God the Father, Mentor's Guide, MG06

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G O D T H E F A T H E R

Theological Visions and Approaches (continued)

D. Emil Brunner : argued for a natural theology based on such ideas as the image of God, general revelation, preserving grace, divine ordinances, point of contact, and the contention that race does not abolish nature but perfects it.

III. Dualism

A. A dualism exists when there are two substances, or powers, or modes, neither of which is reducible to the other.

1. Monism – there is only one substance, power, or mode.

2. Twins of all things

B. Four different contexts (God and creation)

1. Identifying God with his creation

a. Metaphysical pantheism

b. Mystical connection

2. God is distinct from his creation in the sense of its GROUND.

3. Unlike deism, God is its SUSTAINING CAUSE (both transcendently and imminently). 4. Difficulties: what is precisely the relationship between the divine and human action in creation

IV. Materialism

“The doctrine that whatever exists is either physical matter, or depends upon physical matter.” A. A philosophical position with definite ontological explanations (the denial of the existence of minds or spirits)

B. Research program and methodology with no such implications