Shall we argue that God, although perfectly loving, lacks the power to prevent or relieve human suffering? If we are to take the conclusion of the book of Job seriously, the answer must be, ‘No’.
Philip Yancey writes:
Much has been made about God’s magnificent speech in Job 38– 41. In a passage that could be addressed to the Sierra Club or Audubon Society, God took Job on a verbal tour of all the wonders of nature.…
Philip Yancey writes of some of visits that a seriously ill young woman – Claudia – received while in hospital:
The teacher
A deacon from her church solemnly advised her to reflect on what God was trying to teach her. “Surely something in your life must displease God,” he said. “Somewhere, you must have stepped out of his will. These things don’t just happen. God uses circumstances to warn us, and to punish us. What is he telling you?”…
On June 8, 1963, the Illustrated London News ran the following story about an exhibition at the Great Apes House at The Bronx Zoo in New York City. The exhibit told visitors:
“You are looking at the most dangerous animal in the world. It alone of all the animals that ever lived can exterminate (and has) entire species of animals. Now it has the power to wipe out all life on earth.”
As the visitors peered into the cage they realised that they were, in fact, looking into a mirror.…
A summary of chapter 41 of The Fountain of Life, by John Flavel.
“When he had by himself purged our sins, he sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.” Hebrews 1:3
Christ is described
Some excerpts from this book of the same name, by Roger Carswell (2nd edition, 2020)
How can God be all-loving and all-powerful?
The Greek philosopher, Epicurus, outlined the dilemma facing the thinking mind: God either wishes to take away evils and is unable; or He is able and is unwilling; or He is neither willing nor able; or He is both willing and able. If He is willing but unable, He is feeble, which is not in accordance with the character of God.…
The ascension of Christ is the ‘transference of the resurrected body of Jesus from this world to heaven.’
It is described in Acts 1:9–11 (but see also Lk 24:50f), where Jesus is described as being “taken up” and disappearing into a cloud. This event took place near Bethany, on the Mt of Olives.
John’s Gospel records Jesus’ own comments regarding his ascension:
A summary of chapter 40 of The Fountain of Life, by John Flavel.
John 20:17 – ‘Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.’
The persons to whom this message was sent: ‘My brethren’; a sweet term, and full of love.
The message itself: ‘Tell my brethren, I ascend to my Father, and your Father; to my God, and your God.’…
In Jesus, Interrupted (HarperCollins), Bart Ehrman has this to say about the length of Jesus’ public ministry, as indicated in the canonical Gospels:
…‘Our earliest Gospel, Mark, does not give an explicit indication of the length of Jesus’ public ministry, but does give some suggestive comments. At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, in chapter 2, his disciples are going through the wheat fields and eating the grain, to the consternation of the Pharisees, who believe they are violating the Sabbath.
In 1 Kings 18:17 King Ahab says to Elijah, “Is that you, troubler of Israel?”
What are some of the different ways in which we imagine that we can commend ourselves to God and merit our salvation?
1. The Work of Philanthropy
“I’m going to give money. I’m going to help the needy.”
2. The Work of Service
“I’m going to volunteer. I’m going to give my time, my skill, my expertise. I’m going to get my hands dirty.”
3. The Work of Ritual
“I’m going to be committed to confession, communion, prayers, church attendance.”…
