Henri Blocher And Carl Henry On Christ as Remedy (PhD Edit)

Red Cardinal Oil: by Caron Smed, Lake Country BC: Thank you Caron.

Henri Blocher (1994) notes theodicy are failures in themselves and must have ideas within that square with Biblical revelation in order to be true and beneficial.[1]  I do not agree that all theodicy are failures in themselves,[2] but can grant a Christian theodicy needs the support of Scripture,[3] which connects the reader to the salvific work of Christ.[4]  As mentioned in Chapter One in my Doctorate, he explains that philosophical explanations have failed in dealing with the problem of evil.[5]  Although I somewhat disagree with this comment,[6] I can acknowledge philosophical theodicy does not take the place of effective practical theology that can assist a sufferer in having a true Christian religious experience.  Carl Henry (1983), also noted in Chapter One, reasons that theistic arguments do not in themselves vindicate God,[7] and God’s revelation is required.[8]  In other words, through the study of Scripture and personal experience with God through revelation, the creator can be better understood,[9] even though he willingly allows evil.[10]  

July 10, 2013

The understanding can be taken from the works of Blocher and Henry that even reasonable, logical successful theodicies and defences, and I favour a Reformed sovereignty approach, within the disciplines of Philosophy and Theology still basically primarily deal with the theoretical. When I passed my Wales, Bangor MPhil thesis only degree it was determined by academic reviewers that I had reasonably and logically dealt with the problem of evil, primarily. When I had passed my Wales, Trinity Saint David, PhD thesis only degree it was determined by academic reviewers that I had reasonably and logically dealt with theodicy and the problem of evil,  primarily.  In both cases I had adequately dealt with complex theories as well as practical and empirical theologies, but in the non-academic real world massive problems of logical evils, gratuitous evils, and what I deem subtle evils as well as related sufferings still exist on personal and corporate levels throughout the world, quite obviously, even if my theodicy is reasonable and for the most part sound.  But it is the remedy, the atoning work of Christ and the resurrection from Scripture that Blocher and Henry are referring to. Yes, these are definitely and definitively mentioned throughout my two theses, and so in that regard I am in agreement with Blocher and Henry, my works although done via secular Universities in Wales were Biblically rooted.  The remedy to the problem of evil is ultimately not in a correct theological or philosophical answer but in the culminated work of Christ. The academic can however, assist to explain the remedy and related issues.

Revelation 21: 1-7

21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. ² And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. ³ And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will ^[a]dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them^[b], ⁴ and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”

⁵ And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He *said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” ⁶ Then He said to me, “^[c]It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. ⁷ He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.

BLOCHER, HENRI. (1994) Evil and the Cross, Translated by David G. Preston, Leicester, InterVarsity Press.

HENRY, CARL (1983) God, Revelation and Authority: Volume 6: God Who Stands and Stays, Waco, Word Books.

HENRY, CARL (1996) ‘Image of God’, in Walter A. Elwell (ed.), EvangelicalDictionary of Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Books.

WILLIAMS, ROWAN (2000) On Christian Theology, Blackwell Publishing, Oxford.

WILLIAMS, ROWAN (2007) Wrestling with Angels, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids.

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[1] Blocher (1994: 84).

[2] Blocher (1994: 84).

[3] Henry (1983: 282). 

[4] Rowan Williams suggests Scripture becomes the Word in fidelity to Christ, as preaching becomes the Word in fidelity to Scripture, and Christ is himself the divine act as such.  ‘God reveals himself through himself.’  Williams  (2007: 108-109).  I agree, God reveals himself through the Holy Spirit inspiring Scripture and presenting Christ.

[5] Blocher (1994: 84).

[6] Blocher (1994: 84).

[7] Henry (1983: 282).

[8] Henry (1983: 282).

[9] Henry (1983: 282).

[10] Henry (1983: 282).

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