tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9010980460314393147.post1588482637484195626..comments2023-09-30T12:19:25.075-04:00Comments on Philosophia Christiana: Blogging Jealously for the Crown Rights of King Jesus : Antitheism Answered Kevin Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05401508813361514067noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9010980460314393147.post-6198661310130964602013-01-21T19:05:23.533-05:002013-01-21T19:05:23.533-05:00I believe that your guess is likely correct, Bisho...I believe that your guess is likely correct, Bishop. That is certainly a popular claim of the naturalists. "If God would simply make an appearance...we'd believe," or so the claim usually goes. <br />However, we know that this is simply false. In his post-resurrection glory, Jesus revealed himself to his disciples, "And when they saw him...some doubted" (Matt. 28:17). The Scriptures report several instances of 'God making an appearance,' not least in Jesus' earthly ministry. As Jesus put it, "If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead" (Lk. 16:31). It all comes back to the question of authority; and, for naturalists their personal autonomy will always rule the day. Unfortunate for them, God does not negotiate on their terms; fortunately, though, he continues to quicken and save benighted sinners, like us and Daniel! Kevin Stevensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05401508813361514067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9010980460314393147.post-42416960406473634572013-01-21T18:47:19.947-05:002013-01-21T18:47:19.947-05:00Daniel probably thinks he would believe if he coul...Daniel probably thinks he would believe if he could see the Lord and touch His wounds, as Thomas wanted to do. Short of that he at least has to admit the argument from material observation can be used both ways. One way sees no evidence of a Creator, and concludes there is no God. The other sees no evidence of self-creating matter, and concludes there is a God. Bishop Dennis Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09586518874645248035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9010980460314393147.post-78323314486932957102013-01-21T11:27:38.960-05:002013-01-21T11:27:38.960-05:00Well put, Bishop Campbell! Yes; free will is a fa...Well put, Bishop Campbell! Yes; free will is a fantasy, whatsoever worldview one holds. For Daniel, the materialist, what he may believe is his authentic volition is really just the result or effect of a long series is fatalistically-driven, irrational, purely material causes. I am being generous, though, since even causal relations are nonsensical in terms of atheism. And. Of course, from the Christian perspective, only the triune God has genuine, unfettered free will. We, however, are bound always to choose according to our greatest desire, which, as Jesus said, is controlled by our bondage to sin (Jn. 8:34). And the natural mind is at enmity with God, and thus cannot submit to his laws, even the logical laws he imposes on creation (Rom. 8:7). Even after regeneration, we still vacillate between our desires to serve self and the new desire to serve God through Christ by the power of the Holy Ghost. Even in the abstract, if our wills enjoyed libertine freedom, we’d all die, because all of our choices would be groundless, because they would be causeless, if totally free. But, of course, we live. So, libertine free will can’t be the case. Thanks for the comment! Kevin Stevensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05401508813361514067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9010980460314393147.post-16172126067912952342013-01-21T09:55:03.847-05:002013-01-21T09:55:03.847-05:00Your discussions with these men were well organise...Your discussions with these men were well organised and cogent. If Daniel and Kyle really had free will, you would have convinced them. Bishop Dennis Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09586518874645248035noreply@blogger.com