Open Theism Discussion Board

Open Theism Discussion Board > Public Forums > General Chat > (No Subject)

Forum Quick Jump

[ << Previous Thread | Next Thread >> | Show Newest Post First ]

Vexen
Registered Member

Date Joined Jan 2002
Total Posts : 55

Posted 1/16/2002 2:51 AM (GMT -6)

My other post wasn't actually an introduction, this one is!

Introduction
I am Vexen Crabtree, 26, I live in England. This will no doubt explain some of views, religion is Europe is very inconsistently spread, with some countries (Greece, Italy) being vastly different to others (UK, France, Germany). On an irrelevent note, I am a professional in the computer industry, and am engaged to the (intelligent, caring, loving, accepting) girl of my dreams.

Open Theology
I have recently learned of Boyd and Open Theology from Empiress (who has made a few posts on this board) and her essay responses to my attack on the Free Will of the classical, Greek, views of God as omniscient, etc.

Open theology is something that I thought over about 5 years ago whilst I was going through my pantheist (I was nearly a pantheist (note - not a panentheist!)) phase, and becoming disillusioned with the strictly non-personal nature of a pantheist god/spirit, which seems even less conscious than the classical, non-open view of God.

So Empiress' has caused me to rethink Open Theology (and also gave me the name of this line of thought, which I never knew before), and I'm basically here to converse with others about this view.

Bible
I principally approach this from a philosophical point of view, and I am not interested in whether the Bible indicates that the Open View is true or not, as I believe the amount of personal interpretation to be too huge for me (or most people) to make informed decisions on this.

Initial thoughts
I am still suffering the initial shock of this being such a Christian envronment, so bear with me if I sometimes am unable to adopt "Christian" language to talk about some of these concepts, I do not have a Christian upbringing, being in England. So forgive me for any missed assumptions or apparent ignorance!

Monotheism
I see Open Theology as somewhat of a savior for all monotheistic theology including that of Zorostainism, Islam, etc, as the more "scientific" views on God are drastically reducing his appeal, creating more of a semi-conscious micro-managing automaton than a personal God.

So I approach this with aims of learning about open theology and experiencing talking about it with others, with the aim of learning as much as I can and hopefully making intelligent friends.

Msg boards
I dont contribute to many message boards or usenet, as I find them to very much full of closed-minded immature kids, where every argument descends rapidly into prideful, counterproductive bickering! I am here because this board isn't like that!

Ego
So... thanks to everyone for giving good first impressions. Thanks to Boyd for continually making me think... I read your posts on many subjects and you always make me think and want to look into things deeper, even though (of course, as a Human) I don't agree with everything you say.

So... hello everyone :-)
I wont stay forever, I'll contribute whatever I can, although I am initially nervous about simply fitting in, I'll be nice!

--
Vexen
http://www.vexen.co.uk

Semeia
Registered Member

Date Joined Aug 2001
Total Posts : 522

Posted 1/16/2002 3:45 AM (GMT -6)

Welcome, Vexen!

To quote Modes, after I got on and said that I thought Satan was a metaphor: "Oh, it's sooooooo nice not being the local liberal around here anymore!!!"

You will find that everyone is pretty nice to each other here, although every once in a while we poke each other in the eye, and beat up on each other a little bit, and then apologize. Given the wide range of views, and the passion with which they are held, it's remarkable that that doesn't happen more often. Doc sets a great example-- he is willing to engage in friendly if sometimes intense dialogue, and the only thing you have to watch out for is that if you are illogical he will point it out! (Or someone else will, in short order!)

After reading some of the material on your website, there are a few issues I'd like to dialogue with you about, but it will have to wait a little while...

My only caution to you is that this website is addicting... there should be a warning label on it or something...

Thanks,
Semeia

"The opposite of sin is not virtue, but faith."--Soren Kierkegaard

trosie
Registered Member

Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 550

Posted 1/16/2002 4:10 AM (GMT -6)

Welcome, Vexen!

Semeia's not just a kidding that this web site is addicting! I have been trying to wean myself from using it as often but once in a while I slip up. HELP! I need web site anonymous

Welcome!
trosie

"Sometimes when your heart breaks God is the only one who can put it together again." Author Unknown

Vexen
Registered Member

Date Joined Jan 2002
Total Posts : 55

Posted 1/16/2002 6:53 AM (GMT -6)

Believe me, I know about web site addiction. Hell I don't get paid for nothing!

Semeia, mail me personally, 99.5% of my site is not appropriate for this board.

