Introduce Yourself!
So, tell me about yourself!
My wee blog will be two years old soon. One of the best things about my experience blogging has been making friends through this medium. And I’d like to know you better. This page is for you. The way cool idea of having a Friends Page comes to me courtesy of Jennifer, at Conversion Diary. Thank you, Jennifer!
As we all know, community is hard to come by. It’s natural to wonder whether the internet is a boon or a boondoggle in the world of social networking. One thing is for sure—I’ve met people here that I never would have known otherwise. You are my blog friends. And I don’t take your interest or comments lightly. I hope this blog brings you together with others of kindred spirit and shared interests.
So how about introducing yourself here? Don’t know what to say? Here are a few suggestions, things I would ask if we were to meet in person:
- Where are you from and what are you up to these days?
- How did you find this blog?
- What’s the best novel you’ve read and what’s special about it to you?
- What’s your favorite film and why do you like it so much?
- What non-fiction book has been most influential in your life?
- Do you have any hobbies?
- Do you have a blog? What do you write about? Do you want to share your URL?
Maybe I’ve left out a question you’d like for our blog friends to answer here. Just let me know in the comment box.
Doug Geivett's Blog 
Hello Doug,
Thanks for the invitation to be a blog friend. One reason I was drawn to your blog was just that – an approach to apologetics that seems friendly. I’m a big believer in what I would call “affable apologetics” – which is not to say that I am always so good at believing the things I believe…
I first heard of you in what for me has been a handy philosophy of religion text, God Matters: Readings in the Philosophy of Religion. As an active apologist I have a pretty strong interest in Christian epistemology as it relates to evidence and the common charge that there is in fact “no evidence” for Christian theism; so I was interested to read your insightful and encouraging rebuttal to Anthony Flew, “A Pascalian Rejoinder to the Presumption of Atheism.”
More about what I believe can be found here: http://transcendingproof.blogspot.com/.
That’s all I have for now. I’ll probably comment here and there as opportunities arise. Thanks again and God bless you greatly.
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Doug
I stumbled onto your blog as a result, I believe, of listening to a sermon you preached on the resurrection in which you stated something to the effect that Rom 1 taught that Jesus is a divine being because He was called the Son of God. Admittedly, that statement threw me enough that I am not sure I grasped much of the point of why I was listening to the message. Therefore, I spent a little time seeking you out to follow up and this is as far as I have gotten.
I do appreciate digging into the Word of God – I find it to be great nourishment and have for many years.
Best,
Greg
PS To the blogger who suggested that the Matrix stop at 1 – admittedly loosing both the Merovigian’s (sp?) discussion re causality and the meeting of the Architect as well as Neo’s “choosing to” in the final battle (is that really a satisfactory answer?) would seem to leave us without critical material. Most importantly – “there is no spoon”.
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Hi Eddie,
What are you doing over in Kuwait?
Doug
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My name is Eddie Eddings, born and raised in Texas, but have been living in Kuwait for the last six years.
I found your blog courtesy of Apologetics 315.
The best novel I’ve read recently was Stephen King’s 11/22/63. Which I just found out J.J. Abrams is doing a 9-hour mini-series on.
My favorite film is probably the Matrix. (they should have stopped with the first) Since I grew up collecting comic books (no more) the super-hero films are tons of fun for me.
Other than the Bible it would have to be The Sovereignty of God by A.W. Pink.
Hobbies are guitar, art and reading.
My blog is Calvinistic Cartoons. It’s a humor blog that proves that Calvinists have a sense of humor. It can be found here:
http://calvinisticcartoons.blogspot.com/
Many blessings to you and your family!
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John,
It’s great hearing from you and I’d like to be back in touch. I think we’re Facebook friends. How about sending me your tel. number?
-Doug
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John,
Great to hear from you. Thanks for re-connecting. I have wondered where life’s travels have taken you. You’ve had quite an adventure.
It would be great to catch up sometime. Maybe we do a phone conversation?
