Introduction to neo-classical theism
pp. 197-206
in: Jeanine Diller, Asa Kasher (eds), Models of God and alternative ultimate realities, Berlin, Springer, 2013Abstract
It is obvious from the title that neo-classical models of the divine nature are described as such in reference to their departure from classical theism. But, as often happens with similar terms such as neo-conservative or neo-orthodox, it's not always completely obvious exactly what is supposed to be new about such views, as the Greek prefix suggests. I begin thus, as this volume as a whole does, with classical theism. I"ll show how a number of models which get labeled neo-classical are attempts to be continuous, in at least one sense, with classical theism while introducing new ways of conceiving the divine nature which warrant calling them neo-classical models.