Divine Providence and Human Agency

Divine Providence and Human Agency PDF Author: Alexander S. Jensen
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317148878
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 224

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Book Description
Divine Providence and Human Agency develops an understanding of God and God's relation to creation that perceives God as sovereign over creation while, at the same time, allowing for a meaningful notion of human freedom. This book provides a bridge between contemporary approaches that emphasise human freedom, such as process theology and those influenced by it, and traditional theologies that stress divine omnipotence.This book argues that it is essential for Christian theology to maintain that God is ultimately in charge of history: otherwise there would be no solid grounds for Christian hope. Yet, the modern human self-understanding as free agent within certain limitations must be taken seriously. Jensen approaches this apparent contradiction from within a consistently trinitarian framework. Jensen argues that a Christian understanding of God must be based on the experience of the saving presence of Christ in the Church, leading to an apophatic and consistently trinitarian theology. This serves as the framework for the discussion of divine omnipotence and human freedom. On the basis of the theological foundation established in this book, it is possible to frame the problem in a way that makes it possible to live within this tension. Building on this foundation, Jensen develops an understanding of history as the unfolding of the divine purpose and as an expression of God's very being, which is self-giving love and desire for communion. This book offers an important contribution to the debate of the doctrine of God in the context of an evolutionary universe.

Divine Providence and Human Agency

Divine Providence and Human Agency PDF Author: Alexander S. Jensen
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317148878
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 224

Get Book

Book Description
Divine Providence and Human Agency develops an understanding of God and God's relation to creation that perceives God as sovereign over creation while, at the same time, allowing for a meaningful notion of human freedom. This book provides a bridge between contemporary approaches that emphasise human freedom, such as process theology and those influenced by it, and traditional theologies that stress divine omnipotence.This book argues that it is essential for Christian theology to maintain that God is ultimately in charge of history: otherwise there would be no solid grounds for Christian hope. Yet, the modern human self-understanding as free agent within certain limitations must be taken seriously. Jensen approaches this apparent contradiction from within a consistently trinitarian framework. Jensen argues that a Christian understanding of God must be based on the experience of the saving presence of Christ in the Church, leading to an apophatic and consistently trinitarian theology. This serves as the framework for the discussion of divine omnipotence and human freedom. On the basis of the theological foundation established in this book, it is possible to frame the problem in a way that makes it possible to live within this tension. Building on this foundation, Jensen develops an understanding of history as the unfolding of the divine purpose and as an expression of God's very being, which is self-giving love and desire for communion. This book offers an important contribution to the debate of the doctrine of God in the context of an evolutionary universe.

The Practice of the Body of Christ

The Practice of the Body of Christ PDF Author: Colin D Miller
Publisher: James Clarke & Company
ISBN: 022790270X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 228

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Book Description
'The Practice of the Body of Christ' begins a conversation between apocalyptic interpretations of the Apostle Paul and virtue ethics interpretations. It argues that the human actor's place in Pauline theology has long been captive to theological concernsforeign to Paul and that we can discern in Paul a classical account of human action, an account that Alasdair MacIntyre's work helps to recover. Such an account of agency helps ground an apocalyptic reading of Paul by recovering the centrality of the church and its day-to-day Christic practices, specifically, but not exclusively, the Eucharist. Miller first offers a critique of some contemporary accounts of agency in Paul in the light of MacIntyre's work. Three exegetical chapters then establish a

Human Agency and Divine Will

Human Agency and Divine Will PDF Author: Charlotte Katzoff
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1000089177
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 192

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Book Description
This book explores the conjuncture of human agency and divine volition in the biblical narrative – sometimes referred to as "double causality." A commonly held view has it that the biblical narrative shows human action to be determined by divine will. Yet, when reading the biblical narrative we are inclined to hold the actors accountable for their deeds. The book, then, challenges the common assumptions about the sweeping nature of divine causality in the biblical narrative and seeks to do justice to the roles played by the human actors in the drama. God's causing a person to act in a particular way, as He does when He hardens Pharaoh's heart, is the exception rather than the rule. On the whole, the biblical heroes act on their own; their personal initiatives and strivings are what move the story forward. How does it happen, then, that events, remarkably, conspire to realize God’s plan? The study enlists concepts and theories developed within the framework of contemporary analytic philosophy, featured against the background of classical and contemporary bible commentary. In addressing the biblical narrative through these perspectives, this book holds appeal for scholars of a variety of disciplines – bible studies, philosophy, religion and philosophical theology — as well as for those who simply delight in reading the Bible.