Bless you,
Doug
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Het Doug — Glad to see you are doing so well in your professional life. Hope your personal life is doing as well. I’m roud to have known you in seminary. I’ll always remember discussing philosophy with you. Because of that, I have always wanted to get some kind of degree in philosophy. But I think that ship has sailed now, so I try to content myself with being an amateur. I’ll try to update you with what’s happened with me. As you may remember, I was a pastor in Louisiana. From there, I went to my hometown and pastored there for several years, Then, I resigned and moved to a church in Birmingham, AL. After that, I decided to resign from the pastorate and moved to Orlando. I lived there for ten years, during which I divorced an remarried. I now have a wonderful wife. She and I are, ironically, back in my hometown. Jobs are more plentiful here. I was a manager at a software company while in Orlando, but I had a stroke August 2007. The company I worked for was sold and my position eliminated so was not able to go back to that. Thus the move here for a job. I had an offer from godaddy.com, but the offer did not come until I was in the hospital with a second stroke. I am doing well, despite the strokes — no adult diapers; and no nurses to bathe me. I am attending a community college to pursue internet marketing. Algebra kicks my butt a bit, but should squeak through it. OK, I didn’t mean to write a full-scale biography; but thought I’d say HI. I feel like the lyric in the Rolling Stones’ song “I hope you guess my name.” I forget the song’s title. But since the speaker is Satan, it has the wrong connotation, at any rate.
Take care!
John Schulte
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Okay! I sent you some pictures a few days ago, I’m not sure if you received them. I sent them from sophiesp1807@yahoo.com (its an old email).
– Ashton
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Hi Chase,
Let me get back to you on this. I may write a reply in a post here so that others also have the same information!
-Doug
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Hi Ashton!
Thank you for offering to send pics. I know you’ve got some great ones! If you’ll send me your email address to this page, I’ll reply by email. And I won’t release your email address on my blog.
Glad we’re Facebook friends, too!
Hi to your dad for me.
-Doug
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Hi Graham,
I’m pleased to hear of your work in Ireland. It must be very exciting—and rewarding in its own way—to be doing a new work in a part of the world where there are fewer resources and less interest. I think that you’ll find, with a little patience and a lot of persistence, that there are many there who are interested in the issues you are addressing and will respond. This is happening worldwide. But it takes vision to get something like this going.
To answer your question, there isn’t a revised edition of our book Contemporary Perspectives on Religious Epistemology. We’ve given this some consideration, though. If we get enough requests we might have some influence with the publisher to issue a second edition! I believe the first edition is still useful, though, because it sets forth the chief alternatives in a logical order and includes the seminal works by influential philosophers. Still, there are a few changes I would make.
My friend Brendan Sweetman is a productive scholar. I’m happy to know that you’ve been following his work. I’m sure he would be encouraged to hear of this, too. (I expect to see him in a few weeks, so I’ll try to remember to mention this to him.) You may know that Professor Sweetman is from Ireland.
I’ll have a look at your website.
-Doug
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Hello Professor Geivett,
My name is Graham Veale, and I’m working with David Glass to set up an apologetics ministry in Ireland ( http://www.saintsandsceptics.org )
As a student I found that “Contemporary Perspectives in Religious Epistemology” was a very profitable book – I still use it. Did you ever edit a second edition?
I have reviewed one book by your collaborator, Professor Sweetman, here: http://www.saintsandsceptics.org/how-open-is-the-secular-mind/
I’m sure you’re a very busy man, but building an apologetics work in Northern Ireland is a bit of an uphill struggle – folks don’t really see the danger of secularism. If you ever get the chance to look at our site, and can think of anything that we can do to improve our work, we’d appreciate the advice.
Graham
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Hello Dr. Geivett. This is Ashton, Caleb’s sister and photographer for the On Guard Conference. I’ve been going through the pictures I took and I wondered if you would like me to send you some of the pictures I took. If so, where should I email them? Thank you.
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Hello Dr. Geivett! I met you breifly at the On Gaurd Conference in Oklahoma (which was a wonderfully engaging conference). My question, if you remember, was on the B-theory of time and the Kalam Argument. You asked me to email you for the information I wanted and I suppose I should have asked you then for your email because the closest I found was your blog. I’ll include my email for you in the area below that requests it. Thank you for your help! It’s amazing someone of your knowledge takes time for the lay person!
