Russell Norman Murray - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Russell Norman Murray

I Peter 2: 4 10 for study group, parts 1-2, 2021

The Gambler's Fallacy, 2017

Cited 'Gamblers, and others, are led into this fallacy by confusing the odds against a whole seq... more Cited

'Gamblers, and others, are led into this fallacy by confusing the odds against a whole sequence with the odds against any event in that sequence.' (113). The odds against a coin landing heads five times in a row are therefore: 1/2 x 1/2 x 1/2 x 1/2 x 1/2 or 1/32 (113).

Very importantly...

Cited

'If the first four tosses, despite the odds, come down to heads, the chance of the fifth toss being heads is not 1 in 32, but 1 in 2.' (113). The odds for each individual toss remain the same! The previous tosses do not somehow effect the next. (113).

Pirie correctly reasons that philosophically, the odds remain the same. Luck will not improve or get worse. (114). Luck will not 'even out'. (114). The coin toss is random and heads or tails occurs by chance.

Value of Symbolic Logic for Science & Philosophy, 2025

Unlike with my review of the Pirie text, the Langer review text never ended. But I will end this ... more Unlike with my review of the Pirie text, the Langer review text never ended. But I will end this non-exhaustive review with this article, and of course continue to use the book as reference. My PhD was in philosophical theology and philosophy of religion, and my website work consists mainly of these academic disciplines along with biblical studies and philosophy. I am not a scientist or mathematician, but I have reviewed symbolic logic, which has mathematic symbols, for presenting propositions and premises.

Of course when I use science and mathematics, it needs to be accurate. This book review has strengthened my understanding of formal logic as a system, just as the Pirie text review has helped me to better understand informal logic.

A formal fallacy occurs when a logical form is not used, and therefore is illogical in structure, and an informal fallacy occurs when there are errors in reasoning with a premise (s) and conclusion. In the similar way, formal logic is concerned with a logical form, to follow the rules of a logical system, to avoid being illogical. Informal logic is attempting to avoid fallacious reasoning with use of premise (s) and conclusion.

It is not my business, 2017

University of Wales, Trinity Saint David (2009), PhD Viva for Theodicy and Practical Theology (20... more University of Wales, Trinity Saint David (2009), PhD Viva for Theodicy and Practical Theology (2010).

Paraphrased:

External Reviewer: 'What do you have to say to those people that are suffering under the problem of evil, and yet do not believe in Jesus Christ and are not are chosen by God under your Reformed system?'

Me: 'As a human being that suffers under the problem of evil, I can relate to human suffering. But, it is not my business which person God chooses in Jesus Christ, and which person God does not, in regard to everlasting life. (Ephesians 1-2, Romans 1-10)'.'That is between the person and God.'

Damning the alternatives, 2024

This article originally published on Blogger 20160812, significantly revised for an entry on acad... more This article originally published on Blogger 20160812, significantly revised for an entry on academia.edu 20241225 with an updated Blogger entry.

Pirie

Quote:

'In cases where there is a fixed and known set of alternatives, it is legitimate to establish the superiority of one by showing all of the others to be inferior. However, in cases where the alternatives are not fixed or known, and where absolutes are not fixed or known, and where absolutes rather than comparatives are sought, it is a fallacy to suppose that we argue for one by denigrating the alternatives.' (75).

This is damning the alternatives. (75).

Example, based on the author's:

A dictatorship, such as the People's Republic of China, will claim that only their form of Marxist, communism is good for China, politically.

Any other form of government is a denied, political possibility. The CCP is not opening up political alternatives for public review.

Redness?, 2017

The review of the Pirie text was entry by entry. This was originally published on Blogger 2017072... more The review of the Pirie text was entry by entry. This was originally published on Blogger 20170725. Edited on Blogger, 20241222, for an entry on academia.edu. The fallacy of reification is also known as hypostatization. It consists in the supposition that certain words denote real things. (178). The 'redness' of the sunset, as example. Pirie reasons 'redness' is not present with a red sun, red ball, or red anything. (178).

The fallacy is turning descriptive qualities into real things.

Shiny new fallacy?, 2017

Pirie... It is fallacious to assume age is a guide to correctness. (152). The ad antiquitatem re... more Pirie...

It is fallacious to assume age is a guide to correctness. (152). The ad antiquitatem relies on tradition to fallaciously support a claim. (Pirie spells it as ad antiquitam) (152). It is also fallacious to assume that something new is more correct. (152). The argumentum ad novitam is in error because it assumes that newness is a factor in making something correct and sound. (152).

The Orthodox Study Bible: Non exhaustive on I John 2: 18 19, 2020

My extended book review of this bible from Orthodoxy continues, with my reflections within the Re... more My extended book review of this bible from Orthodoxy continues, with my reflections within the Reformed tradition and also at times via philosophy of religion. Parts 1-2 from my Blogger webpage.

