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John Earp
Registered Member
Date Joined Oct 2002
Total Posts : 1715
| Posted 12/1/2003 6:45 AM (GMT -6) |   | I came across the story the other day on another discussion site, but can't seem to find the link. In any case, while of course it is possible that this was God's will, it seems to me that this young lady assumes far too much in stating such. As if "everything that happens is God's will" is somehow the gospel truth.
I have a darling little daughter, and I can't imagine what kind of sicko father would cause or even allow his daughter's arm to get bitten off by a shark, "to bring Him glory." Riiight.
It seems to me that what this young lady is saying would be no different than if I were to try to play chicken with speeding cars on the interstate and then when I got hit by one, say, "Musta been God's will," or, "God allowed this to happen to me." No, I put myself in the wrong place at the wrong time!
It seems to me that this is a simple case of a choice to engage in risky behavior (swimming in the ocean where sharks are known to hunt) and reaping the gratuitous consequences of such inherently risky behavior.
"The Discovery of new truth will modify old views and opinions, and there is perhaps no end to this process with finite minds in any world." Charles G. Finney, Systematic Theology.
revivaltheology.net
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David
Registered Member
Date Joined Dec 2001
Total Posts : 3
| Posted 12/1/2003 9:39 AM (GMT -6) | | John's thoughts above have prodded me to ask these questions:
In the relative scheme of things, aren't there some worse things in this life (and into the next) than our suffering some temporary pain, or even losing an arm?
And aren't there things God cares much more about for us than our physical comfort and lack of pain?
For myself I believe I need to be very cautious to not presume that some pain or suffering I or someone else is going through is not God's will for me or them, even if it appears gratuitous to me. | | Back to Top | | |
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John Earp
Registered Member
Date Joined Oct 2002
Total Posts : 1715
| Posted 12/2/2003 3:31 AM (GMT -6) | | quote:
Originally posted by Chris Grant
quote:
Originally posted by John Earp
Actually, yes, I can imagine a different scenario in this case - Cause and effect. If you play with fire (or swim with sharks) chances are you might get burned (or your arm bitten off). God allows people to do stupid things like try to run on the freeway or get drunk and drive or swim with sharks.
But can you imagine an *earthly* father who sees that his daughter's arm is about to get bitten off by a shark, but chooses not to do anything to prevent it?
It seems to me that God did plenty to prevent this. He gave the young girl a mind with the ability to know without question that swimming with sharks was quite hazardous. She obviously chose to disregard that knowledge, and must have thought the risk was worth the thrill of surfing. Kind of like when a teenage girl has sex with her boyfriend and then prays that she isn't pregnant. Kind of like if a person takes drugs, has long-term physical and psychological complications as a result, and then can't understand why God "let" this happen to them. Duh. (Not saying "duh" to you, Chris, but to the drug user).
If one jumps off a skyscraper, should one expect God to prevent them from splatting all over the pavement? Satan tried to tempt Jesus to jump from the pinnacle of the Temple, and Jesus said, "thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God."
"The Discovery of new truth will modify old views and opinions, and there is perhaps no end to this process with finite minds in any world." Charles G. Finney, Systematic Theology.
revivaltheology.net
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Chris Grant
Registered Member
Date Joined Jun 2003
Total Posts : 151
| Posted 12/2/2003 3:39 AM (GMT -6) | | quote:
Originally posted by John Earp
It seems to me that God did plenty to prevent this. He gave the young girl a mind with the ability to know without question that swimming with sharks was quite hazardous.
Okay, let's try this once again: Can you imagine an *earthly* father who sees that his daughter's arm is about to get bitten off by a shark, who has the opportunity to step in and absolutely ensure that the shark does not harm his daughter, but who chooses not to do so (since, after all, he had already helped her in the past when he taught her that sharks were dangerous)?
"I believe that, in the present divided state of Christendom, those who are at the heart of each division are all closer to one another than those who are at the fringes. I would even carry this beyond the borders of Christianity: how much more one has in common with a real Jew or Muslim than with a wretched liberalising, occidentalised specimen of the same categories."
(C.S. Lewis to Mary Willis Shelburne, November 10, 1952.) | | Back to Top | | |
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