Although I am not an academic theologian, I have recently been grappling with a seemingly insuperable problem which for centuries has stumped the best minds in Christendom: How could a good God be so slow to answer a prayer for patience? Proposed solutions may be left in the comments below.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010, 9:43 AM
November 3rd, 2010 | 10:17 am | #1
Because the only way an impatient person can learn to be patient is to wait for God to allow him to learn to be patient.
The waiting is the whole point. If God suddenly “made” the impatient person patient, then the impatient person would not have developed the “habit” of patience.
November 3rd, 2010 | 11:23 am | #2
Theodicy: seeking to explain the ways of God to man expressly concerning the origin of evil. Evil may be subdivided into ‘moral’ evil and ‘natural’ evil. Christian theodices focus on reconciling the dilemma: how can a good, all-powerful God co-exist with, allow, or even initiate various forms of evil, suffering, and death?
“While the two are distinct, they are not separate as natural evil is a consequence of moral evil (s.v., Theodicy, John S. Feinberg, Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Grand Rapids, MI, Baker Academic, 2001, 2nd ed.).
I realize, David, I’m not the sharpest tool in the woodshed, but are you defining a lack of patience as ‘evil’? Is my definition above too narrow? Are you using the term ‘theodicy’ incorrectly?
I’m not trying to be cheeky here, perhaps your post is tongue-in-cheek, and I fail to see that? But perhaps a little clarification on the use of the word ‘theodicy’. Thanks and blessings.
November 3rd, 2010 | 11:25 am | #3
[...] Theodicy humor. [...]
November 3rd, 2010 | 11:26 am | #4
[...] Theodicy humor. [...]
November 3rd, 2010 | 11:32 am | #5
It is clear this is so because if a good God answered your prayer for patience, you would no longer be free to be impatient. Since not being ultimately free removes choice which is necessary for meaningful love, God does not answer prayers for patience.
:)
November 3rd, 2010 | 12:23 pm | #6
This is quite a problem and one which I have struggled with for some time.
I am a graduate student studying Ancient and Medieval Theologian deviancy (Heresy if you will). Often groups arise and are labeled as heretics over this very issue.
The conclusion that I have come to is the product of logic, scripture, and other “deviate” medieval theologies.
I believe that God is eternally his character—the very definition of good.
By defining him as good eternally, we have also defined that which he is not—evil.
Since God is eternally good, than there is by necessity an eternal evil—that which he is not.
Now before stones are cast, keep in mind that there is no one that exists but God so this “eternal evil” was merely a potential. A possibility. A choice. It was not until God made the first creature that this being had a choice to follow God or not follow God.
Thus Lucifer chose to follow the eternal “not God.” The evil.
If this were not true, and Satan did not have free will to make a choice between God and not God, than we must accept the fact that God made evil—something I am unwilling to concede.
I have written more on this topic in this article. http://bit.ly/cmVyyB
Great Question!
November 3rd, 2010 | 1:42 pm | #7
Why theodicy? A one-word answer: alliteration!
November 3rd, 2010 | 5:05 pm | #8
Figure of speech, or turn of expression? One would think you would be more careful with your word choices. Patience or lack of patience does not really address the issue of theodicy, does it?
November 3rd, 2010 | 5:21 pm | #9
Jonathandkeck,
I think most of us struggled at one point in time or still struggle with the problem of a ‘good’ God, allowing evil, suffering and death, both the ‘moral’ evil and the ‘natural’ evil.
jonathandkeck said:
“The conclusion that I have come to is the product of logic, scripture, and other “deviate” medieval theologies.”
Can you elaborate on the above? To what are you referring when you mention logic, and other ‘deviate’ medieval theologies?
jonathandkeck said:
“Thus Lucifer chose to follow the eternal “not God.” The evil.”
I would agree, although I might phrase it differently. Since Satan was a created being and he had a choice, he chose to disobey God, to rebel against God.
November 3rd, 2010 | 5:24 pm | #10
Jonathandkeck,
Sorry, my comment above was posted before I was finished. Unsteady fingers I guess.
I think we are saying the same thing but using different words. From your studies, what conclusions have you come to as a possible solution?
November 3rd, 2010 | 7:22 pm | #11
“Lord help me be patient, and , please, please hurry up, I’m so impatient for your fruit of patience.”
Ah, but fruit has the slow growth from the blossom, from the branch, which is firmly fixed to the trunk, which is deeply rooted in the ground, and hopefully by the river.
“He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.”
November 4th, 2010 | 10:15 pm | #12
“Lord, give me patience. NOW!!!!”
November 6th, 2010 | 5:19 pm | #13
I would agree with jonathandkeck.
God is the standard by which we define the word good. Defining good by human experience would be arrogant and self-deluded.
Whatever God does or decides is, by definition, good. We must accept our inability to fully understand how God interacts with His creation…and why.
That is not to say that we should refrain from seeking understanding. The process is still rewarding despite the fact that we will not come up with a definitive product.
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