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My website is new so not developed. I just “discovered” you through a DOD program. I plan to purchase your book.
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Claude,
I’m very pleased to hear from you and to know of your plans for using this film in your French class. Your students are very lucky to have you taking such care to make their experience a rich one!
There are many themes that students could choose from, touched on in this film. Some of these may be discerned from the discussion sheet I posted. Themes could be formulated around the topics of friendship, love and commitment, ambition, father/son relationships, the significance of war, religious insight vs. religious confusion.
I hope you will return to this page later and let us know how things have unfolded. Maybe some of your students would like to leave comments here, too!
Best wishes,
Doug
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HI Doug
I am a French high school teacher in Princeton, NJ. I teach astronomically talented juniors and seniors in French Literature and Francophone Cinema. My cinema class is rigorous and we have excellent discussions as we view films. One of the new films I am teaching this year is Joyeux Noel. We just finished watching Welcome. The theme this quarter is the human condition or what it means to be a human being. Joyeux Noel promises to be just what the doctor ordered. I have chills just thinking about the film and how it will change my students. I wanted to thank you for your thoughts on the film. At the end of the film I will puts students in groups of 3 or 4 and give them a different theme for each group (I have about 30 students in each of my film courses). Then, the students have to discuss that theme and each student needs to choose a scene from the film to share with the class in conjunction with the theme. Then, they write a composition on a chosen topic as their written exam…all in outstanding spoken and written French! I know you’ve probably listed all of the things you wanted to share on your blog about Joyeux Noel but I was wondering if you think there are themes I really need to have the students consider. Thanks!
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Hi Mark,
I’m pleased to meet you. Thanks for visiting my blog and for your comments. I hope you’ll continue. I’m glad to have a record of your blog address, for myself and other readers of this page.
Maybe someday we’ll meet. I do some travel for speaking and have been to PA on occasion. I have no idea where Chalfront is, however.
Cheers!
-Doug
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DC, thank you for introducing yourself here. I’ll have to check out the book I Can Jump Puddles. My children are young adults now. But we have read together as a family throughout their lives.
I have a post on this blog about the Bourne versus the Bond films. You can find it by typing “Bourne” in the search box. I, too, like the Bourne films and prefer them over the James Bond movies. I write about film quite a bit on this blog.
See you!
-Doug
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Doug,
My name is Mark McIntyre and I reside in the Philadelphia area.
I’ve been following your blog for a while and I really can’t remember how I found it. I have an interest in apologetics and probably saw your name and clicked on a link to your blog. I was at Talbot back in the late 80’s.
I am an elder at Calvary Chapel Central Bucks in Chalfont, PA. I have the privilege of teaching the Christian Foundations class at the church and occasionally fill teaching in when our Pastor is away. I have the desire to help believers get grounded in their faith and understand that the Bible does provide the answers we need to respond to challenges to faith.
My favorite fiction book is Till We Have Faces by C. S. Lewis. I’m always challenged by it when I re-read it.
I’m blogging at http://mhmcintyre.wordpress.com and I call my blog “Attempts at Honesty.” My goal is to be transparent about how I am challenged as I read Scripture and see what is happening in the world around me.
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1.Where are you from and what are you up to these days?
Damian Charles, from Gibralta (3rd generation), am part Spanish (hard not to be after three generations living on the southern tip of Spain). Lawyer, Barrister and former HM Prosecutor. Planning to retire soon, I paint and travel to excotic places to do so. I spend long-weekends and holidays recently in southern Morocco for the landscape. Married 4 kids, 3 grandchildren.
2.How did you find this blog? Searching about radical politics and the birther movement in the US (thinking of doing an MA on the topic of radical partisanship in that country) the blog came up.
3.What’s the best novel you’ve read and what’s special about it to you?
Hard choice between LOTR (Lord of the Rings) that had a major impact on my childhood (my older brother actually read the entire book to me over a month that I was sick in bed after an operation, or alternatively I can Jump Puddles that I read to my children and reading to my grandchildren now. Simply because it is about triumph by a child dealing with disability – and more of course.
4.What’s your favorite film and why do you like it so much?
I like the three Bourne films (recent Bourne Identity, etc) because the speed and flow of the films. Other than that I am an oldies film watcher, I like Hitchcock for example.
5.What non-fiction book has been most influential in your life?
I collect Churchill books, either by him or of him and I at a very early age tried and did read his History of the Second World War and ended up eventually doing a history honours on him and his influences.
6.Do you have any hobbies?
Painting, cooking, travelling and history.
7.Do you have a blog? What do you write about? Do you want to share your URL?
I have been asked to start a blog by my colleagues and friends on the topic of US political partisanship and the fringe element’s influences and causes. It is a subject that interests me, I am even thinking of doing an MA on the subject. I started it and only started the one item as I chose at that point to have at think of the consequences, the level of work involved to be serious and how not to be impartial and in fact a bit “fringe” in judging the subject. http://www.theuglyfringe.wordpress.com.
I would love comments on how much work and how to improve things, layouts and even experiences.
Regads
DC
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Interesting blog, don’t really remember how I stumbled upon it. See my philosophical-theology project – would be interested in discussing such topics in greter detail.
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Hi Daniel,
I’m pleased to hear from you. Glad you found my blog.
Samuel Geivett was my grandfather’s grandfather. Clarence was my great grandfather, one of Samuel’s sons. It sounds like we’re from the same generation of Geivetts/Geivets.
I had the opportunity to visit the German town of Beutelsbach about three years ago. This is where Samuel was from when he left for the U.S. at age 17 in 1850. While I was there I had the good fortune of discovering records showing Samuel’s lineage all the way back to 1710. From 1710 to 1850, the Geiwetz family lived in Beutelsbach.
I also met and had dinner with a descendent further up the chain in the Geiwetz family, about my age. He lives close to Beutelsbach, and is the only one left. He was born in Chile, South America, in a German community there. It happens that there are others from the Geiwetz family who emigrated to Chile, with descendents there today. I’ve been in contact with a few of them.
You may have more contacts with members of the family in the United States. I’m in touch with some. I’ve created a Facebook group for the extended family to join. If you have a Facebook account, check here: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/home.php?sk=group_145304485518659&ap=1
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Hi Doug;
My name is Daniel A. Geivet II and I believe we are related. I am from the single ‘T’ side of the Samuel Geivet clan. My Great Grand Father was William H. Geivet, and I believe he was a brother to Clarence. I also have been trying to do some genealogy on the family and have had the very great pleasure to make contact with many of the family with both spellings of the last names.
I live on the central coast of California, Atascadero to be exact. I am now retired after spending 25 years as a Security Officer at a Nuclear Power Plant. I was raised in the San Joaquin Valley in a small town north of Bakersfield. I still have family in that part of the country.
I only recently stumbled on to your web site when doing a Goggle search for family in hopes of making new contacts. I find some of your writings on your Blog quite interesting. I would like to know more about you and your side of the family. I hope that we can get to know each other better in the time to come.
Daniel
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Hi Lyle,
It’s great hearing from you. Thanks for visiting and introducing yourself. What blog led you to this website?
I haven’t read much Christian fiction, so I don’t know the work of Bill Myers. I’ll have to have a look at your recommendation.
I, too, like the movie “Stranger Than Fiction.” I use it in my course on Faith, Film and Philosophy, at Biola University.
I hope your agent is successful and finds the best publisher for your book.
-Doug
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1. My name is Lyle Carlson and I live in Damascus, MD and work at the Treasury Department, next door to the White House. I am a Program Manager by day and an author by night. 2. I was searching Google for Christian Philosophers and read about your blog on a site. 3. My favorite novel is Eli by Bill Myers. He took the Gospel and did a wonderful current day parallel (universe that is) that gives an interesting perspective on how we would view Jesus showing up. 4. Although the movie got panned, I really like Stranger than Fiction. The more times you watch it, the deeper the implications. 5. The Bible amazes me with how many times you can read something and gain something new each time. I also connected with Frank Peretti’s Wounded Spirit. 6. As previously mentioned, I write. . .and rewrite. 7. I don’t currently blog but what I just completed writing is a mathematic apologetic in which I use three simple equations to reveal the nature of truth, God, and His design for us. My agent is currently shopping it around but it will be a tough sell because I want it to be published by a secular house. The above listed website should be up within a couple of weeks.
