Category: Jimmy Stephens

Classical Theism, Eternal Generation, Jimmy Stephens, Metaphysics, Roman Catholicism, RomeLeave a comment

Thomism and Nicene Orthodoxy

TheSire

Most Thomist are Catholics(and some confessional protestants) that try to affirm the Nicene Creed but that leaves a tension in their doctrines. On the one hand, they are committed to a radical form of simplicity. On the other hand, they maintain distinctions in the Trinity(the persons). How do Thomist reconcile these issues? They do so by appealing to the notion that the persons are subsistent relations. Whatever that is there still lies the question about what relation do these relations play to the essence. In an exchange with a Catholic these comments were made: Thomasinos said: I mean that the … Continue reading Thomism and Nicene Orthodoxy

Jimmy Stephens, politics, PresuppositionalismLeave a comment

First Principles

TheSire

Recently, Jimmy Stephens wrote this in response to a video: There are some good principles here, but many of the mistakes Rand made pop up in this video. There is too much here to cover for a mere youtube comment, but let’s consider logic and first principles. Take for example the recurring claim in this video that logic is “objective.” This is ambiguous. Although it is unpopular in the West to deny the objectivity of logical laws, the nature and content of those laws remains as controversial now as it was during the Classical Era. So then, what does it … Continue reading First Principles

Atheism, Jimmy StephensLeave a comment

Is Agnosticism Possible?

TheSire

Jimmy Stephens shares his thoughts on the issue of whether someone can be an agnostic: The agnostic is committed to the position that he does not know whether God exists. With respect to worldviews, the agnostic is pluralistic, believing that no worldview sufficiently answers whether God exists or not, at least none that he knows of, at least not yet. All the while, agnosticism presupposes the autonomy of humankind. The agnostic holds that he does not know whether God exists, that he does not have access to any worldview capable of answering the question, and that in the meantime, he … Continue reading Is Agnosticism Possible?

Doctrine of God, Jimmy Stephens1 Comment

God’s Knowledge

TheSire

Here Jimmy Stephens explains God’s knowledge, answers whether God has beliefs, and explains the role of God’s thoughts. (Posted on behalf of Jimmy Stephens.) God’s knowledge is twofold. God knows Himself. This knowledge consists of thoughts about Himself. Such self-attending thoughts have unique characteristics not shared by any other person. God’s thoughts about Himself are as immutable as the Person to whom they refer. God’s thoughts bear a unity; they cannot be divided into atomic propositions. God’s self-oriented thoughts are innate, entailed by what it means to be God. More examples can be given, but it should be apparent that God’s … Continue reading God’s Knowledge

Classical Theism, Doctrine of God, Dr. John Frame, Jimmy Stephens, Open TheismLeave a comment

Fisher on Divine Simplicity

TheSire

https://godisopen.com/2019/02/13/john-frame-says-simplicity-is-a-platonic-attribute/ Chris Fisher quotes Dr. John Frame’s systematic theology in order to prove that Divine Simplicity(DDS) is Neo-Platonism. Chris Fisher then quotes Dr. Frame out of context and ignores other statements Frame has made. Chris Fisher is obviously being deceptive to … Continue reading Fisher on Divine Simplicity

Deity of Christ, Jimmy Stephens, Trinity, UnitariansLeave a comment

Paradoxical Unitarianism

TheSire

This is continuing from a prior discussion I had with a ContraModalism: http://spirited-tech.com/COG/2018/12/03/contramodalisms-dilemma/ He has added some new responses to this dilemma but his response is unexpected: Created, as in caused by the Father, before time existed, yes. Yeah. I see this as a change in terminology, mainly. The word ‘create’ is simply a synonym for ’cause’, and as you are familiar with, I have long held that the Son is caused by the Father. I would not say He is created from nothing. I think the Son’s generation from the Father is a mystery. This seems to me to be an … Continue reading Paradoxical Unitarianism

Chris Matthew, Dr. Greg Welty, Dr. James Anderson, Jimmy Stephens, Presuppositionalism1 Comment

Meals on Wheels

TheSire

—Romans 11:36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. I am going to continue my series on presuppositionalism: http://spirited-tech.com/COG/2018/02/27/a-little-presup-before-dinner/ http://spirited-tech.com/COG/2018/04/03/presup-before-dessert/ 1. Presuppositions A discussion of presuppositionalism will or should turn to what we mean by presupposition. To the surprise of no one, the idea of presuppositions is also debated. Different thoughts about that can be seen here: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/presupposition/ From my understanding most Van Tilians think that TAG should be argued as Collett has by implementing Strawsonian semantics theory of presuppositions then we have understood what Van Til was trying … Continue reading Meals on Wheels

Jimmy Stephens, PresuppositionalismLeave a comment

Trinity in Unity

TheSire

Alex: I don’t see why you need a Trinity in Unity within the Godhead in order to account for unity and diversity. A muslim could argue from the unity of Allah’s diverse attributes that they can account for unity and diversity. Necessitarian: 1.) Unitarian Gods lack personal diversity, and so unitarian Gods must resort to explaining the one-and-many relation in impersonal terms. This is to say that, at bottom, unitarianism answers metaphysics the same way Hinduism, Taoism, and monist naturalism do: the one-and-many derive from impersonal facts. Unitarianism reduces to impersonalism. 2.) Concurrently, unitarian Gods cannot even maintain traditional attributes. … Continue reading Trinity in Unity