Merry Christmas (Dale)

Dec 252011
 

Pictured here is Giovanni Francesco di Bernardone (a.k.a. St. Francis of Assisi, d. 1226 ) – my photo of a 19th c. statue from southern Arizona, probably well worn from processions and general fondling. I understand that he started, or at least popularized the building of manger scenes.

I remember reading his early biographies some years ago. I never could decide what to think: whether he was extremely holy, mentally ill, or both. Once a well known Christian philosopher who works in medieval philosophy described St. Francis to me as “a stinker” – I think the meaning was a sort of drama queen or manipulator. So that’s another option. ;-) But I remain perplexed.

Went to a Christmas eve service tonight. At one point the pastor said that the incarnation – that God became a human being – makes no sense to us, yet at some level we – i.e. all we Christians – believe it. If I were less tired, or in a different mood, this would induce a whole series of rants/lectures from me. But, not tonight. I will just say: I am grateful that God sent us his only Son, the perfect representation of him and sure way to him.

After the jump: another pic taken at the same place as the Francis pic. This time, someone indisputably both holy and sane, also celebrated Catholic-style. Merry Christmas! Continue reading »

A movie with another Trinity: The Ramayan (1986) in 88 minutes (Dale)

Sep 052011
 

Ram, avatar of Vishnu

For those who enjoyed my previous posts (here and here) on avatars in Hinduism, here’s something I’ve done recently for a class I’m teaching – excerpts of the long (78 part!) ultra-hit Indian tv series Ramayan into movie form. (Here’s the whole series.) Yes, I watched the whole thing, over a couple of months, so you don’t have to. Grab some popcorn and check it out. My notes in the comment below will help you to bridge the plot-gaps.

This doesn’t directly have to do with Christian theology. My interest here was to illustrate the Hindu tradition for my students, specifically a popular, present-day, devotional Vaishnavite form.

Still, one can fruitfully apply philosophical analysis and comparison with Christian theology here:

  • What’s presented here, despite appearances, is supposed to ultimately be monotheism. The one god is Vishnu, and the other gods and goddesses are just manifestations of him, him acting in different forms. This is clear when at one point the three functions of creation, preservation, and destruction are assigned to Vishnu. It’s modalism on a massive scale.
  • The series asserts the primacy of Vishnu, even while bending over backwards to exalt Shiva as a great god and proper object of worship (and also the Great Goddess). He’s a perfect self, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, a se.
  • Ram (aka Rama, pictured here – but in the movie, he’s not blue) is Vishnu’s manifestation as a human being, Vishnu incarnate, or in their terms, a descent (avatar) of Vishnu. The screenplay reflects the tensions Continue reading »

Linkage: Who do you say I am? (Dale)

Jul 292011
 

One answer: the Messiah.

Another answer: here.  (HT: kingdomready.)

Evidently, Fred Sanders isn’t the only theological cartoonist out there. But I do prefer his cuddly lecturing bear Dr. Doctrine.

Commenters: please link your best God, Trinity, or Jesus related cartoons. Only requirements: that they be at least mildy amusing, and not too offensive.

Re: “Herman & Nudix“. True story: in Christian college c. 1990, some yahoo buddies and I ran an imaginary person for Student Association President. Made up a hilarious trifold campaign handout, and other silly promotional materials. He got 4% of the vote. His name: Herman Ootics (full name: Herman J. Ootics III). Yeah, some theology nerds got a kick out of that name. I should post the awesome pic we used some time.

Three Hours of Stupid (Dale)

Apr 172011
 

Call me late to the party. As someone who usually has his nose in a book, I didn’t run out to see The Da Vinci Code. From what I knew of the Bible and Christian history, along with reviews of the book and movie, I could tell that it was ludicrous.

Just recently, out of morbid curiosity, since it’s available free online, I watched all three hours of it.

Yes, the stupid, it BURNS! Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Hanks mumbles and lurches his way through the movie, like an unkempt Dennis Miller on downers. He was much better in… just about anything else he’s done.

