Intellectualism/Voluntarism and Evidentialism/Presuppositionalism
I’ve been digging into an old debate for my dissertation, the one between intellectualists and voluntarists. There is considerable variation in each category, probably more in the latter, but there are some common threads in each. Basically, intellectualists think that the reason should (or does—there’s one significant variation) lead the human person, telling the will what to do. Voluntarists feel (ahem!) that the human will guides the person: you always do what you want. That’s a...
Another KJV Verse You Probably Memorized without Understanding It
Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life. (Proverbs 4:23) This is a very common memory verse, as well it should be, but how many people know what issues means here? It doesn't mean what we would usually expect that word to mean in a sentence like this one, “a matter that is in dispute between two or more parties” (Merriam-Webster). I gather from the Hebrew word and an OED check that the KJV translators used issues to mean something more like “out-goings” (the OED...
Random Link to Beautiful Photographic Art
HT: NYT
Some Scriptural Advice for Kim Jong Un
Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him. (Pro 14:31) A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days. (Pro 28:16) Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause. (Isa 1:17) (In a prayer of or for Solomon:) May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy, and crush the...
Confessions of a Christian Conservative
I’m a Carl Trueman fan, even though he doesn’t want any. He writes incisively and from a theologically conservative, church-historically aware, and self-consciously British perspective. So when he promised to tackle a problem that has been bothering me, I got excited. Republocrat is a winner. I highlighted something on practically every page, it seemed. Here’s Trueman on this newest release: The primary reason why I agreed to write this book is my belief that the evangelical church in America...