A review of Olu Jenzen and Sally R. Munt (eds), The Ashgate Research Companion to Paranormal Cult... more A review of Olu Jenzen and Sally R. Munt (eds), The Ashgate Research Companion to Paranormal Cultures (Ashgate, 2013).
The concept of evolution challenges us to an ongoing effort to interpret its significance. The ch... more The concept of evolution challenges us to an ongoing effort to interpret its significance. The challenge has several dimensions: (1) to calm the debate that divides Americans in arguing whether evolution is at odds with biblical traditions; (2) to integrate evolution into one's personal philosophy of life or religious faith; (3) to note the importance of the story form for rendering evolution; and (4) to evaluate evolution as a creation story. Evolution is portrayed as a drama in five acts: cosmic, biological, cultural, moral, and spiritual. The discussion concludes with reflection on humans as co-creators whose task is to become the storytellers of evolution. The author presents this interpretation as a fuller concept of evolution.
Abstract “Milieu” (extending the work of Teilhard de Chardin) is proposed as the central image fo... more Abstract “Milieu” (extending the work of Teilhard de Chardin) is proposed as the central image for interpreting evolution in a theological framework. Evolution constitutes the milieu in which we live, and this milieu is ultimately a divine milieu, the work of God. The following arguments elaborate this proposal: (1) we must place our efforts to give a theological appraisal of evolution within the classical theological context of apophasis and cataphasis. (2) The scientific study of evolution is religiously and theologically important because it throws light on the works of God (God's economy). (3) The divine energies are a realm of hiddenness, embedded in paradox. The biblical Book of Job epitomizes our situation as we explore the divine milieu of evolution.
One of the most pressing problems confronting the Christian today when he considers his Christian... more One of the most pressing problems confronting the Christian today when he considers his Christian existence in society is the task of relating himself to the tremendous drive toward change and renewal that appears to permeate every society at the present time. The problem is not whether the Christian shall choose for change and renewal or against it, since it is almost impossible to find a Christian opinion that does not affirm in some manner, at least, the necessity for continuing accommodation to the process of change and the imperative to work for the ongoing perfection or renewal of society. Rather, the problem is that of discerning properly the concrete relationship between the present situation and the future toward which the demands for change and renewal lead. What shall I (or we) do next, tomorrow, in order to grasp the possibilities that we see so that we are faithful to their promise and their imperatives ? This is the most troublesome question facing the Christian today in society. Relevant existence in society hinges to a considerable extent on the judgment which the Christian makes concerning this relationship between present and future. On this judgment hang the Christian's enthusiasm or apathy in considering the future which change brings as well as the specific strategy upon which he embarks in order to live in accordance with the demands of that future. When he wrestles with the problem of relating the present situation and the future toward which change is moving, man is aware of his inveterate capacity for fantasy and rhetoric. He knows his own propensity for evading the realities and limitations of the present, or perhaps we should speak of the defect in his vision, which renders it difficult for man to bring his present situation and his hopes for the future into meaningful and effective interrelationship. "Fantasy" refers to the human tendency to dream dreams that cannot and will not ever become real. "Rhetoric," as I am using the term here, refers to the tendency
In Chapter 4 McLeod defends a qualified distinction between de dido and de re necessities. The di... more In Chapter 4 McLeod defends a qualified distinction between de dido and de re necessities. The distinction survives even if de dicto necessities are a subspecies of de re necessities; even if so, calling them "de dicto" says something different about them from calling them "de re." I will close with a word about style. This book is ferociously learned, but it is not fun to read. I myself think it better that an author set out the issue in his own voice: he should assume the burden of telling us why the issue is of interest, and of explaining the rationale behind what are in fact the leading positions on the issue, for this approach invites the reader to do philosophy herself, and to participate in the project of the book. I admire less the approach of this book, which is to set forth the issue by citing its leading discussants, and to set up the controversy by offering counterpoised quotations. This approach tends to invite passivity, or even docile memorization. This is not a criticism of McLeod in specific, but it applies to his book.
