Instead of starting out with hypotheses and analogies drawn from the physical world, the mental philosopher should begin with the data of introspection, the dictates of common sense.
Corin, this article is filled with contradictions. The above quotes show that subjectivity about internal feelings is what Arminian philosophers based thier conclusion on. In my estimation, the whole of Wesleyian theology seems to be based on feelings. The author thinks this is scientific methodolgy:
Their influence was keenly felt in academia also. D. H. Meyer points out that the American system of higher education in the nineteenth century has been aptly described as "Protestant Scholasticism" because of its ambitious effort "to organize all knowledge, including knowledge of the cosmos, of men, and of society, into a consistent and intelligible whole," establishing a correspondence between secular knowledge and basic Christian principles.
Corin, read up on current epistemology. Internalist epistemology is almost rejected out of hand today.
It is important to notice that Scottish realism was useful in various camps. It was just as useful to the Unitarian in his opposition to Calvinism as it was to the Evangelical.
Slam dunk! How much more proof do you need? This is exactly why most main line denominations are nothing more than humanist societies. I'm no historian or theologian but I would be interested to see if your friend received any peer review on this article. With my limited knowledge it appears to be full of holes.
The fact that gnosticism was contemporaneous with the legitimate rise of Christianity doesn't invalidate both. Does it?
I'm not sure what your driving at with this statement? We believe only true Christianity is correct and Gnosticism incorrect. Likewise, I would say that Calvinism is more correct and Arminianism less so. I'm afraid your friends article fully supports my contention.
I'm certain that for publication in the journal that he did. I traced it back and was interested to find that Hamilton wrote this in 1974. I believe he would've been on the campus during the Asbury Revival of 1970. One that spread around the world.
I'm no scholar or theologian either, but I'm working on it. What I do know is that James Hamilton, and countless other scholars like him, would come to much the same conclusions.
I've been sharply criticized for saying this before. But my walk with God is much more experiential than it is academic. I know James Hamilton, I know his life. I know his colleagues, I know their lives. All of that speaks louder to me than articles and statements and philosophies.
I'm learning a lot on these threads and in private study. So far, what I've read continues to reinforce my beliefs. Hamilton's life speaks to me louder than his writings. Especially something written almost 30 years ago.