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Papers by suneal pal

This study is based upon Oswald Bayer's and Gustaf Wingren's retrievals of Luther's theology, whi... more This study is based upon Oswald Bayer's and Gustaf Wingren's retrievals of Luther's theology, which supports an ambivalent ontology for the human creature. This is to say that the destiny of the human leans towards two directions at once, even as its origins from "nothingness" rest upon an original creation from non-being (creatio ex nihilo), while also being made "in the image of God." As such, it will be shown that Wingren and Bayer often speak of the dual realities of life/death, sin/righteousness, suffering/glory, God/Satan, hidden/revealed God; and many other Luther-based dualisms. As such, they establish in their retrievals of Luther's theology a Luther-based anthropology. This anthropology could support a double outcome predestinarian viewpoint, even as it did for Luther and the Reformers. But in the modern context other factors work to mitigate against this. Karl Barth's theology is addressed as influential in this regard, especially in his doctrine of election with its potentially implied universalism. In the conclusion, one of the implications is that Jesus Christ, as man, both Chapter 1 The Ambivalent Ontology of Luther's Doctrine of Creation, Doctrine of Election, and Eschatology Introduction and Ambivalent Ontology This chapter argues that Luther, in his prelapsarian anthropology, presents an ambivalent ontology for the human creature. This ambivalent ontology means the human creature is given by God a dual possibility towards either "life or death" in its original creation. 27 This ambivalent ontology is based upon the creature being created both "from nothing" and yet also in the "image of God." As such, the prelapsarian life of Adam and Eve will be argued as not being eternal life. The argument is that "eternal life" means one will never cease to exist, since that life will ever sustain him/her. I will be addressing this matter in terms of created ontology: is the being of the human creature ordered by life and death both, or is it ordered only to life? Central to this task will be an examination of Luther's doctrine of creation, with its underlying ambivalent ontology. This ambivalent ontology is evident in all of Luther's theology. Gerrish, for example, encapsulates Luther's underlying ambivalent human ontology when he explicates Luther's two-kingdom theology-the kingdom of this world (regnum mundi) and the kingdom of Christ (regnum Christi) 28-as being the foundation for all of Luther's "doublets," such as Law 27 The fact that Adam and Eve were told not to eat from the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil bespeaks this potentiality towards death, to which creation was prone even before the Fall (Gen 2:16-17). The further fact of death within creation is the signature of this potentiality becoming manifest in God's "good creation." Somehow, the "very good" became a dual reality of life and death. 28 Gerrish here refers to Luther's two ontological kingdoms which are not to be confused with Luther's political two kingdoms (governments). The latter refers to God's rule through both secular powers (left hand kingdom) and spiritual rule (right hand kingdom) as it partakes of the world's laws and order; which political ruling occurs in Luther's three hierarchies of church, state and family. The ontological two kingdoms, which are the focus of this section, are the dominions either of God or of Satan. In terms of the Luther's political two kingdoms

This thesis probes the question as to whether Martin Luther significantly differs from Thomas Aqu... more This thesis probes the question as to whether Martin Luther significantly differs from Thomas Aquinas, with respect to the doctrine of justification. The significance of a comparison between these two theologians concerning justification lies in the perception that they are both, in their respective traditions, representative of the Protestant and Catholic positions upon this subject. The Joint Declaration, signed in 1999 between Lutherans and Roman Catholics, indicates an almost unified modern confession on the doctrine of justification. The purpose of this thesis is to determine if the Protestant concern for justification is adequately addressed in such a “joint” confession. This is accomplished by: examining the background and relevant issues at stake; exploring Aquinas ’ justification-related theology; comparing Luther’s doctrine of justification in relationship to both Aquinas ’ and to that of the New Finnish Interpretation of Luther; making final conclusions. Pal concludes tha...

This thesis probes the question as to whether Martin Luther significantly differs from Thomas Aqu... more This thesis probes the question as to whether Martin Luther significantly differs from Thomas Aquinas, with respect to the doctrine of justification. The significance of a comparison between these two theologians concerning justification lies in the perception that they are both, in their respective traditions, representative of the Protestant and Catholic positions upon this subject. The Joint Declaration, signed in 1999 between Lutherans and Roman Catholics, indicates an almost unified modern confession on the doctrine of justification. The purpose of this thesis is to determine if the Protestant concern for justification is adequately addressed in such a “joint” confession. This is accomplished by: examining the background and relevant issues at stake; exploring Aquinas’ justification-related theology; comparing Luther’s doctrine of justification in relationship to both Aquinas’ and to that of the New Finnish Interpretation of Luther; making final conclusions. Pal concludes that ...