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Unpublished Papers by Austin M Freeman

I demonstrate that rather than appealing to the pre-established Boethian/Manichaean dichotomy for... more I demonstrate that rather than appealing to the pre-established Boethian/Manichaean dichotomy for Tolkien's understanding of evil as suggested by Tom Shippey, Tolkien's concept of evil is better understood by appealing to the Christian theological trichotomy of world, flesh, and devil.

Argues that Calvin's use of paradox and divine accommodation, which on its own might lead to a fr... more Argues that Calvin's use of paradox and divine accommodation, which on its own might lead to a fracture between God in Himself and our knowledge of Him, ought to be understood in light of his doctrines of union with Christ and illumination by the Spirit

University of Edinburgh Mth Dissertation. Supervisor: Oliver O'Donovan

I analyze the role and definition of paradox in Kierkegaard, and argue that the paradox serves as... more I analyze the role and definition of paradox in Kierkegaard, and argue that the paradox serves as a point of confrontation with that which is beyond reason. Theological paradox serves as a signpost to mystery.

I modify Oliver Crisp's (and Jonathan Edwards') argument for hyperspatial metaphysical realism in... more I modify Oliver Crisp's (and Jonathan Edwards') argument for hyperspatial metaphysical realism in the Adam/Christ discussion of original sin, federalism, and redemption. I assert that 4-D realism is biblically and metaphysically plausible.

Against those who see the image as something definite and known on the one hand, and those who as... more Against those who see the image as something definite and known on the one hand, and those who assert that the image is in itself a lack of definition (or a capacity for self-definition) I assert that we ought to understand the imago Dei as something with a definite shape that we cannot currently articulate due to the inadequacy of our conceptual equipment. I use the analogy of higher spatial dimensions to explain this.

I provide a novel canonical interpretation of the figure of Azazel in the Yom Kippur ceremony and... more I provide a novel canonical interpretation of the figure of Azazel in the Yom Kippur ceremony and deal with issues of the transfer of guilt and corporate personality in both Leviticus and Hebrews, centered around the role of Christ in this process.

I argue that we ought to understand the mystery of godliness in conversation with 4 Maccabees as ... more I argue that we ought to understand the mystery of godliness in conversation with 4 Maccabees as a reference to Christ's pious obedience unto death.

Exegetical paper on 1 Cor 2 and the meaning of the word "mysterion" in context.

I observe that Scottish Reformed theologian D.M. Baillie and Martin Luther have similar views on ... more I observe that Scottish Reformed theologian D.M. Baillie and Martin Luther have similar views on the nature of language about God--namely, that religious language becomes strange when crossing the border that separates Creator from creature.

I compare the role of the Bible in the thought of two prominent negative theologians, Dionysius t... more I compare the role of the Bible in the thought of two prominent negative theologians, Dionysius the Areopagite and Vladimir Lossky. I attempt to discover why, if Lossky views Dionysius as the paradigm of good negative theology, Lossky removes Scripture from the prominent place it holds in Dionysius' thought. I theorize that this is due to the intervening influence of Gregory Palamas and the development of the concept of Tradition in the East.

I argue that we ought to understand angels as embodied creatures, and that the depictions of ange... more I argue that we ought to understand angels as embodied creatures, and that the depictions of angels in the Bible are consonant with theories about higher-dimensional creatures.

Online Publications by Austin M Freeman

A short piece written for the advent season and published on the Henry Center's online magazine, ... more A short piece written for the advent season and published on the Henry Center's online magazine, Sapientia.

