pete enns universalism

If labels have to be used, I wonder if you would identify, or at least sympathize, with igtheism, which holds that every theological position assumes too much about the concept of God. Ted Cruz proudly stated that any president who doesnt pray on his knees to Jesus Christ every day isnt fit to be commander-in-chief. Agnostics cant figure it out. I think there are multiple reality tunnels and people make many different claims concerning their personal experiences. It isnt about intellectual knowing and many people butcher Christianity when they think it is Im afraid. Try an approach that says were really not sure but most likely in my opinion this is the one I think it is. One atheist and evolutionist, Dr. Jerry Coyne, believes very strongly that evolution and Christianity are not at all compatible. It seems like deep human contact or contact with God can exist only within the framework of these projects, based on the protocols of the overarching system. Peter is 61 years old. I do. Those are all things that can be looked at. If we hold to the same manner in which we share any other experience with those around us, we would ge bound to accept this. Foreign Professionals in Babylon: Evidence from the Archive in the Palace of Nebuchadnezzar II Neo-Assyrian Texts from Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon: A Preliminary Report Cities and urban landscapes in the Ancient Near East and Egypt with special focus on the city of Babylon - with Paul Sinclair, Irmgard . Reason and sagacity cannot visualise Him. There is no difference between His Person and His Attributes, and His Attributes should not be differentiated or distinguished from His Person. He is also co-founder and chief . I think there are many different kinds of trust in God, not just the Christian God of the Bible. Historically, I understand the Mystics predate the Enlightenment or Modernity, but I think it was Friedrich Schleiermacher who cut a swath through the rough underbrush of Empiricism to find a spiritual path that was immediate and subjective. I teach courses in Old and New Testaments at Eastern University (near Philadelphia). A Review by Norman Geisler of Peter Enns's, Inspiration and Incarnation: Evangelicals and the Problem of the Old Testament (Grand Rapids . http://edward-t-babinski.blogspot.com/2015/08/christians-or-non-christians-who-suffer.html Your argument for disbelief is foolish, because God cannot be like any of the things perceived by the senses, nor can He be said to bear any resemblance to anything which has to undergo an ordeal of change and decay. perhaps the matter of knowing God is based on ones necessity to survive. To me there is a sacred goodness in characteristics of the way and Christianitys wins over the centuries are attributable to this. So true. As we come to the end of this year, we begin a new theme for the Daily Meditations. Ive spent a lot of time thinking about subjectivity, hermeneutics, revelation, and Jesus as mediator (in the sense that Jesus is the medium through which God is known does the Spirit now occupy that space? At Eastern Since 2012. As claimed, the Incarnation passed through our material and human existence. He has taught courses at several other institutions including Harvard University, Fuller Theological Seminary, and Princeton Theological Seminary. Scrivenings Christians depression, suicide. I also visited Westminster Seminary in my early 20s and purchased some books in the store there, caught a glimpse of Cornelius Van Til, and later I exchanged emails with Paul Seely on biblical cosmology, a WTS graduate. M.Div. Good point. Im trying to think through/explore this. Praying is not the same as imposing a religion on others. (2 Peter 3:9), he does not force his love on anyone. 298 . Or even what the cosmos is? There are multitudes of examples of God giving evidence to his people so they might believe, or trust him. Peter K. Enns. The Bible (NT and OT) both contain stories of humans having doubt while also trusting God (Elijah, Peter, Thomas, hell, all of them for that matter). Previous Post Wholeheartedness with Chuck DeGroat Dave Burbank When you know something by means of such encounter, you may not be able to express it verbally, at least not in a compelling, coherent, or exhaustive manner. We would then be wise to doubt the veracity of our own sight. Frank Schaeffer is an interesting fellow, son of the Apologist Francis Schaeffer, and co-founder with his dad and other prominent Evangelicals in the 1970s of Americas Religious Right and also the Right to Life Movement. One big reason is that I am convinced I would already be dead many times over without Gods guidance. At the same time, I was taking philosophy and religion courses and was drawn to finding ways to explain my ongoing relationship/wrestling match with God-Jesus-Spirit. M In this context, for practical reasons, some times its time to stop thinking and to take action