A review of Olu Jenzen and Sally R. Munt (eds), The Ashgate Research Companion to Paranormal Cult... more A review of Olu Jenzen and Sally R. Munt (eds), The Ashgate Research Companion to Paranormal Cultures (Ashgate, 2013).
The concept of evolution challenges us to an ongoing effort to interpret its significance. The ch... more The concept of evolution challenges us to an ongoing effort to interpret its significance. The challenge has several dimensions: (1) to calm the debate that divides Americans in arguing whether evolution is at odds with biblical traditions; (2) to integrate evolution into one's personal philosophy of life or religious faith; (3) to note the importance of the story form for rendering evolution; and (4) to evaluate evolution as a creation story. Evolution is portrayed as a drama in five acts: cosmic, biological, cultural, moral, and spiritual. The discussion concludes with reflection on humans as co-creators whose task is to become the storytellers of evolution. The author presents this interpretation as a fuller concept of evolution.
Abstract “Milieu” (extending the work of Teilhard de Chardin) is proposed as the central image fo... more Abstract “Milieu” (extending the work of Teilhard de Chardin) is proposed as the central image for interpreting evolution in a theological framework. Evolution constitutes the milieu in which we live, and this milieu is ultimately a divine milieu, the work of God. The following arguments elaborate this proposal: (1) we must place our efforts to give a theological appraisal of evolution within the classical theological context of apophasis and cataphasis. (2) The scientific study of evolution is religiously and theologically important because it throws light on the works of God (God's economy). (3) The divine energies are a realm of hiddenness, embedded in paradox. The biblical Book of Job epitomizes our situation as we explore the divine milieu of evolution.
One of the most pressing problems confronting the Christian today when he considers his Christian... more One of the most pressing problems confronting the Christian today when he considers his Christian existence in society is the task of relating himself to the tremendous drive toward change and renewal that appears to permeate every society at the present time. The problem is not whether the Christian shall choose for change and renewal or against it, since it is almost impossible to find a Christian opinion that does not affirm in some manner, at least, the necessity for continuing accommodation to the process of change and the imperative to work for the ongoing perfection or renewal of society. Rather, the problem is that of discerning properly the concrete relationship between the present situation and the future toward which the demands for change and renewal lead. What shall I (or we) do next, tomorrow, in order to grasp the possibilities that we see so that we are faithful to their promise and their imperatives ? This is the most troublesome question facing the Christian today in society. Relevant existence in society hinges to a considerable extent on the judgment which the Christian makes concerning this relationship between present and future. On this judgment hang the Christian's enthusiasm or apathy in considering the future which change brings as well as the specific strategy upon which he embarks in order to live in accordance with the demands of that future. When he wrestles with the problem of relating the present situation and the future toward which change is moving, man is aware of his inveterate capacity for fantasy and rhetoric. He knows his own propensity for evading the realities and limitations of the present, or perhaps we should speak of the defect in his vision, which renders it difficult for man to bring his present situation and his hopes for the future into meaningful and effective interrelationship. "Fantasy" refers to the human tendency to dream dreams that cannot and will not ever become real. "Rhetoric," as I am using the term here, refers to the tendency
In Chapter 4 McLeod defends a qualified distinction between de dido and de re necessities. The di... more In Chapter 4 McLeod defends a qualified distinction between de dido and de re necessities. The distinction survives even if de dicto necessities are a subspecies of de re necessities; even if so, calling them "de dicto" says something different about them from calling them "de re." I will close with a word about style. This book is ferociously learned, but it is not fun to read. I myself think it better that an author set out the issue in his own voice: he should assume the burden of telling us why the issue is of interest, and of explaining the rationale behind what are in fact the leading positions on the issue, for this approach invites the reader to do philosophy herself, and to participate in the project of the book. I admire less the approach of this book, which is to set forth the issue by citing its leading discussants, and to set up the controversy by offering counterpoised quotations. This approach tends to invite passivity, or even docile memorization. This is not a criticism of McLeod in specific, but it applies to his book.
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