Greater suffering, greater sin?

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From

2003 The Problem of Evil: Anglican and Baptist Perspectives: MPhil thesis, Bangor University 

MPhil 2003

Statement twenty-seven:

This statement stated: The case of Job demonstrates that the evil experienced by an individual may not be related to their level of personal godliness. With both groups, 96% agreed and 4% disagreed. This response is good to see because a Theology which insists that people suffering in the greatest measure are the greatest sinners, is very dangerous as it is error. Job was a very righteous man and he suffered greatly because God willed it for the greater good.

Referenced with edits

Job April 12 2014

Job's lack of insight into divine plans of deity made the plans of God, 'dark and made God's dealing seem arbitrary'. Clines (1986: 546).

This can be tied back to concepts from my MPhil and PhD work as in the infinite, sovereign and yet holy and good God, causing and willing evil, as first cause (primary cause), yet for the good. And for the good for those in Christ that love him called according to his divine purpose (Romans 8).

Many times from a human perspective God's plans and actions seem dark, harsh and cruel and from a human perspective this is true to a point, I admit academically and from personal experience, as human beings do suffer at times in terrible ways, even while acknowledging the goodness of God without sin.

And God as holy (Isaiah 6). I do not view God's plans and actions as arbitrary, whatsoever, instead viewing God with sovereign, providential plans in creation. God being demonstrated in the New Testament as predestining events whether the crucifixion, atonement, resurrection, salvation, second advent and restored creation.

November 24 2019

In Job's case he was righteous, through faith (Romans 4, as was Abraham and any true Hebrew Bible follower), prior to the atoning and resurrection work of Jesus Christ.

Job like every other human being other than Jesus Christ (perfect man/holy God) was tainted by sin, but the sufferings that greatly damaged Job's life occurred based on God's development of Job, as opposed to Job's sin. Within a Reformed, compatiblistic view, human beings, when there is moral responsibility, as secondary causes, embrace what God has willed, directly or indirectly, as the primary cause. In Job, God is the primary cause of Job's suffering with Satanic and human secondary, causes. (Embraced by these secondary entities)

BRUCE, F.F. (1987) Romans, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

CLINES, DAVID J. A. (1986) Job, The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.

CLINES, DAVID J. A. (1986) Proverbs, The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.

CRANFIELD, C.E.B. (1992) Romans: A Shorter Commentary, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

MOUNCE, ROBERT H. (1995) The New American Commentary: Romans, Nashville, Broadman & Holman Publishers.

2010 Theodicy and Practical Theology: PhD thesis, the University of Wales, Trinity Saint David, Lampeter