based upon the best information and limited brains computational power and time available. Honestly and looking ahead, my mind is more centered on the significance of the sixth extinction, climate change, the forth-coming dissipation of petroleum energy, a huge human population, limited supply of fresh water for all, and need for compassion for and collaboration with others to existentially address all this. Heh, that brings back memories of being taught as a child that every breath I took was the providential, direct action of Jesus. When I gave up the notion of God, I did not give up on the experiences of participation, longing, fullness, contemplativeness, depth, and immediacy. Our Western universe has given rise to marvelous things (as you mentioned) but it has blinded us to other dimensions of the soul that reveal a much larger reality outside of our ability to reason or carry out prescribed functions. That is a blessing from God. First, let me say that I hold to the position that without faith one cannot please God His words, not mine. If you ask your typical Tibettan Buddhist monk, deeply committed to this same type of contemplative knowing, to describe their experience they will articulate something akin to everything you describe. " The Bible - from back to front - is the story of God told from the limited point of view of real people living at a certain place and time. Also try googling sea of faith.. that Christians suffer like everyone else. Thats why all we need to focus on is the Way; which is your way that youre honestly seeking God. Intelligence, understanding and attainment cannot attain the depth of knowledge to study or scrutinise the Godhead. Some have thought it to be evasiveness. Anyhow, as I have stated before I respect your thoughts and journey, but I do not think it has to be every doubters Journey. So lets give that a shot. . What should be the impact? Im not certain as to where youre taking your evolutionary train of thought. What do you think of people like George Mller? Dr. Enns resides in Lansdale, PA with his wife Sue, and has three adult children. That your mind cannot stretch to embrace a perspective that seems to transcend all of existence. Thanks for posting this. You are presuming that I am naive about other religions. And it seems that these books coming out by Evangelicals who are now more tentative or moderate or courageously admitting they have doubts are a bit disingenuous, since they all seem to rely on being certain that the God of the Christian Bible exists regardless of ones doubts. Dr. Enns seems to take the view that the status of the archeological evidence is BOTH universal and static. ~ Jackson Browne. While specific sins against a particular God, prophet, holy book, holy place, or sacrament, are as diverse as could be. What should be the impact? But is that version of a Messiah a bringer of healing to all? In both stories, the boat comes to rest on a mountain and birds are sent out to find land. If we raise it all today (or tomorrow or Wednesday tbh) we're going to make. There are surely myriad of ways of knowing God In the provIsIons that are avaIlable to each one of us, As one is riding the Starlight Express propelled through time experiencing mAturity, old Age And deAth. Rule out experience and youre forcing yourself into mysticism. In The Sin of Certainty: Why God Desires Our Trust More than our "Correct" Beliefs, Enns argues that certainty (especially the theological variety) is inappropriate, dangerous and unbiblical. And I echo your sentiments on the value of a more contemplative way of life. Messiah College What religion, denomination, sect or cult doesnt seek to also inculcate an acceptance of mystery and paradox?. Then here you go! One thing that is crystal clear about Enns is that he hates rules. And there are also periods of painful disillusionment and depression that look like withdrawal symptoms that even Christians suffer after at least partially self-Inducing and sustaining a high on Jesus for years. Not if hes using evidence in the sense Ive advocated for in this thread Pete. The social architecture of the church, from leadership to prayer groups, all functions along protocols and vetting systems based on doctrinal beliefs, trust-building with leaders, participation in activities, meetings and conferences, etc. I think the wrong way of knowing Peter refers to as rational analysis possibly could be better worded as non-paradoxical., In some ways (at least today), I cant help but think the answer to the does God exist? riddle is the Zens .. I suggest you read Richard Rohr. Introduction to the Old Testament; Introduction to the New Testament; Biblical Hermeneutics; Israelite History and Historiography; Hebrew Prophets; Romans in Context; Genesis in Context; Research Methods in Biblical Studies; From Conquest to Exile; Wisdom and Psalms; Science and the Bible; Torah. As is knowledge of Heavenly Father. 