Yes I respect that about Boyd, an ability to keep on what's important, with urgency, and not to get bogged down (as is so easy on msg boards).

--
Vexen
http://www.vexen.co.uk

PotOnWheel
Registered Member

Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 9890

Posted 1/16/2002 11:45 AM (GMT -6)

Welcome, Vexen!

When I "outed" the text of your site it was to be "helpful" to any that might not click. I come from a family of "helpful" people. I did the same when an unusual (to me) view of baptism (didn't practice it) came up in conversation with a LINK. I quoted a portion just so that everyone was on the same page. Personally, I don' try (I don't think that I try) to convince people of things. I'm an art teacher. And what I've noticed about my method is that I try to set up the situation or environment for what I hunch will happen, but try to work with the unfolding actualities as other contributors (at school...my students) often have more shaping influence.

So, if that didn't spook you, then great.

Again, welcome.

Ronald Ricketts
Registered Member

Date Joined Jan 2002
Total Posts : 50

Posted 1/16/2002 3:20 PM (GMT -6)

Welcome to Vexen from the flat plains of central Indiana. I am new to this posting also but it grows on you. Peace and love to the great people of the UK. Ronald

Ronald

churchmouse522
Registered Member

Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 163

Posted 1/16/2002 5:01 PM (GMT -6)

Vexen,

You said:

quote:
Semeia, mail me personally, 99.5% of my site is not appropriate for this board.

Apparently you have not read too much around here. We've talked about: masterbation, homosexuality, Satan as metaphor, open theism

, and the list goes on. I appreciate your sensitivity (you warm fuzzy Satanist, you), but have at it.

Do I hear an "amen"?

Mouse

"We're never gonna survive unless we get a little crazy." Seal

Springs
Registered Member

Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 636

Posted 1/17/2002 3:50 AM (GMT -6)

Welcome Vexen! I know you profess to be a Satanist on your site:

quote:
Vexen:
Therefore, by the premise of John 15:18-19 Vexen is not one who has been chosen to leave this Earth; his name is not in the Book of Living; he is hellbound, Earthly, Satanic, Evil and worst of all... is basically happy. God forbid it!

But I’m getting a few warm fuzzies too, and I think you have solid reasoning for where you have been thus far.

quote:

... and here I invoke the Problem Of Evil. For reasons I shall not go into here I do not believe, if a Creator existed, that Evil is necessary for the existence of Free Will; nor for the existence of Good. Therefore I believe that any omnipotent and omniscient Creator actually willfully created evil; and is therefore is Evil Himself. For this reason, should any White Light Representative approach me after my death, I will most definately decline their gracious offer and duly descend into Hell; for I do not feel that any amount of explanation or excuses could possibly justify the LORD's incompetence when it comes to the existence of Evil. Therefore I shall burn.

I think you will fit in quite nicely with other participants on this board.

I especially like this part of your writings:

quote:

I believe that The Open View of God may be the most important theological step in modern theology. For centuries critics and philosophers have pointed out problems in classical theology and satisfying responses were always lacking. My reaction to the Open View was, "I can't believe no one has said this before! It's so obvious!"

Hope you stick around,
Springs

PS: Welcome Ronald!!!

"God has instituted prayer so as to confer upon his creatures the dignity of being causes." — Blaise Pascal

trosie
Registered Member

Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 550

Posted 1/17/2002 6:07 AM (GMT -6)

I too want to say "WELCOME RONALD!"

Vexen,
I read what Springs had quoted you saying about the open view of God and I totally agree with you regarding this. There was a time I thought that those who supported the open view were a bit off but after reading and researching this view I have TOTALLY been SOLD on it! To me it's the best possible explanation on how it is that God would create people knowing that they wouldn't measure up...

What kind of a LOVING God would create beings where He already foreknew the outcome, especially if their end wasn't good??? If God knew for certain what circumstances he was throwing a person into (abuse for example) WHY create them? How could we call this LOVE? However, the open view God didn't know for certain (although he knew of ALL the possible choices) what the freewill agents would choose -- THIS MAKES SENSE!

For what it's worth,
trosie

"Sometimes when your heart breaks God is the only one who can put it together again." Author Unknown

Forum Information

Currently it is Monday, November 09, 2026 1:51 PM (GMT -6)
There are a total of 97,718 posts in 6,040 threads.
In the last 3 days there were 0 new threads and 0 reply posts. View Active Threads

Need Support? | Forum Help Manual