Divine and Human Agency in Paul and His Cultural Environment

Divine and Human Agency in Paul and His Cultural Environment PDF Author: John M.G. Barclay
Publisher: A&C Black
ISBN: 9780567084538
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 230

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Book Description
Re-examines Paul within contemporary Jewish debate, attuned to the significant theological issues he raises without imposing upon him the frameworks developed in later Christian thought

Agency, Culture, and Human Personhood

Agency, Culture, and Human Personhood PDF Author: Jeanne M. Hoeft
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN: 1556352956
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 190

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Book Description
Agency, Culture and Human Personhood uses feminist theories, process and liberation theologies, psychodynamics and the problem of intimate partner violence to develop a pastoral theology of human agency. The turn to cultural context for understanding what makes human beings who they are and do the things they do, raises significant questions about human agency. To what extent is agency, the human capacity to act, self-determined, and to what extent is it determined by external factors? If we conceive of persons with too little agency we negate the possibility for change but too much agency negates the necessity for resistance movements. Hoeft argues that agency arises ambiguously from and is constituted of culture. She suggests that such a conception of agency enables the church to foster in victims, perpetrators, and congregations more resistance to violence and proposes practices of ministry that can do just that. The book will challenge deeply ingrained notions of personal responsibility and one's capacity to choose change, yet offers concrete proposals for a creating a less violent world.

Theologies of Human Agency

Theologies of Human Agency PDF Author: Megan Fullerton Strollo
Publisher: Lexington Books
ISBN: 1978713819
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 235

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Book Description
Theologies of Human Agency: Counterbalancing Divine In/Activity in the Megilloth demonstrates the diversity of theological thought implicit in the Hebrew Bible through an examination of the books of Ruth, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes, Lamentations, and Esther. These postexilic works portray human agency as a vital counterpoint to divine skepticism.

Divine Grace and Human Agency

Divine Grace and Human Agency PDF Author: Rebecca Harden Weaver
Publisher: CUA Press
ISBN: 9780813210124
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 284

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Book Description


The Oxford Handbook of Calvin and Calvinism

The Oxford Handbook of Calvin and Calvinism PDF Author: Bruce Gordon
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0198728816
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 711

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Book Description
The Oxford Handbook of Calvin and Calvinism offers a comprehensive assessment of John Calvin and the tradition of Calvinism as it evolved from the sixteenth century to today. Featuring contributions from scholars who present the latest research on a pluriform religious movement that became a global faith. The volume focuses on key aspects of Calvin's thought and its diverse reception in Europe, the transatlantic world, Africa, South America, and Asia. Calvin's theology was from the beginning open to a wide range of interpretations and was never a static body of ideas and practices. Over the course of his life his thought evolved and deepened while retaining unresolved tensions and questions that created a legacy that was constantly evolving in different cultural contexts. Calvinism itself is an elusive term, bringing together Christian communities that claim a shared heritage but often possess radically distinct characters. The Handbook reveals fascinating patterns of continuity and change to demonstrate how the movement claimed the name of the Genevan reformer but was moulded by an extraordinary range of religious, intellectual and historical influences, from the Enlightenment and Darwinism to indigenous African beliefs and postmodernism. In its global contexts, Calvinism has been continuously reimagined and reinterpreted. This collection throws new light on the highly dynamic and fluid nature of a deeply influential form of Christianity.

The theory of the kingdom: A unified model of human agency

The theory of the kingdom: A unified model of human agency PDF Author: Andrew Root
Publisher: Vernon Press
ISBN: 1648898025
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 310

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Book Description
This original monograph presents a comprehensive theory regarding the economy of the kingdom of God. The theory and associated model will help individuals make better choices. The research integrates fundamentals of the temporal real economy, and the permanent economy of the kingdom of God, to present a unified model of human agency. According to the model, effective agents are salt and light in the real economy, arresting corruption and revealing the truth. Effective agency produces life, peace, and growth. Individual and organizational practices that arrest corruption and reveal truth can resolve longstanding economic grievances. The list of spiritual credence goods is extensive and includes commonly known virtues such as humility, patience, and hope. Spiritual goods are allocated based on the owner-agent relationship. The quantity of goods the owner supplies is in proportion to an individual’s sacrificial offering of time and money. Spiritual goods are stored as heart capital. In a process analogous to the real economy, heart labor applied to heart capital produces desirable outputs. The owner relates to his agents through a heart-inscribed behavioral contract. The owner generally intervenes in the real economy by communicating with agents rather than by restricting choice. Prior studies across economics, finance, and sociology prove the efficiency of behavioral contracts and communication over restricted choice. Herein researchers will find new testable propositions, and practitioners will find new ideas and practices to live better, more consequential lives. Examples of practical applications include methods of resolving group-level bias and understanding the purpose of life’s difficulties.

The Story of Christian Theology

The Story of Christian Theology PDF Author: Roger E. Olson
Publisher: InterVarsity Press
ISBN: 9780830815050
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 660

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Book Description
In his book, poised to become a standard historical theology textbook, Roger Olson takes us on a journey of events ranging from the apostolic fathers to the Reformation to the present.