God Suffers for Us

A Systematic Inquiry into a Concept of Divine Passibility

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality
Cover of the book God Suffers for Us by J.Y. Lee, Springer Netherlands
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: J.Y. Lee ISBN: 9789401020480
Publisher: Springer Netherlands Publication: December 6, 2012
Imprint: Springer Language: English
Author: J.Y. Lee
ISBN: 9789401020480
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Publication: December 6, 2012
Imprint: Springer
Language: English

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, writing in his cell in a Nazi prison, expressed a most remarkable idea. "Men go to God in His need. " This is the insight, he observed, which distinguishes the Christian faith from all other religions. It is a universal belief that God, or the gods, should come to help man in his mortal, human need. But this is not the God and Father of Jesus Christ. Even as Jesus in Gethsemane chided his disciples for their sloth in not keeping watch with him during his agony, so God the Father must look to His creatures for their faith and sympathy. Therein lies the basis for the Christian answer to man­ kind's perennial complaint: Why do men suffer? Not all theologians, believing Christians, or believers in a personal God can share this idea. Traditionally the Eastern Orthodox thinkers have adhered to the rule of apophatic theology: that is, there are boundaries of knowledge about God which the human mind, even when enlightened by revelation, cannot cross. So who can say that God the Eternal One is susceptible to what we call suffering? It is better to hold one's silence on so deep a mystery. Still others are loathe to acknowledge God's passibility for varying reasons. God is ultimate and perfect; therefore he cannot know suffering or other emotions. God is impersonal; therefore it is meaningless to ascribe personal, anthro­ popathic feelings to Him. Many angels may fear to tread on the ground of this most difficult question.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, writing in his cell in a Nazi prison, expressed a most remarkable idea. "Men go to God in His need. " This is the insight, he observed, which distinguishes the Christian faith from all other religions. It is a universal belief that God, or the gods, should come to help man in his mortal, human need. But this is not the God and Father of Jesus Christ. Even as Jesus in Gethsemane chided his disciples for their sloth in not keeping watch with him during his agony, so God the Father must look to His creatures for their faith and sympathy. Therein lies the basis for the Christian answer to man­ kind's perennial complaint: Why do men suffer? Not all theologians, believing Christians, or believers in a personal God can share this idea. Traditionally the Eastern Orthodox thinkers have adhered to the rule of apophatic theology: that is, there are boundaries of knowledge about God which the human mind, even when enlightened by revelation, cannot cross. So who can say that God the Eternal One is susceptible to what we call suffering? It is better to hold one's silence on so deep a mystery. Still others are loathe to acknowledge God's passibility for varying reasons. God is ultimate and perfect; therefore he cannot know suffering or other emotions. God is impersonal; therefore it is meaningless to ascribe personal, anthro­ popathic feelings to Him. Many angels may fear to tread on the ground of this most difficult question.

More books from Springer Netherlands

Cover of the book Schutzian Social Science by J.Y. Lee
Cover of the book Current Issues in Bilingualism by J.Y. Lee
Cover of the book Human Security by J.Y. Lee
Cover of the book Concepts and Approaches in Evolutionary Epistemology by J.Y. Lee
Cover of the book Studies in American Philosophy by J.Y. Lee
Cover of the book Geological Disposal of Carbon Dioxide and Radioactive Waste: A Comparative Assessment by J.Y. Lee
Cover of the book Reciprocity, Spatial Mapping and Time Reversal in Electromagnetics by J.Y. Lee
Cover of the book The Variables of Moral Capacity by J.Y. Lee
Cover of the book Aquaporins by J.Y. Lee
Cover of the book Soil Emission of Nitrous Oxide and its Mitigation by J.Y. Lee
Cover of the book Philosophy and Phenomenology of the Body by J.Y. Lee
Cover of the book Reductionism and Systems Theory in the Life Sciences by J.Y. Lee
Cover of the book Toxins and Hemostasis by J.Y. Lee
Cover of the book Biopreparedness and Public Health by J.Y. Lee
Cover of the book Introduction to International Law by J.Y. Lee
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy