Comments on: # 2: How Could a Good God Allow Suffering? http://watermarkblogs.org/shelflife/2010/01/2-how-could-a-good-god-allow-suffering/ Read, Reflect & Respond Online Fri, 14 Jan 2011 11:28:56 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Matthew http://watermarkblogs.org/shelflife/2010/01/2-how-could-a-good-god-allow-suffering/comment-page-1/#comment-118 Matthew Thu, 14 Jan 2010 19:11:12 +0000 http://watermarkblogs.org/shelflife/?p=112#comment-118 Herb, Your kind words are encouraging. Thank you. Herb,

Your kind words are encouraging. Thank you.

]]> By: Herb Thomas http://watermarkblogs.org/shelflife/2010/01/2-how-could-a-good-god-allow-suffering/comment-page-1/#comment-116 Herb Thomas Wed, 13 Jan 2010 23:36:14 +0000 http://watermarkblogs.org/shelflife/?p=112#comment-116 Matthew, I really enjoyed reading your article "Evil Defined as Privation of the Good" 8/3/09 on your website at anthologicalprolegomena.com especially "Satan himself, the once great Lucifer, archangel of light, is but a wafer of his former glory. Satan, like Gollum, like Adam and Eve, were all guilty in the same mannar. Instead of receiving in love what was given to them, they tried to possess it all. Sin, in this light, manifests itself in the creature as a sort of grasping, not accepting what is given to us as a gift from the Creator. As such, evil turns us away from God and towards self pursuit, casting us into an abyss of self destruction. Evil then is a perversion both of the divinely created substance and of the human heart desiring such object. Influence, wine, shelter, love, etc. All are gracious gifts from God too often abused by a wicked heart. The consequence of such abuse is murder, greed, and selfishness, let alone war, global debt, and environmental irresponsibility. Evil as privation of the good is evident not only in genocide and tyranny, but in all those we know whose lives have been partially destroyed, even in small ways, eaten away through their turing away from God and neighbor and instead towards self. We too know this in ourselves." Also thank you for referencing books on the subject by Bishop N.T. Wright and the great Rev. Canon Dr. Samuel Wells. You are a wealth of information and make some excellent points on Christ’s role as the Suffering Servant. Thank you for your contribution to this blog. Herb Matthew, I really enjoyed reading your article “Evil Defined as Privation of the Good” 8/3/09 on your website at anthologicalprolegomena.com especially “Satan himself, the once great Lucifer, archangel of light, is but a wafer of his former glory. Satan, like Gollum, like Adam and Eve, were all guilty in the same mannar. Instead of receiving in love what was given to them, they tried to possess it all. Sin, in this light, manifests itself in the creature as a sort of grasping, not accepting what is given to us as a gift from the Creator. As such, evil turns us away from God and towards self pursuit, casting us into an abyss of self destruction. Evil then is a perversion both of the divinely created substance and of the human heart desiring such object. Influence, wine, shelter, love, etc. All are gracious gifts from God too often abused by a wicked heart. The consequence of such abuse is murder, greed, and selfishness, let alone war, global debt, and environmental irresponsibility. Evil as privation of the good is evident not only in genocide and tyranny, but in all those we know whose lives have been partially destroyed, even in small ways, eaten away through their turing away from God and neighbor and instead towards self. We too know this in ourselves.” Also thank you for referencing books on the subject by Bishop N.T. Wright and the great Rev. Canon Dr. Samuel Wells. You are a wealth of information and make some excellent points on Christ’s role as the Suffering Servant. Thank you for your contribution to this blog. Herb

]]> By: Matthew http://watermarkblogs.org/shelflife/2010/01/2-how-could-a-good-god-allow-suffering/comment-page-1/#comment-114 Matthew Wed, 13 Jan 2010 21:29:13 +0000 http://watermarkblogs.org/shelflife/?p=112#comment-114 Here. A few points, as I have little time and require much brevity. First, I would point the interested to several good works regarding God's answer to Evil and Suffering. Both Bishop N.T. Wright's "Evil and the Justice of God" and "Surprised by Hope" are written for the popular audience and incredibly readable while not compromising on necessary depth and poignance. Additionally, I would highly recommend "God's Companions: Reimagining Christian Ethics" by the great Rev. Canon Dr. Samuel Wells. It is imperative, I believe, to also understand Sin and Evil in relation to God and Creation; in that, Evil is privation of the good. Not too long ago I wrote about this, so I will direct you to here: http://www.anthologicalprolegomena.com/2009/08/evil-defined-as-privation-of-good.html Thirdly, it is so important t0 heavily consider Christ's role as the Suffering Servant, which really found feet in Judaic (and then subsequently Christian) theology through the prophet Isaiah. While skeptics indeed argue that God, if existent, is far and aloof, Christianity confesses that through Christ, God came to earth and tabernacled with us - yet, He was not just among us in proximity, but He took on flesh and became one of us. The glorification of the Christ did not come immediately as some majestic ruling king descending from the clouds without struggle. No. The path to glory lead straight through the nails of the cross, through suffering. Furthermore, innocent suffering (to somewhat relate to Herb's point). I believe the author of Hebrews says it best: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set out for him He endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Think of him who endured such opposition against himself by sinners, so that you may not grow weary in your souls and give up." Our God is one who brings life out of death. Lastly, I believe a proper theology and participation regarding the sacraments, the Eucharist in particular, greatly aids the Christian during this present age, an era in which we are called and enabled to share in God's redemption and renewing within a groaning world as we await His kingdom to come to earth in its fullness. For this, I will simply turn to Dr. Wells and beseech his voice to be heard on the matter. Here. A few points, as I have little time and require much brevity.

First, I would point the interested to several good works regarding God’s answer to Evil and Suffering. Both Bishop N.T. Wright’s “Evil and the Justice of God” and “Surprised by Hope” are written for the popular audience and incredibly readable while not compromising on necessary depth and poignance. Additionally, I would highly recommend “God’s Companions: Reimagining Christian Ethics” by the great Rev. Canon Dr. Samuel Wells.

It is imperative, I believe, to also understand Sin and Evil in relation to God and Creation; in that, Evil is privation of the good. Not too long ago I wrote about this, so I will direct you to here: http://www.anthologicalprolegomena.com/2009/08/evil-defined-as-privation-of-good.html

Thirdly, it is so important t0 heavily consider Christ’s role as the Suffering Servant, which really found feet in Judaic (and then subsequently Christian) theology through the prophet Isaiah. While skeptics indeed argue that God, if existent, is far and aloof, Christianity confesses that through Christ, God came to earth and tabernacled with us – yet, He was not just among us in proximity, but He took on flesh and became one of us. The glorification of the Christ did not come immediately as some majestic ruling king descending from the clouds without struggle. No. The path to glory lead straight through the nails of the cross, through suffering. Furthermore, innocent suffering (to somewhat relate to Herb’s point).

I believe the author of Hebrews says it best:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set out for him He endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Think of him who endured such opposition against himself by sinners, so that you may not grow weary in your souls and give up.”

Our God is one who brings life out of death.

Lastly, I believe a proper theology and participation regarding the sacraments, the Eucharist in particular, greatly aids the Christian during this present age, an era in which we are called and enabled to share in God’s redemption and renewing within a groaning world as we await His kingdom to come to earth in its fullness. For this, I will simply turn to Dr. Wells and beseech his voice to be heard on the matter.

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