Book Reviews by Austin M Freeman

Journal of Inklings Studies

Theology, 2018

a highly intelligent and passionate study that traces changing policies on immigration in the USA... more a highly intelligent and passionate study that traces changing policies on immigration in the USA, identifies nuanced theological resources that challenge aspects of these policies, and suggests specific ways in which current policy might be changed for the better. Heimburger is particularly concerned about the plight of Mexican workers in the USA. Many Americans have long been dependent on these workers to carry out essential but menial jobs in both rural and urban areas. Without their contribution, American society would find it difficult to function. Yet, as Heimburger shows at length, federal immigration law has sometimes promoted immigration and sometimes restricted it. Ironically, the liberal-minded legislation promoted by President Lyndon Johnson in order to reduce discrimination against various ethnic groups (especially from the Far East) worked against Mexican immigrant workers. They were now subjected to narrower, albeit egalitarian, quotas that did not correspond to the demand for their services. As a result, thousands of Mexican workers in the USA have become illegal aliens, unable to get official work permits and subject to immediate deportation and separation from their American-born families. Using biblical and ecclesial resources, Heimburger argues that Christian theology offers an important critique of this situation – especially Old Testament concepts of aliens and gospel parables about caring for the stranger/alien/neighbour. He maintains that, because Mexicans are their immediate neighbours, Americans have a special responsibility to treat them with justice and mercy. He sees an important tension here between the proper concerns of nations both to protect their own identity and welfare and to act as good neighbours to others: ‘Rejecting territorial government completely in the name of the body of Christ seemed wrong, but it also seemed wrong to acquiesce to a political arrangement under which exploitation and law-braking are the norm’ (p. 209). This is a serious and closely argued study that should be read by all those who are concerned about worldwide immigration in relation to Christian faith. It is quite demanding to read. Nevertheless, sustained and careful thought is very much needed in this difficult area.

Sehnsucht: The C.S. Lewis Journal, volume 9, 2015. Two thumbs down.

University of Edinburgh Mth Dissertation. Supervisor: Oliver O'Donovan

Exegetical paper on 1 Cor 2 and the meaning of the word "mysterion" in context.

Journal of Inklings Studies

Theology, 2018

Sehnsucht: The C.S. Lewis Journal, volume 9, 2015. Two thumbs down.

Book review in Trinity Journal for Oliver O'Donovan's "Finding & Seeking." Two thumbs up.

An engagement with Anselm's treatment of the Devil's fall and the problem of the possibility of S... more An engagement with Anselm's treatment of the Devil's fall and the problem of the possibility of Satan's first sin. I assert that by holding that God withheld perseverance in doing good from Satan, we move the problem from metaphysics into theodicy and validate an appeal to mystery here.

I survey three possible paths to knowledge of God in the thought of Augustine. I find that while ... more I survey three possible paths to knowledge of God in the thought of Augustine. I find that while the Bible shows God's will for us and authorizes forms of speech, and while the Incarnation provides an object for our faith, only faith in love provides a way of knowing God's essence. I then connect the three ways to one another.

Angels probably have bodies. There is no good evidence (biblical, philosophical, or historical) t... more Angels probably have bodies. There is no good evidence (biblical, philosophical, or historical) to argue against their bodiliness; there is an abundance of evidence (biblical, philosophical, historical) that makes the case for angelic bodies. After surveying biblical texts alleged to demonstrate angelic incorporeality, the discussion moves to examine patristic, medieval, and some modern figures on the subject. In short, before the High Medieval period belief in angelic bodies was the norm, and afterwards it is the exception. A brief foray into modern physics and higher spatial dimensions (termed “hyperspace”), coupled with an analogical use of Edwin Abbott’s Flatland, serves to explain the way in which appealing to higher–dimensional angelic bodies matches the record of angelic activity in the Bible remarkably well. This position also cuts through a historical equivocation on the question of angelic embodiment. Angels do have bodies, but they are bodies very unlike our own. They do ...

Journal of Inklings Studies, 2020

This article examines the nature of evil in Tolkien's work in light of Tom Shippey's well... more This article examines the nature of evil in Tolkien's work in light of Tom Shippey's well-known assertion that Tolkien struggled between two poles: a ‘Manichaean’ or dualist position and the Catholic Augustinian or ‘Boethian’ position which views evil as an absence. After noting that subsequent respondents to Shippey take this distinction for granted and often seem to misread Shippey himself, the author argues that in fact the whole discussion is ill-founded. New frameworks for reading Tolkien's views on evil should be sought. The article then presents a new proposal: dividing Tolkien's evils into the tripartite distinction of flesh, world, and devil long present in theological discussions.

This Book Reviews is brought to you for free and open access by the Mythopoeic Society at SWOSU D... more This Book Reviews is brought to you for free and open access by the Mythopoeic Society at SWOSU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature by an authorized editor of SWOSU Digital Commons. An ADA compliant document is available upon request. For more information, please contact phillip.fitzsimmons@swosu.edu.