Tag Archives: George MacDonald

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

The Holy Freedom of Sir Gibbie and the Gnomic Will

Posted on 31 March 2020 by Fr Aidan Kimel

In his book That All Shall Be Saved, David Hart adduces the important distinction between the natural will and the gnomic will: In the terms of the great Maximus the Confessor (c. 580-662), the “natural will” within us, which is … Continue reading →

Posted in George MacDonald | Tagged , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Penal Substitutionary Atonement and the Living Christ

Posted on 16 April 2019 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 is almost upon us. In three … Continue reading →

Posted in George MacDonald | Tagged , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

The Hell of Self and the Redemption of the Outer Darkness

Posted on 9 April 2019 by Fr Aidan Kimel

In his unspoken sermons George MacDonald takes up the task of redefining our inherited notions of justice and punishment. The principle of retribution, he avers, is an unfit vehicle for the proclamation of the gospel. The lex talionis must be jettisoned. … Continue reading →

Posted in Eschatology, George MacDonald | Tagged , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

The True Grit of God’s Justice

Posted on 8 April 2019 by Fr Aidan Kimel

Is God bound to punish sin? George MacDonald’s answer is no. If the answer were yes, then forgiveness would be impossible. Justice and mercy would find themselves opposed to each other, generating a schism within the Godhead. But we know that … Continue reading →

Posted in Eschatology, George MacDonald | Tagged , , , , , | 12 Comments