I would like feedback on the new theodicy I am developing, called Merciful Ambiguity

[mitchellmckain (Scientist and Christian)]

Topics covered before, I suggest you read what has already been said.

Your paper: Why is God’s existence not more obvious?

Is God Dishonest for Designing a Universe Where it looks as if he doesn't exist?

How about a divine revelation that specified that the distance around a circular brass bowl ten cubits across would be thirty-one and forty-one one-hundredths cubits? And further stating that this is a holy number that may be found hidden across the heavens and the Earth by those with the wisdom to see? Yeah, I know that fails because it would only be of importance to people who know the value and significance of pi, which makes it non-obvious to earlier folks – though giving a measurement th…

Why There is No Proof of God

Continuing the discussion from Fine Tuning an Inhibition of Omnipotence: (@MarkD) This is a transcript of a six and a half minute video, so it should be readable in four minutes or less (the link to the video is at the end, if you would rather watch that): Why Is There No Visible Proof of God? I believe this is a valid question that atheists bring up. If God was real and if he loved us, why wouldn’t he make his presence known. The fact that he hides shows either God doesn’t exist or he doesn…

Be sure to look for my answers in these two threads… well actually the first quotes my answer in the second: my answer

Your paper: Why does the Bible feel more like a messy, human document than a perfect revelation? Why does the case for Jesus’ resurrection depend on ancient texts rather than decisive, public evidence? Why can intelligent, reasonable people sincerely believe in completely different worldviews or none at all?

I think there are some premises behind these questions that many will not and need not accept.

1. That the Bible is the one and only communication from God.
2. That salvation depends upon having certain beliefs such as in Jesus’ resurrection.
3. That it is better in some way that people should all believe the same.

Otherwise, why should we expect the Bible to be so different, or that Jesus resurrection should be so clear and obvious. And why shouldn’t people believe in different things? I would compare the diversity of thought to the diversity of genetics as something which makes human civilization more adaptable just as genetic diversity make the species more adaptable.

Your paper: These aren’t new questions.

Nor are your answers all that new. This is not to discourage you in telling people but just to caution you against claiming too much for yourself. Even if it isn’t exactly brand new, this doesn’t mean it isn’t something people need to hear. Nor does it mean you cannot express it in a way that will help people understand things better.

Consider the words of Jesus…

Matthew 13:10 Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” 11 And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For to him who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.

In this Jesus suggest ambiguity and the freedom to disbelieve is required, and by implication that both doubt and faith are necessary in God’s work with mankind.