Tag Archives: George MacDonald

The Father, Justice, and the Hermeneutic of Love

Posted on 18 March 2023 by Fr Aidan Kimel

When we confess that God is just, what is it that we mean? Perhaps we mean that God rewards good acts and punishes evil acts in the exact propor­tion they deserve. Let us call this the view of the man … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, George MacDonald, Isaac the Syrian | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Praying for the Consuming Fire of Love

Posted on 13 March 2023 by Fr Aidan Kimel

It is a fantastical fantasy, I know. Even so, I fantasize: If every Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant pastor were to read the Unspoken Sermons of George MacDonald, the Church of Jesus Christ would experience an extraordinary revival in the Holy Spirit. … Continue reading →

Posted in George MacDonald, Justification & Theosis, Preaching | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Ainulindalë: The Ideas of Eru and the Subcreativity of the Ainur

Posted on 28 February 2023 by Fr Aidan Kimel

Before moving on to the next stage of Eru’s creation of Arda, I want to return to the emanation of the Ainur from the One and the significance of their participation in the Great Music.1 The Ainulindalë tells us that … Continue reading →

Posted in Inklings & Company, Mythopoeia | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

The Inescapable Love of God: The Absurdity of Eternal Damnation

Posted on 17 December 2022 by Fr Aidan Kimel

“The very idea of someone freely rejecting God forever,” writes Thomas Talbott, “is deeply incoherent and therefore logically impossible.”1 Given that eternal damnation—whether considered as the infliction of unbearable pain or maximal privation of happiness and satisfaction—represents a fate that no … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Eschatology, Thomas Talbott | Tagged , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Natura Pura in the One-Storey Universe

Posted on 9 May 2022 by Fr Aidan Kimel

I continue with theological highlights of David Hart’s essay “Waking the Gods,” included in his new book You Are Gods. If you have not yet read my article “The One-Storey Universe of David Bentley Hart,” you may find it helpful to … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, David B. Hart, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Penal Substitutionary Atonement and the Living Christ

Posted on 14 April 2022 by Fr Aidan Kimel

The glorification of the Son of God is the glorification of the human race, for the glory of God is the glory of man, and that glory is love! ~ George MacDonald ~ Good Friday—on this day Christians around the … Continue reading →

Posted in George MacDonald, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

St Isaac the Syrian and the Punitive God of the Scriptures

Posted on 9 August 2021 by Fr Aidan Kimel

“Do not call God just,” St Isaac the Syrian scandalously declares, “for His justice is not manifest in the things concerning you.” But surely God punishes the wicked, we quickly retort. Surely there is divine reprisal, an infliction of deserved … Continue reading →

Posted in George MacDonald, Isaac the Syrian | Tagged , , , , , , , | 29 Comments

George MacDonald against Hans Urs von Balthasar on Universal Salvation

Posted on 26 April 2020 by Fr Aidan Kimel

by Jordan Daniel Wood, Ph.D. Many a wrong, and its curing song; Many a road, and many an inn; Room to roam, but only one home For all the world to win. (Eve, in MacDonald’s Lilith) I want to put … Continue reading →

Posted in Eschatology, George MacDonald, Jordan Wood | Tagged , , , , | 46 Comments