No need to apologize Bill, the question of evil and it's origins, is a sticky one, for Christians and non Christians alike. Mill thought he had a stopper for Christianity with his formulation that given the existence of evil God is either not all powerful, or He is not loving or good. The Bible clearly asserts that God is both. I have yet to come across a theodicy that I personally find compelling, or that didn't give raise, to even greater questions, perhaps you know of one? However, before people get to excited they should ask themselves how they account for the existence of Good. This has led many people to throw up their hands and assert that neither Good, nor Evil, actually exist at all. This is the logical conclusion to a universe devoid of God, and yet we can't and won't live like that. People like Gould want it both ways. He wants to expunge God from the psyches of the ignorant masses who stubbornly refuse to abandon their irrational belief in God, but then he himself, faced with the overwhelming face of evil, reverts to talking like a Sunday school teacher. Apparently the irony of such an occurrence, was lost on every one but me. Poet responded to it by attacking me personally, and I in turn responded poorly myself.
My perspective is a blatantly Christian one. I make no apologies for it, and I am constantly attacked for it. So be it. I believe that God demonstrated His love for us, and His hatred for evil, not just in Word, but in deed, at the cross. I believe Christ conquered death and rose the third day physically from the dead. And I believe that if that's not true then we are hopeless.
I have to run, to teach a class.
Have a good day I look forward to hearing your response.
Greg |
