RE: [asa] Richard Dawkins interviews Alister McGrath

I think the answer is yes and no, but McGrath didn't acknowledge that,
and then gave strong positions on both sides at different times.
Dawkins pointed out that McGrath wasn't being clear, but McGrath didn't
get it. It was exasperating for Dawkins because McGrath wasn't being
real at that point, as if he was more concerned about his poise. They
belabored the point until Dawkins realized he wasn't getting anywhere
with him.

I gave the wrong link for it, should be here:

http://www.astroligion.com/sciligious_posts/2007/12/dawkins-intervi.html

Fast forward to after time 47:00...

...Bernie

________________________________

From: asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu [mailto:asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu] On
Behalf Of Merv
Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2007 4:32 PM
To: asa@calvin.edu
Subject: Re: [asa] Richard Dawkins interviews Alister McGrath

Dehler, Bernie wrote:

I think McGrath got caught on one issue... if a little girl is saved in
a huge tragedy, did God do it? He seems to say both yes and no.

http://www.astroligion.com/sciligious_posts/2007/12/mcgrath-intervi.html

Maybe the answer IS both yes and no. Isn't that what paradox is all
about? Who inflicted suffering on Job. Satan did it. But he did it
with God's permission. But some natural explanations are also given
--- (such as the windstorm blowing down the house & killing his sons, I
believe). We're not given any neat delineation in Scriptures about
whodunnit. And those who wish to "protect" God from any culpability
in their own eyes, have much they will be forced to ignore in Scripture.
... and I will bring their calamity from every side of them, says
Yahweh. (from Jer. 49:2) And yet Satan is implicated, and we also are
implicated --- and perhaps even nature itself when you read through the
rest of Scriptures.

The Lord will do what He will. And any little girl saved in one
tragedy will eventually die in the next one. Our job is to mourn or
rejoice as the occasion calls with those bereaved or relieved in each
season. ...and to always stop short of cursing God, though some
fist-shaking doesn't seem to be precluded.

--Merv

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Received on Thu Dec 20 12:50:36 2007