Hi Benjamin, thank you for replying.
My reference to raving was in the sense of uttering as if in madness or talking wildly, as in delirium—disturbances of consciousness characterized by restlessness. It is apparent that you are concerned with the injustices in our world and that it appears that God is indifferent and does not act accordingly to remedy those injustices. In the hustle and bustle of today’s world, with all the stresses, worries, and anxieties (not to mention the terrible atrocities and injustices we may personally experience and those we see all around us on a daily basis—as you clearly point out) it is really easy to become disturbed and angry, and many fall over the edge of sanity. However, this disturbance and anger can be controlled, preventing us from going over that edge and falling into the realm of psychological and physical violence. Christianity teaches us about faith and hope—two virtues (apart from many others) that can safeguard us from this restless spirit that is primarily caused by feelings of despair and hopelessness which can drag us over that precarious edge.
If people knew which prayers God can or cannot answer they would be better positioned to understand in which ways God can help them, and in which ways He cannot. All things are possible with God—if, and only if, they abide by God’s natural laws. A miracle is an event in which the likelihood of it occurring is so highly unlikely that because of exceedingly unfavorable circumstances the event is said to be exceptionally supernatural. In the final analysis, however, it remains—the event follows natural laws, even though those natural laws are not yet understood. Thus, the event is considered supernatural because the natural laws for causing the event are not yet understood.
In the case for God answering prayers one must first have faith that God can answer prayers. The individual must then have his/her ears open to listen for God’s voice. God will then advise on the appropriate course of action to take in fulfilling that intended wish. Necessarily, the course of action involves the pertinent effort required to fulfill that wish.
Therefore, the collective wishes of mankind can only be fulfilled through their collective effort and appropriate course of action. It is futile to pray and wish for things without putting the necessary effort to achieve them and instead believing that somehow they will be magically fulfilled.
We pretty much agree on the overall concept of God and Jesus Christ expect for, perhaps, the minutia. The details, however, are critical in clearly understanding theodicy (why God has not, and does not intervene in certain areas of animal and human suffering), for understanding the function of prayer, and for understanding God’s plan (as outlined in the Bible) altogether. Considering things at the cosmological level regarding infinity, fine tuning, and Creation perhaps you should take a look at these two topics which were discussed in the forum here some months ago — Fine Tuning and Teleology, and, Panentheism vs. Theism.
The topic you began titled, Faith in Aliens and God has now been closed. This was your comment in reply to mine which I did not get a chance to answer;
I’m not following what you mean.
What I am saying is that the evidence for the probability equation arguing for design is all around us, this evidence demands a designer, and any designer able to create a Universe would have to be outside that Universe and not limited by it.
I don’t see any evidence to suggest there are Universes outside this one. And any Universe outside this one would also have to have had a beginning, and so on and so forth until something caused the first singularity to suddenly appear and expand.
This present post—and the links to, “Fine Tuning and Teleology,” and “Panentheism vs. Theism” should be pertinent in that regard.
I understand and share your concerns of the atrocities and injustices experienced in the world, and I also understand and share your feelings of anger to that effect—how can anyone in their right mind not be concerned and share your feelings? However, as horrible as the atrocities and the injustices are the forces at work will continue to scourge and plague everyone and everything in their path until the karmic forces have been paid in full. It is so dreadfully unfortunate that so many innocent victims (especially the little children) have to pay for the criminal activities of corrupt leaders—but this is the significance of the scripture that closes the book of Revelation;
“He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be” (Revelation 22: 11-12).
Pertaining to natural events (including children born with cancer)—as I have explained, the importance of understanding the minutia involved is critical—how can God intervene, as you also agree that God is “an all encompassing spirit” and that “God is pure energy.” That spirit or pure energy in nature, that we call God, has no capacity for making such decisions in natural events (or in the affairs of man). Nature will be nature—it does not distinguish between good and evil. Therefore, concerning the affairs of mankind, responsibility falls upon that aspect of the all encompassing Spirit and Pure Energy that lies within the hearts and minds of men and women in our world. As you said, “I also believe Jesus Christ is God in Human form and thus is also more than simply a spirit.” More than simply a spirit is the qualifying remark that makes all the difference in our understanding of why God does not intervene. However, Jesus Christ and His true and faithful followers—intervene they will, or perhaps I should say, intervening they are.
It is entirely true that things can be taken as personal attacks quite easily on the internet, and although we find ourselves on a Christian website, we are not immune from personal attack. BioLogos is a special place in regard to Christianity in that it is the hub of evolutionary creationism. There is no other group of intellectual thinkers that brings together all aspects of the Christian mission as thoroughly as it does. As such, I don’t think it is exaggerated to expect personal attacks considering that there are those bent on preventing the fulfillment of that mission. One should assume himself or herself a target if he/she divulges, or exposes pertinent information for that fulfillment. If your intentions are specifically the argument, finding the truth, and learning then you are in good company. I basically wanted to hear it from the horse’s mouth. I understand your frustration here as well as I experienced similar reactions to my arguments. I am also intolerant of New-Age nonsense myself and would appreciate if you would care to elaborate on what you find nonsensical regarding my theories. I am grateful for your openness and sincerity, and find your arguments challenging and intellectually stimulating.
I also would like to leave you with this great inspirational song called Melancholy Man by the Moody Blues (perhaps you already know it?)—It kind of puts things into perspective.