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Hi Daniel,
This is a great surprise! There can be no doubt that we’re related. I’ve done extensive genealogical research for the name “Geivett.” My grandfather was Jay Geivett. His father’s name was Clarence, and his grandfather was Samuel. Samuel emigrated from Beutelsbach, Germany to the U.S. in 1850. A couple years ago I visited Beutelsbach and was able to trace our ancestry back to 1710. I also met and had dinner with a descendent who lives there.
Meanwhile, I’ve discovered that Samuel’s older brother, also named Samuel, emigrated to Chile around the same time. As a result, we have “cousins” in Chile. And I’ve been communicating with a couple of them. One of them has worked the genealogy back a couple hundred years further in the past than I have. But I haven’t seen this yet.
It’s remarkable to hear that you teach at Grand Canyon College. I once gave a lecture there for a conference. Dallas Willard was one of the speakers, as well. I guess that was before you were there. My wife, Dianne, told me not long ago of you, but she doesn’t remember how she knew of you.
Do you also teach philosophy?
I don’t know what book to suggest to you. I’d say to go with anything that looks interesting to you. I appreciate your interest.
Did you watch the YouTube recording of the recent debate I did with several others in Mexico? I posted about it a few days ago.
If you’re on Facebook, we should become Facebook friends. I’d like to hear more about your life and experiences.
-Doug
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Hi Doug,
My name is Daniel Geivett and I am so pleased to discover you and this blog. My parents had always told me that anyone with the Geivett name was sure to be a relative and I am sure that is true. My grandfather was Clarence and his father was Samuel. Anyway, it would be interesting to find out where our ancestors crossed.
God saved me from myself 9 years ago and it changed the course of my life. I have been teaching for the past 2 years at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona and have started pursuing another graduate degree in Christian Studies.
I became aware of you and your significant accomplishments several years ago when I Googled myself and your name came up repeatedly. It wasn’t, however, until recently that I actually came across this blog from Twitter and I began reading and reading! I so appreciate your ideas and writing. I plan on getting one of your books. Do you recommend a specific starting point?
I am going to make an attempt to come to one of your debates and will continue to monitor this blog for updates.
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Nathan, I enjoyed meeting you and your friends in Puebla. Thank you for coming to the debate and for visiting this post.
I have seen The Bucket List. It has an interesting message about preparing for the end of life.
I haven’t read Paulo Cohelo. Thanks for the tip. I’ll look into his work.
I hope you’ll stay in touch.
-Doug
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Hola Doug, yo soy de Puebla y tengo 21 años… Was really nice to met you here in my city and i’m happy to know people like you i admire the capacity that God gave you.
I found your blog because of you =)
Lately i change the type of novels were previously just literature but know i’m looking for book that could bring something worth to my life and i think that one of the bes to that is “In Step with God” by your friend Charles.
The special thing in it is because i want to be close of God and in the book says that is trough the obedience.
Talking about films i like very much “the bucket list” There is a story about two men are dying by cancer… but they learned a lot of each other and the life of one o those men change completely at the end… If you didn’t see it i recommend you.
Paulo Cohelo’s book “el manual del guerrero de la luz” has a little Christian focus and help me that we can made mistakes the point is that we have to repair them and never leave the God’s way.
My hobbies are: play basketball, listening chistian music, jazz, classic music, reading, skiing, snowmobiling, traveling and trying to overcome my own limitations.
I don’t have a blog but i would like to have it, but not right now
God bless you my friend
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Hi Shelby,
Thanks for introducing yourself! Have you considered subscribing to this blog?
You do have a lot going on. And four girls . . . bless you.
I’m not familiar with the movie “Starman.” I’ll check it out.
-Doug
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H Doug,
I listened to your interview today on Apologetics 315. I graduated from the Biola with a MA in Christian Apologetics. I enjoyed your interview and the book, “In Defense of Miracles.”
