History of the Fair Chance Doctrine (original) (raw)
This paper gives a brief history of chance in the Christian tradition, from casting lots in the Hebrew Bible to the discovery of laws of chance in the modern period. I first discuss the deep-seated skepticism towards chance in Christian thought, as shown in the work of Augustine, Aquinas, and Calvin. The paper then describes the revolution in our understanding of chance—when contemporary concepts such as probability and risk emerged—that occurred a century after Calvin. The modern ability to quantify chance has transformed ideas about the universe and human nature, separating Christians today from their predecessors, but has received little attention by Christian historians and theologians.
Salvation from Sin , the End of Christian Faith
2010
Old Teslament S'^xrnts. rely at all upon the use of the word perfect in reference to Noah, Job, «fec. ; and we have no occasion to prove that any of the " Old Testament saints" were free from sin. On the contrary wc admit, nay we insist, that salvation from sin " was unknown to the a«res and o-cncrations"of the Jewish dispensation, and was revealed only after the corainu-of Christ. We draw a very broad line of distinction between the dispensation before, and the dispensation after the manifestation of Christ. To adduce the sins of Moses and David, as proof that the gospel does not give entire salvation from sin, is to overlook altogether this distinction of dispensations, and in fact to assume that Jesus Christ brought no new blessings to the world. This is as absurd as it would be to undertake to disprove the realities of the wonders effected at the present time bv steam power and the art of printing, by referring to facts that occurred a thousand years ago. For we affirm, and have shown, and shall sliow niorc abundantly, that the coming of Jesus Christ eifoeted a revolution in the condition of mankind with reference to spiritual privilege, as great as was eflFected in mechanics and letters, by the discovery of steam power, and the invention of the press. The Old Testament saints did indeed foresee the coming ol Christ, and rejoice in view of the blessings he was to bring. The prophets foretold that a "way of holiness" should be cast up; that a "new covenant," securing obedience, should be given to God's people ; that they should be " sprinkled with clean water," and "a new heart and right spirit" should be given them. But that this foresight did not by any means amount to a possess/on of the salvation of the gospel, is very evident from tlie following declaration of Peter : "Ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory ; receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of yon souls: of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you : searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand ihe sufferings nf Christ and the glory that should FOLLOW. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us, they did minister the things which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you, with ihe Holy Ghost sent down from heaven." 1 Pet. 1 : 8-12. This passage represents the saints of the
Why Christians Struggle to Think Theologically About Chance | Henry Center
Sapientia , 2019
When we flip a coin before a sporting event, are we forcing God to choose an outcome for our own meaningless enjoyment? Or is it a mistake to view God as acting like a magic 8-ball toy who gives answers any time we ask? Many Christians in the West speak theologically in ways that imply the first option; since there are no chance events in the world, every outcome is a divine decision. This would imply, as the English Puritan James Bulmford argued, that Christians should not flip coins before sporting events because it is sinful to invoke God's action for our amusement. But in practice, most Christians act as if there is no theological significance to
Boston: William Andrew's - T.B. Wait and Company printers, 1809
This book provides an extensive examination of biblical prophecies concerning the restoration of Israel and the downfall of Antichrist, offering a comprehensive analysis of scriptural texts from both the Old and New Testaments. Structured into 34 distinct chapters, each chapter focuses on specific prophetic themes, such as the dispersion and restoration of the Jewish people, the anticipated messianic kingdom, and the socio-political ramifications of these prophecies. The text begins with an overarching introduction that outlines the prophetic landscape regarding Israel's future, followed by detailed explorations of critical biblical passages, including Deuteronomy, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the minor prophets. Each chapter elucidates the context of the prophecies, examining historical circumstances such as the Babylonian exile, the Roman siege of Jerusalem, and the eschatological implications of Antichrist’s reign. The author emphasizes the theological significance of these prophecies, addressing themes such as idolatry, judicial blindness, and the divine promise of restoration for both Israel and Judah. Moreover, the book examines the role of Gentile nations in Israel’s restoration and the anticipated millennial kingdom characterized by spiritual glory and the triumph over Antichrist. In addition to its exegetical depth, the text integrates historical and contemporary perspectives on the fulfillment of these prophecies, thus providing a multifaceted understanding of the interplay between scripture, history, and eschatology. This scholarly work serves as a crucial resource for theologians, historians, and students of biblical prophecy, encouraging further research into the complexities of prophetic literature and its implications for understanding the fate of Israel and the broader narrative of salvation