{"id":38229,"date":"2016-12-19T14:51:37","date_gmt":"2016-12-19T19:51:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/?p=38229"},"modified":"2019-11-05T20:41:40","modified_gmt":"2019-11-06T02:41:40","slug":"podcast-164-on-counting-gods","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/podcast-164-on-counting-gods\/","title":{"rendered":"podcast 164 &#8211; On Counting Gods"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"powerpress_player\" id=\"powerpress_player_4246\"><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-38229-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/trinities\/p\/trinities.org\/blog\/wp-content\/podcast\/trinities164.mp3?_=1\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/trinities\/p\/trinities.org\/blog\/wp-content\/podcast\/trinities164.mp3\">http:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/trinities\/p\/trinities.org\/blog\/wp-content\/podcast\/trinities164.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/div><p class=\"powerpress_links powerpress_links_mp3\" style=\"margin-bottom: 1px !important;\">Podcast: <a href=\"http:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/trinities\/p\/trinities.org\/blog\/wp-content\/podcast\/trinities164.mp3\" class=\"powerpress_link_pinw\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Play in new window\" onclick=\"return powerpress_pinw('https:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/?powerpress_pinw=38229-podcast');\" rel=\"nofollow\">Play in new window<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/media.blubrry.com\/trinities\/p\/trinities.org\/blog\/wp-content\/podcast\/trinities164.mp3\" class=\"powerpress_link_d\" title=\"Download\" rel=\"nofollow\" download=\"trinities164.mp3\">Download<\/a><\/p><p class=\"powerpress_links powerpress_subscribe_links\">Subscribe: <a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/7FuUF9DZM3zhtN41n6RJ6l\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_spotify\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe on Spotify\" rel=\"nofollow\">Spotify<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/subscribebyemail.com\/trinities.org\/blog\/feed\/podcast\/\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_email\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe by Email\" rel=\"nofollow\">Email<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/feed\/podcast\/\" class=\"powerpress_link_subscribe powerpress_link_subscribe_rss\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Subscribe via RSS\" rel=\"nofollow\">RSS<\/a><\/p><p><a href=\"http:\/\/revistatheologica.com\/index.php\/rtl\/article\/view\/9\/11http:\/\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-38231\" src=\"http:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/On-Counting-Gods-figure-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"434\" height=\"322\" srcset=\"https:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/On-Counting-Gods-figure-1.png 500w, https:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/On-Counting-Gods-figure-1-300x223.png 300w, https:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/On-Counting-Gods-figure-1-420x312.png 420w, https:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/On-Counting-Gods-figure-1-460x341.png 460w, https:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/On-Counting-Gods-figure-1-90x67.png 90w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 434px) 100vw, 434px\" \/><\/a>The terms <strong>&#8220;atheism,&#8221; &#8220;monotheism,&#8221; and &#8220;polytheism&#8221;<\/strong> seem straightforward enough, but in fact there is unclarity in how a lot of scholars think and write about these, due to the ambiguity of the term &#8220;theism.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>In this talk at Boston College in December of 2016, based on my recently published paper &#8220;On Counting Gods,&#8221; <strong>I distinguish these concepts: <em>deity, God, The Ultimate<\/em><\/strong>, and show how they are logically related to one another.<\/p>\n<p>The result is, I claim, <strong>a better scheme for classifying religious worldviews<\/strong>, shown in two of the charts below. I explain briefly here how I think this scheme helps in thinking about views about deities etc. in Christiany, Hinduism, Islam, and Buddhism, and my interlocutors ask how this relates to Christ and to various Trinity theories.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Thanks to Dr. Daniel McKaughan<\/strong> of Boston College and his graduate students for a stimulating discussion! The link to the full paper is just below.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Links for this episode:<a href=\"http:\/\/revistatheologica.com\/index.php\/rtl\/article\/view\/9\/11http:\/\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-38233\" src=\"http:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/On-Counting-Gods-figure-2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"320\" srcset=\"https:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/On-Counting-Gods-figure-2.png 500w, https:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/On-Counting-Gods-figure-2-300x192.png 300w, https:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/On-Counting-Gods-figure-2-420x269.png 420w, https:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/On-Counting-Gods-figure-2-460x294.png 460w, https:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/On-Counting-Gods-figure-2-90x58.png 90w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>&#8220;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ojs.uclouvain.be\/index.php\/theologica\/article\/view\/153\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">On Counting Gods<\/a><\/strong>&#8220;<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bc.edu\/schools\/cas\/philosophy\/faculty\/mckaughan.html\">Daniel McKaughan<\/a>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/podcast-147-dr-daniel-mckaughan-on-faith-part-1\/\">podcast 147 \u2013 Dr. Daniel McKaughan on faith \u2013 Part 1<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Deuteronomy 10:17; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Isaiah 40:17; Rev 4:8-11; Revelation 5:9-14; Hebrews 1:8-9; Genesis 1:26.<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/podcast-97-dr-michael-heiser-on-the-unseen-realm\/\">podcast 97 \u2013 Dr. Michael Heiser on The Unseen Realm<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/religion\/people\/faculty\/bios\/fredriksen\/\">Paula Fredriksen<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/gs.academia.edu\/CarlMosser\">Carl Mosser<\/a>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/podcast-59-dr-carl-mosser-on-salvation-as-deification\/\">podcast 59 \u2013 Dr. Carl Mosser on salvation as deification<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Joseph-Priestley\">Joseph Priestley<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.iep.utm.edu\/epicur\/\">Epicurus of Samos<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/profiles.arts.monash.edu.au\/graham-oppy\/\">Graham Oppy<\/a>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/podcast-160-dr-graham-oppy-on-the-conflict-between-christianity-and-philosophy\/\">podcast 160 \u2013 Dr. Graham Oppy on the Conflict between Christianity and Philosophy<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/plato.stanford.edu\/entries\/henry-more\/\">Henry More<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.iep.utm.edu\/cudworth\/\">Ralph Cudworth<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/podcast-96-dr-winfried-corduan-on-the-case-for-original-monotheism\/\">podcast 96 \u2013 Dr. Winfried Corduan on the case for original monotheism<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/revistatheologica.com\/index.php\/rtl\/article\/view\/9\/11\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-38234\" src=\"http:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/On-Counting-Gods-figure-3.