Here are two ways of dealing with the tsunami tragedy theologically. Both of these responses are from theologians I highly admire, yet one seems to make more sense to me (I won't say which one, please comment and tell me what you think I like better, and tell all of us which one makes more sense to YOU!)
John Piper: Tsunami, Sovereignty, and Mercy
N. T. Wright: Meanings of Christmas: In the new world there will be no more sea
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my vote went to NT Wright - but then I'm pretty much a fan thus must be bias. As much as I enjoy theological thinking, it was some concrete action that ran in parallel engaged my heart more fully and holistically in the light of the Tsunami tragedy and the effort was initiated by a young Christian in the young church I serve in. If you are interested, check here http://sivinkit.net/. Our Aussie member wrote this http://residentalien.blogs.com/db_on_db/2005/01/fullfilment.html
ReplyDeleteBob,
ReplyDeleteI really suppose the article that is most helpful depends on if your modern or aftermodern.
Piper asks and answers propositions in a didactic fashion.
NTW Does a little Jesus-like side step and answers a different question or at least differently, than the strict problem of evil question. But he brings us to Jesus... where would we rather be?
I really liked both articles. I guess I am hoplessly caught between two worlds born in 1961... I think I'm getting pulled by each sides :-).
BTW I must confess my potential bias as I know and love John Piper as a pastor and friend. He did my Dad's funeral, and the sovreignty of God is a great comfort to me during times of mourning.
God is good and gives us finite creatures a many braided rope of hope to hold on to. NTW unwinds and shows us a strand here as does Piper.
Blessings,
Marc
Yes, Marc, and thanks.
ReplyDeletePiper and Wright are two of the most influential New Testament scholars in my life.
Piper's "Desiring God" is #1 in my book. I am just now getting more and more into Wright.
I think they both have a lot to contribute here.
But for some reason, Wright's article seems to me to get to the real meat of the issue--the fact that we live in a time when we Christians are called to make a difference in the here and now until the return of our Lord in the future.
Our hope generates action.
I love that.