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  1. daveleau

    Any Christian philosophers in the group? Question about Trinity explanation -

    TD, On Whitfield, I get what you're saying. It depends on the definition used regarding faith as to whether it is anti-intellectual. If they mean faith without reason, or blind faith, then it is anti-intellectual. But, if it means the faith of Scripture, which is faith based on evidence (not...
  2. daveleau

    Any Christian philosophers in the group? Question about Trinity explanation -

    TD, some atheists are truly that way. Those are the ones who (after prayer) I depart from without continuing. I like Strobel, but no author has the mode of argument cornered. No single argument is enough due to the diversity of human thought. That's why both Jesus and Paul shifted their answers...
  3. daveleau

    Any Christian philosophers in the group? Question about Trinity explanation -

    Sorry for the sloppy language, TD. I think Bible2+ helped a bit in his first paragraph when it comes to the perfection discussion. Both Plato and Aristotle in discussing the forms have some merit and influence here. Perfection is the ultimate unimprovable quality of something. So, in essense, it...
  4. daveleau

    Any Christian philosophers in the group? Question about Trinity explanation -

    TD, Why do you think perfection is a process? God is perfect, and does not strive for perfection. On the perfection is indivisible portion, here's what I have heard and am mulling over: If there is a perfect nature, it cannot change, or else it would no longer be perfect. Thus, it cannot be...
  5. daveleau

    Any Christian philosophers in the group? Question about Trinity explanation -

    TD - Thank you for responding to my actual question. :clap: You're asking a similar question to what I am wondering. I've listened to a host of lectures on philosophy, philosophy of religion (both secular and Christian, but predominately Christian) and apologetics which is where I've heard the...
  6. daveleau

    Any Christian philosophers in the group? Question about Trinity explanation -

    Thanks, guys. Good descriptions of modalism and the traditional view of the Trinity, which I hold to, but that is often unsatisfying to many religious Jews and Mudlims. Does anyone have anything to say about my initial question? That question is in regard specifically to God's perfection being a...
  7. daveleau

    Any Christian philosophers in the group? Question about Trinity explanation -

    Yes, Muslims and Jews often do claim we are polytheistic. (Note, I am not speaking of ethnic Jews with whom you may or may not identify, because I said "Muslims and Jews" which pairs religions not "Arabs and Jews" which pairs ethnicity.) Any theologians trained in philosophy around? I'd really...
  8. daveleau

    Any Christian philosophers in the group? Question about Trinity explanation -

    Thanks, how about the idea I posted above? I'm not asking for a defenses of Trinitarianism, but whether the specific defense I posted above makes sense. Does the idea of wrapping in the philosophical concept of perfection's indivisibility help explain the Triune Godhead?
  9. daveleau

    Any Christian philosophers in the group? Question about Trinity explanation -

    Hi guys, Thanks for the replies. My understanding of Modalism is that God switches from one to the other. The analogy with the perfect jewel is not intended to relate the Trinity, but to discuss perfection's unchanging nature. During the Incarnation, God did not shift His mode of being into...
  10. daveleau

    Any Christian philosophers in the group? Question about Trinity explanation -

    Hi everybody! It's been a while, but I'm glad to see that while the forums' look has been updated, it appears the same layout and rules are in place. I have a question about something I've been thinking of, and want to run it by someone who is steeped in philosophy. Regarding the Trinity, we...
  11. daveleau

    How do strong Calvinists answer the problem of evil?

    Thanks! Just to clarify, this is in response to the complaint that 'if God is good and all powerful, why is there evil?'
  12. daveleau

    How do strong Calvinists answer the problem of evil?

    Hi everybody! I am a moderate Calvinist (a la Norm Geisler) and answer the problem of evil in a way that was unsatisfactory to a strong Calvinist friend. When I asked him how he would answer it, he didn't have a good answer (his focus of study is not weighted in apologetic matters), but he...
  13. daveleau

    Baptist's fav single-volume commentary

    Hi everybody! I have a friend (unbeliever) that is beginning to ask me questions about Scripture, and he wants to read the Bible. He asked me to help him pick out a single-volume commentary, and that is not an area of my focus in my studies, so I wanted to get your opinions. What are your...
  14. daveleau

    Evangelical fundamentals

    Is that the tenor of CF, now? Are Evangelicals (people who view the Scriptures as inerrant) and (little "f") fundamentals (basic truths all Christians believe in) looked down upon? If this is the case, where does one discuss conservative Christian thought online, if CF is not the place for...
  15. daveleau

    Evangelical fundamentals

    I asked first. :) Really, though, I wanted to listen to others' beliefs and ponder them. But, since you asked... I believe 1 Cor 15:1-5 are the basis of saving faith. Without a belief in Jesus' death, burial and physical resurrection, there can be no salvation because without the...
  16. daveleau

    Evangelical fundamentals

    What are your thoughts on the fundamentals? What beliefs are required for salvation? I'm not trying to stir the pot, but instead want to have a good discussion on what constitutes saving faith according to Scripture. Blessings, Dave
  17. daveleau

    7 Ways to Know If You Are Becoming a Fundamentalist

    Your first 7 points are essentially correct, albeit misstated or too restrictive, for historical fundamentalism. Your 12 following points are characteristic of only a small part of fundamentalism. I do like the rampant and unfounded use of pejorative and exaggeration, though. ;) Once you step...
  18. daveleau

    7 Ways to Know If You Are Becoming a Fundamentalist

    Unfortunately, the term "Fundamentalist" has been twisted by the media to reflect something it was never intended to reflect. The same occurs each time a term becomes commonly associated with politics in America. Fundamentalism was not a bad word until my seminary's founder (the late Jerry...
  19. daveleau

    Why is the Christian God the only God?

    Hello, friend. I must tell you I have often been put off by some of the answers I have heard for the question you pose, and I am a believer. The issue is that most people who attempt to defend the Bible have not had a background in critical thinking, and thus provide answers that seem soft to...