Friday: Further Thought – Curse the Day
“In an era so unprecedentedly illuminated by science and reason, the ‘good news’ of Christianity became less and less convincing a metaphysical structure, less secure a foundation upon which to build one’s life, and less psychologically necessary.
Image © Kevin Carden from GoodSalt.com
The sheer improbability of the whole nexus of events was becoming painfully obvious—that an infinite, eternal God would have suddenly become a particular human being in a specific historical time and place only to be ignominiously executed. That a single brief life taking place two millennia earlier in an obscure primitive nation, on a planet now known to be a relatively insignificant piece of matter revolving about one star among billions in an inconceivably vast and impersonal universe—that such an undistinguished event should have any overwhelming cosmic or eternal meaning could no longer be a compelling belief for reasonable men. It was starkly implausible that the universe as a whole would have any pressing interest in this minute part of its immensity—if it had any ‘interests’ at all. Under the spotlight of the modern demand for public, empirical, scientific corroboration of all statements of belief, the essence of Christianity withered.”—Richard Tarnas, Passion of the Western Mind (New York: Ballantine Books, 1991), p. 305. What is the problem with this thought? What is the author missing? What does this excerpt teach us about the limits of what “science and reason” can know of the reality of God and His love for us? What does this show us about the need for revealed truth, truth that human “science and reason” cannot reach in and of themselves?
Discussion Questions:
- How would you, as a Christian, answer the question, “What is man?” How would your answer differ from that of people who don’t believe in the God of the Bible?
- “How surely are the dead beyond death,” wrote Cormac McCarthy. “Death is what the living carry with them.” Why should our understanding of what happens after death give us comfort regarding our beloved dead? Can we not draw some consolation, or any at all, knowing that they are at peace, at rest, free from so many of the toils and troubles of life?
- Why do you think that even in the most miserable of situations most people cling to life, regardless of how bad that life seems to be?
- Discuss what the Cross teaches us about the value of humanity, about the value of even a single life.
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This was a very good lesson it wonderful to learn so much about job n it open ur eyes to ssee what all god can do.he is a living god n I believe in him. It is wondeeful to study the bible i cant stop.
I totally agree with you
May we learn and share
That's a beautiful illustration of Rom 5;8
I'm in awe of God. The fact God loved mankind so much that He would send His only Son to die for All mankind so we can one day be with him. We are so valuable to Him. He didn't want us to suffer punishment for our transgressions so He placed them on Jesus. Jesus was willing to take them on becaus he loves and values us so much. What an awesome wonderful & loving God.
Sometimes we find an opportunity to share a cause for optimism. What the future has to offer. We each have multifaceted lives. What could be more desirable than something beyond the grave? Especially when the end is in view. Job was not that optimistic in Chapters 6 and 7. Like Job when we face very difficult situations a solution is foremost on the mind. We hope and pray for those opportunities to be helpful when ever possible. Blessings!
One thing that has puzzled me in this study is "if Satan was cast out of heaven, how is he able to traverse in and out as he pleases?" Something isn't adding up here if I am reading the Bible correctly.
Carla, the story of Job took place before God the Son came to this earth as Jesus. When Jesus died on the cross at Calvary, Satan no longer was allowed to roam the Universe. Revelation 12:7-13 tells the story of when Satan and his angels were cast out from heaven. "Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he had but a short time."
In The book of Job, it's realy teaching us to trust the Lord no matter how hard the situation may be for us. Let us accept the fact and we will smile tomorrow. God's love for us is great and wonderful....!!!!!
when God finished creating the world and its contents, he molded a man in his own image, to manifest the glory of God to other Creatures on earth.
a man is a creature that God loved so dearly, he manifested himself through Job