Karl Rahner and the Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence Question

Fisher, Christopher L.; Fergusson, David

doi:10.1111/j.1468-2265.2006.00288.x

Cited by 6 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…This response avoids the objection to (A), since it provides a way to claim that the Candidate predications are true in different senses or ways. It avoids the ob- and David Fergusson (2006), Thomas Flint (2001, 312;2012, 192-198), Alfred Freddoso (1983;1986), Marie George (2001), Brian Hebblethwaite (2001;2008, 74), Fr. Roch Kereszty (2002, 382), Peter Kevern (2002), Eric Mascall (1965, 40-41), Thomas Morris (1987, 183), Robin Le Poidevin (2009), Fr.…”

Section: Co N C I L I a R C H R I S To Lo G Y A N D T H E P Ro B L E mentioning

confidence: 99%

Conciliar Christology and the Problem of Incompatible Predications

Pawl

2015

SetF

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In this article I canvas the options available to a proponent of the traditional doctrine of the incarnation against a charge of incoherence. In particular, I consider the charge of incoherence due to incompatible predications both being true of the same one person, the God-man Jesus Christ. For instance, one might think that anything divine has to have certain attributes-perhaps omnipotence, or impassibility. But, the charge continues, nothing human can be omnipotent or impassible. And so nothing can be divine and human. So Christ is not both God and man, contrary to the traditional doctrine of the incarnation. To do so, first, in Section II, I will present the problem as a deductively valid argument. I then, in that section, go on to show that the proponent of traditional Christology should grant all but one premise of the argument. In the remaining sections I will canvas possible solutions to the problem. In Section III I discuss three ways to deny Premise 3 of the forthcoming argument. These ways include a Kenotic response, qua-modification (in four versions), and finally a response that accepts the compatibility of the allegedly incompatible predicates.

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Section: Co N C I L I a R C H R I S To Lo G Y A N D T H E P Ro B L E mentioning

confidence: 99%

Conciliar Christology and the Problem of Incompatible Predications

Pawl

2015

SetF

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“…2.For other discussions of the possibility of multiple incarnations, see Adams (1985; 2009, 241), Adams & Cross (2005), Arendzen (1941, 161), Baker (2013, 47), Bonting (2003), Brazier (2013), Craig (2006, 63), Crisp (2008; 2009, ch. 8), Cross (2005, 230–232), Davies (2003), Fisher & Fergusson (2006), Flint (2001, 312; 2012, 192–198), Freddoso (1983; 1986), George (2001), Hebblethwaite (2001; 2008, 74), Kereszty (2002, 382), Kevern (2002), Le Poidevin (2009, 183; 2011), Mascall (1965, 40–41), Morris (1987, 183), O'Collins (2002, 19–23), Pawl (2014), Pohle (1913, 136), Schmaus (1971, 241–242), Sturch (1991, 43, 194–200), and Ward (1998, 162).…”

Section: Notesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Brian Hebblethwaite's arguments against multiple incarnations

Pawl¹

2015

Rel. Stud.

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“…Rahner was open, they acknowledge, to the potential inherent in the process of cosmic evolution for sentient life to have developed in other galaxies; therefore Fisher and Fergusson argue that Rahner did not subscribe to theological parochialism. This therefore raises the question about multiple incarnations, but Rahner left the answer open: ‘with its Christological intensity, his theology seems to militate against any repetition of the incarnation.’…”

Section: The Argument Extendedmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…On the other hand Crisp notes how Christopher L. Fisher and David Fergusson begin to point towards the possibility of forms of salvation for extra‐terrestrial aliens – sentient creatures who can know God – in ways that we cannot begin to imagine . Crisp then draws close to Lewis's position by suggesting that multiple incarnations might not compromise the salvific work of Christ, if God's saving action towards humanity is restricted to humanity .…”

Section: The Argument and Question Resolved?mentioning

confidence: 99%

C. S. Lewis: The Question of Multiple Incarnations

Brazier

2013

The Heythrop Journal

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Formulated by Aquinas, commented on by post‐Copernican philosophers and theologians, analysed in depth by C.S. Lewis, and deliberated by some contemporary writers, the question of multiple incarnations either within humanity or amongst extra‐terrestrial sentient species is all too intermittently examined: ‘Can the Christ be incarnated more than once in our reality, or somewhere else in the universe, or another reality?’ In this paper, we examine the debate and the conclusions: that is, Lewis’s position within his philosophical theology and his analogical narratives; also, some contemporary philosophers of religion and theologians (Karl Rahner, with Christopher L. Fisher and David Fergusson; Sjoerd L. Bonting and William B. Drees; E.L. Mascall and Brian Hebblethwaite; Oliver Crisp and Keith Ward). How do they relate to Aquinas’s handling of the question and how do they compare with Lewis’s approach based on a theology of the imagination (grounded in Augustine and Alice Meynell)? Can Lewis resolve the argument? Could alien species have witnessed wholly different acts, equally unique, costly to God, and necessary to the process of salvation? Any answer or explanation relates to the function and purpose of the incarnation: the Fall, original sin—therefore, how we define the boundaries, limits, of atonement.

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Karl Rahner and the Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence Question

Cited by 6 publications

References 4 publications

Conciliar Christology and the Problem of Incompatible Predications

Conciliar Christology and the Problem of Incompatible Predications

Brian Hebblethwaite's arguments against multiple incarnations

C. S. Lewis: The Question of Multiple Incarnations

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