Fallenness and Flourishing

Fallenness and Flourishing
Author: Hud Hudson
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Total Pages: 232
Release: 2021
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0198849095

Fallenness and Flourishing opens with defenses of the philosophy of pessimism, first on secular grounds and then again on distinctively Christian grounds with reference to the fallenness of human beings. It then details traditional Christian reasons for optimism with which this philosophy of pessimism can be qualified. Yet even among those who accept the general religious worldview underlying this optimism, many nevertheless willfully resist the efforts required to cooperate with God and instead pursue happiness and well-being (or flourishing) on their own power. On the assumption that we can acquire knowledge in such matters, arguments are presented in favour of objective-list theories of well-being and the Psychic Affirmation theory of happiness, and the question 'How are people faring in this quest for self-achieved happiness and well-being?' is critically investigated. The unfortunate result is that nearly everywhere, people are failing. The causes of failure, it is argued, are found in the noetic effects of sin--especially in inordinate self-love and self-deception, but also in insufficient self-love--and such failure manifests both in widespread unhappiness and in that most misunderstood of the seven deadly sins, sloth. After a literary tour designed to reveal the many different ways that sloth can damage a life, Hud Hudson provides a constructive proposal for responding to this predicament featuring the virtue of obedience. This virtue is analysed, illustrated, and located in a new theory of well-being.

Fallenness and Flourishing

Fallenness and Flourishing
Author: Hud Hudson
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Total Pages: 232
Release: 2021-04-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0192588958

Fallenness and Flourishing opens with defenses of the philosophy of pessimism, first on secular grounds and then again on distinctively Christian grounds with reference to the fallenness of human beings. It then details traditional Christian reasons for optimism with which this philosophy of pessimism can be qualified. Yet even among those who accept the general religious worldview underlying this optimism, many nevertheless willfully resist the efforts required to cooperate with God and instead pursue happiness and well-being (or flourishing) on their own power. On the assumption that we can acquire knowledge in such matters, arguments are presented in favour of objective-list theories of well-being and the Psychic Affirmation theory of happiness, and the question 'How are people faring in this quest for self-achieved happiness and well-being?' is critically investigated. The unfortunate result is that nearly everywhere, people are failing. The causes of failure, it is argued, are found in the noetic effects of sin—especially in inordinate self-love and self-deception, but also in insufficient self-love—and such failure manifests both in widespread unhappiness and in that most misunderstood of the seven deadly sins, sloth. After a literary tour designed to reveal the many different ways that sloth can damage a life, Hud Hudson provides a constructive proposal for responding to this predicament featuring the virtue of obedience. This virtue is analysed, illustrated, and located in a new theory of well-being.

Evolution and the Fall

Evolution and the Fall
Author: William T. Cavanaugh
Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
Total Pages: 261
Release: 2017-02-19
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1467446866

What does it mean for the Christian doctrine of the Fall if there was no historical Adam? If humanity emerged from nonhuman primates—as genetic, biological, and archaeological evidence seems to suggest—then what are the implications for a Christian understanding of human origins, including the origin of sin? Evolution and the Fall gathers a multidisciplinary, ecumenical team of scholars to address these difficult questions and others like them from the perspectives of biology, theology, history, Scripture, philosophy, and politics CONTRIBUTORS: William T. Cavanaugh Celia Deane-Drummond Darrel R. Falk Joel B. Green Michael Gulker Peter Harrison J. Richard Middleton Aaron Riches James K. A. Smith Brent Waters Norman Wirzba

The Metaphysics of Hyperspace

The Metaphysics of Hyperspace
Author: Hud Hudson
Publisher: Oxford University Press on Demand
Total Pages: 236
Release: 2005-11-24
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 0199282579

Hud Hudson offers a fascinating examination of philosophical reasons to believe in hyperspace. He begins with some stage-setting discussions, offering his analysis of the term 'material object', noting his adherence to substantivalism, confessing his sympathies regarding principles of composition and decomposition, identifying his views on material simples, material gunk, and the persistence of material objects, and preparing the reader for later discussions with introductoryremarks on eternalism, modality and recombination, vagueness, bruteness, and the epistemic role of intuitions. The subsequent chapters are loosely organized around the theme of hyperspace. Hudson explores nontheistic reasons to believe in hyperspace in chapter 1 (e.g. reasons arising from reflection onincongruent counterparts and fine-tuning arguments), theistic reasons in chapter 7 (e.g. reasons arising from reflection on theistic puzzles known as the problem of the best and the problem of evil), and some distinctively Christian reasons in chapter 8 (e.g. reasons arising from reflection on traditional Christian themes such as heaven and hell, the Garden of Eden, angels and demons, and new testament miracles). In the intervening chapters, Hudson inquires into a variety of puzzles in themetaphysics of material objects that are either generated by the hypothesis of hyperspace, focusing on the topics of mirror determinism and mirror incompatibilism, or else informed by the hypothesis of hyperspace, with discussions of receptacles, boundaries, contact, occupation, and superluminal motion.Anyone engaged with contemporary metaphysics will find much to stimulate them here.

