Discussion about this post

User's avatar
Anthony Tiff's avatar

As a christian I do find what you said to be very important and must be taken seriously. I am personally a christian universalist and found Origen's and DBH perspectives on it as helpful along with several other early church fathers and theologians. I also believe that animals will be in heaven as Origen talks about. I do often wonder sometimes a lot about this issue and its heartbreaking. I even question if god is real why doesn't he do something about it. I myself have had terrible experiences in my life for example, I lost my father when I was 14. I was not a christian at the time but, afterwards I had several tremendous events where I had felt a sense of overwhelming love. I also had thankfully many friends of mine who happened to be christians be their for me and understand me in a way that they had never had before. I believe strongly and hope strongly that their is an afterlife from both what I and others I know have experienced and from reading Dale Allisons book encountering mystery. I became a christian about 3 years ago for both personal and intellectual reasons. I wonder every day why if god exists why he allowed my father to pass away so early in my life and I don't believe I will ever have an answer. I do try my hardest to make the world a better place such as helping the homeless and rescuing injured birds in my neighborhood because I believe that it at least some difference. I also hope that I and everyone that has lost a parent will be reunited with them in heaven or something like it. I know this comment is long I just wanted to let you know emerson I take what you say seriously and even though we disagree I believe your position is very understandable and many christians have much to learn from you.

Expand full comment
Joshua Rasmussen's avatar

I really appreciate this post.

I got a similar impression about God's obvious absence after our stillbirth a few years ago (and later seeing some birds attack each other). I might be tempted to add the notes you added, but you already added them. The point about not betraying those who suffer strikes me as very important, and I will continue to ponder it.

Expand full comment
51 more comments...

No posts