The movie alternates between competent chase scenes, talky sleep-inducing scenes, and scenery chewing by evil, murderous, self-hating, conniving, comic book Catholic villains.

It’s directed by Opie, no less. And he seemed like such a nice kid!

At the end of the movie, the two main characters are reflecting on Jesus, in light of the cockamamie yarn they’ve just lived through. Saith, Hanks’s character: Continue reading »

“You’re gonna burn, burn, burn, ’cause you would not learn.” (Dale)

Jun 252010
 

Since I’m posting mildly entertaining nonsense lately, here’s a video from the, ahem, legendary Winterband. (Steve Winter, not Edgar & I assume, no relation), playing to a packed out basement (his own). Click if you dare.

Winterband is a power duo in reality, although Steve plays in three “persons”. (We must use this term, as we have none better.) Steve 1 plays lead and sings. Steve 2 plays rhythm. Steve 3 plays bass. And yet Continue reading »

A good deal on some trinities @ Walmart (Dale)

Jun 232010
 

Wasn’t expecting to find the Trinity on my late-night Walmart run!

Actually, a pair of “trinities”, with co-equal prices.

Decorating the mantle or end-table with religious statues has never been more affordable.

I know you’re intrigued by these low, low prices. If you live in Tucson, Arizona, you might be able to get the last ones.

I don’t know what the deal is with Jesus’ knee and calf. Does anybody out there get it? (click picture for close-up)

Did he take a bazooka hit, or what?

Or maybe he’s just karate-kneed Satan bloody?

Or perhaps he jumped on a live grenade, saving not only the other 2/3 of the Trinity, but the little foot-rest cherubs as well.

Linkage: Wear your theology (Dale)

May 122010
 

Jesus is MELTING!

Looking for a present for that theology geek in your life?

Wear your modalism in t-shirt form.

(Why is this modalism?)

Is this one also modalistic? Discuss. This one surely is.

“Social” trinitarians may prefer this one.

And: for your skate-boarding needs.

Something for paradox lovers and fans of non-standard logics (explanation). Similarly, for people who also like Escher.

Fan of the multiple personality analogy? Look no further.

Here’s the definition of the Council of Chalcedon (sort of) in shirt form.

Then there’s a glaring theological non sequitur, in mug form. And another one, this time on a shirt.

Babies too. People who need help with spelling. Even anti-trinitarians can get in on the action. Happy little monkeys. And people with non-standard “trinities”.

Props to the commenter who can discern the intended message of this one. Or this one. Or this one.

And there’s wearable proof (-texts) that Jesus is God. Lastly, if Jesus just is God, and it was God who miraculously impregnated Mary, then… (Please, no complaints – I’m just the messenger.)

Wasn’t that a fun bit of time wasting? The internet and capitalism rule.

(PS – None of these sellers are affiliated in any way with trinities, nor do I or we get any cut of the $ – this post is just for our mutual amusement.)

Another “image” of the Trinity, courtesy of The Shack (Dale)

Jul 212008
 

Father, Son, Holy Spirit?

A professor friend emailed me recently:

I’ve lately been reading a book (at a student’s request) …a piece of bad Christian fiction called “The Shack” by William P. Young. … it might interest you in light of your trinitarian research. The persons of the Trinity make an appearance in the story: God the Father as a large black woman, God the Son as middle-Eastern carpenter (go figure!), and the Holy Spirit as an Asian woman. I’m certain that there’s heresy lurking nearby.

Just thought I’d pass it along. It is apparently gaining some popularity among some segments of the evangelical subculture – hence, my student’s request that I read it. (link and emphases added)

I can’t speak to the book’s artistic merits, but I’ll trust my friend on that. As to theological merits, heresy or not, there’s certainly social trinitarianism lurking nearby! :-) Who would’ve guessed the Divine Society was so “diverse”? At least they let Jesus remain male… And it arguably beats the gay men’s chorus.

