Richard Beck's views on universalism with respect to the problem of evil interest me a lot. One aspect of theodicy that's breaking my heart is religious confusion, particularly the kind my family and loved ones are going through now. My sister, for instance, is a very gentle soul, a hard worker, loving wife, etc., but her Christianity has been largely informed by charlatans like Joyce Meyers and "purpose-drivenists." This is partly because she was raised poorly and has a dulled discernment (our mom's a theological dunce and our dad died early and was raised by JWs--that's a whole other story) but also because I'm afraid she doesn't have the intellectual and psychological capacity to construct a more nuanced and workable spiritual worldview that helps her process reality better. Some people just don't, and it's not their fault, IMHO.
As a result, she's an example of theodicy to me at this present moment, as I feel powerless because I can't help her and don't see a future theological reformation in her future. Such would be a virtual miracle, though I pray and hope it comes because I love her and want her to be less the ball of wound-up anxieties and false hopes she currently is.
This disturbs and depresses me as much as any starving African child. Somehow I find comfort in seeing Christians like Richard Beck wrestle with the same depression and talk about how universalism takes some of the sting out of theodicy for them in some small measure.
Here's an example of his thought process:
http://evangelicaluniversalist.com/f...hp?f=74&t=2991
As a result, she's an example of theodicy to me at this present moment, as I feel powerless because I can't help her and don't see a future theological reformation in her future. Such would be a virtual miracle, though I pray and hope it comes because I love her and want her to be less the ball of wound-up anxieties and false hopes she currently is.
This disturbs and depresses me as much as any starving African child. Somehow I find comfort in seeing Christians like Richard Beck wrestle with the same depression and talk about how universalism takes some of the sting out of theodicy for them in some small measure.
Here's an example of his thought process:
http://evangelicaluniversalist.com/f...hp?f=74&t=2991
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