I like golf, cycling, reading and writing. I write weekly apologetic articles for a local paper here in rural Kansas. As far as employment goes, I am bi-vocational. I pastor a small Southern Baptist church and work as a school counselor. My wife and I have 4 girls, and it is difficult at times to juggle everything. Eventually, I would like to work in the ministry full-time. My favorite non-fiction books are probably, “Into the Void.” , “Renovation of the Heart”, and the Bible (of course). Favorite movies include, “The Shawshank Redemption”, “The Lord of the Rings”, and “Starman.” I like those movies, because there seems to be a redeeming value that runs through them. I also liked the television series “Lost” for the same reason.
I enjoy philosophy/scientific apologetics and have high regards for all the instructors at Biola. I fell like the Apologetics program at Biola is very sound and I appreciate your contribution in taking a stand for truth. Blessings, Shelby Cade
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Hi, James. It’s kind of you to offer to send me your book. The description intrigues. A copy could be mailed to: Doug Geivett, Talbot Department of Philosophy, Biola University, 13800 Biola Avenue, La Mirada Avenue, 92821.
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Thanks for mentioning my book, The Shut Mouth Society on your blog.
My new book Tempest at Dawn is now available, and I’d like to send you a free copy. I’m not looking for blurbs, promotion, or anything else. I want to send you my historical novel because I appreciate your support for the Constitution. If you respond with a mailing address, I’ll have a copy sent right away. Thank you.
From the Publisher
The United States is on the brink of total collapse. The military has been reduced to near extinction, economic turmoil saps hope, and anarchy threatens as world powers hover like vultures, eager to devour the remains. In a desperate move, a few powerful men call a secret meeting to plot the overthrow of the government.
Fifty-five men came to Philadelphia May of 1787 with a congressional charter to revise the Articles of Confederation. Instead they founded the longest lasting republic in world history.
Tempest at Dawn tells their story.
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Welcome to this blog, Jim. I know Mike Austin well. He was one of my students and is a valuable colleague in the field of philosophy. I’m glad you follow his blog.
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Hi Jim,
I’m impressed with your determination to finish at Biola after an interim working in the family business. Also with your memory of the Bill Alston visit. I had the privilege of hosting Bill and co-teaching a course on religious experience with him at Biola. It may have been about that time that you heard him make a presentation. He was a dear friend, and I miss him. He passed away last year.
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Hi, I’m Jim and I am from Orange County, CA. I found this blog through the blog “Morality and the Good Life”, by Mike Austin. I studied philosophy at Biola, had my own business, worked for a large company and one church, and now I am unemployed.
The best novel I have ever read is “Resurrection” by Tolstoy. I actually do not remember much about the book other than the theme of redemption, but I do remember I was deeply moved while reading it.
My favorite film is “A Serious Man” by the Cohen brothers.
#my second attempt at introduction after reading the “comments policy”.
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Hello Doug,
I was briefly in one of your classes, Problem of Evil, in the spring of 1999. Regrettably, I left without finishing the semester and took over a family business. I eventually returned to Biola and finished in the spring of 2007. The one memory I have that stands out of you would be when William Alston came to Biola to present a paper, I forget the topic. You spoke about how much of an influence Professor Alston was on your career in the introduction. I immensely enjoyed that presentation. That in itself was worth my stay at Biola.
Thank you for your commitment to the students of Biola and everywhere else you are able to impact in such a meaningful way.
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I’m not sure what I want to do in film exactly. I make many short films with friends, so I’m involved in the whole process. My video production teacher says that my strengths are in acting and editing, but I enjoy writing very much, so I would most likely want a career towards the writing side.
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Hi Matthew,
I’d be happy to suggest colleges or universities to consider. Can you tell me a little more about your career objectives? There are various kinds of film programs. Biola University, where I teach, has what I believe to be the best film program at a Christian university. The main emphasis in the Biola film department is in film production.
At Biola you would also be taking required courses in biblical studies and theology for any major you select, including film. And, as you might imagine, one of our greatest strengths at both the graduate and undergraduate levels is philosophy (integrated with Christian apologetics). I teach in the graduate department of philosophy. But I offer a course on “Faith, Film and Philosophy” for all interested students at Biola.
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I was told to ask you about your opinion on some colleges that have good filmmaking classes. I’m also interested in theology and philosophy/Christian apologetics, but I think that they can be combined into one form somehow. What colleges would you recommend?
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1: Washington, Seattle area. I’ve been reading a lot of Christian Apologetic books and catching up on homework.
2: Found this blog from listening to an mp3 of Doug speaking at the Annual Worldview Apologetics Conference from last year.
3: THR3E, by Ted Dekker. I don’t read very much fiction, but this was amazing. I love the establishment of good, evil, and the man in-between.
4: My favorite film is ‘Equilibrium’ because of the way it shows the people fighting against a Communist-like nation.
5: The Bible, of course. Other than that, I would have to say ‘Every Young Man’s Battle’.
6: I like filmmaking, drawing, and writing. I like to create music as well. Reading apologetics is always fun.
7: Don’t have a blog, but I might sooner or later.
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Hi Jacob,
I’m pleased to know that your university class is reading the book Christianity and the Postmodern Turn. Please give your teacher, Dr. Firestone, my regards.
Regarding your specific questions:
(1) Epistemology is the branch of philosophy devoted to the study of knowledge and justified belief, including: the nature of knowledge and epistemic justification, conditions for knowing and being epistemically justified, the scope of what can be known and believed with epistemic justification, the means by which such knowledge and justified belief are possible.
(2) Epistemic foundationalism most generally is the view that for any belief that is justified, that belief is grounded in some set of a believer’s total set of beliefs, or is justified independently of its logical relations to other beliefs the subject has. That is, a justified belief is either a basic, noninferentially justified belief or a non-basic, inferentially justified belief. A justified belief may or may not be true, and, if true, may or may not be an instance of knowledge.
(3) God has endowed human persons with reason, including capacities to collect evidence, weigh evidence, acquire beliefs that accord or do not accord with the evidence, and act in accordance with what is believed. Human sinfulness actually depends on a reliable capacity to reason, since knowledge of what is right and wrong is presupposed by objective guilt.
These are necessarily brief and incomplete answers to your questions. Elsewhere on this blog you’ll find other posts related to epistemology.
Thanks for checking in. Best wishes to you for a profitable semester!
-Doug
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My name is Jacob Clark. I am a student Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois. Currently, I am a senior, who is also a major in philosophy. I came across your blog because I am trying to contact you in regards to a philosophy class project. My teacher, Dr. Chris L. Firestone, is having the class read the book, Christianity and the Postmodern Turn edited by Myron B. Penner.
The goal of the project to select one of the authors, and to get in contact with the author about the articles they have written.
I found your articles to be interesting and an excellent contribution to the book. In your first article: Is God a Story? Postmodernity and the Task of Theology. One of the major points that I believe you where trying to make is the importance of beliefs, and the relationships of beliefs and the actions that they produce. Because of the importance of beliefs to follow consequential into actions, it is important to understand the foundation of reasons for accepting a group/particular belief(s).
In your second article: Postmodernism and the Quest for Theological Knowledge, you basically seem to have disregarded or to have raised serious objections about the articles of Franke, Westphal, and Smith. The support for your objections where based upon how the other articles where either fallacious, lacked sufficient justification, or certain key points needed more explanation.
From my reading of this book, I have questions that I am hoping you could be able to help me with.
1.) What is your exact definition of epistemology?
2.) Would it be possible for you to give a more precise definition of epistemic foundationalism?
3.) As a christian what do you believe the role of reason is, after taking into account the sinfulness and wickedness of humanity?
My favorite things to do with my free time is either weightlifting or trying to relax in some kind of constructive way. Because of college, I do not have time to do much reading outside of what is required for class.
Jacob
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Hi Madeleine,
You’ve made a great contribution to this blog with your comments on various posts. I’ve enjoyed getting to know you here.
I can’t imagine how you do all you do: study law, home school your kids, keep up with philosophy, and maintain a Top-4 blog in New Zealand! (By the way, New Zealand has always seemed so exotic to me. In grade school I had a pen pal from New Zealand. Ever since, it’s been a fantasy of mine to visit. I’m afraid I would want to stay.)
