Comments on: Book Report: On Being a Theologian of the Cross http://necessaryroughness.org/archives/1108 two kingdoms, hundreds of thousands of miles Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:04:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: RPW http://necessaryroughness.org/archives/1108#comment-11642 RPW Tue, 24 Apr 2007 15:45:26 +0000 http://necessaryroughness.org/archives/1108#comment-11642 You wrote: We humanly identify all suffering as evil, but there is actually suffering that is good: love, the cries of a child, daily work, etc. By terming all suffering as evil, we fool ourselves into thinking God has nothing to do with suffering. But with these kinds of suffering, while they in and of themselves might mature us, chasten us, give us discipline, and help us to appreciate their rewards, would they exist in a sinless world? Would pain from love exist? Would a child need to cry to be satisfied or would he completely trust that his parents could meet his needs? Would daily work be arduous ("by the sweat of your brow you will eat bread" Gen. 3:19). I'm not talking about that there would be no work, since God gave tasks to man from the very beginning....but would they cause pain, refuse to bear fruit, etc.? We definitely can say that God lets us endure these things to make us stronger and that He makes all things happen for His good, and we should definitely thank God for even the sufferings, but I also think we can say they are still part of the curse of sin. Just thinkin' You wrote:
We humanly identify all suffering as evil, but there is actually suffering that is good: love, the cries of a child, daily work, etc. By terming all suffering as evil, we fool ourselves into thinking God has nothing to do with suffering.

But with these kinds of suffering, while they in and of themselves might mature us, chasten us, give us discipline, and help us to appreciate their rewards, would they exist in a sinless world? Would pain from love exist? Would a child need to cry to be satisfied or would he completely trust that his parents could meet his needs? Would daily work be arduous (”by the sweat of your brow you will eat bread” Gen. 3:19). I’m not talking about that there would be no work, since God gave tasks to man from the very beginning….but would they cause pain, refuse to bear fruit, etc.?

We definitely can say that God lets us endure these things to make us stronger and that He makes all things happen for His good, and we should definitely thank God for even the sufferings, but I also think we can say they are still part of the curse of sin.

Just thinkin’

]]> By: Frank Gillespie http://necessaryroughness.org/archives/1108#comment-11640 Frank Gillespie Tue, 24 Apr 2007 15:30:59 +0000 http://necessaryroughness.org/archives/1108#comment-11640 A great book I read every Lent. I found the first half depressing. But then again that's exactly what the law should do, condemn so that the Gospel can raise up. As a former card carrying atheist, and as a former enthusiast, the book spoke volumes to the natural way I tend to think. A great book I read every Lent. I found the first half depressing. But then again that’s exactly what the law should do, condemn so that the Gospel can raise up. As a former card carrying atheist, and as a former enthusiast, the book spoke volumes to the natural way I tend to think.

]]> By: jWinters http://necessaryroughness.org/archives/1108#comment-11632 jWinters Tue, 24 Apr 2007 04:47:35 +0000 http://necessaryroughness.org/archives/1108#comment-11632 I agree. It's a fantastic book. It's actually used at Concordia St. Louis as one of the major books in the "Lutheran Mind" (a.k.a. systematic theology boot camp) class...or it least it was when I was a 1st year student. I agree. It’s a fantastic book. It’s actually used at Concordia St. Louis as one of the major books in the “Lutheran Mind” (a.k.a. systematic theology boot camp) class…or it least it was when I was a 1st year student.

]]>