theodicy_star of bethlehem
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Many great thinkers have grappled with the problem of evil, moreso considering what is logically possible but not really touching on what is metaphysically plausible (much less scientifically probable). However, to this day, there have been no finally satisfying answers, neither emotionally nor intellectually. Like the reality of God, the absurdity of evil remains immersed in mystery. In the end, though, what humans really need is not a rational explanation but an existential solution, in other words: help! And the more pressing questions become 1) To Whom shall we go? and 2) How can we best respond with compassion? As a People of God, we didn't fashion our outlook regarding evil as much from metaphysical speculation or theological reflection as we did from mere common sense and incredibly broken hearts. Evil (such as suffering & death) has no ultimate meaning. A privation of the good, it is neither metaphysically nor morally comprehensible. It is a viral corruption of --- and contributes nothing to --- reality. Evil, however otherwise conceived, is the enemy of creation and of the Creator, Who will rescue us. That is what we hope and believe. And, for now, we simply love. Since the Bible employs both history and metaphor, literal and figurative language, it is fair to ask whether the Star of Bethlehem was literally true or a legend? And, if factual, whether it was a miracle or some predictable astronomical phenomenon? I think that movie was based on the work of Craig Chester ( see http://www.hillsdale.edu/news/imprimis/archive/issue.asp?year= 1996&month=12 ). There are competing theories such as by Michael Molnar (see http://www.eclipse.net/~molnar/ ) and Chris Corbally (see http://www.alivepublishing.co.uk/faith- today-articles/the-cosmology-of-the-magi ). While these are interesting questions and worthy of scholarly investigation, we simply do not know THE answer. Still, the true meaning of Christmas remains and is not to be found in examining the wrapping paper of such exegetical fine points but in our discovery of the Gift to be found inside the deeper meaning of the narratives. 1
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Transcript of theodicy_star of bethlehem
Many great thinkers have grappled with the problem of evil,moreso considering what is logically possible but not reallytouching on what is metaphysically plausible (much lessscientifically probable). However, to this day, there havebeen no finally satisfying answers, neither emotionally norintellectually. Like the reality of God, the absurdity ofevil remains immersed in mystery. In the end, though, whathumans really need is not a rational explanation but anexistential solution, in other words: help! And the morepressing questions become 1) To Whom shall we go? and 2) Howcan we best respond with compassion?
As a People of God, we didn't fashion our outlook regardingevil as much from metaphysical speculation or theologicalreflection as we did from mere common sense and incrediblybroken hearts. Evil (such as suffering & death) has noultimate meaning. A privation of the good, it is neithermetaphysically nor morally comprehensible. It is a viralcorruption of --- and contributes nothing to --- reality.Evil, however otherwise conceived, is the enemy of creationand of the Creator, Who will rescue us. That is what we hopeand believe. And, for now, we simply love.
Since the Bible employs both history and metaphor, literal andfigurative language, it is fair to ask whether the Star ofBethlehem was literally true or a legend? And, if factual,whether it was a miracle or some predictable astronomicalphenomenon? I think that movie was based on the work of CraigChester ( seehttp://www.hillsdale.edu/news/imprimis/archive/issue.asp?year=1996&month=12 ). There are competing theories such as byMichael Molnar (see http://www.eclipse.net/~molnar/ ) andChris Corbally (see http://www.alivepublishing.co.uk/faith-today-articles/the-cosmology-of-the-magi ). While these areinteresting questions and worthy of scholarly investigation,we simply do not know THE answer. Still, the true meaning ofChristmas remains and is not to be found in examining thewrapping paper of such exegetical fine points but in ourdiscovery of the Gift to be found inside the deeper meaning ofthe narratives.
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