Free will, rocks, and Camus

Since we are all in an uproar regarding free will (see here, here, and here), I’ll toss my idea into the mix. Hypothetically, I am a compatibilist.

In this I mean that, hypothetically, I could see the material aspects of our selves and the world in which we find ourselves as sufficiently influential as to determine some or all of our actions. I am willing to see this as being the way that the God has established the world (or that this is the way it is always set up). In this, I am suggesting that the material world may be designed to bring people to a point wherein they have to make a decision regarding their interaction with God.

In my mind, Camus’s famous essay, The Myth of Sisyphus, is quite helpful. Although Sisyphus has no control over his fate, he is allowed control over his own will. The will is Sisyphus’s alone and, in the essay, he chooses to make his fate his choice, creating an existential hero.

I am saying that it is possible to be a compatibilist if you allow people this one act of free will: whether or not they will submit to the will of God. That act, in similitude of Christ’s act of submission, may be our one true use of free will.

March Mormon Doctrine Madness: Sweet Sixteen wrap-up

I am writing up proposals and applications at the moment, so things have been too hectic of late to keep every thing straight at MMDM headquarters. As a result, I forgot to close the polls yesterday. So, today is the break between the Sweet Sixteen and the Elite Eight. Friday will be the Elite Eight games. Monday will be the Final Four. Wednesday will still be the championship game.

Are you all with me?

Yesterday’s results:

9 – Gordon B. Hinckley 25
11 – Hugh W. Nibley 2

11 – Restoration of Priesthood Authority 19
9 – Word of Wisdom 7

8 – The 2nd Official Declaration 16
11 – Mormon Doctrine 9

6 – Sacrament Meeting 16
4 – Temple Building 10

So, the Elite Eight matches are: Continue reading “March Mormon Doctrine Madness: Sweet Sixteen wrap-up”

Attention All Coptologists!

OK folks, here’s what you’ve been waiting for: publication of the long-lost Gospel of Judas. After being a source of irritation to early church leaders, it went missing about 1,500 years ago. Now due to be published the end of next month, so as to again become a source of irritation to church leaders… Skullduggery, lies, theft…all the good stuff, and just in time for “Da Vinci Code,” too.

Original title: “Long-lost Gospel of Judas to Be Published,” originally dated 19 Dec 05 and published by Religion News

Continue reading “Attention All Coptologists!”

March Mormon Doctrine Madness: Sweet Sixteen, Day One

Here we go:
1 – Joseph Smith vs. 3 – Bruce R. McConkie

Which is the more influential force in Mormonism today?
Joseph Smith
Bruce R. McConkie
  
Free polls from Pollhost.com

10 – Tithing and Consecration vs. 12 – Saving Ordinances

Which is the more influential force in Mormonism today?
Tithing and Consecration
Saving Ordinances
  
Free polls from Pollhost.com

1 – The Book of Mormon vs. 3 – The Doctrine and Covenants

Which is the more influential force in Mormonism today?
The Book of Mormon
The Doctrine and Covenants
  
Free polls from Pollhost.com

10 – The Relief Society vs. 12 – The Young Men’s Program

Which is the more influential force in Mormonism today?
The Relief Society
The Young Men’s Program
  
Free polls from Pollhost.com

Please vote and comment below.

The Uncorrelated Essentials?

So, my wife left the Deseret Book catalogue sitting out, and I felt like maybe I ought to pick it up and take a look. I saw most of what I usually see: yet another J.F. McConkie / Robert Millet collaboration (yawn), new cover designs for old classics (the new Miracle of Forgiveness is spiffy!), and plenty of artwork (none of which is of my stripe). It’s no SBL catalogue, but it seems like a pretty good one for its intended audience.

Now, on page 41, something caught my eye. It’s called “Essential Gospel Library.” Here they featured 3 books and refer the reader to the website (click here) for more. So I went there to see what the essentials were, according to the DB marketing machine (and Correlation?). I was pleasantly surprised and also mystified. Surprises: Discourses of President Gordon B. Hinckley, vols. I & II. I didn’t even know these existed. Very cool. I won’t tell you what books left me mystified, but the list got me thinking. I’m sure there are other posts similar to this in the ‘nacle, so let’s start a new one — nice ‘n fresh!

What are your favorite UNcorrelated essentials for Mormon studies?

3 Rules:

1. You can name as many as you like, but let’s keep the reasons why we like them brief (but not non-existent) but informative. No more than a couple of sentences for each recommendation.

2. Explain why you like such-and-such uncorrelated material in an informative, intelligent way. Saying “this is good” doesn’t help other readers much.

3. No rule here. I just wanted the rules to have the magic number of three (“Trilogy! Trilogy!”). 😉

Let’s have fun.