Highlighted key excerpts mentioning peace within my PhD. Theodicy and Practical Theology, The University of Wales, Trinity Saint David, Lampeter (2010).
Brightman the finite God and peace
Brightman reasons that God is not fixed but is still growing and expanding. God is therefore finite for Brightman. Brightman (1930: 94). He questions traditional concepts that God is a metaphysical unity that is perfectly at peace with self, as in no struggle, instead God may not be so separate from the physical world and the struggles that go with it. Brightman (1930: 94). Brightman reasons there are struggles within the divine being and God has genuine problems to deal with in the physical realm as a finite and limited God. Brightman (1930: 94). The expansion of God means he must lack some knowledge and power, and this view contradicts those within theology that place a strong emphasis on God’s sovereignty, as does Calvinism and Reformed theology.
The infinite biblical God
I view the finite God as logically possible but would still leave the need for the infinite first cause. Ultimately, I reason that even if human beings were created by a finite God, the ultimate first cause is the one that human beings should ultimately appeal to as this being could overrule the lesser deity. I would make any appeal for everlasting life to the most powerful good being in existence. The infinite God is a more reasonable and certain source of peace than a finite one.
Weber explains that only God could bring peace to God and humanity, and this takes place through Christ. Weber (1955)(1981: 383). Christ stood completely with human beings and yet was God. Weber (1955)(1981: 383). Bonhoeffer deduces that Christ transforms the mortal agony of his martyrs by granting them peace in his assured presence. Bonhoeffer (1937)(1963: 101). This type of sacrifice, to Bonhoeffer, is how those who follow Christ overcome suffering as Christ did. Bonhoeffer (1937)(1963: 101).
BONHOEFFER, DIETRICH (1931)(1996) Act and Being, Translated from the German Edition, Hans-Richard Reuter (ed.), English Edition, Wayne Whitson Floyd, Jr., (ed.), Translated by H. Martin Rumscheidt, Fortress Press, Minneapolis.
BONHOEFFER, DIETRICH (1937)(1963) The Cost of Discipleship, Collier Books, Macmillan Publishing Company, New York.
BRIGHTMAN, EDGAR SHEFFIELD (1930) The Problem of God, New York, The Abingdon Press.
BRIGHTMAN, EDGAR SHEFFIELD (1940) A Philosophy of Religion, New York, Prentice-Hall.
BRIGHTMAN, EDGAR SHEFFIELD (1958) Person and Reality, New York, Ronald Press.
WEBER, OTTO (1955)(1981) Foundations of Dogmatics, Volumes 1 and 2, Translated and annotated by Darrell L. Guder, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
