“Why?” Part III, Chapter 15: “Gnosis” In this chapter, Abram van de Beek (vdB) continues discussing views of God, suffering, and evil that begin with God’s goodness and explain suffering and evil as not attributable to God. Very briefly put, here, in this chapter, the view under consideration is that “evil is inherent in the world and came with it.” (200) I assume most of my readers are roughly familiar with gnosticism, the belief held in various ways by many... Read more

“Why?” Chapter III, Part 14 Some here are reading with me “Why? On Suffering, Guilt and God” by Dutch theologian Abram van de Beek (vdB). We are now on chapters 14 and 15: “Evil and the Evil One” and “Gnosis.” If you are reading with me/us, feel free to comment, but if you are not reading, or have not read these chapters, please feel free to ask questions. Do not then offer comments. In chapter 14, “Evil and the Evil... Read more

June Is Men’s Health Month: New Information For some reason June is designated as several special “months” (i.e., one month with several special designations). I have no idea who identifies particular months as devoted to particular concerns, issues, celebrations, etc. But I have long known June is, among other things much more visibly celebrated, “Men’s Health Month.” I supposed because Fathers Day falls in June (in the U.S.) For at least thirty years now women’s health has gotten most of... Read more

“God” in Popular Culture I admit it. I watch more TV than I should. I always have, at least since I left home at age 18! My parents monitored my TV watching carefully and limited it severely. And much of the time we didn’t even have a TV. But somehow I have had the ability to multitask—watching TV while reading a book, even a book of theology, and even writing an essay while watching TV. Of course, that has led... Read more

A Theologian’s Journey I have no idea how many, if any, of you are interested in this brief autobiographical reminiscence about my theological journey. But perhaps especially those of you reading “Why?” With me  may be interested—in why (no pun intended) I find the book so fascinating and thought-provoking and even supportive of my own thoughts about God. I grew up in a form of Christian life that, for the most part, anthropomorphized God. To us, God was very personal,... Read more

“Why?” Chapter III, Parts 12 & 13 (pp. 121-169) Thanks to those of you who are persevering with me through “Why? On Suffering, Guilt and God” by Abram van de Beek (here referred to as “vdB”). Now we turn to Chapter III in which vdB says he is going to discuss Christian views of God’s goodness, leaving behind views that take a s their starting point God’s omnipotence. (The next installment here will be about Chapter III, Parts 14 and... Read more

The Difference between the Bible and Bible Interpretation This is an illustration of critical realism (explained in an earlier but recent post here) and its application in theology, especially theology that seriously attempts to base itself on the Bible as the inspired Word of God written. When I was growing up…my spiritual mentors (pastors, denominational leaders, speakers, accepted authors, etc.) did not make a distinction between the Bible itself and THEIR interpretation of the Bible. “My Bible says…” was the... Read more

What Does “Destroy Leftism in this Country” Mean? According to news reports, Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis, governor of Florida, has said publicly that, if elected, he would “destroy leftism” in America. I have no personal opinion about Ron DeSantis either as a person or as a politician. However, assuming news reports are correct, such a statement sounds to me like dangerous demagoguery. What I want to know, but typically the media doesn’t say, is what he meant by “destroy”... Read more

Can the Trinity Be Explained? This train of thought, leading to this blog post, began the other day when I stumbled across a Youtube video entitled “Why Isaac Newton Was Hiding a Deadly Secret” (Channel “Thoughty2”). I was intrigued to see (really, to hear) what the “deadly secret” was. A long time ago I learned about Sir Isaac Newton (1643-1727) in some high school science or history class. But I didn’t learn that much about him. Later I learned that... Read more

Truth and Knowledge: A Critical Realist Perspective I know I have discussed this here before, but after 2K blog posts I don’t recall when or in what way, exactly, and I have new readers. Even long-time readers may have forgotten this perspectives on truth and knowledge. I am a critical realist. That phrase doesn’t cover all of my philosophy, but it is a big part of my philosophy and impacts almost everything else, both in my philosophy and my theology.... Read more