For me evil is the lack of relationship, of connection to anything whereas good is only found in love, relationship and genuine connection to all as Jesus reveals. In order to manifest, a relationship needs to be established. Evil wants to be singular and avoid relationship at all cost because that would require love.
I love that definition because it draws a direct contrast between love and it's polar opposite—evil. I wonder though, how does this definition incorporate natural evils like tsunamis, tornados, hurricanes, floods, etc.?
Natural disasters even though cause massive destruction, pain, death and heartache are just part of the natural world we live in. There intent is not to cause these but their effects do so wouldn't classify them as "evil" in my opinion. I have been thinking alot about the two creation stories and I think the 2nd is quite different from the first and possibly the start of the "natural law" of things, survival of the fittest, conquer or be conquered type of thing. One clue for me is it takes place in Eden but in a garden in the east, and learning from BZ means moving away from God. Maybe God knew this was a consequence of the design so doesn't control it, but respects it and works in it, turning logic upside down throughout His story and in doing so shows how deep love actually goes??? Just thinking outloud.......
Yeah I see where you are coming from and if we are following Rutledge's description of evil as non-being then maybe I should reclassify natural disasters differently. You got me thinking out loud too!
This weeks reading has been another great reading experience. I have a lot of time invested in reading N.T. Wright’s Christian Origins series (thousands of pages!) and like you Derek, don’t think he de-radicalizes Paul. It’s all covenant continuity and Temple language throughout and I find that lacking a bit in Fleming’s work. The chapter on evil is outstanding and I found myself nodding my head in agreement the whole time! I do not believe that natural disasters are “evil” personally but that is my belief. Looking forward to next chapters and coming conclusions 👍
Yeah I found the discussion of evil outstanding. I am still thinking about it today.
She does get Wright wrong (see what I did there!). By the way, she did DM on Twitter last night to say that Wright would be happy with my rebuttal. I'd love to have a sit down conversation with her. Maybe I can set up a zoom call with her and record it and share it here on the Substack.
For me evil is the lack of relationship, of connection to anything whereas good is only found in love, relationship and genuine connection to all as Jesus reveals. In order to manifest, a relationship needs to be established. Evil wants to be singular and avoid relationship at all cost because that would require love.
I love that definition because it draws a direct contrast between love and it's polar opposite—evil. I wonder though, how does this definition incorporate natural evils like tsunamis, tornados, hurricanes, floods, etc.?
Natural disasters even though cause massive destruction, pain, death and heartache are just part of the natural world we live in. There intent is not to cause these but their effects do so wouldn't classify them as "evil" in my opinion. I have been thinking alot about the two creation stories and I think the 2nd is quite different from the first and possibly the start of the "natural law" of things, survival of the fittest, conquer or be conquered type of thing. One clue for me is it takes place in Eden but in a garden in the east, and learning from BZ means moving away from God. Maybe God knew this was a consequence of the design so doesn't control it, but respects it and works in it, turning logic upside down throughout His story and in doing so shows how deep love actually goes??? Just thinking outloud.......
Yeah I see where you are coming from and if we are following Rutledge's description of evil as non-being then maybe I should reclassify natural disasters differently. You got me thinking out loud too!
This weeks reading has been another great reading experience. I have a lot of time invested in reading N.T. Wright’s Christian Origins series (thousands of pages!) and like you Derek, don’t think he de-radicalizes Paul. It’s all covenant continuity and Temple language throughout and I find that lacking a bit in Fleming’s work. The chapter on evil is outstanding and I found myself nodding my head in agreement the whole time! I do not believe that natural disasters are “evil” personally but that is my belief. Looking forward to next chapters and coming conclusions 👍
Yeah I found the discussion of evil outstanding. I am still thinking about it today.
She does get Wright wrong (see what I did there!). By the way, she did DM on Twitter last night to say that Wright would be happy with my rebuttal. I'd love to have a sit down conversation with her. Maybe I can set up a zoom call with her and record it and share it here on the Substack.