This is not directly related to the problem of suffering but is certainly related to asking such questions. Here is a quote from Dave Tomlinson, author of Re-Enchanging Christianity
"The assumption is often made that those who struggle with doubts and questions, those who drift away from the Church or even mainstream Christianity, are in some way spiritually substandard; that they lack the grit or piety to pursue the Christian faith. Yet the reality is quite often the reverse: it is the doubters, the people who have outgrown the hand-me-downs of religous certainty yet who continue to ask the questions, who are on a genuine faith journey."
He goes on:
"This begs the question: are churches supposed to be gatherings of like-minded believers who all share the same views on the Holy Trinity, salvation, the priesthood, sexuality, the infallibility of scripture and the meaning of the ten-horned beast in Revelation? Or should they, as I believe, be communities of openess and diversity, where sceptics, doubters and dissenters are as welcome as those who appear pefectly settled with the tenets of their faith?"
Its nice when someone else puts in to words how you are feeling.
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
Monday, 25 April 2011
The problem of suffering
I've never really, properly tackled this problem. Its always been one of those 'big questions' that, for some reason, I've not found particularly difficult to deal with. I don't know if this is just because I've not really thought about it extensively though. I think its starting to bother me now.
Why do people suffer? Why do the innocent die? Why do the rich/powerful continue to prosper at the expense of those at the bottom of the pile? How is this compatible with a loving, all powerful God?
My immediate response would be something like.... they may suffer now but its not the last word. God will make things right.
I'm going to go on a journey and attempt to examine the problem of suffering. I'm going to look at what the bible and christian tradition has to say about the subject and I'm going to see what I come up with.
Is the reality of suffering compatible with the existence of the God of the bible?
Why do people suffer? Why do the innocent die? Why do the rich/powerful continue to prosper at the expense of those at the bottom of the pile? How is this compatible with a loving, all powerful God?
My immediate response would be something like.... they may suffer now but its not the last word. God will make things right.
I'm going to go on a journey and attempt to examine the problem of suffering. I'm going to look at what the bible and christian tradition has to say about the subject and I'm going to see what I come up with.
Is the reality of suffering compatible with the existence of the God of the bible?
Friday, 1 April 2011
keeping perspective
I'm amazed at how I can talk about God in such an offhand kind of way. And then find myself in church mouthing words to a great song yet my mind isn't engaged. And then i'm chatting away using words like 'hell' without consciously acknowledging the reality for people i love or even myself.
And this indifference is displayed time and time again in me whether consciously or subversively. The biggest challenge for me at the moment is to take the knowledge I have in my head, and truly feel it with my heart. In other words I need to take Jesus' message and let it transform my life.
This, i think, actually isn't that difficult. It's just i'm usually in so much of a rush to pocket a good answer to my question that I forget to actually apply it, or let it properly affect me. I feel like I need to exercise my emotional comprehension - it's the spiritual war - though a more tactful one than a rage: apathy vs empathy, indifference vs compassion, ignorance vs acknowledgement. There is a choice for me in my every response to any situation. And there is a good and holy spirit within me, prompting me to do good.
It's interesting because the word for mind 마음 (Ma-eum) in korean is also used to mean heart. I like the idea that a 'renewed mind' would involve my heart somehow.
I want what I know about Jesus and my maker to change me, and I want my actions to reflect what I feel and believe about Him.
It all seems to come back to that brilliant verse: 'seek first the kingdom of God'. Good perspective, it seems, changes everything.
So I'm all up for ideas on how to go about 'seeking'.
looking to God and then acknowledging my need for change, and a want for it, is probably a good place to start. Effort and practice, too, definitely have a part to play. and both spontaneity and routine are useful - though i'm not sure which one is more beneficial because sometimes routines such as reading the bible at a set time or making a place or time for prayer can be quite freeing when i need starting place, which is something spontaneous payer or worship often makes difficult. people too, they help give me perspective. Meditation? I definitely don't do enough of that.
A final quote, and important lesson is: 'to be continuously fascinated by God'
And this indifference is displayed time and time again in me whether consciously or subversively. The biggest challenge for me at the moment is to take the knowledge I have in my head, and truly feel it with my heart. In other words I need to take Jesus' message and let it transform my life.
This, i think, actually isn't that difficult. It's just i'm usually in so much of a rush to pocket a good answer to my question that I forget to actually apply it, or let it properly affect me. I feel like I need to exercise my emotional comprehension - it's the spiritual war - though a more tactful one than a rage: apathy vs empathy, indifference vs compassion, ignorance vs acknowledgement. There is a choice for me in my every response to any situation. And there is a good and holy spirit within me, prompting me to do good.
It's interesting because the word for mind 마음 (Ma-eum) in korean is also used to mean heart. I like the idea that a 'renewed mind' would involve my heart somehow.
I want what I know about Jesus and my maker to change me, and I want my actions to reflect what I feel and believe about Him.
It all seems to come back to that brilliant verse: 'seek first the kingdom of God'. Good perspective, it seems, changes everything.
So I'm all up for ideas on how to go about 'seeking'.
looking to God and then acknowledging my need for change, and a want for it, is probably a good place to start. Effort and practice, too, definitely have a part to play. and both spontaneity and routine are useful - though i'm not sure which one is more beneficial because sometimes routines such as reading the bible at a set time or making a place or time for prayer can be quite freeing when i need starting place, which is something spontaneous payer or worship often makes difficult. people too, they help give me perspective. Meditation? I definitely don't do enough of that.
A final quote, and important lesson is: 'to be continuously fascinated by God'
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