Entailment, Contradiction, and Christian Theism

This Element administers a logical framework for thinking about and addressing theological issues.

Jc Beall (Author), Michael DeVito (Author)

9781108995429, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 30 March 2023

68 pages
23 x 15.4 x 0.5 cm, 0.15 kg

Apparent contradiction is common in traditional monotheism, and perhaps especially so in standard Christian theology given central doctrines such as the incarnation and trinity. This Element aims to chart out a very elementary but abstract framework through which such contradictions may be approached. This Element does not attempt to address the many options for thinking about contradictions in the face of logical entailment; it charts only a few salient abstract options.

Introduction
Part I. Tools, Terminology and Basic Ideas: 1. Entailment, contradiction and theories
2. The threat of contradiction
3. Outline of target abstract responses in general
Part II. Two Principal Examples: 4. One central example: incarnation
5. Partial theology: responses to the incarnation
6. Robust theology: responses to the incarnation
7. Another central example: trinity
8. Partial theology: responses to the trinity
9. Robust theology: responses to the trinity
Part III. Towards Other Examples of Contradiction: Part IV. Some Common Objections to Glut-Theoretic Theology: Part V. Closing Takeaways: References.

Subject Areas: Philosophy of religion [HRAB]