Sunday, November 23, 2008
"Why Does God Allow Bad Things to Happen?" Joseph's Answer
I have always loved the Genesis story of Joseph (Gen. 37-50). The runt in the family, he was a bit of a braggart and so his older brothers decided to kill him. But for various reasons the plan changes at the last second, and they "only" sell him into slavery. (What's funny is that when I was younger and read this story, I was horrified. Now that I am older and rereading it, I was more understanding. "Well, he was being kind of a punk what with those dreams and all." I don't know if I should be pleased or disturbed by my change in reaction.)
So to make a long (and great) story short, Joseph ends up being promoted from a dungeon in Egypt to being Pharaoh's second in command, because (with God's guidance) he can interpret dreams. He correctly predicts that all the land will be hit with seven years of plenty and seven years of famine, and so the Pharaoh makes out like a bandit selling stockpiled food to everyone during the famine years. (No mention on what futures markets were saying during the boom years, or what rating Moodys gave to wheat-backed securities.)
When his brothers come to Egypt hoping to buy food, Joseph has a bit of fun with them at first. But then he reveals his identity--they of course assumed he was long dead--and they are wracked with guilt. Joseph tells them (chapter 45):
Obviously this type of thing--by itself--would not refute an atheist; after all, God caused the famine! Yet I do think the answer is here.
So to make a long (and great) story short, Joseph ends up being promoted from a dungeon in Egypt to being Pharaoh's second in command, because (with God's guidance) he can interpret dreams. He correctly predicts that all the land will be hit with seven years of plenty and seven years of famine, and so the Pharaoh makes out like a bandit selling stockpiled food to everyone during the famine years. (No mention on what futures markets were saying during the boom years, or what rating Moodys gave to wheat-backed securities.)
When his brothers come to Egypt hoping to buy food, Joseph has a bit of fun with them at first. But then he reveals his identity--they of course assumed he was long dead--and they are wracked with guilt. Joseph tells them (chapter 45):
4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come close to me." When they had done so, he said, "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
8 "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt..."
Obviously this type of thing--by itself--would not refute an atheist; after all, God caused the famine! Yet I do think the answer is here.
Comments:
Ahh! Dang! So *that* explains Rwanda. I am feeling *so* much better now.
# posted by 
: November 24, 2008 at 2:21 PM
: November 24, 2008 at 2:21 PM
Bob, I respect your views on economics, but this is lousy thinking.
I think I will never fully understand how one can be a libertarian and theist at the same time.
The only explanation I have for that is that a libertarian theist successfully compartmentalizes his thoughts.
It is not for nothing that the most scary states are theocracies. Whether they are based on a traditional deity, or whether the treat more recent individuals or scriptures as sacred makes little difference.
But, apart from that - keep up the good work.
I think in the near future, I'll have to write a little critique of Block's libertarian defense of theism.
I think I will never fully understand how one can be a libertarian and theist at the same time.
The only explanation I have for that is that a libertarian theist successfully compartmentalizes his thoughts.
It is not for nothing that the most scary states are theocracies. Whether they are based on a traditional deity, or whether the treat more recent individuals or scriptures as sacred makes little difference.
But, apart from that - keep up the good work.
I think in the near future, I'll have to write a little critique of Block's libertarian defense of theism.
Yet I do think the answer is here.
I think the same thing but neither you nor I understand it fully:
1Co 8:2 "And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know."
I think the same thing but neither you nor I understand it fully:
1Co 8:2 "And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know."
Isn't this the 'Monty Python' "Life of Brian" lesson simply applied to one case i.e. slave to seer Joseph?
"Always look on the bright side of life."
"Always look on the bright side of life."
James wrote:
I think I will never fully understand how one can be a libertarian and theist at the same time...I think in the near future, I'll have to write a little critique of Block's libertarian defense of theism.
I don't understand this at all. Are you saying my political views should influence whether or not I think a god exists?
Or, are you saying that if I believe in the Christian God, then I can't be a libertarian?
I think the first possibility is nonsense, while the second one is merely false (though coherent).
What Block article are you talking about?
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I think I will never fully understand how one can be a libertarian and theist at the same time...I think in the near future, I'll have to write a little critique of Block's libertarian defense of theism.
I don't understand this at all. Are you saying my political views should influence whether or not I think a god exists?
Or, are you saying that if I believe in the Christian God, then I can't be a libertarian?
I think the first possibility is nonsense, while the second one is merely false (though coherent).
What Block article are you talking about?
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