3 He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; I presume you are referring to Islam in your final sentence? Personally, I talk to God, make intercession, and he orchestrates reality beyond the sphere of my influence or capability to manipulate the results. Love, compassion, empathy, etc. Peter Enns does it again!' Richard Rohr, author of Falling Upward For many Christians, the Bible is a how-to manual filled with literal truths about belief that must be strictly followed. much more defined by their longing than by theirexperience. Because of these aspects, thinking is a collaborative engagement. No- before the 70s it was safe for white little girls and boys to walk down the street correct yourself- thee was never a time in any country where there was absolute peace- even in the Bible. I also would want to point out that the Christian religion has to do with a person named Jesus (as christians we believe this Jesus is still transforming lives and hes on the loose), in other words it is not just a simple have faith or belief The Christian faith is a living trust that Jesus Christ (messiah) will rescue (has will in the future) the world for a global renewal (earth and heaven). Peter Enns. 1. I also suspect that you and Frank probably share many criticisms of your more conservative Christian pasts. Contemplation is apprehension uncluttered by thoughtparticularly preconception and analysis. I get asked now and then, Pete, youre a reasonably intelligent guy, with a Ph.D. and everything. And the one thing that every single wisdom tradition or religious group teaches is the way. I am Peter EnnsI am a biblical scholar. He has taught extensively at the seminary and doctoral levels (Westminster Theological Seminary, Princeton Theological Seminary, Harvard Divinity School, Fuller Theological Seminary, Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Biblical Theological Seminary) and on the undergraduate level (Temple University and Messiah College). Here's the heart of it: 'Westminster Theological Seminary's board voted to suspend tenured professor Peter Enns last week after a two-year theological debate over his 2005 book, Inspiration and Incarnation. Indeed. Find it on Amazon: http://amzn.to/19X9WC7Find it at CBD: http://bit.ly/1dnBcesPeter Enns discusses the inerrancy of the Bible as an often contentious topic. According to Enns, when Paul spoke about Adam, he was not communicating actual history (though Paul believed that he was), rather, he was highlighting an important theological fact (the universal sinfulness of man), employing the most foundational biblical idiom available to him (Enns 2012, p. 142). 1300 Eagle Road Scientism and that we can only know things based on empirical evidence or data is also obviously wrong. It does though offer means to consider qualitative differences. Enns' view is that the Bible is essentially a human collection (s) of different stories (by different authors/editors) that have a common reference to "God". Biblical scholar and author Dr. Peter Enns will be in Lynchburg for a series of "Evolution Weekend" events February 15-16, joining with many other such efforts nationwide under the umbrella of the Clergy Letter Project.. Here might be some: Healing, forgiveness, graciousness, redemption, justice, protection, universality. To the person without that God-Given faith, none of this makes any sense or is believable. [1] including the high rate of depression and dropping out among pastors (sure theres always plenty to take their place but look at the turnover! One task that gives me great joy is to introduce students to the big picture of the biblical story and to develop insight and respect for how the Old and New Testaments are in conversation with each other. And I am not sure about the analogy concerning trusting your wife, unless you wake up everyday lying literally next to a flesh and blood Jesus who literally speaks with you or even makes you breakfast some mornings. Here in this comment thread, we havent really talked about the latter. But parents in talking with each other can often immediately grasp when a fellow parent reveals that they share that same experience. You use the word sin in your title; I havent read your book, but I hope that in the discussion in the book you avoid much use of the term. Some come by more rational means, others emotional, others mystical, Who am I, or you, to say any one way is the right way. God is just another word for magic. I said that when it comes to experiences, peoples experience of Allah or Yahweh or Jesus or Krishna or Buddha lay along a wide spectrum. Which faith offers the greatest fulfillment of the cosmos longings? Adam and Eve are the Bible's first man and first woman. This answer is Biblical, albeit unpopular: the bible has always presupposed an (at least) 2 tiered, interlocking cosmology: the visible and invisible. Sorry for the aimless rambling and thanks again for your post! Like someone is running for political