Hearing that you read posts here on a regular basis, I’d like to know if there are additional topics you’d like to see discussed. My blog isn’t restricted to certain topics or issues.
I don’t really think it’s fair to ask someone for the title of their absolute favorite novel, non-fiction book, or film. I should word that differently. (The points on my list are merely suggestions, and maybe some people do think in terms of faves.) I don’t know Anne McCaffrey’s fiction. In general, I’m not as taken with fantasy fiction as I am with several other forms. The film versions of various fantasy stories have improved my appreciation, though. Our preferences for films may overlap a little more.
I, too, over-extend myself in the category of hobbies. Dianne (my wife) and Kaitlyn and Erin (my daughters) are “crafty”—yes in both senses of the term (assuming there are only two senses). My daughters love horses. I like having them around to see. A vista that includes grazing horses quiets my soul.
Your blog topics are right up my alley, as you’ll know from my blog. Thanks for sharing your URL. Maybe we could arrange for you to do a guest post on my blog sometime?
-Doug
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Where are you from and what are you up to these days?
I live in Auckland, New Zealand. I am a law student with a keen interest in philosophy. I am a wife and mother to 4 children – 1 is at uni, one is at high school, two are home schooled.
How did you find this blog?
I was looking for reviews of the Craig v Hitchens debate and stumbled accross it. It has since then become one of my regular reads.
What’s the best novel you’ve read and what’s special about it to you?
How do you choose one? I have a shortlist of all time favourites, in no particular order: Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit, the earlier books in Anne McCaffrey’s Pern series, the Eragon books, CS Lewis’s Narnia Series. If you are familiar with these works you should be able to see a common thread which should tell you why I like them – each are epic, fantasy involving sentient animals (I am a horsey person so I find some appeal in this theme) and heros who have to step outside their comfort zone’s to save the world or do some greater good. All are very well written and all are capable of totally losing me in their worlds.
Interestingly I loved this genre both before and since becoming a Christian.
What’s your favorite film and why do you like it so much?
Again, how do you choose? I like films that have intriguing, adrenaline stirring plots with unpredictable ends – the Matrix, the Game, that kind of thing. I also enjoy movies with plots like my favourite novel genre – epic fantasy adventure with strong noble characters.
What non-fiction book has been most influential in your life?
The Bible.
Do you have any hobbies?
I have too many. I have a very creative bent and a strong desire to express my interests tangibly so I run an apologetics organisation, a philosophical blog but this also comes out in my studies, my cake decorating, sewing, home design, my approach to parenting and even in a sense in my application of my competitive equestrian eventing (which I can no longer do due to a serious car accident last year).
Do you have a blog?
Yes, I have a few but the one I am most passionate about I write with my husband who is a philosopher/theologian. We have been writing it for nearly three years and it is currently ranked 4th most read blog in New Zealand which is pretty cool.
What do you write about?
Christian Philosophy, Theology, Ethics, Apologetics, Jurisprudence, Civil Liberties, Politics, Social Commentary and life in general.
Do you want to share your URL?
MandM
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Hi Doug,
That’s a good idea. I’ve been meeting a lot of kindred spirits too recently. It’s great to share and discuss ideas with like-minded people.
Blessings,
Chris
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Thanks Doug. Hope others will join in on this. Great idea.
1. Idaho born and bred, living in the northern farm town of Craigmont (population 550). 2. Geivett is among my top dozen or so heroes in Christian apologetics. Drawn to Doug’s blog by kinship. 3.) Novel? The question makes me realize how little ‘fun’ reading I’ve done in recent years. I read Robert Ludlum (spies, snipers, and intrigue genre) until he died. 4.) Movie: “Lorenzo’s Oil” is a film about the true story of two parents who gave their all to discover a cure for their son’s disease. 5.) The Bible (naturally) and a Scripture-rich book you’ve never heard of called “The Gospel of Grace” by BG Leonard. At the time I read it, it was just what I needed to escape the bonds of religious oppression. 6.) I paint in oils: portraits, still life, and landscape. 7.) I don’t blog much myself, but I’m on facebook and twitter. I’m interested in the historical reliability of the gospels, and have a special love for the resurrection accounts. http://www.easteranswer.com.
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