Occurrences

ἔσχατα — 4 Occ. 

ἐσχάταις — 3 Occ. 

ἐσχάτας — 1 Occ.

ἐσχάτη — 11 Occ.

ἐσχάτῳ — 2 Occ.

ἐσχάτων — 3 Occ.

ἔσχατοι — 9 Occ. 

ἔσχατον — 7 Occ. 

ἔσχατος — 7 Occ. 

ἐσχάτου — 5 Occ.

ἐσχάτους — 1 Occ.'

Bible Hub: 2078. eschatos

Cited 

'Strong's Concordance 

eschatos: last, extreme 

Original Word: ἔσχατος, η, ον

Part of Speech: Adjective 

Transliteration: eschatos 

Phonetic Spelling: (es'-khat-os) 

Definition: last, extreme

Usage: last, at the last, finally, till the end. 

HELPS Word-studies 

2078 ésxatos (from esxaton, "end, last") – properly, last, final (the furthest, extreme-end). 2078/esxatos ("future things"), the root of "eschatology" is "the study of last things." This includes future Bible prophecy, the end-times, and life after death ("the after-life").'

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The eschatology of evil

Eschatology is the theology that seeks to fully understand the direction and purpose of history and progressing events. Grenz, Guretzki, and Nordling (1999: 46). Henry C. Thiessen writes that eschatology includes the concepts of the second coming of Christ, the resurrection, judgments, the millennium, and the final state. Thiessen (1956: 440). These are far too complex concepts to thoroughly discuss within a short, intentionally non-exhaustive, article, but these ideals would all be aspects of how the Biblical God delivers this current age that exists containing problems of evil, into an age where evil is a thing of the past. This present fallen creation, inhabited and influenced by sinful creatures would be transformed into a universe and earth empirically ruled by Christ as God. Also known as the Kingdom of God/Kingdom of Heaven

It should be noted here that the Kingdom of God will therefore not only include access to God in the heavenly non-physical realm, but also a physical creation restored to an original perfection ruled by God. The chosen elect (Ephesians 1-2, Romans 9 as keys) in Christ will be physically resurrected and not live everlastingly as spiritual beings alone, because God wants those in Christ to live forever in the restored Kingdom described in Revelation, Chapters 21-22. 

Robert H. Mounce points out that contrary to Greek dualism, God always intended for human beings to exist on a redeemed earth, not in a heavenly realm removed from physical existence. Mounce (1990: 368). This makes sense as a physical resurrected body naturally requires a physical realm to exist in, but Paul calls the resurrected body, spiritual, in 1 Corinthians 15: 44. Gordon Fee explains that the resurrection body is not immaterial but supernatural. It is a body adapted for eschatological existence under the domination of the spirit. Fee (1987: 786). Mounce notes that the concepts of new heaven and new earth in Revelation are described with varying degrees of literalness, but the new heaven and new earth provides the setting for the new and everlasting state. Mounce (1999: 369). The new heaven and new earth is not simply metaphor for a spiritual existence with God in his heavenly presence, but an actual physical place where human beings shall live and prosper with Christ. If Christians were intended to live merely a spiritual existence with God in the heavenly realm this would make the resurrection of the natural body, which becomes a spiritual body, as Paul describes it, unnecessary. If God did not intend to restore the physical universe and human body, then saved human beings, after death, could simply remain in Paradise (Luke 23: 43, 2 Corinthians 12: 4) as post-mortem disembodied spirits/souls.

BRUCE, F.F., (1963)(1996) Romans, Grand Rapids, IVP/Eerdmans.

CLINES, DAVID, J. A. (1986) 2 Corinthians, The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.

CRANFIELD, C.E.B. (1992) Romans: A Shorter Commentary, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

DUNNETT, WALTER M. (2001) Exploring the New Testament, Wheaton, Crossway Books. 

ERICKSON, MILLARD (1994) Christian Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.

FEE, GORDON (1987) The First Epistle to the Corinthians, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

FINKBEINER, DOUGLASE (2004) Interpreting Luke 16: Abraham, Lazarus, and the Rich Man-Parable or History?, Lansdale, PA , Calvary Baptist Theological Seminary.

FOULKES, FRANCIS (1989) Ephesians, Grand Rapids, Inter-Varsity Press.

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

HARPUR, GEORGE (1986) Ephesians in The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Zondervan. 

HUGHES, PHILIP, EDGCUMBE (1990) A Commentary On The Epistle To The Hebrews, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

KENT H. A. (1996) ‘Paradise', in Walter A. Elwell (ed.), Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Books. 

MARSH, PAUL W. in Bruce, F.F. (ed.), (1986), First Corinthians, The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Zondervan. 

MOUNCE, ROBERT H. (1990) The Book of Revelation, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

MOUNCE, ROBERT H. (1995) The New American Commentary: Romans, Nashville, Broadman & Holman Publishers.

PORTER, LAURENCE.E. (1986) ‘Luke’, in F.F. Bruce (gen.ed.), The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Marshall Pickering/ Zondervan.

STRONG, J. (1986) Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Pickering, Ontario, Welch Publishing Company. 

THIESSEN, HENRY C. (1956) Introductory Lectures in Systematic Theology, Grand Rapids, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

A philosophy of linking

York Minster

1. I have 166 completed questionnaires in my possession. Thanks to all respondents! My goal is obtain 200 plus surveys, although my advisor has given me permission to begin analyzing the questionnaire data. I am still collecting questionnaires and will be for several weeks and so I would really appreciate any assistance with this project. I am not sure what the analysis will include in its entirety, as I will have to receive this information from my advisor at a later date. My sample group is those that attend Christian churches, and for the context of this research, Christian is not only those that have Biblically based, conservative views like I do, but those that fall within a broad definition of cultural Christianity. My advisor has not exhaustively defined this, but I know I must include not only persons within my Reformed, conservative perspective, but also those from mainline churches. I have also sampled persons within the Orthodox Church and non-denominational churches. Alan Bryman in his text Social Research Methods explains that a sample is a segment of the population that is selected for research. It is a subset of the population. Bryman (2004: 543). My subset for this PhD research is those that attend Christian churches. I am willing to send out a copy of the survey to persons that do not attend a Christian church whatsoever, but I cannot include the data in the analysis.

2. Having not received any blogger traffic from publishing and correcting/republishing articles on both my blogs this week, I have thought much about the importance of links. My traffic is now entirely coming from links and web searches. I really appreciate all of you that link with one or both of my theology related blogs. I realize that some persons only like one of the blogs enough to link and that is understandable. As far as blogs are concerned, I may link a blog on thekingpin68 or satire and theology that links my blog in return, or at least links something important relating to my blog. I believe in mutual support.

3. I initially thought I would only link with Christian blogs where there was strong theological agreement, but have come to the conclusion that I can witness to others through linking, and need to support if possible, those who support me. I therefore may link to certain others even though there are some philosophical/theological disagreements. I realize that none of us will agree on every point! I have placed disclaimers on both my blogs in the About Me section. The disclaimer for this site reads, In regard to my links, only satire and theology necessarily demonstrates my personal views. I should make it clear that if I link with you, I greatly appreciate your help and basically think your blog is good.

The power of positive linking?

BRYMAN, ALAN (2004) Social Research Methods, Oxford, University Press.


Bad theology