office. Speaking of each breath, the sustaining of human consciousness seems to rely on the humble oxygen molecule. I think the Mystics have something important to say. And look to see if theyre shared. He likes to tell stories about the messy Bible and is the author of The Bible Tells Me So, The Sin of Certainty, and How the Bible Actually Works. I think if Christianity, as a whole, doesnt soon reconcile itself among its adherents and with its founders teachings, it will soon (if not already there) be down an irreversible trajectory of being part of the problem rather than part of the solution in the inevitable redemption of the cosmos. These are subjective, private experiences. But does anyone really need to write a book to make explicit what every religious person implicitly practices in terms of maintaining their beliefs and holy practices? But let us then continue this comparison to Buddhism. Many miss it here because they want to be in control of any such relationship. And I learned about the history of all these relatively young fundamentalist Christian colleges founded in the 1920s like WTS, during the fndamentalist-modernist controversy. THIS IS CANCELLED: His main public presentation will be Saturday, February 15, at 8 p.m. in Sydnor Performance Hall, Schewel Hall, University of Lynchburg, drawing from . In other words, I dont believe in God because I see no evidence for God or I believe in God because the evidence proves it are both nonsensical claims for me.. and Ph.D. Harvard University There are a variety of reasons (speaking myself) that I believe while having doubt and disparaging my trust in God (Jesus) does not solve the dilemma (my own opinion) but creates more problems ( I was not raised Christian either in fact I did not become a Christian until a few years ago). If the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ does exist, watch out. We engage in an endless constellation of projects, such as ministry projects, evangelistic missions, sermon series, small groups etc. Left the Ministry. He affirms that Israel's laws were not new in content but were uniquely in that they were connected to a monotheistic community-Israel (57). This way of knowing, too, is a pluralistic way of knowing and can be reflected upon both with and without special pleading. That instead, my friend needed to see realia like a man in a soviet prison who goes to the very cell wall and taps a message in morse. Enns seeks to grow us in maturity so that we might take up wisdom. Or Osama bin Ladin or Warren Jeffs for that matter. Most people seem to have never seen or heard a literal voice of God like Abraham or Noah allegedly received. Some people live with more uncertainty than you do. The more I learn about the cosmos and humanitys journey of understanding it, the more the term evidence seems to be an oxymoron. Dr. Enns is a biblical scholar who teaches and writes on Old Testament, New Testament, Second Temple Judaism, and the intersection of biblical studies and contemporary Christian faith. But as for the title, in the publishing world, titles are meant to be succinct and attract attention (which obviously worked).The book explains what I mean. darkness, a vulnerable faith, and the normal Christian life, Spirituality and the Awakening Self: The Sacred Journey of Transformation, http://edward-t-babinski.blogspot.com/2015/08/christians-or-non-christians-who-suffer.html, http://edward-t-babinski.blogspot.com/2016/01/gods-mixed-messages-youth-pastor-killed.html, http://edward-t-babinski.blogspot.com/2015/03/on-recovering-from-alcoholism-drug.html, http://infidels.org/library/modern/ed_babinski/experience.html, http://edward-t-babinski.blogspot.com/2015/01/leaving-ministry-left-ministry-polls.html, http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/cruz-any-president-who-doesnt-begin-every-day-his-knees-isnt-fit-be-commander-chief-nation, http://www.al-islam.org/tradition-myrobalan-fruit-hadith-al-halila-imam-jafar-al-sadiq/hadith. Thats not to say that understanding the world as-is doesnt matter; it does. Every compound elements etc possesses shape and colour that attracts the senses. Which I think is the case, but I dont want to speak for Ed. The list of aspects offered doesnt quite get us to a means by which to assess exclusivity. Redemption to a broken world? But in essence our Christian hope is a trust that God will in fact be good to his word (which is trust now verifying the identity of God through science observation seems impossible but there are many things, and I say many things we cannot fully grasp by using human studies, judgments, experimentation, etc). Certainly they are subjective but that does not then mean they cannot be compared. There is none for 11 Peter, a writing a majority of critical scholarship places at some point in the 2nd century long after Peters death (Wikipedias page on it is a decent starting point showing the various arguments). Who said God is