According to this much read review, this society is also maximally egalitarian (see the Trinity section of the review).

Update: a more sympathetic review at Christianity Today.

Linkage: Your most important Trinity questions wikified (Dale)

May 092008
 
Hi Everybody?
Trinity? Suuuure – I know all about those things!

I’ve always been interested in not only what intellectuals think about the Trinity, but also about what ordinary Christians think. Thus, this is an interesting find – five helpful wikites step in to wiki-answer the following important questions:

WikiAnswers – What is the trinity and could you be a Christian and not believe in the trinity

I’ll save you some trouble, distilling the answers down into 80-proof folk-wisdom, taking the second question first. Continue reading »

Linkage: Trinity video (Dale)

Apr 012008
 

linkvid.png

The trinity occurs at :55 and 1:13. Even sorta looks like a church. There’s other rich trinitarian imagery there as well, for those with eyes to see.

Linkage: Impossible World Site and Blog (Dale)

Mar 262008
 

Impossibly beautiful. Literally. (image credit)

Check it out: a whole site and blog devoted to art featuring impossible objects!

I can’t help but think that the picture above had a trinitarian inspiration: according to the babelfish, it means “You must in such a way live”. (German speaking readers – feel free to correct the translation.) I read this as addressed to the Trinity.

If so, this pic would be an expression of what I call “positive mysterianism” about the Trinity – that the doctrine is, unavoidably given our current epistemic situation, apparently contradictory.

Related: a website where you can print and build your own “impossible” object. (HT: Matthew Mullins) Note to modal logic newbies: necessarily, if it is actual, then it is possible as well. :-) Still, this shows that note everything which seems logically impossible really is.

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Linkage: Fred makes a Chick tract for Manichaeism (Dale)

Mar 192008
 


So that’s where the magic is.

People interested in ancient heresies – you have to check out this, by “Probably the world’s greatest systematic theologian cartoonist.”

Jack T. Chick has got nothing on our friend Fred! :-) Nice work, Fred.

Background: Fred is goofing on a long-extinct sect that was famously embraced by St. Augustine (354-430 CE) prior to his conversion to Christianity. Augustine left them after discovering that their much-vaunted wise men simply didn’t have answers to his questions. If only those guys had the benefit of cartoons – “It’s all so simple!” ;-)

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Linkage: Lego trinity

Mar 172008
 

Can’t make this stuff up: The Brick Testament: Holy Trinity

Natch, a Trinity of comments:

  1. The Father looks kind of mad.
  2. The Holy Ghost seems to have been designed by someone who was a little too literal-minded! Reminds me of one of Charlie Brown’s friends, out trick-or-treating.
  3. $30 + $3 shipping = total ripoff

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Trinity Schminity – the music video

Feb 252008
 

 

He’s baaaaack. A smokier, bluesier, dirtier “Trinity Schminity”. Now in basement music video form! Apparently there’s been some big shakeup in the band. Their website says “we are now a Christian father and son band”. Mother and daughter, we hardly knew ye. :-(

 

Thankfully, they’re still “100% monotheist”. And they still ROCK.

Get it? Winter has made himself a phony Trinity. “Bobo” and “Hayseed” are a LIE!!! Don’t believe in them, please. Seriously. Don’t. I SAID DON’T. “You can’t just make up gods as you go along…” Neither may you make up Steve Winters.

Are they Is he singing “Sminity” or “Schminity”? Serious fans like me need to know. See the previous edition for lyrical analysis.

Below the fold: bonus material! Continue reading »

on interpersonal love and stick figures (Dale)

Feb 222008
 


Four vivid, moving, memorable depictions of Love.

A post on some previous post commentary – no one can navel-gaze like a philosopher! :-) Here’s a pictorial recap, and some additional thoughts on the comments here, in response to Scott and JT. The point of all this: we’re exploring why people who call themselves “social trinitarians” don’t like what they call “Latin” theories, and specifically the claim that those “Latin” theories can’t do justice to the loving relationships between the persons of the Trinity. Continue reading »

How not to do theology, Or: the theological Vogon (Dale)

Jan 032008
 

newvogon.jpg

Poetry, anyone?

