A Theology of Suffering from C.S. Lewis
How do we make sense out of suffering? The first step is to realize that suffering is a result of human sin and a consequence of the fall of Adam. Another necessary notion to make sense out of suffering is that suffering may have redemptive purposes or good ends. This should not be confused with saying that suffering is good in and of itself. In other words, suffering is not good, but suffering may have good consequences. C.S. Lewis...
Created in His Image: Ethical Concerns with Human Cloning
As Christians living in the 21st century, we face a number of issues for which Paul of Tarsus has no specific instruction. In the past few years, various biotechnologies have emerged from the realm of science fiction to everyday reality. This reality was pushed to the forefront when Ian Wilmut and the Roslin Institute announced that they had cloned the first large mammal (Dolly the sheep) in 1997.[1] That an adult sheep can be cloned...
Does God Care About Justice?
Recently in the news, stories came out about two separate men (both now 93 years of age) who are being indicted for a combined 470,000 counts of accessory to murder in the Nazis’ Auschwitz death camp.[1] Elizabeth Kolbert writes in The New Yorker about a delay in some of the cases.[2] She writes that Germany’s central office for investigating Nazi crimes is looking to build cases against fifty former Auschwitz guards. Unfortunately,...
Policemen, Paramedics, and Painters: How Working for the King Matters
We spend the better portion of our days and even our lives working. Jesus appealed to work in His parables (e.g., sowing, reaping, buying, selling, fishing, shepherding). Paul told his readers to be hard workers (Col. 3:23), and he was a tentmaker himself. But on some days we wonder if our work actually makes any difference. Due to sin, everything takes on a new dimension in our world, being wounded towards disorder and confusion.[1]...
Edmund Burke on Liberty and Virtue
Religion, law and morality interact with each other in ways that affect the church and culture. In scripture there are types of laws with each having their own purpose. What would happen though if ethics (morality) was no more than just personal choice and private sentiment? Edmund Burke (1729-1797), a leader in Great Britain during the time of the Revolutionary War, responds to this question: Men are qualified for civil liberty in...
Recent Comments