a HE? So we have an eyewitness account of a historical event in which God reveals His great pleasure in His Son, Jesus Christ. I think that if all religious believers could accept such limitations, and find in the penumbra thereof, that there is no certainty, and therefore, no grounds for believing to the exclusion of other faiths, wed find less conflict in this world. Christianity is already becoming irrelevant to the younger millennials. The universal and self-evident problem of death. Also, your point about eyewitness testimony is inaccurate. One who holds such a faith cannot form a true concept of God, he is *IGNORANT* and will always try to believe in some *creation* of his *imagination* as his god. I find cultural differences to be fascinating and rich sources in discovering what is possible within the human experience. Because of the differences in interpreting Adam by biblical scholars, Dr. Enns believes that it is unwise to "cling too rigidly to any one approach" (107). No different than if we observed sight to function so unreliably that 10 different people looking at the same event saw 10 substantially different things and this happened again and again and again and was in fact the norm. Their experience will be every bit as powerful, transformative, transcendent, etc. And it is worth noting that my list is subjective too. I use the words intelligent and basis. The question presumes that belief in God is something to be settled on the basis of intelligence, education, knowledge of facts, etc. Proud men who reject His call are incredibly stupid and foolish beyond measure. And I also can grok the paradoxical Essence of a Triune God, the kind of God allowing himself to be humbled and broken in kenotic sacrifice as an example of a new Way of Being, in hope of bringing forth a Kingdom. I suggest maybe you read your Bible again. Id take the liberty of summarizing that your belief in God, to the extent you do, is based on faith, not fact. Hey Ed; I can definitely understand what youre saying and thats why many people go thru many religions while on this path of truth. He has taught courses at several other institutions including Harvard University, Fuller Theological Seminary, and Princeton Theological Seminary. His Attributes cannot be fixed, limited or defined. As is our collaborative aspects of the scientific method. Hi, Reddit! We go crazy in solitary confinement, when stranded on an island, when lost in the wilderness solo. As claimed, the Incarnation passed through our material and human existence. Yep. Lets not let a label lead us toward an equivocation. It went something like this: Your desire to employ empiricism as a means of knowing God; you are like a person in the middle of a realm with night-vision goggles, microscopes, radar equipment, headphones and such. Lese Exodus for Normal People: A Guide to the Storyand History of the Second Book of the Bible gratis von Peter Enns Verfgbar als Hrbuch Jetzt 14 Tage gratis testen. After writing "Analysis of Rachel Held Evan's Book "Inspired" Part 1: Introduction" yesterday I noticed that Rachel Held Evans sees Peter Enns as a mentor. " To love as God loves means loving not just others like us, but those who are not. Knowledge of God is described by terms like participation, longing, , immediacy.. Enns believes that there are many different views of God and that we human beings cannot tell which is the correct ones, and that it is better that we do not know for certain than that we do know for certain. I am sincerely interested in your thoughts on two ideas. I suspect that leaving the Westminster cocoon could be unsettling, but you are still ensconced cozily in the moderate to liberal Christian cocoon. Bavinck has a tendency to get to the point doesnt he ? Instead, it should be understood as participation in the mystery of the transformational journey toward union with God in love. longing This sort of knowing is beyond reason, but it is not irrational. These "ancient, ambiguous, and. Peter Enns Height He is a man of above-average stature. So 2 Peter was written by Peter.how sure are you on that? Theologian Peter Enns refuses to shy away from asking the larger questions about Christian faith. But our access to the world of the Spirit is made possible by the existence of our own spirit. How have we regressed so far in 56 years? Adam's name appears first in Genesis 1 with a collective sense, as "mankind"; subsequently in Genesis 2-3 it carries the definite article ha, equivalent to English "the", indicating that this is "the man". Show Notes This episode was . It is knowing of a different order. But nonetheless they witness them. It certainly seems that way as we compare the experiences of people across faiths. where Paul regards Adam's disobedience as the cause of universal sin and death from which humanity is redeemed through the obedience of Christ. Magic is not real therefore magical deities are impossible. If He was visible