tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5743370102334877264.post6606733479932855460..comments2023-04-05T09:07:08.419-07:00Comments on Fides et Ratio: Some Thoughts on the Argument from Divine HiddennessAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07034462951274070391noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5743370102334877264.post-84557382304159686292012-08-21T17:41:56.162-07:002012-08-21T17:41:56.162-07:00Hi MrMosis,
Thanks for your comments and the kind...Hi MrMosis,<br /><br />Thanks for your comments and the kind words. Premise (1) should be interpreted as God's desiring everyone to believe that he exists. He has done so according to Romans 1, so for the natural theologian who is also a Bible-believing Christian, we have to ask: why does God make his existence apparent to everyone, contra premise (3)?<br /><br />I think we can infer that God chooses to do what he wills and desires to do. Taken from that perspective, we can infer that God desires everyone to know that he exists.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07034462951274070391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5743370102334877264.post-74551609673344370642012-08-15T21:25:00.345-07:002012-08-15T21:25:00.345-07:00Further- I can see why for sake of some arguments ...Further- I can see why for sake of some arguments in some contexts you may wish to, as a theist, grant premise one. But that seems unnecessary / unwarranted generosity to grant the premise to an atheist. Starting from scratch, why is this premise true? (Although since they are already through and through committed naturalists, most such discussions take place on entirely different wavelengths anyhow.)MrMosishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08695461468334413598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5743370102334877264.post-11079741833019156192012-08-15T21:13:28.951-07:002012-08-15T21:13:28.951-07:00If I may, why should anyone be granted premise one...If I may, why should anyone be granted premise one? For sake of argument, it may be granted to consider what follows. But beyond that, How am I off when my gut reaction is to laugh at the notion of premise one? (Upon reading Mr. Johns' comment and your response, I am not seeing that my question is addressed directly- but maybe I am failing at seeing the answer.) Why is presmise one necessary?<br /><br />Glad to have found your blog- just discovered it!MrMosishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08695461468334413598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5743370102334877264.post-55030358808827368892012-08-03T09:43:24.008-07:002012-08-03T09:43:24.008-07:00Mr. Johns, it's great to hear from you! I app...Mr. Johns, it's great to hear from you! I appreciate your thoughts on the issue of divine hiddenness. I'm aware of the problem that free will throws into this. To me, the existence of God is obvious, but I still have to use my free will to embrace him. It's sort of like a man saying, "I know my wife exists, but I have faith she loves me." If you prefer, "sufficient evidence" may be substituted for "compelling evidence."Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07034462951274070391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5743370102334877264.post-74570141537650462052012-08-03T03:50:19.003-07:002012-08-03T03:50:19.003-07:00May I say you make at least one former Bible teach...May I say you make at least one former Bible teacher giddy just knowing you still think about such things. The depth of your insight humbles me. <br />Now, may I add a thought that extends your contemplation of the divine. The self-sufficiency of God actually negates or at leasts sublimates premise one. He only desires our belief in him as it will benefit us and under the condition of our free will. Compelling evidence of his existence undermines my freedom to choose him. A lover seeks the beloved and celebrates their every reunion. A love potion of evidence would diminish the relationship formed in the seeking and finding.ronjohnsjrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14761697417011121677noreply@blogger.com