From: skb@ute-cmi.ctcpc (Scott Butler, MN, x5036, (612) 894-6562)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian
Subject: Re: some musings on theodicy
Date: 15 Apr 92 07:45:16 GMT
Reply-To: skb@ute-cmi.ctcpc
Organization: Cypress Semiconductor Inc.

In the various "musings" of the original poster and the thread it started,
I have yet to see mention of the sovereignty of God.  What humbled Job
was not just God's power, but the fact that He did not need to consult
others as to how/why He created/decided what He would or wouldn't do.
God is supreme, above reproach.

Is it alright to get angry or express anger at God.  I beleive that God
tolerates this at times because of His mercy and the fact that people
are limited in their understanding.  I also beleive it is folly to be
angry at God, and try to pretend that we are not.  God is not fooled
and healing and knowledge often come from honest expression.  (See many
of David's psalms for example of a man that starts with a bad attitude
but find wisdom, stregth, and attitude adjustment by the end of the
same psalm.)

As to Hell, purhaps a different perspective may help.  It is not so much
that God choses to torture people that do not measure up, but that He
chooses to save (at great expense to Himself) those who will be diverted
from the path to destruction.  As Frank Miller writes in The Singer:
"How can a loving God send people to hell?"
"I do not send people to hell, but neither will I force someone
into heaven that does not want to go."  (Please note that this quote is
from memory, and may not be word for word correct.  If someone might
quote it more correctly please do.)  

The idea is that we are all bound for Hell by our own choices and actions.
It is by God's grace and grace alone that we can be saved from our
deserved punishment.  Hell is not the kind of punishment that a parent
gives a child to correct the childs behavior.  It is a simple consequence
of our choice to leave the presence of God.  The consequense is eternal.

Many speculate that Hell is nothing more than eternal seperation from
the presence of God and that the torture described is to give teeth to
the pain and agony that such a separation would be like.

As for heaven and your musing that only those prepared for it could
survive there, right on!  Not because of some conflict we should be
prepared for, because at the end of the age, all the enemies of God will
be delt with.  But because no one who has not been clothed with the perfect
righteousness that can only be obtained as a gift from Jesus can withstand
the presence of God in his full glory!

This is the hope of all christians, to stand before God, fully accepted
because of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us.  Completely clensed of
all sin, and the consequenced of that sin.  Able to be exactly who God
intended us to be from the beginning, free from the corruption of sin.

Who is like the Lord Almighty?  

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Scott Butler			 	Telephone : (612) 851-5036   
Cypress Semiconductor Inc.	 	Fax       : (612) 851-5199
2401 E. 86th Street		 	E-Mail    : skb@cypress.com   
Bloomington,MN 55425, USA
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