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"414\" height=\"182\" srcset=\"https:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/On-Counting-Gods-figure-3.png 500w, https:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/On-Counting-Gods-figure-3-300x132.png 300w, https:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/On-Counting-Gods-figure-3-420x185.png 420w, https:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/On-Counting-Gods-figure-3-460x202.png 460w, https:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/On-Counting-Gods-figure-3-90x40.png 90w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 414px) 100vw, 414px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/?s=revelation+worship\">posts on the worship of God and of Jesus in Revelation<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/passing-fesers-laugh-test\/\">Passing Feser\u2019s Laugh Test<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/plato.stanford.edu\/entries\/scottus-eriugena\/\">John Scottus Eriugena<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>&#8220;<a href=\"http:\/\/journalofanalytictheology.com\/jat\/index.php\/jat\/article\/view\/jat.2014-1.030004192024a\/232\">Divine Deception and Monotheism<\/a>&#8220;<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/who-should-christians-worship\/\">Who Should Christians Worship?<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Paul-Tillich\">Paul Tillich<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/revistatheologica.com\/index.php\/rtl\/article\/view\/9\/11http:\/\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-38235\" src=\"http:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/On-Counting-Gods-figure-4.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"422\" height=\"359\" srcset=\"https:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/On-Counting-Gods-figure-4.png 765w, https:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/On-Counting-Gods-figure-4-300x255.png 300w, https:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/On-Counting-Gods-figure-4-420x357.png 420w, https:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/On-Counting-Gods-figure-4-460x391.png 460w, https:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/On-Counting-Gods-figure-4-90x77.png 90w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 422px) 100vw, 422px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/haifa.academia.edu\/SamLebens\">Sam Lebens<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/plato.stanford.edu\/entries\/analogy-medieval\/\">Medieval Theories of Analogy<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.iep.utm.edu\/reli-div\/#SH2e\">John Hick&#8217;s Ultimism<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.iep.utm.edu\/hindu-ph\/#SSH3f.iii\">Advaita Vedanta and Sankara<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/hurtado-on-the-worship-of-jesus\/\">Hurtado on the early worship of Jesus<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.iep.utm.edu\/augustin\/\">Augustine<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.iep.utm.edu\/plato\/\">Plato<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/podcast-74-justin-martyrs-dialogue-with-trypho-part-1\/\">podcast 74 \u2013 Justin Martyr\u2019s Dialogue with Trypho \u2013 Part 1<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>&#8220;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.oxfordhandbooks.com\/view\/10.1093\/oxfordhb\/9780199935314.001.0001\/oxfordhb-9780199935314-e-27?rskey=dROwmD&amp;result=1\">Metaphysics and Logic of the Trinity<\/a>&#8220;<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/plato.stanford.edu\/entries\/trinity\/\">one-self vs. three-self vs. mysterian Trinity theories<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/plato.stanford.edu\/entries\/descartes\/\">Descartes<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/podcast-27-interview-with-dr-william-hasker-about-his-metaphysics-and-the-tripersonal-god-part-1\/\">podcast 27 \u2013 Interview with Dr. William Hasker about his <em>Metaphysics and the Tripersonal God<\/em> \u2013 Part 1 <\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/podcast-57-richard-swinburne-on-the-trinity\/\">podcast 57 \u2013 Richard Swinburne on the Trinity<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/buddhist-positive-mysterianism\/\">Buddhist positive mysterianism<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Sommer, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/s\/ref=assoc_res_sw_view_all?tag=trinitiesorg-20&amp;link_code=w14&amp;linkID=ISZSX35I27NLT3KG&amp;_encoding=UTF-8&amp;field-keywords=Sommer%2C+The+Bodies+of+GOd\"><em>The Bodies of God and the World of Ancient Israel<\/em><\/a><\/li>\n<li>This episode&#8217;s thinking music is <strong>&#8220;<a href=\"http:\/\/freemusicarchive.org\/music\/Spinning_Clocks\/Spirits_in_the_Juice\/Circle_Round\">Circle Round<\/a>&#8220;<\/strong> by <a href=\"http:\/\/freemusicarchive.org\/music\/Spinning_Clocks\/\">Spinning Clocks<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The terms &#8220;atheism,&#8221; &#8220;monotheism,&#8221; and &#8220;polytheism&#8221; seem straightforward enough&#8230; BUT important ambiguity lurks in the root term &#8220;theism.&#8221;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":38231,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"neve_meta_sidebar":"default","neve_meta_container":"default","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"off","neve_meta_content_width":70,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"off","neve_meta_disable_footer":"off","neve_meta_disable_title":"off","footnotes":""},"categories":[37,71,63,21,46,15,75,45,14,59,38,47,9,57,66,43,53],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-38229","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-apologetics","category-atheism","category-being","category-bible","category-buddhism","category-christology","category-divine-attributes","category-hinduism","category-history","category-islam","category-monotheism","category-papers","category-philosophy","category-podcast","category-religious-diversity","category-unitarianism","category-worship"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38229","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38229"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38229\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":41938,"href":"https:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38229\/revisions\/41938"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/38231"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38229"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38229"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trinities.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38229"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}