Millard J. Erickson (PhD Edit), 2014

Erickson was a major helpful theological source with my MPhil/PhD United Kingdom theses. I am als... more Erickson was a major helpful theological source with my MPhil/PhD United Kingdom theses. I am also usually in agreement with his views. This article slightly revised for a version on academia.edu, 20241214. Doctrines Baptist, Millard J. Erickson (1994) comments that doctrines need not be maintained precisely with the same form of expression that they were in Biblical times.[1] Erickson also points out that not all other sources of knowledge and truth need to be excluded from Christian teaching.[2] Erickson's point that God's word, although an unchanging message must be interpreted for each era.[3] This in no way allows for an overhaul of major, traditional Christian doctrines from traditional and Reformed perspectives, but with the use of practical and empirical approaches there would be opportunities to understand Christian theology in modern terms.

The Orthodox Study Bible: Tradition (Brief), 2020

For Orthodoxy, the Bible is the first source within the Christian tradition. (v). In my view, man... more For Orthodoxy, the Bible is the first source within the Christian tradition. (v). In my view, many conservative, Protestant traditions would also see the Bible as the first source, and final authority of religious truth, but would not generally emphasize tradition to the same extent as the Orthodox Church and Roman Catholic Church.

Holiness v. Moral Uprightness (PhD Edit), 2024

'Moral uprightness' is not the same as holiness, as holiness equates to sanctification, whereas, ... more 'Moral uprightness' is not the same as holiness, as holiness equates to sanctification, whereas, being moral and upright is somewhat theologically ambiguous, based on my Bloesch citation. This may or may not connect to divine atonement and justification and righteousness in Christ. Both the regenerate and unregenerate could have levels of 'moral uprightness'.

Karl Barth (Brief & PhD Edit), 2013

Blessings that last, 2024

https://drrnm.blogspot.com/2008/12/blessings-that-last.html Secular happiness in our present r... more https://drrnm.blogspot.com/2008/12/blessings-that-last.html

Secular happiness in our present realm can be somewhat synonymous with being blessed from Matthew 5 in that persons can be extremely fortunate and happy. But the concept of being blessed is very importantly, different in the New Testament. Without a Biblical hope in God’s culminated Kingdom, secular based happiness is fleeting as it philosophically terminates in death. This article originally published 2008120, with a reworked, republished version for Blogger and an entry on academia.edu, 20241116.

Half a case is not a case, 2017

To avoid informal fallacy, limited claims, assertions and premises must clearly be described and ... more To avoid informal fallacy, limited claims, assertions and premises must clearly be described and lead to a limited conclusion. Half a case (118) is not a case. Pirie opines that 'Science and philosophy do not admit unexplained exceptions.' (118). Explained exceptions are reasonable when presented as limited premises leading to a limited conclusion. A formal fallacy is concerned with presenting a logical form to avoid being fallacious, and an informal fallacy occurs when there are errors in reasoning with a premise (s) and conclusion.

Five influential books on the problem of evil, 2007

My pastor at church did an excellent job presenting a Reformed perspective on evil from Genesis w... more My pastor at church did an excellent job presenting a Reformed perspective on evil from Genesis with his sermon today. So I revised a posting on my website which was prior to completing my PhD. Original posting on Blogger, 20070124, with bibliography additions 20241103 for an entry on academia.edu.

Sola Scriptura (Brief & PhD Edit), 2013

From my PhD, Wales, this is a Biblical, Reformed view that I hold to, that within my requested po... more From my PhD, Wales, this is a Biblical, Reformed view that I hold to, that within my requested post-Viva revisions was contrasted with Roman Catholic theology.

[3] Franke (2005: 147). John Calvin warns of the danger of appealing to tradition at the expense of Scripture. He implies this insults the Holy Spirit. Calvin (1543)(1996: 50).
[4] Franke (2005: 149). Calvin appeals to Augustine and tradition in his defence against free will theory and Albert Pighius. Tradition has a function in Reformed theology but is to be tested by Scripture at all times. Calvin (1543)(1996: 64).

The Orthodox Study Bible: Cosmos, 2020

I agree with the Orthodoxy text here at the note for 3: 13. 'We look for not other heaven and ear... more I agree with the Orthodoxy text here at the note for 3: 13. 'We look for not other heaven and earth, but the same ones transfigured for the better.' (566). The text lists Revelation 21-22 for reference. (566).

The Orthodox Study Bible: Not Miami Vice, 2024

There is a very good quote from Mounce: 'The desire for darkness is itself an admission of the w... more There is a very good quote from Mounce:

'The desire for darkness is itself an admission of the wrongness of the act.' (248).

The Orthodox Study Bible: Belief, 2020

I continue from my Reformed Christian tradition to use this fine academic source for review... Br... more I continue from my Reformed Christian tradition to use this fine academic source for review... Brief revisions for an entry on academia.edu, 20241005. Glossary: Reverend John W. Morris, Ph.D. Belief 'The acceptance of the truths of the gospel. More than mental assent, belief as used in the NT includes trusting in God from the heart.' (794). Further, the entry states that this belief results from hearing the Word of God (Romans 10: 17) and as well the gift of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2: 8). (794). The text opines that a belief in Jesus Christ without a faith in action is quote 'hollow and void of the righteousness necessary in salvation.' (794). New Testament Greek Romans 10:17 New King James Version (The version used by the Orthodoxy text) 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

The Orthodox Study Bible: Purpose of Psalms/Cults, 2019

Two sections. Section two is three types of cults.