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Friday afternoon
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2003 The Problem of Evil: Anglican
and Baptist Perspectives: MPhil thesis, Bangor University
LEWIS,
C.S. (1940)(1996) The Problem of Pain, San Francisco,
Harper-Collins.
3.
Divine Omnipotence
Within
this chapter, Lewis constructed his definition for the problem of pain. He
stated:
If
God were good, He would make His creatures perfectly happy, and if he were
almighty He would be able to do what He wished. But the creatures are not
happy, therefore God either lacks goodness, or power, or both. Lewis
(1940)(1996:16).
Lewis
then set out to deal with the issue of God having the attribute of being
almighty or, in other words, being omnipotent. He stated that Scripture
portrayed God as having the power to do all things, however, Lewis did not
believe that this included the impossible, because even God could not
contradict himself. Lewis stated that God’s omnipotence meant that God can do
what is intrinsically possible, not the impossible.
McGrath also points out, correctly, that human ideas of happiness are
often misconstrued. I see his point. Many of the happy people in the world
become happy at the expense of others. Drug dealers are a fine example. The
most elite live in mansions, while illegal drug users often suffer from
addiction and damaged lives.
It must be remembered
that no matter how much God blesses us with this life, it all ends in a single
lonely, solitary death. Yes, there is a resurrection, but not before much
suffering. Perhaps Christians should not subscribe to happiness that could lead
to living as though God is not needed at all times. If Christians are so happy
that they are living carefree lives, perhaps they should focus on those
suffering and then they will be provided with a balanced perspective, and not
be quite as shattered when disaster strikes.
May 31, 2020
This present realm is
according to biblical, religious, history, after the fall of humanity (Genesis
3, Romans). It is, of course, before the biblically promised future restoration
of creation and humanity (Revelation 20-22. 2 Peter 3). This future resurrection of humanity documented in 1 Corinthians 15, Revelation 20-22.
At this point, happiness
is not a primary objective for humanity by God. Personally, I would like
to be happier, to be clear.
Instead, for
believers, God’s primary objectives include countering the results of the fall and transforming believers from sinful human nature and choices. For those that believe, this should lead to, in varying degrees from person to person, conformity to the will of God and conformity to the image and likeness
of God the Son, God incarnate. This accomplished through the applied atoning
work of Jesus Christ, including justification and sanctification, and the applied resurrection
work of Jesus Christ, to those that believe.
Romans 8:29-30 New American Standard
Bible (NASB)
29 For those whom He foreknew, He also
predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be
the firstborn among many brethren; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also
called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He
justified, He also glorified.
From Genesis 1: 26-27,
humanity is made in the image and likeness of God. The fall corrupted this
image and likeness,and being conformed to be Christ-like is the divine correction.
LEWIS, C.S.
(1961)(1983) A Grief Observed, London, Faber and Faber.
LEWIS, C.S. (1941)(1990) The Screwtape Letters, Uhrichsville, Ohio,
Barbour and Company.
LEWIS, C.S. (1940)(1996) The Problem of Pain, San Francisco,
Harper-Collins.
LUTHER, M. (1518)(1989) Heidelberg Disputation, in Timothy F. Lull (ed.), Martin
Luther’s Basic Theological Writings, Minneapolis, Fortress Press.
McGRATH, A. (1986) Iustitia Dei, Cambridge, Cambridge University
Press.
McGRATH, A. (1992) Bridge-Building, Leicester, Inter-Varsity Press.
McGRATH, A. (1992) Suffering, London, Hodder and Stoughton Limited.