How to Flourish in a Fallen World

How to Flourish in a Fallen World
Author: Donald DeMarco
Publisher:
Total Pages: 154
Release: 2019-10-20
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9781950108657

How to Flourish in a Fallen World, by Donald DeMarco, engages the reader in an understanding of our common human nature and the problems it faces in a culture that actively pursues, to put it in Saint John Paul II's terms, a freedom of indifference over a freedom for excellence. Dr. DeMarco's conclusion is a simple one: "We can flourish in a fallen world by taking advantage of the many gifts that are available to us while living within the truth of our being." In a world of complex problems, it is refreshing to know that such a simple solution is available to us - we merely have to live the truth in love, and we'll find that we restore by so doing mankind to his proper state.

We the Fallen People

We the Fallen People
Author: Robert Tracy McKenzie
Publisher: InterVarsity Press
Total Pages: 238
Release: 2021-09-21
Genre: History
ISBN: 0830852972

The success and survival of American democracy have never been guaranteed. Arguing that we must take an unflinching look at the nature of democracy—and therefore, ourselves—historian Robert Tracy McKenzie explores the ideas of human nature in the history of American democratic thought, from the nation's Founders through the Jacksonian Era and Alexis de Tocqueville.

The Fall of Humankind and Social Progress

The Fall of Humankind and Social Progress
Author: Arttu Mäkipää
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Total Pages: 290
Release: 2023-07-21
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1000911098

This book investigates the link between human capabilities and the preconditions for social progress through an engagement with the theological anthropology of Swiss theologian Emil Brunner (1889–1966). It places Brunner’s thought in dialogue with selected contributors from the contemporary social sciences, examining approaches from economics, sociology and philosophy as put forward by Gary S. Becker, Christian Smith and Martha Nussbaum. This dialogic format helps to crystallise both agreements and differences and thus facilitate greater understanding between theology and other disciplines. Questions explored in the discussion relate to the emergence of human nature (the person) and the capabilities human beings possess, as well as how these develop in a social context. The author focuses in particular on the impact of sin (the Fall) and considers the mixed blessings of economic progress. By providing pointers on how to bring back the human person in social disciplines, the book hopes to contribute to improved understanding of the ethical dimension of social progress and human flourishing. It will be of particular interest to scholars of analytic and systematic theology, but also scholars from economics and social sciences with openness to theological engagement.

NIV, Discover God's Heart Devotional Bible

NIV, Discover God's Heart Devotional Bible
Author: Walk Thru the Bible,
Publisher: Zondervan
Total Pages: 1586
Release: 2014-09-09
Genre: Bibles
ISBN: 0310406137

Experience a more intimate walk with God As you journey through this Bible from cover to cover, the NIV Discover God’s Heart Devotional Bible will help you through tough spots such as Numbers and Leviticus while giving you deeper understanding of the Scriptures and connecting you with the heart of its Author. You'll experience rich insights into the original contexts of Scripture, and God's heart will be unveiled in new ways. This Bible includes 312 engaging devotions to serve as your tour guide, walking you through Genesis to Revelation in manageable portions. Each devotion includes a summary section of the Scripture passage, an application section that reveals God's good heart, and an insight section that ties each passage into the rest of God's great story. As you experience God's Word through this NIV devotional Bible, you'll see his divine fingerprints from beginning to end, even in the most unexpected places - and you'll encounter a deeper, fuller picture of the Jesus you thought you knew. Whether you are starting out on your first steps or a seasoned traveler, let the NIV Discover God's Heart Devotional Bible open your eyes to God's good heart. Features: Complete text of the accurate, readable, and clear New International Version (NIV) 312 engaging devotions

A Theology of Health

A Theology of Health
Author: Tyler J. VanderWeele
Publisher: University of Notre Dame Pess
Total Pages: 238
Release: 2024-09-15
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0268208328

While the health of the body can be defined by its functioning parts and systems, the health of the person is more complex. To flourish, we need to understand health in the context of God’s intent. A Theology of Health presents a Christian understanding of the very concept of health, both the health of the body and the health of the person. Preeminent scholar Tyler J. VanderWeele argues that health can be understood as wholeness as intended by God and that sin—whether individual wrongdoing, societal injustice, or the fallenness of creation—causes ill health. VanderWeele explains that restoration and fulfillment of health is salvation, pointed toward in the life of Jesus Christ, to be lived out through the work of the Church, and for which we await final completion. VanderWeele also demonstrates the broader relevance and implications of his insights to all who seek to understand health, well-being, and the ultimate ends of human life. A Theology of Health is an essential theological exploration that seeks to promote health, healing, and flourishing of the whole person.

Peculiar Discipleship

Peculiar Discipleship
Author: Claire Williams
Publisher: SCM Press
Total Pages: 144
Release: 2023-06-30
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0334063086

This is not a theology of neurodiversity. It is a theology from neurodiversity. In her ground-breaking and daring theological exploration, Claire Williams considers how the experience of God for an autistic person challenges and interrogates our normal theologies about knowing God. Demonstrating how her autistic perspective offers a distinct and fresh hermeneutical lens, Williams shows that a liberation theology of neurodiversity can gift the church a new way of understanding worship, practice, ethics and even the nature of Christian hope itself.