My favorite book on “justice” so far (other than the Bible, of course)

I’m ashamed to admit that I came to the table late on the social justice topic. As an aspect of God’s compassionate personality and as a significant portion of our responsibility as his followers, somehow over the years this ubiquitous Bible theme eluded me. I’ve since discovered that with the possible exception of idolatry, the …

God hurts too (Part 2 of 3)

musingthemysteries's avatarbarney wiget

My last post was about how God hurts with us. When we hurt, he hurts too. Here are a couple more thoughts about that.

I ran across something that the prophet Isaiah said (Isaiah 63:9). I’ve included several versions of it since each carries its own sort of soothing nuance.

In all their suffering he also suffered, and he personally rescued them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them through all the years.

 In all their affliction He was afflicted,
 And the Angel of His Presence saved them;
 In His love and in His pity He redeemed them;
 And He bore them and carried them
. All the days of old.

 In all their troubles, he was troubled, too. He didn’t send someone else to help them. He did it himself, in person. Out of his own love and pity he…

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God hurts too (Part 1 of 3)

I am re-posting these three short essays from a few years ago because it seems to me that though we’re quite aware of our own pain we seldom think about the pain that God experiences everyday.

musingthemysteries's avatarbarney wiget

I’m corresponding with a professed atheist friend of mine. I say “professed” because it just seems to untenable to me that someone could say that they know there is no God. Agnostic? Sure. Atheist? To me, that’s a pretty hard sell. Anyway, in one of our “conversations” I wrote the following.

Regarding God’s frustrating and frequently implemented “non-interference policy…” I have my personal irritations about how and when he chooses to intervene in human affairs. But here are some thoughts I have about it. I wouldn’t dare call them “reasons he doesn’t intervene” as much as what might possibly be going on in his thinking on this. 

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