Gabriela Posted April 9, 2016 Share Posted April 9, 2016 There is a heresy in which one separates the spiritual from the physical and considers the spiritual good and the physical evil. I know this is a part of gnosticism and Albigensianism and a lot of other heresies, and it is a form of dualism, etc. But is there a specific name for this specific belief that the spiritual is good and the physical is bad? I swear I've heard one, but I can't remember it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nihil Obstat Posted April 9, 2016 Share Posted April 9, 2016 Manichaeism. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabriela Posted April 9, 2016 Author Share Posted April 9, 2016 21 minutes ago, Nihil Obstat said: Manichaeism. Is it really? I thought Manichaeism was more comprehensive than just that... Is that just basically what it boils down to? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nihil Obstat Posted April 9, 2016 Share Posted April 9, 2016 37 minutes ago, Gabriela said: Is it really? I thought Manichaeism was more comprehensive than just that... Is that just basically what it boils down to? I believe there is a fair bit more to it... If I recall it was essentially polytheistic in claiming that there was an evil God in opposition to the triune creator God. But that radical dualism was a major feature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norseman82 Posted April 9, 2016 Share Posted April 9, 2016 Dualism? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabriela Posted April 9, 2016 Author Share Posted April 9, 2016 Hm. It seems maybe there isn't a name for this belief by itself. Perhaps we should come up with one. I suggest "bad world-ism". Other ideas? 9 minutes ago, Norseman82 said: Dualism? Does that actually go so far as to say that the physical is evil? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ark Posted April 9, 2016 Share Posted April 9, 2016 The Gnostics regarded the material world as evil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhuturePriest Posted April 9, 2016 Share Posted April 9, 2016 I don't think dualism by its nature results in Manicheanism. There is a philosophical dualism which one can hold and still reconcile with Christianity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nihil Obstat Posted April 10, 2016 Share Posted April 10, 2016 59 minutes ago, PhuturePriest said: I don't think dualism by its nature results in Manicheanism. There is a philosophical dualism which one can hold and still reconcile with Christianity. Yes, I was actually just about to say the same thing. If we are talking about theological dualism, it seems necessary to have an oppositional evil god, because otherwise I think the problem of evil is not properly solvable. An infinitely good God could not create something which is, at its core, purely evil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peace Posted April 10, 2016 Share Posted April 10, 2016 4 hours ago, Gabriela said: There is a heresy in which one separates the spiritual from the physical and considers the spiritual good and the physical evil. I know this is a part of gnosticism and Albigensianism and a lot of other heresies, and it is a form of dualism, etc. But is there a specific name for this specific belief that the spiritual is good and the physical is bad? I swear I've heard one, but I can't remember it... I am pretty sure that would be Evangelical Protestantism. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nihil Obstat Posted April 10, 2016 Share Posted April 10, 2016 2 minutes ago, Peace said: I am pretty sure that would be Evangelical Protestantism. "Puritanism. The haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be happy." H.L. Mencken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabriela Posted April 10, 2016 Author Share Posted April 10, 2016 43 minutes ago, Peace said: I am pretty sure that would be Evangelical Protestantism. Careful you don't violate the board rules. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peace Posted April 10, 2016 Share Posted April 10, 2016 1 hour ago, Gabriela said: Careful you don't violate the board rules. It's kind of true though. Thomas Howard explains it in a book called "Evangelical is not Enough." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benedictus Posted April 10, 2016 Share Posted April 10, 2016 15 hours ago, Nihil Obstat said: Yes, I was actually just about to say the same thing. If we are talking about theological dualism, it seems necessary to have an oppositional evil god, because otherwise I think the problem of evil is not properly solvable. An infinitely good God could not create something which is, at its core, purely evil. Judaism doesn't have this exact problem. Where is God not if he is all knowing, everywhere present, all powerful, all good? The idea of an equal God like figure having their own power, domain and influence in opposition to God (without his sanction) raises even more issues. It needs some careful nuance anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now