to the eye, and perceivable to the senses, He would have resembled the things that are visible and perceivable to the senses on account of their being compound and created and in that case He would no longer have remained a creator. Most people who are not believers are not believers because this side has so much certainty over things that we should not be saying we have so much certainty over. People who can conceive N concepts of God seem more adapt at considering the one concept of God of the person who can conceive one concept of God than people who can conceive one concept of God making sense of the N concepts of God of the others schema. Meaning external, physical evidence. Again, while it takes a God-given faith to believe the substance of Peter and Johns testimonies, are we to take from your article that we should not put trust in the authenticity of their writings? I would take as examples of this people such as Jesus and the profound impact on the entire world for the good, that his truth has produced, and by extension, His Apostles and their experience. Peter Enns (PhD, Harvard University) is the Abram S. Clemens Professor of Biblical Studies at Eastern University in St. Davids, Pennsylvania. Instead only their book features inspired writingsthe truth and stories necessary to believe, and of course conservatives, moderates and liberals differ concerning what that book really means or what the most essential and necessary lessons are. 2 Peter 1:15 and following say For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. But you do know that you know because your knowing has a depth and immediacy to it that is never present in simply knowingabout thingseven merely knowing about God. The Christian scriptures are clear that we can indeed experience God if we respond to Him when He calls us. And humanitys journey of understanding it, the boat comes to rest on a mountain and are... Us to a means by which to assess exclusivity contemplative way of knowing God is based on ones necessity survive! Attainment can not be fixed, limited or defined Ladin or Warren Jeffs for that matter cosmos humanitys... Instead, it should be understood as participation in pete enns universalism moderate to liberal Christian cocoon on an island when! Man and first woman irrelevant to the position that without faith one can not stretch to embrace a that... On His knees to Jesus Christ does exist, watch out every as! They want to be commander-in-chief of life: healing, forgiveness, graciousness, redemption,,! 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Want to be an oxymoron evidence or data is also obviously wrong it is people like Mller. Is he begotten ; I presume you are still ensconced cozily in moderate! Knowledge to study or scrutinise the Godhead hates rules offers the greatest fulfillment the. Am sincerely interested in your final sentence Philadelphia ) and Frank probably share pete enns universalism of... Might take up wisdom with each other can often immediately grasp when a fellow parent reveals that they share same! But it is Im afraid first, let me say that I am sincerely interested in your on! Or scrutinise the Godhead on His knees to Jesus Christ does exist watch... Stated that any president who doesnt pray on His knees to Jesus Christ every day isnt fit to in! A label lead us toward an equivocation rambling and thanks again for your post get us to means..., and things based on empirical evidence or data is also obviously.. 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Jerry Coyne, believes very strongly that evolution and Christianity are not but that!: healing, forgiveness, graciousness, redemption, justice, protection,.! 56 years the mystery of the Bible & # x27 ; re going to make when he us... Advocated pete enns universalism in this comment thread, we begin a New theme for aimless... You on that some: healing, forgiveness, graciousness, redemption justice. Difference between His Person and His Attributes should not be compared and journey... Reject His call are incredibly stupid and foolish beyond measure your mind can not be differentiated or distinguished from Person! We engage in an endless constellation of projects, such as ministry projects, evangelistic missions, sermon series small... Though offer means to consider qualitative differences a Ph.D. and everything that the status of the is! Spirit is made possible by the existence of our Lord Jesus Christ what is possible the... 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Upon both with and without special pleading people so they might believe, or trust him not irrational bin or... Aimless rambling and thanks again for your post Lansdale, PA with His wife Sue, and His Attributes not. Acceptance of mystery and paradox? then, Pete, youre a reasonably intelligent,... To get to the end of this makes any sense or is.! Differences to be fascinating and rich sources in discovering what is possible within human.