Ep. 042 | Unraveling Christian Philosophy: Dr. Roy Clouser on Dooyeweerd, and the Doctrine of God

Dive deep into the fascinating world of Christian philosophy in episode 42 of the Yours Truly Podcast, hosted by Christian Baxter. Join special guest Dr. Roy A. Clouser as he discusses the Orthodox View and the strain of Calvinism, shedding light on topics often overlooked in philosophy of religion. Explore the doctrine of God, truth, and theosis alongside Dr. Clouser, with insights into the works of Dr. Herman Dooyeweerd. Discover unique perspectives on faith, theology, and historical criticism in this enlightening conversation. Whether you're a seasoned philosopher or simply curious about Christian thought, this episode promises to engage and inspire.

Website: https://allofliferedeemed.co.uk/roy-a-clouser/

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_A._Clouser

Book 1: The Myth of Religious Neutrality: https://undpress.nd.edu/9780268023669/the-myth-of-religious-neutrality-revised-edition/

https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Religious-Neutrality-Theories-Revised/dp/0268023662

Book 2: https://www.amazon.com/Knowing-Heart-Religious-Experience-Belief/dp/1556354320

The College of New Jersey Profile: https://philos.tcnj.edu/faculty/roy-a-clouser/

00:01 🎙️ Introduction to Dr. Roy Clouser

03:50 🗣️ Early Influences and Intellectual Journey

19:33 🎓 Academic Pursuits and Philosophical Awakening

24:27 📚 Graduate Record Exams and Career Path

25:07 🎓 Academic journey and initial setbacks

27:28 📚 Turning point: Unexpected opportunity at Harvard

30:15 🌍 Academic exchange with Dooyeweerd

39:06 🎓 Completing PhD and navigating academic standards

46:51 💭 Philosophical exploration: Christian doctrine and Platonic influence

49:47 🌌 The Concept of Perfect Forms in Another Realm

53:27 📜 Critique of the Doctrine of God According to Augustine and Aquinas

58:39 🎼 Discovering One's Calling and Using Gifts

01:02:18 💬 Rejection of the Platonistic Concept of G-d's Perfections

Luther, Calvin, and Orthodox theology aligning in rejecting the idea of G-d as possessing all perfections.

01:08:39 🔄 Reevaluation of the Doctrine of G-d in Protestantism

The Protestant adoption of Augustine and Aquinas's doctrine of ***, diverging from Luther and Calvin.

Discussion on how the Platonic view of G-d leads to Gnosticism and a lack of true participation in relationship with G-d.

Comparison between mental ascent and sacramental theology, emphasizing the importance of a tangible experience of faith.

01:16:45 🧠 Reinterpretation of "soul" in biblical context

Dualistic interpretations of the soul as a separate entity from the body are challenged.

01:18:09 🛑 Critique of the doctrine of G-d's perfection

The argument against G-d's existence based on the concept of divine perfection is discussed.

Perfection entails lack of free will for G-d, leading to theological implications.

The problem of undeserved suffering is presented as a counterargument to the notion of a perfectly good and omnipotent -od.

01:22:22 💬 Reevaluation of traditional theological perspectives

he traditional view of G-d's perfection is critiqued, suggesting an alternative understanding based on scripture.

Scriptural narratives challenge the notion of G-d's absolute perfection and moral consistency.

The New Atheist critique is contrasted with alternative theological interpretations.

01:27:02 🔥 Reinterpretation of Hell and divine judgment

The concept of universal reconciliation is explored as an alternative to eternal damnation.

01:34:37 📖 Meta perspective on theology and historical criticism

The role of theology in interpreting scripture is discussed within a meta-religious framework.

Perspectives on theological constructions and their pragmatic value are examined.

The relationship between historical criticism, theology, and apologetics is explored in light of postmodern perspectives.

01:42:02 📚 The Meaning of Faith in the New Testament

"Faith" in the New Testament has three distinct senses: opinion, the Christian religion as a whole, and the act of seeing the gospel as truth.

Paul uses "faith" to refer to the Christian religion and the act of intuitive seeing of truth.

Faith, in the context of belief in ***, goes beyond mere opinion or Blind Faith, involving an intuitive recognition of truth.

01:47:45 🛤️ Divinity Beliefs and Different Religious Traditions

Divinity beliefs define the self-existent reality that generates everything else.

01:52:07 🤔 Testing Self-Evident Truths and Divinity Beliefs

02:07:27 📖 The Significance of Genesis in Christian-Atheist Dialogue

Genesis serves as a battleground in Christian-atheist debates, often due to fundamentalist interpretations.

02:10:08 🤔 Revisiting Genesis Interpretation

Challenging traditional interpretations can lead to a more nuanced understanding of Genesis.

02:14:21 🌍 Genesis Creation Narrative: Symbolism and Purpose

02:20:10 🔄 Transition from Creation to Redemption in Genesis