Theological and Philosophical Biography and Dictionary

OBJECTIONS AGAINST GOD'S EXISTENCE

OBJECTIVE IDEALISM

The objective world is mental but objective, i.e., independent of the human knower alone, because it belongs to an absolute knower or world mind.
Differs from Subjective Idealism (Berkeleyanism) in that it teaches an absolute mind (monism) of which finite minds are manifestations. Subjective Idealism teaches many individual minds (knowers).

OBJECTIVISM

objects are independent of mind and present their properties directly to the knower through sense data.
Things known and sense data are one (epistemological realism as epistemological monism).
See
- Axiological objectivism
- Realism

OCCASIONALISM

The theory that mind and body are separate realities which do not interact but that events occur in one as they occur in the other according as God wills their occurrence. (Malebranche)

Ochino, Bernardino

(1487-1564)

Bernardino Ochino

Italian Roman Catholic preacher

Ockenga, Harold John

(1905-1985)

Harold John Ockenga

US Congregational preacher.

Ockham, William of

(c1300-1349)

William of Ockham

British theologian influenced by Duns Scotus
against Aquinas
reason cannot give us knowledge of God only revelation and faith can
followers called Ockhamists
wrote
1. Summa Logicae
2. Dialogus Inter Magistrum et Discipulum
Said "Doctrines peculiar to revealed theology are not susceptible to proof by pure reason."
Opposed papal infallibility
denied the civil authority of the Church
excommunicated for his views.

Oecolampadius, Johann

(1482-1531)

Johann Oecolampadius

German /Swiss Reformer
trained in law
noted philologist
influenced by Erasmus, Melanchthon, and Luther
close associate of Zwingli

Olford, Stephen

(1918-2004)

Stephen Olford

US Baptist (originally from UK) preacher.

Oman, John Wood

(1860-1939)

John Wood Oman

British Presbyterian theologian
liberal
principal of Westminster College
wrote
1. The Natural and the Supernatural
2. Concerning the Ministry.

ONTOLOGICAL ARGUMENT FOR EXISTENCE OF GOD

I have the idea of something absolutely perfect
In order for it to be absolutely perfect, it must have (among its many other characteristics) existence
Therefore a perfect being must exist

ONTOLOGY

The theory of being as such, i.e., of ultimate reality.

OPERATIONALISM

Also called Operationism.
A theory of knowledge advanced by Bridgman, comparable to Dewey's instrumentalism in the belief that the meaning of a concept is "synonymous with the corresponding set of operations." (Bridgman)

OPERATIONISM

See Operationalism

Orchard, William Edwin

(1877-1955)

William Edwin Orchard

British preacher who was Anglican then Presbyterian then Congregational then Roman Catholic.

Origen

(c 185-254)

Origen

theologian
wrote
1. Against Celsus
2. Fundamental Doctrines (De principiis)
Christians can speculate on anything except the fundamental doctrines
he held to reincarnation
ultimate restoration to God of all creatures including the devil
held three forms of hermeneutic which allowed for allegorizing truth
note spelling of his name "--en" not "--in"

ORIGIN OF LIFE

Four possibilities:
1. Divine creation (biblical supernaturalism, biblical theism)
2. Interstellar origin (Anaxagoras, Arrhenius, Helmholtz, Lord Kelvin, et al.)
3. Hylozoism, animism all nature is alive (primitivism, pre-Socratic Milesian philosophy, et al.)
4. Evolution from inorganic matter (now the most widely held view; originally held by Anaximander, Lucretius, et al.).