history. Tags Related to Book below : prophecy, restoration, Judah, Israel, Antichrist, Christian conversion, biblical studies, eschatology, millennial kingdom, Jewish history, ancient prophecies, theological analysis, scriptural interpretation, Gentile nations, end times, messianic expectations, covenant theology, historical context, Christian faith, religious revival, idolatry, biblical prophecy, spiritual awakening, geopolitical implications, messianic prophecies, salvation history, ancient texts, divine promise, prophetic literature, church history, biblical exegesis, theological discourse, prophetic themes, socio-political issues, historical Jerusalem, Jewish diaspora, religious conflict, Christian theology, ancient scriptures, prophetic fulfillment, future glory, divine judgment, Antichristian forces, millennial reign, Jewish restoration, eschatological hope, revival movements, spiritual renewal, faith traditions, biblical narratives, Old Testament, New Testament, Israelite identity, spiritual transformation, religious prophecy, socio-religious dynamics, ancient civilizations, prophetic visions, Christian eschatology, Israel and Judah, prophetic imagery, redemption, biblical heritage, spiritual leadership, ancient prophecy interpretation, interfaith dialogue, Jewish-Christian relations, historical analysis, theological implications, biblical symbolism, revival of faith, religious freedom, messianic hope, Christian witness, divine revelation, ancient history, scriptural truths, covenant renewal, Israel’s future, spiritual heritage, theological reflection, biblical promises, restoration of Israel, prophetic calling, hope and redemption, religious identity, ancient manuscripts, divine sovereignty, prophetic discourse, church and state, eschatological expectations, Jewish traditions, spiritual legacy, prophetic accuracy, intertestamental literature, Christian mission, historical prophecies, social justice, theological scholarship, Jerusalem’s significance, ancient near east, spiritual conflict, biblical foundations, hope in prophecy, prophetic clarity, religious transformation, church and community, cultural identity, Hebrew Scriptures, Christian apologetics, Israel’s restoration, theological discourse, prophetic significance, historical events, religious studies, interreligious dialogue, Jewish eschatology, messianic kingdom, biblical commentaries, prophetic teachings, ancient wisdom, cultural revival, prophetic declarations, social implications, faith and politics, covenant blessings, biblical interpretation, Judeo-Christian values, historical context, biblical ethics, spiritual journeys, prophetic messages, Israel's covenant, Christian history, sacred texts, hope for humanity, prophetic understanding, spiritual enlightenment, cultural narratives, historical narratives, religious insights, theological implications, messianic beliefs, prophetic awakening, biblical worldviews, spiritual fortitude, redemptive history, Israel’s covenantal promise, faith communities, Jewish beliefs, ancient prophecies, restoration themes, Christian ethics, scriptural authority, prophetic truth, eschatological hope, divine intervention, Christian identity, historical restoration, spiritual unity, biblical insights, faith traditions, prophetic legacy, spiritual destiny, church teachings, prophetic application, faith and belief, religious history, sacred narratives, theological insights, restoration of faith, prophecy and fulfillment, biblical relevance, ancient prophecies, Jewish and Christian connections, prophetic hope, historical significance, divine guidance, future prophecies, Christian worship, sacred heritage, spiritual evolution, covenant fulfillment, transformative faith, religious education, prophetic expectations, Christian teachings, eschatological fulfillment, sacred history, prophetic engagement, cultural insights, historical dynamics, divine providence, spiritual resilience, biblical restoration, and interfaith harmony
Looking for the blessed hope: an analysis of biblical evidence for the imminence of the rapture
1999
N 1973 ROBERT GUNDRY, a posttribulationist, wrote that “by common consent imminence means that so far as we know no predicted event will necessarily precede the coming of Christ.”1 John A. Sproule, a pretribulationist, countered in 1974 that “imminence” is better defined as the belief that “Christ can return for His Church at any moment and that no predicted event will intervene before that return.”2 Both definitions are acceptable. I
Chance, Purpose, and Progress in Evolution and Christianity
Evolutionary biology has a complex relationship with ideas of chance, purpose, and progress. Probability plays a subtle role; strikingly, founding figures in statistics were motivated by evolutionary questions. The findings of evolutionary biology have been used both in support of narratives of progress, and in their deconstruction. Likewise, professional biologists bring to their scientific work a set of preconceptions about chance and progress, grounded in their philosophical, religious, and/or political views. From the religious side, questions of purpose are ever-present. We explore this interplay in five broad categories: chance, progress, intelligence, eugenics, and the evolution of religious practices, each the subject of a semester long symposium. The intellectual influence of evolutionary biology has had a broad societal impact in these areas. Based on our experience, we draw attention to a number of relevant facts that, while accepted by experts in their respective fields, may be unfamiliar outside them. We list common areas of miscommunication, including specific examples and discussing causes: sometimes semantics and sometimes more substantive knowledge barriers. We also make recommendations for those attempting similar dialogue.