Does Barth “Hypnotize” You?

I enjoyed this post about the hypnotizing effects of Barth’s thought.  It is pretty short, so if you have a few minutes to burn, go read it.  I think that the writer makes some good points.  If nothing else, the warning at the end is worth heeding:

But perhaps the volumes of the Church Dogmatics should come with a warning label: Trained Professional Theologian on a Closed Course. Don’t Try This At Home.

Vital Reading for the Filioque

After a mere cursory reading of Torrance and Moltmann, a few salient factors are already coming into focus.  One of those factors it the two authors very different opinions regarding the filioque.  To put it simply, Torrance believes it was a good addition, while Moltmann is very critical of it, and lays part of the blame for the minimalization of the Spirit at the feet of this addition.

I’ve come to the opinion that i need to comprehend more deeply what’s at stake theologically in this issue.  So, i would love to hear what anyone thinks would make for helpful reading on this topic.

My Thesis Statement

I recently mentioned that i am starting work on my M.A. thesis.  In the attempt to start cataloguing my upcoming research, i have started a new blog devoted solely to that purpose.  While i’m not sure if i will allow commenting on it or even leave it available to be viewed throughout the process, for now i will.  The first thing i have done tonight, with the help of the 7th edition of the Turabian manual, is to more precisely define my thesis.  It might still get tweaked, but for now i’m really pleased with it.  If you are interested in checking it out, click here.

The Passing of William Placher

William Placher, a leader in the post-liberal theology movement, died this week.  He was 60 years old.  Here is one report of his passing.  He will be missed.   

[HT: F&T]

End of Semester

The end of the semester is so close i can taste it.  i just finished writing my last paper for the semester, and all that i have now is a few routine assignments and exams and i’m officially 5/8 done with my M.A. 

In a really fortunate turn of events, i get to start working on my thesis way ahead of time (i’ll have over a year at least).  I just barely started, so this topic could and likely will be revised. 

For now here is my basic idea: bring the trinitarian theologies of Jurgen Moltmann and T.F. Torrance into conversation with each other in the hopes that i might be able to propose/construct a pneumatology that is characterized by the best that each thinker brings to the table in this area, while hopefully losing what i at least perceive to be their respective weaknesses. 

I’m excited to work on this project.  Oddly, i can’t wait for finals to be over so that i can really start digging in.