Tag Archives: soul

Person =/= Soul

Posted on January 28, 2018 by J. B. Aitken

Key to the definition of person is that it can’t be defined in terms of any of the soul’s or nature’s functions.  As part of what it means to be human is to have a soul (however you want to … Continue reading →

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A patristic ordo theologiae

Posted on January 28, 2018 by J. B. Aitken

The following summary comes from years of studying and interacting with Joseph Farrell’s theological works.  I had a breakthrough yesterday on the nature of the soul. Many substance dualists see the soul as the person, yet Christologically this is impermissible, … Continue reading →

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Notes on Berkouwer’s anthropology

Posted on July 4, 2017 by J. B. Aitken

From his Man: The Image of God On the broader/narrower distinction: man, despite his fall, was not beastialized (38).  By narrower man lost his communion with God. the broader sense reminds us of what was not lost in the fall. … Continue reading →

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Love your God (Moreland)

Posted on September 8, 2016 by J. B. Aitken

Moreland, J. P. Love your God with all Your Mind (Navpress). Many have rightly hailed this book as a game-changer. Unfortunately, not enough have. It’s hard to put this book’s importance into words. It changed my life in college. Enough with the … Continue reading →

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Presence and Thought (Balthasar)

Posted on June 6, 2016 by J. B. Aitken

Von Balthasar’s Argument: our being is rooted in time and is a “becoming in infinity,” or creaturely infinity. This doesn’t mean the creature is infinite, but has the capacity for endless growth. Since we can never fully “grasp” God, “there … Continue reading →

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History and Spirit (de Lubac)

Posted on June 2, 2016 by J. B. Aitken

“The Law is spiritual.” This one sentence allows Origen to seek “mystical” meanings beyond that of the literal text–and in de Lubac’s hands he does a fairly impressive job. In many ways this work can be seen as a case … Continue reading →

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The Scandal of the Incarnation

Posted on February 21, 2016 by J. B. Aitken

This is the most accessible treatment of Irenaeus’s works. Hans urs von Balthasar provides a fine introduction, discussion, and brief critique of Gnosticism–showing how Irenaeus’s theology is relevant today. Further, von Balthasar provides a matrix for interpreting St Irenaeus (von … Continue reading →

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Origen and the Life of the Stars

Posted on February 18, 2016 by J. B. Aitken

Alan Scott sheds light on key problems in Hellenism by focusing on Origen’s view of the stars’ souls.  Ancient Greece certainly discussed the possibility that the stars are alive (and we will use the phrase” alive,” “intelligence,” and “souls” interchangeably … Continue reading →

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Medieval Exegesis Vol. 1

Posted on February 13, 2016 by J. B. Aitken

Argument: Medieval exegesis isn’t simply allegory, for it goes far beyond the method of ancient pagan sources. Rather, it seeks the “spirit” of Scripture. Medieval Exegesis. Volume 1: The Four Senses of Scripture. By Henri de Lubac. Translated by Mark … Continue reading →

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Augustine and 3 Kinds of Visions

Posted on February 2, 2016 by J. B. Aitken

Three kinds of visio: corporeal: more than the physical interaction between eye and object.  Also involves the mind.  We are aware of what we see.  Intentionality.  Husserl. spiritual: what the mind sees is of the same nature as itself.  Occurs … Continue reading →

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