Karen Armstrong is a famous ex-nun who has written, among other things, a puffing biography of the prophet Muhammad. She frequently appears on TV confidently gassing about various religious matters. But I was really taken a back by this, which I ran across in a podcast:

Ms. Armstrong: Well, you see, I think theology is poetry. That’s what my Jewish friend, Chaim Maccabee, told me all those years ago when he quoted Hillel’s golden rule to me and said, “You know, it doesn’t matter what you believe. Theology is poetry.” Continue reading »

Trinity Schminity

Sep 272007
 

I’m giggling so hard, I can’t see straight to make a comment. Just skip to about 1:20 for the Trinity stuff. Enjoy.

My favorite comment from the Youtube page: “Somehow you make modalism rock… it’s still wrong, but you made it rock.”

His band’s page is here.

Props to the first commenter who can stop laughing, get beyond the bad music, and analyze the arguments implicit in his lyrics. That’d really be taking a bullet for the team. :-)

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Swinburne’s Social Trinitarian Theory, Part 2 – a key move

Aug 132007
 

(Picture credit.)

Swinburne isn’t what you’d call a theological liberal. He’s not a conservative evangelical either, given his rejection of things like biblical inerrancy. He was, I believe, a life-long Anglican, until 1996 when he converted to Eastern Orthodoxy. As I understand it, at least part of his motivation was his exasperation with anything-goes style Anglicanism (e.g. priests who are not theists). But my point is that he aims to be a “Catholic” Christian, in the sense of one who holds to mainstream orthodoxy – roughly, that core of doctrines held in common by Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and (at least in theory) most Protestants. (Actually, he’s probably a good bit more “Catholic” than that – in that he believes in apostolic succession, and in the authority of The Church to decree the meaning of scriptural texts – see his book Revelation.) This requires some dexterity on his part, and creates the burden of crafting a theory that one can claim fits with the “Athanasian” and Constantinopolitan Creeds.

Swinburne argues that it is uncharitable to read the ecumenical councils’ claim that “there is only one god” as asserting that there’s only one divine individual, as that would contradict their committment to there being three divine individuals. Continue reading »

Swinburne’s Social Trinitarian Theory, Part 1

Aug 092007
 


Swinburne sez: Two thumbs up for the social analogy!

Richard Swinburne is an Emeritus professor at Oriel College, Oxford University, and is widely considered one of the greatest living Christian philosophers. He’s done original work in philosophy of science, epistemology, philosophy of mind, and general metaphysics, but is perhaps best known for his work in philosophy of religion and philosophical theology. He has a way of squarely facing tough issues, and treating them in original and principled ways. He’s particularly well known by philosophers for his arguments for mind-body dualism, for his cumulative case for the existence of God, and for his bold social trinitarian theory, which I’ll cover in this series. Continue reading »

Another way to spot FSH modalists

Aug 212006
 

They tend to carve things like this

Norwegian modalist carving

or this

modalist carving 1

Get it? One self/personal substance/entity (represented by the one head) with three faces, i.e. ways of presenting himself or interacting with us. Or alternately, three ways of living (with or without us in the picture).

To be fair, though, one might think that the artists’ inspiration was something like the constitution theory of presented by Mike Rea and Jeff Brower in this paper. (Or much more accessibly, in pp. 8-10 of this one. Stay tuned – these will eventually be discussed here.) Roughly, this is the view that the three persons, though none are identical to one another, are “numerically the same”, as they are composed of something analogous to one batch of divine stuff/matter. Yeah, it’s going to be a bumpy ride when I take a shot at ‘splaining this one… :-)

Again, maybe this could be a way to represent the view of Biola’s dynamic duo, Craig and Moreland… Then again, maybe this would be better. :-)

3 headed knight

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