Steve,
there is a large difference here in defining punishment for a child and eternal punishment for a soul.
If I was a good enough teacher, and had enough patience and wisdom to be able to teach my children without ever having to punish them, but only by loving them, I would certainly do it. I would be ecstatic at the very prospect of it.
the reality is that I am a man. a man with very visible and all too real flaws. a man who's d ay can be affected by bills, health, stress, traffic, and a myriad of other issues. Unfortunately, these factors sometimes influence how I deal with my loved ones. I am not strong enough or wise enough to be able to deal with my family in the most perfect way
imaginable. I wish I was.
On the other hand, when dealing with your eternal soul, the story is different. when you stand in judgement before God(after death), I hope god is not worried about what traffic is like on the Kennedy expressway:-)
God, according to your beiefs, is the epitome of unconditional love(my belief also) and infinite wisdom. He is/should be the greatest teacher/motivator/ rehabilitator, etc. To teach through love should not be beyond the scope of his ability. If not, how can we explain any less than to perform to the best of his ability for everyone?
Under such circumstances, how could we ever explain banning your soul to eternal punishment and torture? Should ghandi burn in eternal flame, because felt he was beyond redemption, for not recognizing him by name? Rehabilitating ghandi is beyond his scope and power as a teacher and redeemer of souls?
Mark |
