Reading from Monday, May 17

Here is that scene from the movie "God on Trial" that has started all of this discussion. It's one of those convenient movies where the Jews and Germans all have a nice, polite British accent, but it doesn't make the content any less interesting. This is somewhat late in the movie, so it will have a stronger impact if you watch the whole thing, but this scene is incredible...





I think the whole thing is parsed out in 9 pieces on youtube as well if you want to see it from the beginning. If you have Netflix though, it's on Instant.


Reading for May 17
1 Samuel 20:1-21:15
There is a lot of detail an repetitive text in this section, but basically it boils down to this:
David tells Jonathan that Saul is trying to kill him. Jonathan doesn't believe him at first, but eventually finds this to be true and goes to confirm it with David. It's clear that David and Jonathan had a close relationship and were great friends. As Jonathan admitted that Saul was trying to kill David, they wept together for a long time.

David then fled to another city where he was recognized as the King of Israel, but pretended to be insane as to not arouse suspicion.

That's pretty much it.

John 9:1-41
Wow, there's a lot going on here, but I think there's something that's really relevant to the discussion going on right now about whether God is actually good, or if he changed when Christ came.

 ¹As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. ²His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"

 ³"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. ⁴As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. ⁵While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

This is an answer to the problem of evil. It may not be the answer, but it's an answer. So there is a common belief amongst the Jews of that time that bad things happened as a direct result of sin. Direct cause and effect - you sin, you get divinely punished by God. Jesus again refutes this by saying that the man's blindness is not a result of anyone's sin, but is an act of God, so his glory can be displayed through him.

This is actually one of the more common responses to the problem of evil. Evil exists in the world, so God's love can be displayed through his believers. I don't like that though...I think it was N.T. Wright who said something along the lines of "To think that God sets up little puppet shows for us to respond to is abhorrent." Imagine if God sent the Earthquake to Haiti so his love could be shown to the world.

While there were many miraculous stories of hope and charity that came out of the Haitian earthquake - again put yourself in the shoes of someone who lost everything. For dramatic purposes, let's say your a single mother who lost two children - probably a common case. Let's say you believe in God and that you believe that evil or pain exists so Christians can respond to it and show his love. What would your impression of God be? You would hate him for taking your children.

I think this theory works for people removed from the tragedy. Americans who are watching the drama unfold on TV may see this horrific act of God and then see some giving and loving Christians and choose to put their faith in God. But for the afflicted, I think it would have the opposite effect.

Wow, I'm way off topic now...let's think about it from another way - again looking at OT God and NT God as different.

In the Old Testament, God shows his power through destruction. "...so they will know that I am God" is a common phrase he said after telling the Jews what catastrophic event he will bring to a neighboring nation. Now, here in the gospels, we see God displaying his love through charity, mercy and sacrifice. In this case, a man healed of an awful affliction spreads the news about how wonderful God is. Is it possible that sacrifice and pain is a part of God's plan to win over his world? This is indeed a hairy topic.

I would like to talk to someone who believes this theory, but has also had something terrible happen to them. I would like to see how many people in those situations kept their faith and how many ended up hating God. I know that's an extremely common occurrence - someone loses faith because of a terrible tragedy in their own life.

Psalm 113:1-114:8
Nothing really stands out here.

Proverbs 15:15-17
 ¹⁵ All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
       but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.
 ¹⁶ Better a little with the fear of the LORD
       than great wealth with turmoil.
 ¹⁷ Better a meal of vegetables where there is love
       than a fattened calf with hatred.

Yes sir.