1. Write an essay A) explaining the proper way to understand the Christian doctrine of creatio ex nihilo showing exactly why thinkers such as Karl Barth and Etienne Gilson would want to avoid saying that “To be God is to be the Creator.” What were they affirming and what were they negating? B) Then, explain the difference between pantheism and panentheism. C) Finally, using examples from our class discussions (Moltmann, Knitter, Whitehead, Ogden and Migliore) to make your points, explain exactly why panentheism either succeeds or fails to maintain the freedom of God and therefore the intended meaning of the doctrine of creation from nothing. D) Finally, How does the thinking of Angelus Silesius and Paul Fiddes relate to these issues?

QUESTION

1. Write an essay A) explaining the proper way to understand the Christian doctrine of creatio ex nihilo showing exactly why thinkers such as Karl Barth and Etienne Gilson would want to avoid saying that “To be God is to be the Creator.” What were they affirming and what were they negating? B) Then, explain the difference between pantheism and panentheism. C) Finally, using examples from our class discussions (Moltmann, Knitter, Whitehead, Ogden and Migliore) to make your points, explain exactly why panentheism either succeeds or fails to maintain the freedom of God and therefore the intended meaning of the doctrine of creation from nothing. D) Finally, How does the thinking of Angelus Silesius and Paul Fiddes relate to these issues?

2. Explain the main teaching of the Council of Chalcedon regarding the person and work of Jesus Christ by discussing why the bishops in 451 wanted to avoid monophysitism, adoptionism (Nestorianism) and extreme forms of Alexandrian and Antiochene Christology. What were these extreme forms of Christology and what was the problem with them from a Christocentric standpoint? Make sure you give examples to illustrate your points. Then, relying on the PowerPoint presentations, discuss the proper understanding of the hypostatic union explaining why the terms enhypostasis and anhypostasis were used by theologians in the Patristic era to understand the mystery Jesus Christ as the incarnate Word.

ANSWER

Understanding Christian Doctrines: Creatio Ex Nihilo and the Council of Chalcedon

Introduction

Christian theology is rich with complex doctrines that require careful examination and understanding. In this essay, we will explore two significant topics: the Christian doctrine of creatio ex nihilo and the teachings of the Council of Chalcedon concerning the person and work of Jesus Christ. Additionally, we will examine the viewpoints of influential thinkers like Karl Barth, Etienne Gilson, Angelus Silesius, and Paul Fiddes to gain deeper insights into these matters.

Creatio Ex Nihilo: Avoiding the Equation of God with the Creator

The doctrine of creatio ex nihilo asserts that God created the world out of nothing. While it might seem natural to equate being God with being the Creator, thinkers like Karl Barth and Etienne Gilson caution against this equation (Hargrove, 2015). They affirm and negate certain aspects to emphasize the uniqueness and transcendence of God.

Barth emphasizes that God’s act of creation is free and not dependent on anything external. He negates the idea that God’s essence necessitates the act of creation (Bloomsbury Collections – the Freedom of God for Us – Karl Barth’s Doctrine of Divine Aseity, n.d.). By doing so, Barth highlights that God’s identity as the Creator is not an inherent part of His being but a result of His sovereign will. Similarly, Gilson emphasizes that the creative act is an act of God’s will, underscoring God’s freedom to create or not to create.

By avoiding the equation of being God with being the Creator, Barth and Gilson emphasize the distinctiveness of God and the gratuitous nature of creation.

Pantheism and Panentheism: Understanding the Difference

Pantheism and panentheism are contrasting views regarding the relationship between God and the world. Pantheism posits that God is identical to the world, while panentheism maintains that God encompasses and interpenetrates the world while still maintaining His transcendence.

Pantheism denies the distinction between God and creation, reducing everything to an immanent divine reality. In contrast, panentheism acknowledges both the immanence and transcendence of God. It affirms that God is present within creation, sustaining and animating it, while also maintaining His uniqueness and sovereignty.

Panentheism’s Impact on the Freedom of God and the Doctrine of Creation

In our class discussions, theologians like Jürgen Moltmann, Paul Knitter, Alfred North Whitehead, Schubert Ogden, and Daniel Migliore have engaged with the concept of panentheism. While panentheism offers a robust framework that affirms God’s immanence in creation, it faces challenges in maintaining the freedom of God and the intended meaning of the doctrine of creatio ex nihilo.

Panentheism can struggle to maintain the freedom of God because it risks blurring the boundary between God and creation. The emphasis on God’s immanence might lead to an understanding where creation becomes a necessary extension of God’s being, limiting God’s freedom to act independently (Layton, 2014). Additionally, if God is inseparable from creation, it raises questions about evil and suffering in the world and the responsibility of God.

Angelus Silesius and Paul Fiddes: Contributions to the Discussion

Angelus Silesius and Paul Fiddes offer valuable perspectives in relation to the issues discussed above. Silesius, a German mystic, presents poetic expressions of divine transcendence and the unknowability of God’s essence. His writings evoke a sense of awe and wonder, acknowledging the limits of human understanding in comprehending the mystery of God’s creative act.

On the other hand, Paul Fiddes engages with the notion of human freedom within the context of divine providence. He explores the idea that God’s creative act allows for genuine human freedom, ensuring that creation is not a predetermined outcome but a dynamic process with space for human agency.

Conclusion

Understanding the Christian doctrine of creatio ex nihilo requires careful attention to the distinction between God and creation, as thinkers like Karl Barth and Etienne Gilson emphasised. Likewise, distinguishing between pantheism and panentheism helps us comprehend the relationship between God and the world. While panentheism offers insights into God’s immanence, it also raises challenges regarding the freedom of God and the intended meaning of creation. Angelus Silesius and Paul Fiddes contribute to the ongoing theological conversation by exploring divine transcendence and human freedom, respectively. Engaging with these complex ideas deepens our understanding of these important theological concepts.

References

Bloomsbury Collections – The Freedom of God For Us – Karl Barth’s Doctrine of Divine Aseity. (n.d.). https://www.bloomsburycollections.com/book/the-freedom-of-god-for-us-karl-barths-doctrine-of-divine-aseity/ch1-introduction?from=search 

Hargrove, D. (2015). Need for Esse metaphysics for Biblical studies. Southern. https://www.academia.edu/10703213/Need_for_Esse_metaphysics_for_Biblical_studies

Layton, C. (2014). The Promise of Trinitarian Panentheism. Georgefox. https://www.academia.edu/2034343/The_Promise_of_Trinitarian_Panentheism